The Different Classes of Paints and their Special Qualities

The kind of paints selected and used could be influenced by a number of factors. Questions like these arise: Is the room properly ventilated? Do you want a glossy finish or a more relaxed finish?

The dangers of organic fumes by the paints.

Sometimes you need to paint a room in which there is little to no ventilation and it is not possible to make the situation any better, such as in a basement. Water paints are the go to for these projects. Oil paints are more likely to give a glossy finish, but are more hazardous and create more fumes than water based paints. Oil based paints are harder to get out of flooring or furniture if you spill them and are slightly more expensive. 

We, Brushwork Painters, are more concerned about those factors because it helps us satisfy our clients adequately, while still being aware of the safety of our painters and our clients.

For Simplicity and clarity, I will classify paints under 2 categories: Water based paints and Oil based paints.

(1)    Water Based Paints or Latex Paints

These paints are basically prepared by suspending acrylic or latex – the pigment binder – in water which is used as the solvent. For preparation before a paint job, that explains why water is most preferred to mix the paint to any other liquid substance.

Pros

•  Lower exposure to harmful fumes
•  It dries quickly; hence, multiple coats can be applied on the same day
•  It is easy to clean up tools after finishing the paint job
•  Flexible finish is achievable

              Cons

•  More coats are needed to attain a perfect finish
•  It is not as durable as Oil based paints
•   Color tends to change when dry

(2)    Oil Based paints

These paints are basically pigments suspended in a drying oil – though the need for an additional oil like turpentine will be needed to mix prior to an oil paint task. They are often used to paint furniture, floors, metals, and for artistic painting.

Pros

•  It applies easily on the wall and create a smoother and finer finish
•  It covers more thoroughly in just one coat
•  It is less likely going to shrink and peel off.
•  It takes longer time to dry; hence, giving the painter enough working time.

              Cons

•  It is more likely to crack and fade over time
• The fumes emitted from the paint could be a threat to one’s health
• The brushes or rollers used for the paint jobs are not easily washable; you will need chemicals like turpentine or lacquer thinner
• There is need for an additional and more expensive substance – which is the spirit – to adequately mix the paint to the right consistency suitable enough for painting.

NB: For walls that have been painted on before with an oil paint, if you intend to apply a water based paint on that same wall you might find it hard to make it work; our seasoned personnel could get the wall ready by “power washing” – which is one service we also specialize in.

I want to believe that this article is expository enough to appropriately summarize the different classes of paints there is and their special qualities.

 We at Brushwork Painters understand the essence of giving the best quality for our customer’s satisfaction. Hence, we endeavor to buy quality pants to achieve that goal.