Oil Paint vs. Latex Paint

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Topic: Oil Paint vs. Latex Paint

askjane

Thu, 09/21/2006 - 4:59am

Oil Paint vs. Latex Paint

Alice wrote:

Dear Jane,

I want to paint over the stained pine wood trim in my home. I've used oil based paint already on some of my trim in the past 5 years.

Now a new painter is telling me I should use latex paint because oil based yellows quickly and the paint industry hasn't done anything to update/improve oil bases paint like they have with latex. He says using oil based paints is an old fashioned opinion.

I'm confused. Shouldn't I use oil, since parts of my house already have oil, and I'd like for everything to match. I've been improving room by room as my budget has allowed. Please give me some advantages over each type. Thank you! Alice

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Oil Paint vs. Latex Paint

askjane writes:

Thu, 09/21/2006 - 4:59am

Dear Alice,

Thank you for your question on oil vs. latex paints. It certainly sounds like you could use some help deciding what to do.

In response to whether or not white-finished oil-based paints turn yellow over time, this is true. The fact that they do this at a faster rate then latex is also true. The alkyd resins in oil-based paint cause gradual yellowing of white and off-white colors-it’s just chemistry. Latex colors don’t contain these alkyd resins and are designed to stay true color wise. The real confusing part of all of this is the fact that oils tend to create more durable finishes and quite often better looking finishes than latexes.

As for what you should do, this is something you’ll have to decide for yourself but here are a few things to consider when making this decision

Maintenance/upkeep perspective. If you paint all of your interior trim with oil, then you will have to touch it up more often.

Appearance perspective. The idea of something that is supposed to be white turning yellow doesn’t sound all too appealing.

Continuity. What type of paint have you used on your walls? We do not suggest using oil on the trim and latex on your walls. There are many reasons for this but the simplest one is that oil and water don’t mix. Painting over oil with latex is a time consuming process.

Ease of use. It is more difficult to clean up after using oil. If you happen to get any on your hands, the only way to get it off is with turpentine or paint thinner. Soap and water is all you need to clean up with latex.

We understand your wanting to make everything the same across the whole house but don’t make your decision based on the knowledge you had before, make an educated decision based on the knowledge you have now. Whatever you choose will be the “right” decision. Just remember that you are the one who will have to live with your decision.

On a last note, if your budget is tight, try painting it yourself. You’ll be surprised at how great it feels to paint a room or even just the molding. Try it, what have you got to lose? If it comes out terrible you can always call back in your painter.

Good luck in your painting adventures.

Hugs and Hammers,

Jane

Oil Paint vs. Latex Paint

mountainchica65 writes:

Thu, 09/21/2006 - 5:07am

One thing to consider is that the trim was already done with an oil-based product (stain and I am assuming some kind of shellac or lacquer.) You might try an oil-based primer (yes it's kind of nasty-wear a respirator and ventilate) then go over that with a latex paint. I use latex wherever possible because of the ease of cleanup, the colorfastness and because it's less environmentally damaging than oil.