What is the difference between oil and water based face paints?

A short list of the main differences between oil and water based paints(a). Oil based paint uses a hydrocarbon based solvent that produces very nasty vapors during application, but dries slower and penetrates better than acrylics. This has always been a major selling point of oil; however, with modern acrylic retardants the penetration of water based paint can be greatly improved.

(b). The water based paints, such as acrylics, can be applied with a minimum of irritant vapors, but lay mostly on the surface and don't penetrate or adhere as well as the oil based paints.

(c). The painting tool cleanup is also different, acrylics can be cleaned with soap and water, but tools used with oil based paints have to be cleaned with mineral spirits.

(d). Although the hiding power and coverage of oil based paints is one of their better qualities, the considerable drying time VS water based paints is a negative.

(e). Money savings: since you won't be spending on mineral spirits for cleanup when using water based paints. Another money saving consideration is that you can re-use roller covers when using water based paints, not always the case with oil based paints.

(f). Another consideration is the application of acrylic paint over oil based paint: don't do it! The acrylic paint will not stick to the oil based paint. The reason: Acrylic paint doesn't penetrate as well, it's a like a sheet of plastic that you put on a surface. Slick oil based paint, being either gloss or semi gloss, doesn't give the acrylic paint anything to adhere to. If you must use acrylic to paint over oil based paint, use a primer coat between them.

(g). Some of the acrylic stain-blocking primers do appear to have better stain stopping qualities, such a s sealing wood knots, than their oil based cousins. However, for fine finishes, such as kitchen cabinets, the smooth sanding qualities of oil based primers make them a superior product. Acrylic primers are very hard to feather out ad should only be used on non-critical surfaces.

(h). The color retention properties of acrylic do appear to be much better than oil based paints. They hold the color longer and are not given to fading and chalking, as the oil based paints are known to. Deep colors, in particular, stay true much longer with acrylics VS oil.

(i). Of course, in any article about water based paints I would be remiss not to mention the extreme durability of elastomerics, a very tough finish and a far superior formula for brick filling and many other heavy duty uses. No oil formula even comes close to the qualities of elastomerics! I've seen this product used on decks, roofs, walls, etc, etc

Copyright D. Aloy