03. Water Base vs. Oil Base Paint

In the past, almost all paints were oil based. The paint formulas became water based, such as acrylics. The two are very different and understanding that can be important. here are some of the differences:

• Oil based paint uses a hydrocarbon based solvent that produces very nasty vapors during application, but dries slower and penetrates better than acrylics. This has always been a major selling point of oil; however, with modern acrylic retardants the penetration of water based paint can be greatly improved.
• The water based paints, such as acrylics, can be applied with a minimum of irritant vapors, but lay mostly on the surface and don’t penetrate or adhere as well as the oil based paints.
• For painting tolls cleanup, acrylics can be much easier and cleaned with soap and water, but with oil based paints must be cleaned with mineral spirits.
• Although the hiding power and coverage of oil based paints is one of their better qualities, the considerable drying time VS water based paints is a negative.
• Money savings: since you won’t be spending on mineral spirits for cleanup when using water based paints. Another money saving consideration is that you can re-use roller covers when using water based paints, not always the case with oil based paints.
• Do not cover a previously painted oil base surface with water based paint. The acrylic paint will not stick to the oil based paint. If you must use acrylic to paint over oil based paint, use a primer coat between them.
• The retaining over long term of color is often better with water based. They hold the color longer and are not given to fading and chalking, as the oil based paints are known to. Deep colors, in particular, stay true much longer with acrylics.
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