What's the Difference between Water and Oil-based Paint? | Decorating Centre Online

When starting out any paint project, you must know which paint type is best for your circumstances. Whether you require a water-based paint, oil-based paint, or even a chalk paint can be tricky to figure out.

However, below is a handy guide on the different types of paints with a simple list of their advantages and disadvantages.

So, when we talk about water-based and oil-based paint, what we are talking about is the liquid component of the paint which evaporates when it dries.

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This means that there is a difference not only how the different paints dry, but also in the speed in which they dry as well as the preparation you must undertake before using that paint.

This means that the differences between oil-based and water-based paint is the type of solvent used in the paint itself. With oil-based paints, the key component in the liquid element of the paint is an organic solvent which is typically a sort of mineral turpentine.

However, with water-based paints, it is very much shown in the name as the liquid component is almost all water.

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How is an oil-based paint different to a water-based paint?

As stated above, oil-based paint uses a volatile organic compound (also known as a VOC). This is an organic solvent in vapour form in which these gases are released into the air which is a key component in the drying process of the paint.

These types of components typically consist of petrochemicals and plants. As a result, oil-based paints release a strong odour which can have a harmful effect not only on the environment, but also human health too.

This chemical component is flammable, with some high exposure to these types of OVC’s causing headaches, skin irritation and even nausea for some people.

This means that it is essential that, if you are using any type of oil-base paint, you must ensure that good ventilation and constant air-flow is present when painting anywhere with an oil-based paint.

As a result, the key differences between oil-based paint and water-based paint is that water-based paint releases much fewer VOC’s into the air than oil-based paint and is therefore better for the environment and better for people’s health too.

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What are some key characteristics of oil-based and water-based paints?

What are the Sheen Levels of oil-based and water-based paints?

Oil-based paints: Although the sheen levels in oil-based paints are typically higher than water-based paints, the sheen does become duller over times. This is as a result of the chemical makeup of the paint in which a higher sheen level is usually present when first applied.

Water-based paints: However, although the initial sheen levels in water-based paints are typically lower than their oil-based counterparts, they can usually maintain this sheen level for a longer period.

How durable are oil-based and water-based paints?

Oil-based paints: In the past, oil-based paints were known for providing very good resistance to general wear and tear. This means that oil-based paints have been used in high traffic areas in order to provide a scrubbable and easily-cleaned paint.

However, as a result of this good resistance to wear and tear the paint usually dried much stiffer than water-based paint and therefore is much more likely to crack, become dry and even become brittle and chalky over time. They are also very known to yellow over time too.

Water-based paints: Although oil-based paints are known to be strong and durable, water-based paints are also very effective at resisting damage as well as any general wear and tear, much like their oil-based counterparts.

They are also much more flexible than oil-based paints as they can expand and contract with not only the weather conditions, but also just general heating levels, which makes them incredibly susceptible to cracking, becoming brittle and becoming chalky.

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Can oil-based/ water-based paints be used on exterior surfaces?

Oil-based paints: As a result of their chemical compounds, oil-based paints are not very good as outdoor and exterior paints. Oil-based paints often break down in UV light and therefore end up with that chalky surface as detailed above.

Additionally, like it is detailed above, oil-based paints are stiff and therefore the differing weather conditions can make cracking occur much more frequently.

Water-based paint: These types of paints are great for exterior applications, if they are a water-based paint which is specifically designed for exterior use. This is as a result of their resistance to UV rays which allows them to retain their sheen levels, as well as their colour, over time as detailed above.

Again, much like has been mentioned above, water-based paints are more flexible than their oil-based counterparts, and therefore can expand and contract to different weather conditions too.

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What is the application and well as clean up for oil-based and water-based paints like?

Oil-based paints: As oil-based paints are much more tolerant to weather conditions during the application process, they are much easier to apply during extreme temperatures and different conditions too.

This means that weather conditions and other types of conditions will not affect the drying times of oil-based paints as much as it does with water-based paints.

Water-based paints: As a result of the key liquid component of this paint being water, these types of paints find it difficult to perform in adverse weather conditions when being applied.

Different temperature levels can extend the drying times, or they can even cause the paint to dry too quickly too.

This difference in the drying times can therefore have a big impact on the final finish of the paint and how durable and strong it is long-term too.

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Can oil-based/ water-based paints be used on a variety of surface conditions?

Oil-based paints: As oil-based paints have characteristics which help them repel water, they cannot create a string adhesion to bond to the surface.

This means that it is essential that any surface which you intend to apply oil-based paint to must be completely dry before applying the paint.

Water-based paints: Although water-based paints can tolerate a very small amount of moisture on the surface via to the application, however the surface should still be as dry as it can be prior to the application of the paint.

However, if the surface is slightly moist, it will not affect the adhesion of the paint sticking to the surface.

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What are the drying times for oil-based and water-based-paints?

Drying Times:	Oil-based paints	Water-based paints
Touch Dry	6-8 Hours	30-60 minutes
Recoat Ready	16-20 Hours	2-3 Hours
Fully dry	2-3 days	1-4 Weeks

How easy is it to clean up oil-based and water-based paints?

Oil-based paints: As a result of their chemical makeup, oil-based paints require turps or other speciality thinners to be used during the clean-up process.

Water-based paints: The brushes and/ or rollers, or other painting accessories, can be easily cleaned with water was a result of the solvent in water-based paints being mainly water.

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Which type of paint should I be using in my home?

If you have read the handy guide above and are still unsure about which types of paints to use for your home, please just ask us either in-store or online!

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