Latex Paint Vs. Oil Based
Eighty percent of paint used today is latex. Latex products are available in a variety of finishes ranging from flat to high gloss.
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Paint Chemistry
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Latex paints are water-based with glycol solvents. Oil or alkyd-based paints are petrochemical solvent-based. Binders for oil-based paint are also synthetics from petrochemicals or derived from natural oils.
Stricter Environmental Regulations
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Conventional oil-based paints release more fumes when applied and more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than latex paints. They are difficult to buy or illegal to use in many areas.
Drying Times
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Oil-based paints dry to the touch in six to eight hours and need 24 hours between coats. Latex paints dry to the touch in minutes and can be recoated in four hours.
Cleanup
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Latex paints clean up with soap and water. Oil-based paints require solvents such as mineral spirits.
Preparation
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Oil-based finishes tend to adhere better to uneven, dirtier, more weathered or smoke-damaged surfaces. Latex finishes require clean and deglossed surfaces.
Colorfastness
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Latex paints are more colorfast and less prone to fading, yellowing and chalking.
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