Forum
« Painting quotes Architect to work with Landmarks »
March 21, 2008
Anyone still use oil-based paint?
This week I was using latex gloss paint on the woodwork in the room I'm re-decorating, When the can ran out I hunted in the tool room for another can of matching color and found one that I had bought about a year ago before I forsook my notion that, for woodwork, oil-based was superior to latex. Now, having seen the finish on my latest work, I think it was a mistake to give up that notion. Despite the longer drying time and messier brush clean-up, I reckon the smoother, almost mirror-like finish of oil-based makes the inconvenience more than worthwhile. "Save petroleum products for paint!", I say.
Comments
I totally agree, and will continue to use oil-based paint on wood. I prefer a satin or semi-gloss finish myself.
Posted by: tinarina at March 21, 2008 10:11 AM
This may sound sort of dumb (flame away!), but what does one do with the paint thinner after cleaning up?
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 10:12 AM
Do we have to go through this same argument every 6 months? Great, so keep slathering your woodwork in oil based paints. Breath the fumes and don't use gloves, or better yet, get Manuel to do it for you for minimum wage.
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 10:15 AM
Just don't use white oil based paint on the woodwork - it'll yellow if it doesn't get enough sun. Strange but true.
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 10:22 AM
Uh "guests" should be more polite 10:15. I myself have never seen this discussed on this site before, and I'd like to see more discussions of home renovation topics - as opposed to "real estate" on the forum. Are you saying one should wear gloves? And are the fumes toxic? And is Manuel demanding minimum wage now? [Okay I take back that last one - I have no wish to play into that stereotype.} I did all my house in latex, and wasn't all that happy with the results. But my somewhat OCD boyfriend just finished painting some doors, and the look great. He used a roler rather than a bruch, and he sanded between coats. Me - I was just slopping it on with a brush. So my experience was that it was less the paint and more the painter.
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at March 21, 2008 10:27 AM
I do most things with latex, especially walls. I use oil for exteriors, kitchen or bath cabinets and other things that need to hold up under harsh circumstances. Think about as you would your floors: water poly never holds up as well as oil. Also, adding to what 10:22 said, don't use oil poly if going over white.
Posted by: rh at March 21, 2008 10:36 AM
We had latex on our woodwork and I think that was a mistake. It looks fine now but its not as durable as the oil. And because oil is underneath it, it doesn't adhere as well.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at March 21, 2008 10:54 AM
We have always used semi-gloss oil for woodwork and always use a brush to apply it. The finish is so superior and much easier to clean (the painted surface, that is, not the brushes!). Benjamin Moore's Antique White is a great off-white that is already very slightly yellow. We've had it up for 7+ years and any additional yellowing has been imperceptible. Oh, and we also used a flat oil based BM paint for our kitchen cabinets and have been very happy with it.
Btw, dumb question, but I can't figure out how to post a question on the Forum. Can anyone clue me in?
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 11:04 AM
Another vote here for oil on woodwork. Fine Paints of Europe, who makes great oil paints, is now producing an water born oil paint called ECO. It has the same VOC content as latex paints.
Painting is all about prep-work and sanding between coats. The best paint in the world won't remedy poor application.
BTW- solvent waste should be consolidated into a solid with sawdust, cement, ect.
Posted by: southslope at March 21, 2008 11:05 AM
clueless 10:12 poster here -- how does one "consolidate" one's solvents with those materials?
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 11:27 AM
southslope,
Your knowledgeable comment prompted me look at your past posts. You really know your shit! Are you associated with South Slope Woodworks (who advertise here)?
Posted by: johnife at March 21, 2008 11:35 AM
Friends down the block painted their front doors with Fine Paints of Europe. The finish is fabulous.
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 12:36 PM
high end interiors - oil based paint for trim & woodwork.
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 1:12 PM
I've painted many historic homes over the years and oil is the best for any woodwork. if you sand between coats you certainly get a much nicer finish. Any professional painter would. I've used Fine Paints of Europe and its a fantastic product especially for that glass=like high gloss finish. The prep work has to be perfect, meaning sanding all the way up to about a 200 grit paper- or else the look is bad.
Additionally, when you do paint with oil based paint, you should thin it with some paint thinner ...pour some in a plastic pail and add a bit of thinner...it goes on much smoother
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 21, 2008 2:19 PM
11:04, you'll see the "create a forum post" up near the header.
Ok, so I have a question: Am I the only one who can't deal with glossy finishes? My husband makes fun of me because I freak out if something isn't dead flat.
Posted by: rh at March 21, 2008 2:48 PM
I like a glossy finish but that's because I grew up in old English houses where high gloss is commonly used. I agree that on a poorly prepared surface, a highly reflective paint reveals too many flaws and can look tacky. But the painters of my youth used high gloss oil based paint and knew how to apply it perfectly. We have used both flat and semi-gloss oil paint with great results. Flat finishes are a more recent fashion -- but it's not the best or only option.
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 3:07 PM
Old oil paints were glossy due to their high heavy metal (lead) content. Almost all paints begin as a high gloss. Silica is added to reduce the sheen, which softens the finish. High gloss is a superior finish, the sheen will die down over the first several weeks or can be dulled with "0000" steel wool. Most paint and varnish makers recommend applying the high gloss first followed by a lower sheen for the maximum durability.
10:12- By mixing your solvent waste with old plaster, Portland cement, or grout you are converting it to a solid so they don't find their way in to the water.
Posted by: southslope at March 21, 2008 3:32 PM
I prefer water-based if only for ease of cleanup. But i used oil for the bathroom, semi-gloss, knowing it would be easier to clean and possibly more durable.
A tip to get a better finish with water-based paints, besides sanding w/220 between coats, is to add Floetrol to the paint. It levels better and gives you a little more working time before drying.
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 3:36 PM
What about wood that's already painted? Can you put the oil based paint on top? I know... dumb question, but I really don't know.
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 8:29 PM
I have had good luck with B. M. satin impervo water based enamel thinned with floetrol. It's not glossy but if you are one of those painter who knows when to leave good enough alone you can get a really nice finished look. I have a feeling that there are plenty of VOC's still in the water based version of the alkalid enamel. I personally prefer oil based but the yellowing over time can be a problem in dark rooms like interior stairwells.
Posted by: guest at March 21, 2008 11:32 PM
8:29, not a dumb question.
can you?- yes. should you?- no. Latex is soft like a pillow and oil is hard like glass. If you place the glass on top of a pillow it will break easily. Likewise oil will tend to craze (crack) and chip off. It should be sanded to create micro-abrasions to make a mechanical bond.
Posted by: southslope at March 22, 2008 4:56 PM
Can you use a oil base enemel paint. To paint a resin water fountain.
Posted by: guest at May 26, 2008 12:46 PM
I have had terrible results w latex Home Depot paint--everytime I wash the woodwork it remains tacky for weeks. Every time. THEN I tried the hoity-toity (spoken: $$) Dutch oil-based paint from Fine Paints of Europe. OMG. What a difference. Worth every Euro. I'm not sure I'll ever go back to latex for my woodwork.
Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 7:36 AM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.