Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Choosing oil based or latex paint?

I am painting baseboards and windows. They have been stained and varnished, so I am sanding them down good first, then putting oil-based Kilz primer over it first. My question is the choice of paint - should I use oil-based enamel, regular latex, or latex enamel? I'm planning on using a semi-gloss or gloss either way.Choosing oil based or latex paint?
You can use either. Many people swear by latex enamel. I don't like it for interior paint.





I believe that oil based paint is more durable for interior finish work. It also ';lays down'; better and shows fewer brush marks. I would suggest you don't use gloss, it shows all the imperfections in the wood. Semi-gloss or satin does a better job of hiding imperfections and is just as easy to clean.





If you choose latex, use enamel rather than wall paint.Choosing oil based or latex paint?
About the best paint around is SherwinWilliams for Cabinets and baseboard and doors and door moldings. It is about $28 per gallon It is latex base, flows on without marks using a fine brush. Special paint for this exact purpose.





I sanded mine with Wet paper 600 gritt between coats, it turned out like a spray job.





Oil base is pretty smelly stuff and it doenst dry hard so you can wet sand on it. And if you want a superior job, wet sanding between coats and tack up is a must. . The above paint has no odor whatsoever you can paint in winter time.





I was surprised a few years ago to also find out that the newer outside Latex paints are used on metal and are much more resistant to rust than Rustoleom .
Your choice of primer is maybe not so good. Oil based products smell bad ...especially in a closed house. Glidden makes a primer named Gripper. It's water based and does a great job. For a top coat I would use Sherwin Williams Pro Classics. It comes in flat,satin.semi gloss and gloss. When it dries I have had many painters swear it is oil based. I am in the middle of a kitchen rehab for a customer and am using Pro Classics. The latex coatings of today are nothing like the latex your dad used years ago. They (latex) paints are every bit as good as Oil based in 99 percent of the cases
Latex enamel is far superior to oil based. It is also easier to work with and easier to clean up spills, yourself and the brush.


Also the solvents are less toxic.





Also in future repainting latex makes a better base, In contrast latex should not be applied over oil enamel without extensive sanding..





The only place oil base might be superior is an exterior primer. Then cover with a latex finish. Have fun.

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