Featured:
Allergies
Grilling Guide
eHow Now Blog

How to Choose Paint

When it comes to painting the house, your primary choice is between water-based and oil-based paints. Beyond that, considerations such as sheen (which refers to the amount of light reflected by paint) depend largely on your tastes. Here are some guidelines. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • Oil-based Paints
  • Water-based Paints
  • Water-based paints
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Select 100% acrylic latex (water-based) paints for exterior use. Latex provides a pliable finish that is reliable for exterior use.

    • 2

      Select either latex or oil-based paints for interior purposes.

    • 3

      Use a flat sheen for interior/exterior walls, excluding kitchens and bathrooms. A flat sheen provides a non-light-reflective, rich finish.

    • 4

      Use low-luster (eggshell) sheen for a flat finish in kitchens and bathrooms. This is a durable and washable paint good for areas that are in contact with water. (Semigloss also works well for kitchens and bathrooms.)

    • 5

      Use a semigloss, gloss or high-gloss paint for trim and woodwork. High-gloss is very light reflective (shiny), and is also easy to clean.

Tips & Warnings

  • Latex paints are fast-drying and require only water for thinning and cleanup.

  • Latex paints have fewer fumes and odors than oil-based paints.

  • Oil-based paints are slow-drying and require mineral spirits for thinning and cleanup.

  • Oil-based paints have strong, smelly fumes but are extremely durable.

  • Oil-based paints are not generally used on exteriors because of the adverse effects of varying weather conditions.

Suggest item

Related Searches:

Comments

View all 6 Comments
  • Nov 22, 2005
    Consider using eggshell or satin on your walls for interior and exterior (latex of course) it will not mark or blemish like flat finishes and will give you a washable and more durable finish.
  • Nov 22, 2005
    Add a few drops of vanilla to the paint to reduce the harsh smell. Doesn't affect the paint, just makes it a little more tolerable.
  • Nov 22, 2005
    Consider using acrylic paint on interior walls, especially in bathrooms and the kitchen, instead of oil-based paint. There is no reason to use oil-based paint on the interior, unless it's an oil-based primer.
  • Nov 22, 2005
    If you want to avoid toxic paint smells altogether, try a low-VOC or no-VOC paint like Safecoat.
  • Nov 22, 2005
    Add a few drops of vanilla to the paint to reduce the harsh smell. Doesn't affect the paint, just makes it a little more tolerable.

You May Also Like

Related Ads

thumbnail
Featured