Why Does White Oil-Based Paint Turn Yellowish?

Oil-based white paint contains slow-curing resins.

Oil-based paints were once a superior choice for all paint applications; oil paint is durable and provides exceptional coverage over stains. But white oil-based paint yellows over time. This yellowing is especially conspicuous in areas that get less light.

Characteristics

Oil-based paint contains ingredients such as linseed oil, alkyd resins and turpentine. White oil paint might contain titanium dioxide for pigment and talc as a filler.

Curing

The curing process of the oils causes oil-based paint to yellow over time. Lack of sunlight prolongs the curing process and therefore heightens the yellowing effect.

Solution

The superior durability of oil-based white paint can prove to be its biggest fault. Oil-based paint is difficult to remove. A fresh coat of paint is the most efficient solution for eradicating the yellowish cast.

References

• National Park Service: Painting HIstoric Interiors
• University of Toledo: Dyes, Pigments, and Paints
• Sherwin-Williams: Yellowing
• Home Addition Plus: Oil Based Paint versus Latex Based Paint