Selecting the Right Type of Paint

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Many factors determine the type of paint that you should use on any given paint job, including the nature of the surface you want to paint and its condition, the age of the surface, and the type of paint previously used on the surface, if any.

Virtually all the paints that you might use around the home fall into two general categories: water-based latex paints; and solvent-based paints, which are commonly referred to as oil-based paints or “alkyds.”

These names refer to one of the major differences between the two types of coatings – most of the liquid portion of latex paints is water, while the liquid in oil-based paints consists of petroleum distillates and other organic solvents.

About 75% of all the paint that is sold today is of the latex variety. Do-it-yourselfers use an even higher percentage of this type of paint for both exterior and interior projects. But you should take nothing for granted when painting your home. You must consider the nature of your particular job to decide which type of paint is best for your application.

Characteristics of Latex Paints

Water-based latex paints have always been popular with do-it-yourselfers and professional painters because of their easy cleanup with plain soap and water. But today’s quality latex paints offer significant performance advantages as well.

Compared to oil-based paints, top quality exterior latex paints have greater durability in the form of better color retention and chalk resistance, so they continue to look good for years. Since they do not tend to get brittle as oil-based paints do, they have better resistance to cracking. Latex paints also dry much faster than oil-based paints (typically in one to six hours), which allows you to quickly apply a second coat.

Quality latex paints that have “100% acrylic” binders are especially durable and highly flexible. They tend to adhere extremely well to a variety of exterior surfaces, which means they have greater resistance to troublesome paint failures like blistering, flaking and peeling, compared with other latex paints.

California Paints offers a complete line of 100% acrylic latex paint.

Field tests at the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, where paint performance has been tested for more than 40 years, show that top quality 100% acrylic latex paints are an excellent choice when painting any of the following exterior surfaces:

wood, particularly in areas that experience freezing temperatures;
new stucco and masonry;
weathered aluminum or vinly siding.

You can also use quality latex paints on interior trim. They have better resistance to chipping than do oil-based paints, which continue to harden over time and eventually become brittle.

Characteristics of Oil-Based Paints

Top quality oil-based paints have excellent adhesion characteristics, which means they get a tight grip on the surface being painted. And good adhesion is essential for a durable paint job. However, oil-based coatings do tend to oxidize and get brittle over time, which can lead to cracking problems in exterior applications, and yellowing and chipping problems in interior applications.

That said, oil-based coatings are still your best choice in two circumstances:

when repainting exterior surfaces with heavy “chalking” (chalk is the powdery substance that comes off on your hand when you run it cross the surface); and
when repainting any exterior or interior surface that has four or more layers of old oil-based paint (the number of layers can often be determined by removing some paint chips and examining them).

There are also circumstances in which you should never apply oil-based or alkyd paints. For example, they should not be applied directly to fresh masonry, nor to galvanized iron. In either case, the result will probably be a very quick failure of the paint.

If you decide to use oil-based coatings, be aware that they are more difficult to apply and clean up after than latex paints. They also take longer to dry – sometimes, 24 hours or more – so you cannot apply a second coat as quickly as you can with latex paint.

Oil-based paints can be used for certain applications within the home – for example, on interior trim. But keep in mind that these paints have noticeably more odor than latex paints. That, combined with the slow dry time, may put your rooms out of service for a short while. If you use oil-based paints, you will also have to use paint thinner to clean up drips and equipment, which means that you must use extra care in handling and disposing of rags.

California Paints manufactures an array of high quality alkyd paints.

Performance Comparison Chart for Top Quality Paints

	Oil-Based	Latex
DURABILITY	Excellent adhesion; better adhesion than latex on heavily chalked surfaces	Excellent adhesion to most substrates; better elasticity than oil.
COLOR RETENTION	Not as good as latex; more likely to chalk and fade in sunny exposure.	Superior resistance to chalking and fading, especially when exposed to bright sun.
EASE OF APPLICATION	More difficult to apply due to greater “drag,” but goes on heavier for better one-coat hiding and coverage.	Goes on smoothly and evenly, with less brush drag.
MILDEW RESISTANCE	Vegetable oil base can provide nutrients for mildew growth; most products contain mildewcide to minimize growth.	Less inherent tendency to grow mildew; mildewcide additives discourage mildew growth, help maintain fresh appearance.
VERSATILITY	Can be used on most materials, but for new concrete, stucco and other masonry, a sealer or pre-treatment is required; should not be applied directly to galvanized metal.	Can be used on wood, concrete, stucco, brick, galvanized metal, vinyl siding, aluminum siding, etc.
ODOR	Noticeably more odor than latex.	Very little odor.
CLEANUP	Turpentine, paint thinner or other solvent.	Simple water cleanup.
DRYING TIME	Eight to 24 hours.	One to six hours, permitting quick recoating.

The Importance of Paint Quality

Regardless of the type of paint you will be using, one of the most important factors in the ultimate success of any paint job is the quality of paint used. On this subject, experts agree: You should use the highest quality paint to get the best paint performance. The California Paints 2010 and Fres~Coat interior and exterior paint line are an excellent choice when shopping for premium paint.

Identifying top quality paint is a difficult measure. The independent California Paints Dealer is a great resource when faced such a task. California Paints Dealers have an unsurpassed expertise in the field. They posses a wealth of information and can offer you knowledgeable advice concerning any questions you may have about your painting project. To locate a California Paints Dealer near you, use our convenient Dealer Locater

Top quality paints outperform ordinary grades of paint in many ways:

They are more durable and long-lasting.
They often have better hiding characteristics, which is especially important when you are painting over a darker color.
They are easier to apply.
They have more uniform color and sheen, and they maintain their original color and sheen better over time, so your paint job will continue to look good for a longer period.
They frequently contain higher levels of additives – for example, more mildewcide to help keep unsightly mildew in check.

Benefits of Quality Interior Wall Paints

Properties	High Quality Latex Paint	Ordinary Latex Paint
ADHESION	X
FILM THICKNESS	X
EASY CLEANUP	X	X
HIDING	X
DURABILITY	X
STAIN REMOVAL	X
EASE OF APPLICATION	X	X
LEVELING	X
SPATTER RESISTANCE	X

Quality Paint = Great Value

Painting with top quality paint can add years to the life of a paint job and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars (US) in the form of lower home maintenance costs. This is especially true with exterior paints. With proper surface preparation, top quality exterior paint can last 10 years or more, compared to about four years with ordinary exterior paint.

The best way to appreciate this “investment value” of top quality paint is to compare the life-cycle cost or “cost per year of service” for high quality and ordinary paints. Consider a hypothetical case, involving a 3,500-square-foot (325.15m2 ) home requiring 20 gallons of exterior paint:

At US$35 per gallon for 20 gallons* of paint, it would cost $680 to paint a home using an ordinary paint. If the expected lifespan is four years, the cost of the paint per year of service is $170.
If a top quality exterior paint were used instead, and the cost per gallon were US$45 per gallon, the total paint cost would be $900 ($45 per gallon X 20 gallons). But this paint job will last 10 years or more, so the cost per year of service is, at most, a more economical $90!

*1 US gallon = 3.8 liters.

If you were to hire a contractor to do your painting, you would realize an even greater advantage by choosing a top quality paint instead of an ordinary paint in terms of cost per year of service.

While these examples are typical of the kind of savings that are possible by choosing high quality exterior paint, your precise savings may be different depending on a number of factors, including how well you do your surface preparation, local weather conditions, the cost of paint in your area, and other variables.

In any event, since you don’t have to paint as often when you use top quality paint, you will also save a great deal of work and time.

The fact remains, when it comes to paint, it pays to invest in the best. And that is true whether you are doing exterior or interior painting.

Selecting the Right Paint Sheen

Selecting the ideal sheen or gloss level for an interior or exterior paint job involves both aesthetic and practical considerations. From an aesthetic standpoint, a degree of sheen or gloss is useful in creating visual interest, particularly indoors. From a practical standpoint, the right sheen or gloss can help extend the life of the paint job, whether it be an interior or exterior application.

California Paints products are available in a variety of sheens, so you will be sure to find one suitable for your painting project. Consult the sheen guide below for helpful descriptions on all California Paints sheen levels.

Flat, Matte, Velvet Flat

Non-reflective, so it conceals imperfections better than higher sheen paints

Stain removal many be more difficult that other sheens due to its more porous nature

Good choice for living rooms and bedrooms

Interior Satin

Sheen is lower that a semi-gloss

Popular sheen, durable and elegant

Good for walls or trim in high-use areas such as hallways

Eggshell

Sheen is higher than flat, slightly lower than a satin

Popular with designers as it is still relatively flat but will offer washability

Good for walls or trim in high-use areas such as hallways

Semi-Gloss, Exterior Satin

Offers good stain resistance and is easy to clean

Washable and scrubbable

Popular choice for bathrooms, kitchens, woodwork and trim

Gloss

Offers the highest level of reflectivity
Toughest, most durable types of paint
Tends to highlight any surface characteristics
Used to accent surfaces
Excellent choice for trim and cabinets
Ideal for areas exposed to heavy traffic and use because of their durability and scrubbability

Here are some practical points for you to consider as you choose a sheen level for your premium California Paints finish.

1. The flatter the paint, the better it will hide surface imperfections

2. Flatter paint makes touch-ups easier and more seamless

3. The glossier the finish, the greater the durability

4. Generally, the higher the gloss, the more washable and scrubbable the surface

5. Gloss surfaces offer more mildew resistance because they are less porous