Types of Paint

It can be a bit overwhelming to figure out all of the types of paint and which one is best suited for your project. These brief descriptions will help clarify things.

PRIMER-

Primer is often looked at as the wicked stepsister of painting. When you want to get a job done in as few steps as possible (and you forget to budget in the time and expense of priming) it feels like you’re being kept from the ball. Seriously though, primer should be rated up there with the fairy godmother of painting. It can seal the project surface which will help reduce the amount of costly paint coats that you will need. Primer also prevents bleeding through from knots or blemishes in bare wood. Basically, it brings out the best finished product so your project can be the belle of the ball.

Primer is used for a variety of reasons and there are many specifically formulated primers. It functions to prepare the painting surface by blocking colors, stains, and filling tiny imperfections to leave you with the best final results in your paint as possible. Primer will cover a dark paint if you want to paint a lighter one on top. It is used for preparing (priming) a bare surface prior to painting, it can block out stains or spots on a wall, it can seal a surface with mold or mildew stains, or it can seal and prepare a surface if you want to change from an oil-based painted item to a water-based coat on top. The results are much more successful in the long run even though it is an additional step that requires clean up. I’ve never regretted using primer, I’ve just kicked myself when I’ve chosen not to.

OIL-BASED PAINT-

Made with either synthetic or natural oils, the pigment is suspended in an oil base and air dries. The drying time takes longer than water-based paints. Some of the oil-based paints are being phased out or reformulated by manufacturers to be more environmentally friendly and produce fewer harsh fumes. You will not be able to paint over an oil-based paint with a water-based one unless the surface is primed with a specific primer, or unless you sand the gloss from the surface. Lightly sand the surface to dull the glossy finish (wearing proper safety gear, like a respirator) then clean the dust and dirt particles from the surface prior to painting. I recommend priming for best results even if the surface was sanded.

Oil-based paints can be thinned down or have an additive to make it an enamel paint with a harder finish when dried. Clean up of oil-based paints requires turpentine or paint thinner. Read the safety instructions for those products! It is best to use a natural bristle brush for oil-based paints.

ENAMEL PAINT-

Enamel is an additive that hardens the paint surface once dried. The finish is harder because it is less porous than non-enameled paint. Enamel paint can be oil-based or latex-based. Enamel paints have a glossy finish and generally are used on surfaces where you want a durable finish. For example, use enamel on trims, moulding, doors, outdoor surfaces, or anything that will have dramatic variations in temperature.

LATEX/ACRYLIC BASED PAINT-

Latex/Acrylic dries faster than oil-based paint and cleans up with soap and water, and is a good general paint for walls and ceilings. It is water-based so you shouldn’t use it over oil-based paint. Oil and water are not friends. Not sure whether your previously painted surface was painted with an oil-based paint? Here is an easy way to test your painted surface.

All water-based paints are generally referred to as latex or acrylic even if there isn’t any actual latex (rubber) in the paint. It’s more of an adopted name than an accurate description of the formula. Latex and acrylic are often referred to interchangeably. There are man made polymers in latex paint that act as binders, the way latex or rubber usually would. Better quality paint will have more acrylic resins in them than vinyl.

Latex paint is usually used for house painting and acrylic is typically used for artwork and crafts. Acrylic is more elastic and plastic feeling than latex once it is dried. It is particularly good at keeping flaking, peeling, and chalking to a minimum, if the surface is prepared correctly. There are more chemicals in acrylic paint than latex. It works just as well with a synthetic or natural bristle brush. Take note: the thickness of the bristles is a factor. Choose a brush with finer bristles to eliminate brush marks.

CHALK PAINT-

Use chalk paint on furniture and other items like picture frames, pots, craft projects, etc. It is easily aged or distressed and has good coverage with fewer coats and a shorter drying time than house paint. Chalk paint adheres well to previously finished furniture without the need of primer or sanding as preparation. When a furniture piece is sanded prior to chalk painting, it will hold up better to wear and tear. If you are doing a rustic or distressed finished piece, it may not matter. Chalk paint cleans up with soap and water and can be enhanced with glazes and waxes. It can also be sealed with a wax or varnish. Any type of brush seems to do well with this type of paint. I prefer a brush with softer, or finer, bristles so as to not leave noticeable brush marks.

FURNITURE SPECIFIC PAINT-

Recently, I’ve been trying out different brands of paint marketed as formulated specifically to painting furniture, cabinets, and front doors. Not all of the brands have been tried. I have, however, been pleased with the ones tried so far.

I prefer using the furniture specific paints on pieces than using house paint. Easy clean up with soap and water, no priming, and the coverage has been great. The dried paint surface is less “sticky” than when I have used house paint on furniture. I painted a desk with latex paint but the drawers stick if they are not opened regularly. Refinishing it with some of this furniture paint is tempting because it is really annoying when they stick. Also, when I have a heavy item placed on the desk, it will sometimes stick to the finish. Not permanently stuck, but enough to irritate me. I have a lingering fear that when I lift the item, some of the paint may also pull up. I primed it before painting, but still, the worry flashes through my mind.

STAIN-

OK, this technically isn’t paint. I sometimes mix mediums when refinishing furniture so this sort of applies. Stain is basically a dye dissolved in liquid that will color or stain the wood fibers as opposed to resting on the surface of the fibers like paint. There are many different colors of stain on the market, so virtually anything is possible.

Stain does nothing to protect the wood surface, it is just a coloring. I have seen products that are combinations of stain and varnish. I wear gloves when I stain and use a cotton rag (like and old t-shirt) to apply the stain and a clean one to wipe off the excess. See the product label for specific clean up instructions.

VARNISH-

Straight from my google definition search- Varnish is a resin dissolved in liquid for applying on wood, metal, or other materials to form a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry.

There are many finishes of varnish from matte to high gloss. Keep in mind that the higher the gloss, the more any imperfection will stand out. It is best if varnish is applied with a natural bristle brush. A foam brush, while cheap and convenient, will leave tiny air bubbles in the finish. I may or may not have experienced this when doing a craft project. Okay, I totally did so learn from my mistake, please!

SPRAY PAINT

There are so many spray paints to choose from. Basically, spray paint is enamel paint that comes in an aerosol can in a myriad of colors and numerous finishes. It works great to paint otherwise tricky items like knobs and hardware or anything really ornate. Spray paint is a quicker way to paint, in the right conditions, and relatively inexpensive. Almost any surface can be spray painted and it dries fairly quickly. There are also many different textures that are available in spray form. Can you believe there is a glitter spray paint? There is! I’ll expand on spray paint down the road.

EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR PAINT

I didn’t explain about exterior paint and interior paint in each section because, well, I hoped that was self explanatory. Use exterior paint outside and interior paint inside. Exterior paint is formulated to hold up better against the elements like sun, rain, etc. Exterior paint can be used indoors, I’ve done it. (I needed to quickly paint a room and the color worked well and I had a bunch left over from painting the exterior of our house.) Do not use interior paint on the exterior of your house because it will not weather well.

Well, now you know a little more about the types of paint so when you go into your local paint store or home improvement store, you will have a better idea of what you need. I hope this will give you the confidence to try some painting projects in the future and get one step closer to making a house a home. 💙