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Latex
Paint vs. Oil Based Paint
Diffen
Latex paints or acrylic paints are
fast-drying water-based paints.
Oil based paint is a slow drying paint made
with oil.
Latex paints are generally better for the
interior of homes and on large surfaces.
Oil-based paints are generally used on
metals, wood and for paintings.
The difference between oil-based and latex
paint lies in their composition, properties, and ease of use.
The fumes of the oil-based paint are also
known to be toxic to health and harmful to the environment and is hence a less
popular choice in home furnishing.
Comparison chart
Latex Paint
|
Oil Based Paint
|
|
Composition
|
Water-based
|
Oil-based
|
Ease of Use
|
Latex paint is thinner and easier to
use.
|
Oil-based paints are thicker and
harder to use.
|
Finish
|
Matte and Glossy
|
Smoother; glossy
|
Time to dry
|
1-2 hours
|
Days to weeks
|
Primer
|
Primer is not required with latex
paint.
|
Oil based paints need primer.
|
Durability
|
While latex paint is more easily
stained, it does not crack or peel with time.
|
While oil based paint is not easily
stained, it may turn yellow and crack with time.
|
Odor
|
Light
|
Strong
|
Toxicity
|
Latex paints are not toxic.
|
Oil based paints can be toxic.
|
Availability of colors
|
Fluorescent colors are only available
in latex paints.
|
Prussian Blue and Zinc white are only
available in oil-based paints.
|
Price
|
Upto 40% cheaper than oil-based
paints
|
Varies based on quality.
|
brittleness
|
flexible
|
more likely to chip
|
Difference
in Composition of oil-based and latex paints
Both paints use the same type of
pigments, but they use different binders, and that is what sets them apart.
Latex paints or acrylic
paints use pigments suspended in a binder made from an acrylic polymer
emulsion. The acrylic emulsion is water-soluble, non-toxic, and flexible, which
is why they are likely to be used in areas exposed to heat and cold.
Oil-based paint use the same
type of pigments but they are suspended in an oil-based binder (usually made
from linseed oil). The oil makes the paint thicker and more prone to mildew. Also the oil is not water-soluble so
it must be thinned with Turpentine instead of water.
Oil-based paints are thicker and
hence more difficult to spread. Various brushes and different rollers are
required to use this paint whereas latex paints are thinner and much easier to
use.
Being thicker, oil-based paints take
longer to dry (sometimes days or weeks) than latex paints which dry within
minutes, and only one coat can be applied at a time, whereas multiple coats of
latex paints can be applied to spread it more evenly.
Oil-based paints tend to have bubbles,
and it is important to stir and not shake it before mixing. Latex paints do not
develop bubbles while painting.
Latex paints are also easier
to use as no priming is required before painting, while in case of oil-based
paints, a priming coat is required to prevent it from peeling.
Acrylic paints are more easily obtained
and dry faster. However, they swell the grain of wood, and so it must be sanded
between coats.
Acrylic paints cannot be painted over
steel unless used with a primer. They do not adhere to dirty or chalky walls,
and are less durable in places with high humidity, such as bathrooms.
Oil paints go on more smoothly and
cover more thoroughly in one coat, but this requires care. However, their fumes
can be overwhelming.
They are more adhesive, and so can be
used on chalky surfaces. They also provide better coverage for stains.
Acrylic paint can be applied to raw
canvas, but is usually primed with Gesso before painting.
Oil paint must be applied to properly
sized and primed canvas, or else the canvas will rot.
Acrylic paints can be used along with
other materials, such as pastel, charcoal, pen. They can also be diluted with
water to create a watercolor-like effect.
Oil paints are not as versatile.
Oil-based paints have a glossy finish
whereas latex paints are available both in a glossy and matt finish. One
disadvantage of a glossy finish is that imperfections are easily visible.
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.
This is the reason why oil-based paints
are used for areas like kitchen, bathrooms, trims and other exteriors, whereas
latex paints are used for interior painting, especially if used by amateur
painters. On the other hand, if spilled, latex paints are
easier to clean with soap and water than oil-based paint which requires a
solvent or thinner for clean-up.
Availability
of colors
Certain colors like Prussian Blue and
Zinc white are available only in oil-based paints, and not in latex paints,
whereas fluorescent colors are available only in latex paints.
Oil-based paint has a much stronger
odor than latex paints. Thus, if you use oil-based paint make sure it is a
well-ventilated area and allow the odour to diffuse before entering the room.
Oil based paints are toxic and
hazardous to health, while
latex paints, being water-based are not toxic.
You
may be faced with a simple decision – whether to use affect or effect in a sentence. Or you may be
pondering over your long term investment choices – should you invest in a 401(k)
plan or an IRA? Or the choice in front of you could be much graver –
perhaps you are considering quitting your job with Microsoft in Redmond for a
job with Philips in Amsterdam. In all these cases, you can research each of the
individual choices and the different aspects related to the choice. But there
was no single source that gives you a comparison. That is, until we launched Diffen.
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