Oil Versus Latex?
Painters and wanna-be painters all seem to have their preference, including myself. For years it has been a forgone conclusion that oil-based paints were superior to latex and in cases I think oil still makes the best choice. It’s the more durable of the two, which is why I like to use it on wood trim surfaces. Oil base flows off the brush and levels out much better than latex. This is especially true with glossy or semi-gloss paint. One serious downside with an oil-based paint is that it gives off a toxic odor and can even cause nausea for some people.
Latex paints have made remarkable improvements in recent years and to be honest, most of the time, I use latex paint because it’s easier to clean up and dries much faster. You need to choose a latex paint that contains acrylic resins which are more durable and flexible than the cheaper vinyl ones. This added ingredient makes it easier to paint as it flows on with little effort and provides a lasting surface both for the interior as well as the exterior of your house.
I have a personal friend who is a professional paint contractor; he uses them both. He will use the more durable, smoother-finished oil base paints for trim and doors; then follows up with latex on the walls. The most popular wall finish is a satin or eggshell finish. That little sheen offers the best cleanability. A semi-gloss latex will give you an even harder surface and flat will give you the least hard surface.
Keep helpful painting tips in your procedures by using oil base on wood trim and doors and latex on the walls. This way you get the best of both worlds.
Category: Home Improvement, Home maintenance
