What are the Different Types of Paint?

Whether it be for home improvements or bringing a space to life, paint is the best paint to do it. Painting is known to be a transformative process in construction and renovation. We have painting professionals across the globe with them being experts in functions and applications that help in enhancing the appearance of the entirety of the space. There is a variety of paint types to choose from wherein they have a designated purpose that makes it crucial for the surfaces to be painted on. Knowing the type of paint is important in order to ensure that the adherence of the paint on the surface will last longer than expected. We have rounded up the most common paint types with their uses and applications. 

Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paint is the most durable type of paint with white lead used as its base. For the oil-based paint to adhere to the surface more effectively, there are three necessary coats to follow; primer, undercoat, and topcoat. This paint is ideal if you want to achieve flat and glossy finishes. What benefits the user from this paint type is how affordable it is making it perfect for working on projects under a tight budget. Once the oil-based paint completely sets on the surface, it makes it easier to clean and maintain. Because of its durability, it is often used in walls, windows, metal structures, and other indoor environments. Apparently, the drawback of this type of paint is that they are not resistant to humid environments and how they take a lot of time to dry out. 

Water-Based Paint

Water-based paint is yet another popular type of paint often used for space renovations. What makes it better than oil-based ones is how they dry quicker make the job done in just a day. This is ideal if the project is under a time-managed matter. With all of its advantages, the common drawback of water-based paint is that they are not as resilient as you want it to be. Multiple coatings in one day are possible because of their quick-drying features. This is why it is mostly suggested in residential projects for it makes the job done easier than you expect saving time and money for labor. 

Latex Paint

The common misconception about latex paint is how they are tagged as the same as water-based paints when in fact they are not. It is confusing considering their similarities in composition in the formula since some latex-based paints are water-based too. There are latex-based paints that use different chemicals that make them of good use at home. Compared to oil-based paints, they come with low levels of volatile organic compounds or VOCs minimizing the diffusion of paint fumes. We highly recommend reading the label to ensure that you are buying what you really need. 

Emulsion Paint

Polystyrene and polyvinyl acetate are used as the binding materials of emulsion paints. It has a quick-drying formula because of drying ingredients such as cobalt and manganese. In terms of their base, it can either be water-based or oil-based. They also offer a variety of colors to choose from in order to achieve the perfect color for your project. What makes emulsion paint popular is its durable and quick-drying features. To top it off, the dried surface can be cleaned with water afterward. Expect durability, excellent color retention, and even resistance to alkali when using emulsion paint. Whether it be for big or small projects, emulsion paint is indeed one of the top considerations if you prefer something that would last longer than expected. 

Cement Paint

Compared to the other types of paint, cement paint is neither based on oil nor water. In fact, they are commonly available in powdered form. In order to reach the ideal consistency of the paint, the powder is then incorporated with water depending on the ideal viscosity of the paint and transparency of the color. They may come in their natural color or can contain additives and pigments to enhance their capabilities. Cement paint is known to be a flexible paint type that works well on both internal and external surfaces considering its waterproof and durable characteristics. Apparently, they take longer to dry compared to the aforementioned cement types because the drying period can take up to 24 hours. To prevent further issues, cement paint requires two to three coats to ensure that the paint adheres to the surface. 

Aluminum Paint

Aluminum paint is not often used in home renovations but in finishing oil tanks, gas tanks, radiators, and water pipes. This paint is mostly composed of aluminum particles and an oil varnish formula that allows the paint to withstand exposure to electricity, corrosion, and even weather. Expect aluminum paint on surfaces that are often on the exterior part of the house or building considering how durable and lasting the adherence of the paint on the surface is. 

Bituminuous Paint

Bituminous paint is a type of paint that is formulated by dissolving and combining asphalt or tar. This makes the paint naturally black and ideally makes it possible for the surface to be water-proof and resistant to alkali. Apparently, this is not the type of paint to be used if the surfaces are within direct exposure to heat considering how its adherence deteriorates. Ex[ect bituminous paint usage in concrete foundations, iron pipes, ironworks, and even wooden surfaces. When applied in metals, it automatically makes the surface resistant to corrosion. 

Cellulose Paint

When photographic films, amyl acetate, and celluloid sheets are combined they make cellulose paint. They may not provide excellent adherence to the surface but they can be easily improved by incorporating adhesion such as castor oil. This will make the surfaces easy to clean and maintain once the paint is all dried up. The special features of cellulose paint is how it provides a smooth and hard finish, quick-drying features, and even its excellent resistance to acids, water, and smoke. Because of its undeniable durability, it works best when used in airplanes and cars. Its high-quality features define its expensive price. 

Anti-Corrosive Paint

The name alone would state that anti-corrosive paint is used for metallic pipes and surfaces because of its chemical resistant features. Anti-corrosive paint is made from a combination of fine sand, linseed oil, and zink chrome. It is only available in a black color makes the metallic pipes more organized to look at when they are painted.  Differences in pipes are identified according to color that explains why anti-corrosive paint comes in a black color. 

Plastic Paint

Plastic paint is a popular type of paint that is often used in residential and even in high-density projects. It uses water as a thinning agent and it comes in a variety of colors to choose from making it flexible to work with. This paint type is popular because of its high coverage properties and quick-drying features. They are often used to paint decks, slabs, walls, ceilings of display rooms, showrooms, and even auditoriums. By its name, it is safe to assume that it is also used on plastic assuming that they are prepped and primed according to the need of the surface. 

Enamel Paint

Enamel paint is famous for its formulation of incorporating zinc or lead as a varnishing agent. Their pigments come in rich and solid in order to achieve a comprehensive preference of colors. They are popular because of how they create a glossy and hard protective coating that makes it easier to clean once the coats are all dried. They work best because of its chemical and water resistant properties proving how they induce great retention of color and coverage even after years. Enamel paint is mostly used in home renovations particularly in transforming exterior and interior walls, doors, wood trims, flooring, windows, stairs, concrete, masonry, metals, plastic, glass. The only drawback is how they dry slowly compared to other paint types that explains why it is highly required to layer a titanium coating prior to application.