Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Difference between latex and enamel paint?

which paint is better latex or enamelDifference between latex and enamel paint?
Hiya Daddie...





I think you're asking ';what is the difference between latex and oil based paint'; ...or ';which paint is better latex or oil based';... and to answer this question requires much more info than what you've provided...If that's the case, there are plenty of differences between the two, and which is better depends on where the product is to be used, what the environment is and what expectations you have of the product....





Each product has their own distinct advantages and equally opposite disadvantages. Latex products are soap and water clean-up, usually faster dry, less odor, a little more user-friendly, generally a little cheaper, more color fast, chalk resistant, flexible and mildew resistant than are oil based coatings...On the other hand, oil based products are generally harder, more abrasion and corrosion resistant and generally perform better when applied to marginally prepared surfaces.





None of these blurbs about the products answers your questions. Generally speaking - and very generally - A latex product is the better choice when painting interior walls, ceilings, exterior siding %26amp; trim, masonry surfaces such as concrete block and stucco, and especially any surface that may transmit moisture (in the form of vapor) through the substrate and ultimately through the paint film...Oil based products are generally - and very generally - the better choice on hard, impervious surfaces such as steel or other ferrous metals as in machinery and equipment - or where a harder, more abrasion resistant finish may be required such as interior baseboard and trim, kitchen cabinets, interior doors etc.





The term ';enamel'; refers to the hardness and impermeability of a paint film. Not all oil based paints are enamels - for example, an oil based house paint is not an enamel finish. Enamels dry too hard and house paints must be able to expand and contract with the siding of the house. If you were to put an enamel (oil based or latex) on the siding of you home, eventually the paint film would crack and peel due to it's inability to flex. Likewise, not all paints that have a sheen are considered enamels - Again, house paints (latex or oils) come in a variety of sheens (high gloss, semi-gloss, satin and flat) and they are, based on their lack of hardness, not considered ';enamels';.





In the past few years, there has been some remarkable advancements in technology regarding water-based (actually water-borne) products that the term ';latex'; is almost too vague of a description of product. Anymore, ';latex'; typically means any coating that cleans up with soap and water - kind of. There are many acrylic enamel products (soap and water clean-up) that dry just as hard as their oil based counterparts. These products are relatively expensive compared to conventional latex paints, but they are hard drying, fast curing products that will someday replace the oil products we currently sell in the market place.





I could go on and on about the compositional differences between the two - and spend another several paragraphs on the differences in their respective curing mechanisms...but sometimes I even bore myself and can no longer listen to my own drivel on such a dull topic.





Do this...talk to your local independent paint store owner and allow him or her to recommend the best product and surface preparation procedure for your specific project. The big boxes like Lowes and Home Depot may have the products you need, but seldom do they have the experienced personnel to walk you through a job to a successful completion.





I hope this info is more helpful than confusing...I hope you're still awake..Good luck on your project.





RicDifference between latex and enamel paint?
what sort of surface are u painting??
I know the answer too, but looks like you've got enough info to compile a book already so I won't bore ya with a chapter on polymer science. Have a great weekend...
With respect to paints enamel is a fanciful term, implying that an ordinary latex or oil-based paint has the same properties as true, fired vitreous enamel.





Some enamel paints have been made by adding varnish to oil-based paint.





The term sometimes refers to oil-modified polyesters that were introduced in the early 1930s. The oil is required to stop or enhance the crosslinking of the paint in order to achieve sufficient flexibility of the paint film.





Typically the term ';enamel paint'; is used to describe oil-based covering products, usually with a significant amount of gloss in them, however recently many latex or water-based paints have adopted the term as well. The term today means ';hard surfaced paint'; and usually is in reference to paint brands of higher quality, floor coatings of a high gloss finish, or spray paints. Most all interior paints are acrylic latex and are water based.








An Oil-Base High-Gloss Enamel has Exceptional adhesion on previously painted or properly prepared and primed surfaces such as interior and exterior wood, drywall, plaster, masonry, metal, well-bonded wallpaper, brick, stucco, aluminum and cinder block.


Not recommended for floors.


NOTE: All oil-based paint yellows over time. This natural effect is most noticeable with light colors applied in areas with limited exposure to sunlight. It also has to be cleaned up with mineral spirits. Best for outside use. You should use a resperator if you use inside. Hope this helps

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