subject: What is oil paint and what is latex paint? [print this page] What is oil paint and what is latex paint?
This is just a question of which binder and reducer you use. Originally oil paint was made with linseed oil as a binder. (Hence "oil" paint, duh!) You reduce it with mineral spirits. (Paint thinners, turpentine, etc.)
Latex paint is a Canadian invention. (Swell with patriotic pride!) CIL invented it in the 1940s. It uses a resin from the rubber tree called "latex" as the binder. The advantage is latex paint can be reduced with water and doesn't smell bad.
In summary: Oil paint made with oil. Reduces with paint thinner. Smellier. Latex paint made with latex! Reduces with water. Less smell.
As in law and medicine, paint terminology is designed to keep mere mortals in line.
ALKYD - technically means a synthetic (man-made) resin. Alkyd is OIL PAINT using a man made oil. That's all it is. ALKYD = OIL PAINT.
ACRYLIC - you guessed it. Synthetic latex. ACRYLIC = LATEX PAINT.
to be fair to the manufacturers, even though they confuse you with names, the paint keeps getting better and better. Especially Acrylic. In some areas, (California for one) oil paint is now illegal as it is considered too toxic. So research in Acrylic paint is going leaps and bounds. New stuff is coming out all the time. (I'm just glad I'm not working in computers!)
For walls usually an acrylic latex is best. For doors and window sills etc. oil paint is usually stronger. Acrylic paints breathe more. They allow moisture to evaporate better from inside walls. Acrylics are better for the environment. Disposal is less of a problem. You can wash up the brushes with soap and water.
Having said all that, I find it hard to beat a nice coat of shiny oil paint for doors and trim. It dries with a smooth, hard finish. It stinks and it's a pain to clean up, but it really gives a nice result once it's all over.
For info. Visit this website http://kasselpainting.com
