
There are a number of benefits of using a water-based paint, which include:
- Low Odour - water based paint smells much less than oil based.
- Quicker Drying - most water-based paints are dry within a couple of hours where as oil based paints often take a minimum of 16 hours to dry.
- Non Yellowing - oil-based paints can start to yellow over time, which is not the case with water-based paint.
Full Answer
What is the difference between oil-based and water-based paint?
In the battle of oil-based vs. water-based paint, oil is a rival that will show no mercy. Because of the harmful VOCs emitted from oil-based paints, the awful smell that can lead to headaches, or the way oil yellows drastically over time, so many people are looking to switch their oil-painted surfaces to water-based (acrylic/latex) paints.
Can you use water based paint on top of oil based paint?
You cannot use water-based paint on top of oil-based paint. You can use oil-based paint on top of water-based paint.
Is oil based primer better than water based primer?
Oil-based primers are usually better at hiding stains than water-based primers. However, there are so many brands and variations of oil and water-based primers; you may need to buy a few samples and test them out to determine which gives you the best result for your situation.
Does oil based paint have a strong odor?
And because the resin of an oil-based paint creates a hard coating that isn’t breathable, this option resists stains and rust over time. Keep in mind, though, that oil-based paints have a stronger odor than water-based paints, and will take more time to dry.

What is better water based or oil-based paint?
Oil-based paints can achieve a higher sheen level when applied due to the makeup of the paint; however, the sheen does become duller over time. While water-based paints achieve a lower sheen finish, water-based paints can typically maintain this sheen level over a longer period of time.
Is oil based or water based paint more durable?
Oil based paints dry much harder providing exceptional resistance to wear and tear. Though the paint dries harder, there is not much elasticity within the paint allowing the paint to likely crack. Becoming dry, chalky and brittle. Water based paints now days dry hard and resist damage and wear and tear.
Why people use oil-based paint?
Oil-based paints allow for greater open-time (or length of time the paint may be brushed before it sets), exceptional flow & leveling (finish smoothness) and resistance to abrasion, once cured.
Is oil-based paint better?
Durability. Oil-based paint is more durable and stain resistant than latex paints. Once, cured latex paints last longer without cracking or peeling whereas oil-based paints may turn yellow or oxidize with age.
When should you use oil-based paint?
Painters should use an oil-based paint for any surface where they want the finish to last for a long time, and they are not planning to change the color often.” Oil-based paints are extremely durable and can withstand routine contact, making them ideal for moldings and trims.
Are oil-based paints being phased out?
After some 300 years of use, most oil-based paints are beginning to be phased out, destined to become the buggy whips and Easter bonnets of architectural coatings.
Can I put oil-based paint over water-based paint?
You can use oil-based paint on top of water-based paint. You can use a water-based primer on top of an oil-based primer. You can use an oil-based primer on top of a water-based primer. You can use oil-based primer on water-based paint.
What is the most durable type of paint?
High Gloss The most durable and easiest to clean of all paint sheens, high-gloss paint is hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting. Think appliance-paint tough. High gloss is a good choice for area that sticky fingers touch -- cabinets, trim, and doors.
What is water-based paint used for?
Water-based paints are used in swimming pools to barns, roofing to railings, and floors to cladding. Eventually, water-based paints are suitable for nearly any application requirement.
What are the disadvantages of oil-based paint?
Cons of oil-based paint. The main disadvantage of oil-based paint is the strong odour, which is quite invasive, and the paint does take significantly longer to dry, so care is required with any dusty work, and ensuring that nothing is likely to make contact with the wet surface.
How long does water-based paint last?
10 yearsOnce opened water-based acrylic or latex paint can stay good for up to 10 years when properly stored in a cool, dry room in your home.
Does water-based paint wash off?
Once it's dry, the paint is permanent, durable and weatherproof and will not move or be washed off.
Does oil-based paint scratch easily?
Oil based paints have a very hard surface that resists all kinds of scratches. This is ideal for painting wooden surfaces and other areas that receive a high amount of traffic, i.e. doors and trim.
How long does water-based paint last?
10 yearsOnce opened water-based acrylic or latex paint can stay good for up to 10 years when properly stored in a cool, dry room in your home.
Does water-based paint last?
Water-based acrylic and latex paints can stay good for up to 10 years if never opened and kept from freezing. Leftover paints that have been opened should be closed up tightly, stored in a cool, dry place and used within two years.
Can water-based paint go over oil-based paint?
You cannot use water-based paint on top of oil-based paint. You can use oil-based paint on top of water-based paint. You can use a water-based primer on top of an oil-based primer.
What does sheen mean in paint?
Weigh your sheen options. “ Sheens indicate how glossy a paint is in its dry state ,” Joey says. “Glossy paints are shinier and reflect more light, but matte paints diffuse the light to make the surface less shiny. Reflective sheens, like satin and semi-gloss, clean easily but show more imperfections on the wall.
What is the most common pigment in latex paint?
Pigments: “These are finely ground particles or powders that provide color and coverage,” he notes. “The most common prime pigment is titanium dioxide.”. Liquids: “These are what carries the pigment and the binders, which evaporate as paint dries,” Joey adds.
What is water based paint?
When to Use Water-Based Paints. “ Water-based paints, which are also called latex paints, consist of a pigment and binder with water used as a carrier, ” Joey continues. “They are the most common and environmentally responsible paint option.
What paints hold their color longer than alternatives?
Since water-based paints hold their color longer than alternatives, Joey recommends them for exterior walls that are exposed to the elements and interior walls that experience a lot of moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms. Water-based paints come in a range of finishes, too, and can be cleaned with soap and water.
How to know if paint is oil based?
“If you don't know if the existing paint is oil-based or water-based on looks alone, then wipe the surface with denatured alcohol. If the rag picks up the paint, it's water-based. If no paint rubs off on the rag, it's likely oil-based.”
What to do after selecting paint?
After you’ve selected the paint you think is best, Joey recommends that you read the label to understand its binders, pigments, and liquids. This final step will give you a comprehensive understanding of the can you’re about to buy, so that you know exactly what’s going to cover your walls.
What is the truth about picking a color?
But, the truth is, pick ing a color is actually secondary to a lesser known but equally important task: Choosing the right type of paint for your needs.
What Is Water-Based Paint?
If you’re painting ceilings, exterior walls that may be exposed to harsh weather conditions, or interior walls that are prone to moisture (like in kitchens and bathrooms), water-based paints is your best option.
What is the difference between oil based and water based paint?
A major difference between oil-based and water-based paints is that the former can be painted on metal surfaces. Oil-based paints adhere better on metal surfaces and protect them from elements. In some instances, they can also be applied onto stained and dirty surfaces, although you’re definitely better off cleaning them in the first place.
How long does it take for oil based paint to dry?
Depending on the manufacturer, some oil-based paints take a long time to dry. In particular, there are products that require eight to 24 hours of drying time.
How do VOCs affect the environment?
Speaking of VOCs, they can be harmful to the environment once they’re released into the atmosphere, as they can negatively impact air quality and lead to the formation of smog.
Is latex paint better than acrylic paint?
Latex water-based paint: Compared to acrylic paints, latex paints have lower amounts of acrylic polymers and chemicals, but provide more coverage. Latex paints, which are better used on vertical surfaces like walls, are less expensive and more eco-friendly since they don’t release as many harmful fumes as they dry.
Is acrylic paint flammable?
Acrylic water-based paint: It is called as such because it contains higher amounts of acrylic polymers, and as a result, sticks better onto the surface and makes it more durable. Acrylic paint also doesn’t have a strong odor and is non-flammable. If you’re on a budget though, you may want to forego using this or just use it sparingly on cabinets and furniture, since acrylic paint tends to be more expensive.
Can you use water based paint over oil based paint?
What’s great about water-based paints is that you can use them over surfaces that have been painted on with latex or flat oil-based paints. You can also expect a finish that can withstand cracking, remain stable for a long period of time, and won’t fade once exposed to sunlight.
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What is water based paint?
What is water-based paint? Like many other paints, water-based paint consists of pigment and binder, with water as the carrier. The water-based paint dries quickly and doesn’t have a harsh odor. It is also easy to clean up. Water-based paint comes in two types; latex paint and acrylic paint. They are both used to paint homes, structures, etc., however, they have different purposes.
Can you clean oil based paint off your skin?
The oil-based paint can be very hard to clean up after paint from either your skin or brushes and rollers. You may be required to make use of a solvent or paint thinner, to get them off.
Why is hybrid paint yellow?
If you are using a hybrid paint throughout the day, you should wash your brush regularly and wipe the surface you are painting with a damp cloth as you apply the paint.
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Hybrid Paint – Neither Water- Based or Oil-Based Paint. Hybrid paints such as Crown Fastflow, Dulux QD and Johnstone’s Aqua are a sort of compromise I suppose. They are a water-based paint with an oil carrier, meaning there is just a little bit of oil in there to help it flow.
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Why is oil based paint slower to bond?
Application Process. Oil based paints are generally slower to bond than water based paints because the oil based paint is thicker and has a stickier feel to it. Oil based paints give off a very strong chemical smell which most people call ‘that paint smell’.
Why is water based paint better than oil based paint?
Mainly because they are much more resistant to UV rays, letting them retain sheen levels and colour over lengthy periods. The flexibility in the water based paint allows materials to contract and expand which makes it perfect for outdoor use. Oil based paint does not perform as well outdoors.
Why does paint dry so quickly?
Lower temperatures and humidity can lengthen drying times. High temperatures can cause the paint to dry too quickly. Water based paints drying time, too quick or too slow can have a large impact on the performance of the paint and finished results.
What is the difference between oil based and water based paints?
Oil based paints use mineral turpentine in the makeup of the paint solvent, while water based paints use mainly water in their solvent. Oil based paints give off a strong odour which is that typical paint smell. It is flammable and can have harmful effects on human health.
Does oil paint have a high sheen?
Sheen Qualities Vary. Oil based paints certainly can have a beautiful high sheen finish. Though the sheen does become dull over time. Water based paints provide a low sheen finish and can maintain this sheen level over a longer time period.
Does water based paint absorb moisture?
Surface Conditions Matter. Water based paints can endure small amounts of humidity on a surface before application as the paint can absorb the moisture. Just remember this can thin out the paint a little but will not affect the paint’s ability to bond to the surface.
Is oil based paint harder to paint?
Durability of Both Finishes. Oil based paints dry much harder providing exceptional resistance to wear and tear. Though the paint dries harder, there is not much elasticity within the paint allowing the paint to likely crack. Becoming dry, chalky and brittle. Water based paints now days dry hard and resist damage and wear and tear.
When Should I Use Oil-Based Paint Primer?
While oil-based primer does have some downsides, there are several instances where it is still the best option.
When Should I Use Water-Based Primers?
In recent times, the water-based primer has become more and more useful for a host of projects. Modern engineering has made it possible to have water-based paint while still providing the benefits of oil-based paint.
What is the difference between oil based and water based primer?
Oil-based primer is typically used for projects that require a tight seal. Water-based primer works well for indoor areas that are less likely to contact water. Oil-based paint off-gases more VOCs than water-based paint, making oil-based less idea for indoor use.
What is the best primer for indoor paint?
For anything indoors, water-based primer is the go-to choice. The mild fumes and the fast drying time make water-based paint popular.
What happens if you use water based primer on wood?
If you use water-based primer on fresh wood, the moisture in the wood will still try to evaporate. As the water evaporates, it will push through the water-based primer, causing flaking and peeling.
What is oil based primer?
Oil-based primer means that the base of the primer is oil. This primer can be used in combination with oil-based paint.
Which primer dries faster?
Water-based primer typically dries faster than an oil-based primer. However, this can vary based on the brand and type.

What to Know Before You Go to The Store
When to Use Water-Based Paints
- “Water-based paints, which are also called latex paints, consist of a pigment and binder with water used as a carrier,” Joey continues. “They are the most common and environmentally responsible paint option. They provide great color retention over time, dry faster than alternatives, and produce fewer odors. And lastly, water-based paints can typica...
When to Use Oil-Based Paints
- “Oil-based paints contain either natural oils, like linseed oil, or a synthetic alkyd,” Joey says. “They consist of a pigment and a resin in a solvent thinner. When the thinner evaporates, the resin forms a hard coating. Painters should use an oil-based paint for any surface where they want the finish to last for a long time, and they are not planning to change the color often.” Oil-based paints are …
What to Note in The Details
- After you’ve selected the paint you think is best, Joey recommends that you read the label to understand its binders, pigments, and liquids. This final step will give you a comprehensive understanding of the can you’re about to buy, so that you know exactly what’s going to cover your walls. Binders: “These are plastic-like polymers that bind the pigment together to form a tough, c…