Stepping into the paint department at your paint shop or home improvement store can be a daunting experience, to say the least. You are about to paint a small living room and are suddenly faced with the challenge of deciding between acrylic paint and varnish paint. What is the difference and does it matter? You wonder, “Should I worry if I choose the wrong one?” Don’t worry, read on and we’ll help you sort things out.

Everything you need to know about facade paint

Paint, like most home remodeling materials, comes in a variety of options to help solve a variety of problems. Different types of painting projects require different types of paint. Understanding what type of paint to choose for a particular project can be a little confusing. So let us give you “primers” for some of the popular types of house paint and which one is right for your project.

Acrylic

These paints are divided into three main parts: pigments, binders and solvents. Simply put, pigment paints, a binder is what keeps color after it dries, and the solvent is how pigment and binder rise to the surface to be painted. The solvent in acrylic is water, which allows you to apply pigments and binders to your surface, and then the water evaporates, leaving only the color behind.

What you need to know about acrylics: Works on most surfaces as long as they are properly coated before painting.

Enamel color

Enamel is a solvent-based (oil-based rather than water-based) paint that dries in a tougher, almost shell-like finish, unlike the more flexible acrylics. Oil-based paints have become less popular in recent years. Enamel is one of the most common types of exterior home paint.

Things to know about enamel: Some oil-based enamel paints take several days to dry completely and have a very strong odor (for several days).

Latex color

Despite the name, latex paint does not contain latex. Because latex, like acrylic, is water-based, there are many similarities, but latex tends to dry faster and costs less than acrylic. Latex is usually available and can be purchased in bulk, making it one of the most popular types of home interior paint.

Things you need to know about latex: Latex paint doesn’t work well on rough surfaces (like concrete).

Primary

While a primer isn’t technically a paint, it’s important to understand what it is and how it works. Primer covers surface imperfections and can help reduce “bleeding” from the previous paint color. Using a primer over a darker color can help minimize the number of layers you need to apply with the new color (especially if the new color is lighter). It also provides a better surface for applying paint to. Priming can be an important step in ensuring that the surface to be painted, if properly prepared, will help reduce overall painting time.

What you need to know about primers: Primers must be combined with paints – don’t use oil-based primers under water-based paints.

When to use color?

Now that you know more about color types, let’s see when and where to use them.

Acrylic paint project

Acrylic paints are great for use in high-traffic areas because they are extremely durable and long-lasting. Once dry, acrylic paints are more flexible and last longer than latex or enamel. Acrylic paints are also more resistant to UV rays than other paints, making them a great choice for rooms that get a lot of natural light.

Where can it be used?

• In the room

• Furniture

Enamel painting project

As noted above, enamel dries longer than acrylic or latex, making it a suitable paint for surfaces that need frequent cleaning, including outdoors. The main benefit of enamel paint is its durability, making it a good choice for panels, cabinetry, and walls in high-traffic areas. One thing to note: Oil paints are becoming increasingly rare because they are difficult to clean.

• Where can it be used?

• Layers

• Kitchen drawer

Latex Painting Project

Latex paint is less expensive than acrylic paint and dries faster, making it an excellent choice for large rooms and rooms that shouldn’t be used for a long time. Latex paint also produces less smoke, making it a better choice for poorly ventilated rooms or spaces where children and pets are frequent.

Where can it be used?

• Wall

• Siding

• Cover

primary use

Primers are best used before painting surfaces such as drywall, wood, and some metals. If the surface you are painting has a lot of bumps or the dark color you are painting on, using a primer will save you time overall. While you can paint multiple colors without a primer, using a primer provides a cleaner base for painting. This will also help your new paint color retain its original color.

Where can it be used?

• Drywall

• Surfaces with discoloration or imperfections

• Dark painted surface

• Raw wood

Find the right color for you

Starting and finishing a painting project can be very satisfying, especially if you know what paint to use and where to use it. If you have additional questions about which paint to use or need help with a painting project, contact your local painter at Five Star Painting.

We can answer all your questions and help you to plan and execute your next painting project. We use only the highest quality paints in all of our work to ensure the interior and exterior of your home look its best. To learn more, give us a call at 8013607637 or request a free estimate online.