Paint can be pretty confusing...
What kinds of paint are there?
When should I use certain types of paint for certain situations?
What's a sheen?
What's the difference between oil and water based?
What are VOCs and why should I care?
What color should I pick?
First thing's first let's start with the basics. What is paint?
Paint is defined as a decorative or protective coating spread on surfaces like walls. Used mainly for interior rooms and exteriors of buildings. You can even make cool little pictures with it.
You got it yet? Good let's start diving a little deeper...
Now we know what paint is, what are the different types of paint used to paint houses and other buildings with?
First, we'll start with "Latex Paint". What is Latex Paint? Latex is known for its protective uses... however, that's for a different blog. Right now, we're going to stay on topic with paint.
It's often the most used type of paint on the market; it dries quickly and doesn't fade like oil based paints.
Scientifically speaking, Latex paint is composed of pigment particles suspended in water. After it is applied and the water evaporates it creates a non toxic film on your walls and there you go, a newly painted room!
Typically, Latex Paint is used for Interiors, Concrete, Drywall, & Wood.
Pros of Latex:
Easy to apply
Comes in different finishes (We'll discuss that another time)
Easy to clean
Resists moisture
Cons of Latex:
Exposes brush strokes
Doesn't bind to metals
Less durable than oil based paints
Can be toxic to the eco system
Ok, You still there?? C'mon focus, we're almost there.
So, next we have is Acrylic paint. What is Acrylic paint? Well Acrylic and Latex are very similar as they are both are made from acrylic resin. The main difference is that Acrylic paint is chemical based and Latex is water based.. Well Acrylic is also water based, however the difference is the pigment particles are suspended in an acrylic polymer compound. To simply put it Acrylic just has more chemicals in it.
Alright, since Acrylic is chemical based that makes it more adhesive, elastic, and durable. It's great for exterior painting as it retains color and protects its surfaces. Additionally, it's mold and water resistant.
Usually, you'll find Acrylic paint is used for Bathrooms, Cabinets, Exteriors, and Metal Surfaces.
Pros of Acrylic Paint:
Durable
Low Maintenance
Versatile
Weather Resistant
Cons Of Acrylic Paint:
Harder to blend
Can be toxic to the environment
Can dry too fast
Now that you have graduated from water based paints it's time to get into oil based paint. Hooray! Time to celebrate!
Ok, celebration's over now get focused...
Next, we have Enamel Paint. Technically all paint is an enamel, but I'm not going to get into semantics, I'm just here to show you the way.
Enamel paint is oil based and dries to a hard and usually glossy finish. To help visualize it I'd say it looks like nail polish; it is typically used outdoors and it's compatible with most surfaces. Lastly, it's resistant to stains, scratches, and heat.
You'll usually see it used on cabinets, doors, metal, and ceramic surfaces.
Pros of Enamel Paint:
Very Durable
Very Versatile
Resistant to corrosion, chemicals, heat, and abrasions.
Easy to maintain
Hygienic, used in healthcare and food industry
Cons of Enamel Paint:
More expensive than water based paint
Slow drying
Strong unpleasant smell
Harder to clean
Last but not least, we have a special guest we will be learning about...
Epoxy Paint. What is Epoxy Paint?
Let me tell ya. Epoxy paint is super durable and made by missing epoxy resin and hardeners through a chemical process called "curing". It is super durable and very versatile; it can be used just about anywhere. Furthermore, it is long lasting & easy to maintain.
Pros of Epoxy Paint:
Long lasting (Up to 10 years or more)
Extremely durable
Very Versatile
Highly resilient to dirt, mold, & bacteria
Easy to maintain
Cons of Epoxy Paint:
Expensive
A lot of prep work
Long cure time
Can be an irritant to skin and eyes
There you have it, you are now a paint expert. Well, now you know the technicalities of it. You still have to know the application; that's where you should hire someone like Trident Painting Company. We do interior painting, exterior painting, and epoxy floors in the Grand Rapids, Rockford, and Sparta areas.
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