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Types of Paints to Use for Different Projects
Sam Lutz • Aug 12, 2019
You’ve got a major DIY project coming up and are in the market for paint to get the job done. You’ve browsed the hardware store, only to leave scratching your head. What the heck is the difference between oil-based and water-based paint? What does “sheen” mean? We’ll explore some common home paint projects, as well as the right paints to use.
Project Types
Before diving into the variety of paints available for home projects, think about the projects themselves. What are you working on, and what other projects might be on the horizon? Painting inside and outside are different animals, so let’s break it up into exterior and interior paint projects:
Exterior
Brick
The look of natural brick isn’t for everyone, so a coat of paint may be necessary. You should be positive that painted brick is what you want because its porous nature makes it nearly impossible to remove later. Thoroughly clean the surface with a wire brush and soapy water to remove debris and wait 48 hours before tackling the project.
Concrete Block
Do you have a concrete wall along your driveway or surrounding the perimeter of your home? Provide some extra pop with color. Painting the concrete breaks up the otherwise ho-hum gray look of these basic blocks. If the blocks are brand new, you should wait about 90 days before treating them with paint. Otherwise, prep the surface with a 1-to-1 bleach/water solution to remove efflorescence and follow it up with trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner. Apply paint after 48 hours.
Vinyl Shutters
Old or new, your home’s shutters can be jazzed up with a coat of paint. New vinyl shutters have a coat of mold-release agents on their surface, so you’ll need to wipe that off with paint thinner before you do anything else. Clean each panel with a mild detergent to prepare for painting before attaching them to the house.
Interior
Tile
While you’ll want to avoid painting tile flooring because it gets too much traffic, that doesn’t rule out decorative tile accents or tiled walls. Get the most out of your paint job and maximize adhesion by sanding with a 150-grit sandpaper. Follow that up with a TSP cleaner before applying your first coat.
Drywall
Even if you never tackle another home painting project, your walls will need a fresh coat at some point. You’re going to look at it a lot, so clean up your drywall with a vinegar solution to remove dust and hair before cracking open a can of paint. Walls with a bit of wear might have cracks or holes to repair too, and spackling compound will get the job done.
Laminate Counters
Painted countertops? It isn’t very common anymore but may work as a temporary surface in a pinch while you save for higher end granite. The project prep is similar to drywall, too. Sand the surface with 150-grit sandpaper and clean it up with a TSP product before applying primer and paint.
Paint Types
Oil-Based
Natural and synthetic materials form the primary makeup of oil-based paints. In a natural formulation, linseed oil is the primary ingredient, aside from chemical pigments and preservatives. The more common (and less expensive) option is synthetic oil-based paint. Made of alkyd, it tends to be more rugged than its natural counterpart. Ideal use: trim work because trim experiences more wear and tear than surfaces like walls or brick.
Water-Based
Indoor paint projects don’t require extreme flexibility, as conditions remain pretty constant and the margin for error is lower. That’s where latex or water-based paints come in. They’re not as tough or as flexible as oil, but these paints dry fast so that your home will be back to normal in no time.
In either case, to ensure a quality end product and longevity, use primer for your paint projects. Oil-based primers will protect and ensure smooth application of oil paint, while latex primer will do the same for water-based painted areas.
Paint Sheen
The sheen, or paint finish, impacts the final appearance of each job, making it just as important as the variety of paint you use. Oil- and water-based paints come in different sheens for specific applications and effects. Countless options are available, but a few of the most common finishes are gloss, semigloss and matte.
Gloss
Gloss paint varieties are ideal for wood applications, and provide a high shine finish, allowing wooden accents to stand out. The shine enhances light and shadow, which provides depth, but also highlights imperfections. As a result, you’ll want to apply two coats of paint for maximum coverage and quality appearance. Gloss paints take a long time to dry, so they aren’t always ideal for larger indoor surfaces.
Matte
Easily the most common interior paint, matte sheen paint is ideal for large coverage areas like walls. Matte paints work so well because they don’t produce any shine after drying, so imperfections are drastically minimized. You can easily apply the paint with a brush or roller, and two coats are recommended for a quality end product. These paints work welland are affordably-priced because when they frequently get marked up they do require retouching.
Semigloss
Looking for a quality finish for trim work? Semigloss paints are widely used indoors for smaller projects and are easy to work with. A balance between its gloss and matte counterparts, semigloss provides a hard finish with a slight shine. Because it’s a moderate option, semigloss won’t overwhelm the space or highlight imperfections, generally producing desired results with only one coat. Bonus: if your paint gets marked up with scuffs, semigloss is easy to clean with soap and water.
Stop by Ace Paints and Unfinished Furniture for the Best Paint Options
Whether you’re working indoors or outdoors, tackling a large or small project, Ace Paints can help. We offer a variety of paint products from major brands like Sikkens and Benjamin Moore to help you achieve your desired end result. Stop by our Mt. Lebanon or Peter’s Township locations to browse our selection.
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