One of the biggest obstacles in painting your
Toronto home is knowing which types of paints to
choose. Basically there are only two types of
paint to use inside your home; water based latex
paints and oil based paints. The difference is
pretty simple actually. For the most part you’ll
want to use an oil-based paint for the doors,
the trim, and high traffic areas - and the water
based latex for the walls.
Oil based paints
are usually a bit more difficult to use than
water based paint. This is because oil based
paints are thicker, therefore requires different
types of rollers and brushes. As well, when you
use oil based paints, it’s best to paint in
well-ventilated areas because it has a much
stronger odor. The nice thing about oil-based
paint is that it’s available at any paint store
and can be easily tinted to almost any color.
If you’re using oil-based paint, it’s
essential to remember that you’ll usually need
to prime the area first. This is because they
have a tendency to peel if the area is not
primed correctly. This also happens if your base
coat is already oil based.
You have to clean the area before you prime
it. You can buy primer at any paint or home
improvement store. It can either be applied like
spray paint, or brushed on. When you’re painting
a very dark color, or if the color you’re using
is dark, then you may want to consider getting
the primer tinted first.
Oil based paint often will bubble during the
painting process. Be sure that you don’t shake
this paint, but rather stir it. It’s also best
if you try to use just one coat when using oil
based. This type of paint takes longer to dry
than latex paint does, so keep that in mind.
Make sure you allow enough ventilation to speed
up the process.
It’s vital to remember that oil based paint,
is considered toxic and hazardous waste. Caution
should be used when disposing of it.
There are many projects that are best suited
for oil paint.
For instance trim such as window trim, crown
molding, bead board, or trim around doors is
best done with oil paint. The reason is that
this type of paint is much more durable and can
take more wear and tear than latex can. As an
added benefit, it’s much easier to clean than
latex.
As well, if you’re painting a door you’ll
want to consider using oil. Again, being that
it’s easier to clean, things like smudges,
fingerprints, and dirt in general will be much
easier to clean off.
You may also find that some exterior projects
can use oil paint such as trim around windows
and doors. Other things such as metal take well
to oil, but be sure never to use it on iron or
fresh masonry without properly preparing and
priming.
For the most part, oil based paints are
effective for much of your home, and though a
little more tedious to apply makes life
afterwards much easier.
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If you are looking for a Toronto house painter,
please feel free to submit your project to one
of our painting companies posted on the left.
