Types of Paints for Woodwork
Introduction
Are you looking for the appropriate type of paint for your woodwork project at home? You are not an expert in paint issues, and you do not know how to go about the selection. Given a chance, you would pick a paint from the nearest store, one or two brushes, and that would be it.
Well, that should not be the case. The color you chose should be a reflection of your personality. You should be able to complete a project that makes you feel good about yourself. Therefore, getting it right about the paint is of the essence.
Several issues come into play as you grapple with this decision. One of them is whether the paint for the interior woodwork is the same as the exterior. You will have to consider those issues before you make a decision. You may like to look at:
- The types of paints available
- The kind of wood that you have used on your project
- What appeal you want to see on your woodwork after painting
- How to do painting
Consideration of whether you want water-based or oil-based paints will be at the center of your decision-making process. You will have to debate with yourself on the merits and demerits of one over the other. You will realize that one type of paint is more suitable for interior projects, while the other may be good for the exterior.
While at it, also consider the type of wood that you have used. Your woodwork can be of oak, ash, mahogany, cherry, or any other wood for that matter. These are some types of wood, as discussed by SFGate. Once you determine what kind of wood to use for your project, you can also decide which type of paint matches with it.
There should be concerns about the characteristics of these paints. As you analyze the features, you also discuss the strength and weaknesses of each.
Further, you should know how to paint it correctly. Even if the paint selection is superb, a poorly painted piece of work still does not inspire. The choice of paint that you make has to inspire you even for the future. You need to apply it to your woodwork project like a pro.
This discussion is about informing you of the types of paints that you can use on your woodwork. It also analyzes them, weighs their strengths, and leaves it to you to make a choice of which one you prefer.
Oil Based paints
Oil paints take a more extended period to dry since they have a base of linseed oil or alkyd. The oil base makes them strong and long-lasting. Oil-based paints are suitable for all painting and withstand all conditions with a resilient gloss.
Pros of Oil-Based Paints
- They are strong enough to cover even dirty surfaces
- Oil paints display deeper color intensity compared to water-based paints
- They can hide places with wood fillings and dents to a great extent
- These paints protect your woodwork from water and hot conditions
Cons of Oil-Based Paints
- Oil paints do not dry quickly. The result of this is that the process of applying paint and finish is comparatively longer
- The smell emitted by oil paints can be overwhelming when you are working with them
- Oil paints can easily catch or cause a fire
- They are sticky and harder to clean off unless you use cleansing agents
Protect Cabinets from Water with Oil-Based Paint
Your kitchen cabinet will not avoid coming into contact with water. The effect of water on painted surfaces over time is yellowing. Luckily, alkyd oil paints are strong enough to form a protective layer against water damage. If you use this paint in your kitchen cabinet, you can breathe easy knowing that mold and mildew will not be visiting your kitchen.
Give Your Exterior Woodwork a Lasting Latex Job
Initially, these paints used to have rubber as their base, but today they have acrylic, and sometimes vinyl. There are some varieties of these paints made of pure acrylic, while others have an amalgamation of acrylic and other bases. One type is modified with alkyd, while the other has a mixture of acrylic and vinyl.
Advantages of Latex Paints
- You can apply a second coat as soon as possible since it dries fast
- Its excellent protection against mildew
- In case you want to correct imperfections during painting, you can use soap and water
- If you follow instructions correctly, you can apply it without a hassle
- Latex paint is safer than oil paint near a fire
- According to Networx, latex paint is safe and suitable for exterior since it has very few volatile organic compounds
Disadvantages of Latex Paint
- It becomes less effective in very low temperatures
- You cannot wash over this paint until it gets adequately adhered to the surface
Use Latex Paint to Give Old Oil Paint Surfaces a New Look
You can apply latex paint on wooden surfaces with a previous layer of oil paint. According to The Spruce, the first thing you need to do is remove the first layer. Once you remove the layer of oil-based paint, you can now apply latex paint on your woodwork.
Apply Two Coats with Water Based Paints
According to Five Star Painting, the DP Flinn patented water-based paint in 1865. The paint was easy to apply after manufacturers started enhancing it with latex. The natural plastic pigments that dissolve in water to form the paint that protects woodwork. These paints last long enough and have the capacity to protect your woodwork.
Advantages of Water-Based Paint
- Water-based paints do not emit an odor
- You can paint and apply a second coat on these paints
- They are easy to apply
- Water-based colors are perfect on the woodwork of any kind
- With pure water and soap, you can wash out any excessive or imperfect color drop
- water-based paints actively protect the surface from adverse effects of ultraviolet light
Disadvantages of Water-Based Paint
- If any dirt encounters the paint, the coat weakens
- Water-based paints are not as color-intense as oil-based paints
- These paints will not offer proper protection against for your woodwork against water
Environmentalists would find this paint so friendly because it does not contribute to pollution. It adheres firmly to the surface. Thus we can describe it as quite long-lasting.
Decorate you Fine Wood Products with Acrylic Crafts Paints
First introduced around seven decades ago, acrylic crafts paints have served customers on small woodwork projects all those years. An acrylic polymer is responsible for carrying the color pigments of these paints, hence the name. Acrylic crafts paints have morphed into traditional and new acrylics, with the latter having characteristics of drying faster.
Traditional acrylics do not contain many harmful elements since water is their leading thinner. The paints dry faster, and as such, allows for the application of the second coating.
Advantages of New Acrylic Crafts Paints
- Unlike traditional acrylic paints, the new ones take their time to dry
- They are durable
- Applying water on fading surfaces with these colors has a potential of rejuvenating the appearance created by the paint
Disadvantages of Acrylic Crafts Paints
- You cannot remove paint after it has dried
- You should wash the brush immediately after the application
Select the Perfect Paint for Your Interior Woodwork
Contrary to what many people think, wooden installations interact with human traffic more than the exterior. The doors, dressing tables, wardrobes, among others, are some of the woodwork collections found in the interior. These areas lose their original paints over time- choosing the right paint can restore them to former glory.
Oil-Based Paints
These paints take longer to dry after application. In the process of drying, they can get ruined by human activities and lack of exposure to natural sunlight. However, oil paints give a proper coating. If you consider these factors, you may not give oil paints a prominent appearance in your home’s interior.
Use Water-Based Paints for Non-Sticky Finishes
Water-based paints are more suitable if you are comfortable with only one coat. You do not want to punish yourself with smelly paints. Most homeowners prefer water-based paints to the oil-based ones.
Apply Paint on Woodwork Like a Pro
Once you have chosen your preferred paint for interior and exterior woodwork, you need to know how to apply the paint properly. Also, note the characteristics of the different types of colors and how they behave with certain kinds of brushes. According to HomeAdvisor, through a YouTube video, painting over wood is something you should be able to DIY.
Here is what you will need to do
- Prepare your woodwork by sealing cracks and fixing dents
- Remove old paint using a scraper or putty knife
- Use sandpaper (both hard and fine) to give your woodwork a fine surface
- Wipe with a clean cloth and use the appropriate primer (most of the times it matches with the paint you chose)
- Choose good quality brushes and with the paints you have, begin painting
Follow the rest of the process according to Wikihow
Conclusion
Now you know the type of paints that you can use with your woodwork. The manufacturers did not make the paints purposely for them to work on woodwork. It happens by coincidence. Their features apply to what you want. They are what you need to decide on the type of paint you are going to use. You may as well use any paint, and it will still add the colors that you desire on your woodwork.
Whether your wood project is inside or outside the house, you have now known which paint would suit the particular project. Not only have you informed yourself of the paint types, but also their strength and weakness. Each of the items discussed here has its strengths and weaknesses here and there.
You realize that you can use whichever paint anywhere, but some types are more reliable in particular places. In addition, others seem to do better with certain types of wood. What you do with the information that you have gathered so far will make the difference in how you will approach the issue.
Knowing the types of paint is one thing, but knowing how to paint like a pro is another. If you match the right paint to the correct type of wood, you will get the most desired outcome. There is no way your woodwork project should not be a success. Remember, paining also requires a level of dedication and seriousness.
Besides the types of paints and wood, you need to use the right tools in painting. Make sure you use good quality brushes. As Howstuffworks advises, buy the best quality brushes even if they are expensive. The quality of the brush is directly proportional to the quality of work produced. May you have an excellent woodwork project as your heart desires.