Latex
When it comes to paint you have to pick what type of paint you want to use. Every paint type has advantages and disadvantages, and some are better for certain projects than others. Latex is the most popular paint choice for the interior of the home. It is durable, safe, easy to clean, dries quickly, and has no fumes. While it can be used for exterior painting, it is best suited for interior living spaces. Why? Well, latex paints are often referred to as "breather" paints because they are more porous than oil paints, and allow water through at times. Thus if they are used on new wood, without a good oil primer, or if the paint is applied too thinly, rain or heavy dew can penetrate the coating and reach the wood causing warpage etc., hence the reason it is mostly an inside paint.
So, what are the advantages of Latex Paints?
Latex Paints can be thinned with water and are easily applied. While they are different, they do have many advantages over oil-based paints. For example:
Latex Paints have fewer odors than oil based paints.
You do not need special cleaners for latex paints, as they are water based, you can use water to cleanup.
Latex paint is nonflammable, which is especially nice if you intend to store paint for later touch-ups etc.
Latex paint dries quickly, which when you are applying more than one coat rapid drying is very advantageous.
Latex Paint is easy to touchup, and let's face it, we are not all perfect!
It has easy application, even on damp surfaces, though it is not recommended to paint surfaces that are damp.
Latex paint has a better gloss and color retention (less fading) on exterior surfaces, but as mentioned previously you will need a good oil based primer to protect those surfaces from water, should you use latex paint outdoors.
One big advantage is that Latex paint is know for having little or no yellowing on interior surfaces.
Latex paint remains more flexible and less brittle, which makes them less likely to crack and peel, which saves you money and time in the long run especially.
The disadvantage, especially of some lower-quality or promotional Latex paint products, are poorer adhesion to blistered, peeling or chalking surfaces, and, in some cases, less-effective hiding qualities. This is not good if you did not take the time to prep your walls and the room thoroughly.
One other advantage of Latex paint, especially if you do a lot of painting projects, it that the brushes and rollers you purchased can be re-used if properly cleaned. So, to clean brushes and rollers that have been used to apply Latex paint you will want to do the following:
- When you are finished with the project start by scraping away as much paint as possible from the brush/roller using a paint stirring stick.
- Once you get as much excess paint off as you can, immediately soak the brushes/rollers (remove the roller from the frame before soaking) in water. Then use a brush comb to remove additional paint.
- After you have soaked them for a while, you will want to squeeze the brushes/rollers to remove excess water.
- After you get all the excess water out, clean them with warm, soapy water.
- Rinse thoroughly and squeeze out as much water as possible.
- Hang the brush/roller up to dry.
- Last but not least, to protect your purchases, and keep them in good shape for your next paint project, you should wrap the brushes in paper towels to help keep the bristles in good condition.
