Key Differences Between Oil-Based and Water-Based Paint

Key Differences Between Oil-Based and Water-Based Paint

Painting your house is something that you are going to want to do every once in a while. A fresh coat of paint can really spruce things up and you also may just want to change the style of a certain room. Before you get started with your little painting project, it is important to consider which type of paint you want to use. There are several key differences between oil-based paints and water-based paints. Knowing the attributes of both of them will allow you to make an informed decision on which one to choose.

Oil-Based Paints

You will notice that oil-based paints are more durable than most other types of paints. The way that this paint is made allows it to stand the test of the time. If you are painting an area that has a lot of people walking through it on a regular basis, then it might be smart to use the oil-based paint. It can withstand scuffs, bumps, and other types of trauma much better than other paint types. You should note that this type of paint costs much more money than water-based paint too.

There are some negatives about oil-based paints, though. The first thing that people don’t like about this paint is that it takes quite a long time to dry. This isn’t something that you can paint on the wall and then have it dry in just an hour or so. You will need to dedicate a good amount of time to let the paint dry when you are using this type of paint.

Also, cleaning your paint brushes and little spills will prove to be more difficult when you use oil-based paint. You will need to use some type of paint thinner, such as turpentine, in order to get the best results. There are extra steps involved in almost every step of the way when you use this paint. It isn’t going to be as quick to use but the results can be quite nice.

Water-Based Paints

Water-based paints are a fantastic alternative to oil-based paints. You can essentially consider this type of paint to be the polar opposite of its oil-based cousin. This paint is not as durable as the oil-based paint but it can still make for a good general use type of paint for ceilings or walls. As long as people aren’t going to be slamming into the wall too often, it shouldn’t cause too many problems.

This paint dries much faster than the oil-based paint too. You can have it dry in a fraction of the time when compared to the oil-based options. Cleaning up is a lot simpler as you can simply use water to get your brushes clean. You won’t need to worry about using harmful chemicals and everything will just be a lot less of a hassle.

One reason why people gravitate towards water-based paint is that it is very cost-effective. If you paint your home using water-based paint, then you will save a lot of money in comparison to oil-based. It is one of the best options to use when you are operating on a tight budget. As long as you understand its limitations and lack of durability in some areas, it will work out very nicely for you.

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