Oil-Based Gloss Paint - The Ultimate Guide

What Is Oil-Based Gloss Paint?

Let's first tackle of the question of what actually is oil-based gloss paint. Paint emulsions generally come in two forms; oil-based and water-based. This simply refers to the type of solvent used in the paint which evaporates to allow the paint to dry. Oil-based paints use an organic solvent, while a water-based paints use water. The differing formulations offer varying benefits and drawbacks:

Oil-Based Paint Advantages

• A higher level of sheen can be achieved
• As they dry slower, they can achieve less brush strokes and can be easier to work around on the surface
• Traditionally offer higher durability
• Harden quickly

Oil-Based Paint Disadvantages

• Comes with an unpleasant odour
• Brushes must be cleaned using turps or white spirit rather than water
• High levels of VOC's
• They yellow over time, especially with white

Water-Based Paint Advantages

• Dry quicker than oil based
• Brushes are easy to clean using just water
• Low odour
• Non yellowing
• Lower VOC's

Water-Based Paint Disadvantages

• Can be prone to chipping and scuffing
• Take as long as two weeks to fully harden
• Lower sheen levels
• The finish achieved at first can be less impressive

Traditionally oil-based paints were favoured for woodwork and other parts of interior and exterior trim, although today many opt for water-based paints as the technology has caught up with the quality of oil-based paints in recent years.

Now we have established what oil-based paint is, let's talk about what gloss paint is. Paint emulsions come in a range of finishes that vary in terms of sheen level, or level of reflectivity. Matt is the least reflective finish, followed by eggshell with slightly more sheen, silk and satin as mid-sheen finishes, and then finally gloss as the highest sheen finish available. Other than their level of reflectivity, there is another large consideration when it comes to paint finish. The more sheen a finish has, the more durability it has. This means that gloss paints are the most durable paints, which is why they are often used on interior and exterior woodwork and metal.

The Best Oil-Based Gloss Paints

Finding a good-quality oil-based gloss paint is crucial for ensuring that you achieve the best possible finishes. Here are our experts picks for the best oil-based gloss paints for a range of uses.

The Best White Oil-Based Gloss

The reality of all paint brands is that the quality varies from paint to paint. While some paints may be excellent in colours, some perform better in a white shade. Due to the susceptibility of oil-based paints to yellow, finding the one that minimises yellowing is crucial if you are using a white oil-based gloss.

If you are looking for an excellent quality trade paint that won't break the bank, you can always count of Armstead. The Armstead range always offer fantastic value for money, and when compared with any retail paint that is readily available in large DIY stores, it will beat it hands down.

Armstead High Gloss can be used on interior and exterior wood & metal, ideally applied over the top of Armstead Undercoat. With excellent opacity & coverage, it is perfect for achieving an excellent finish, especially in white as it is less prone to yellowing when compared to other glosses on the market. Overall, it is an excellent choice if you are opting for a white gloss.

The Best Colour Oil-Based Gloss

All gloss emulsions from major paint manufacturers can be mixed in almost any colour with a paint mixing service, such as the one here at Painters World. This means that you do not have to stick to the traditional white gloss that was widely used in the UK.

Our experts recommend Dulux Trade High Gloss, that is another fantastic trade gloss paint. Made by the same manufacturers as Armstead, it is the big brother to Armstead High Gloss, offering excellent durability and opacity when applied to any interior or exterior wood or metal. It also offers a fantastic coverage of 18 square metres per litre.

All you have to do to get Dulux Trade High Gloss mixed in any colour of your choice is either type in the name of a shade you would like (even designer shades) or select one from our RAL, British Standard & Dulux colour charts.

Water-Based Alternatives

Many people do prefer a water-based gloss paint rather than than oil-based formulations. This is because while oil-based gloss paints were traditionally much higher quality, water-based technology has caught up, meaning that you can achieve the finish of an oil-based paint with the fast drying and non-yellowing of a water-based paint.

For an interior water-based gloss that can be mixed in any colour, we would recommend you opt for Dulux Trade Quick Dry Gloss that has a drying time of between 1-2 hours and has a tough, durable finish that is so crucial with a gloss paint. While it is more expensive than other gloss paints on the market, it is the gold-standard when it comes to quality.

Alternatively, you may be looking for an exterior water-based gloss paint. Well, look no further than Zinsser Allcoat Exterior that is available in any colour and can be applied to almost any exterior surface. With a 15-year lifespan and an unrivalled resistance against cracking, blistering and flaking, it offers everything you need in an exterior gloss.

Gloss Paint Ideas

Looking for a bit of inspiration when it comes to applying gloss paint? Here are some fantastic ideas that you can use to make the most out of your project.

Black Doors

Black gloss doors have been hugely popular in the UK thanks to one very famous black gloss door on Downing Street. You may not be able to achieve the same level of sheen as number 10 due to the significant time and cost to get such a finish, but there is no doubt that you can achieve fantastic results yourself.

Gloss Walls

Yes, glossy walls! Now it isn't an obvious choice and isn't to everyone's tastes, but there is no doubt that you can achieve a beautiful look using gloss paints on interior walls & ceilings. We especially love it when it is used on ceilings, as it make a room look so much more spacious.

Kitchen Cupboards

Finally, why not opt for a high gloss paint when you come to upgrading your kitchen. Gloss kitchen cupboards look ultra-modern, and by using a paint to transform your current ones rather than buying new, you can save huge amounts of money and pick a colour that will make you completely stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why does gloss paint go yellow?

Oil-based paints are high in VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) that are harmful to the environment, meaning that in 2010 new EU regulations came into effect that meant VOC's had to be reduced in oil-based paints. Due to the changes, oil-based paint formulations had to change, which is why the are susceptible to yellowing. This is even stated by many manufacturers themselves, with water-based formulations becoming the new norm.

Q. Can you still buy oil based gloss paint?

Yes, we stock a range of oil-based gloss paints here at Painters World that you can readily buy. While many manufacturers are developing water-based gloss paints, oil-based paints are still the go-to choice for many.

Q. Is water-based gloss as good as oil-based?

Through advances in technology following the investment of paint manufacturers to find better water-based solutions to gloss paints, water-based gloss can now match the quality of oil-based paint.

Q. How long for oil-based gloss paint to dry?

Oil-based gloss paints can take between 6 – 16 hours to dry and are usually ready to recoat in 24 hours. This is in contrast with water-based gloss paints that take between 1 - 2 hours to dry.

Q. How many coats of gloss are required?

Oil-based gloss paints more often then not are two-coat systems. This comprises of an undercoat, which is usually a separate product and a topcoat of the gloss emulsion. Some products such as Dulux Once Gloss are one-coat oil-based gloss paints, although this is a specially designed formulation due to the long recoat time of oil-based paints.

Q. Is oil based gloss waterproof?

The term waterproof is often banded around when it comes to paints. Oil-based gloss paints are what many people would consider waterproof, as they offer some protection against water, which is why they can be used externally. Having said this, the term waterproof when it comes to paints should usually only be used if they repel water, which standard oil-based gloss paints do not.

Q. Can you use oil-based gloss over water-based undercoat?

Yes, you can use an oil-based gloss over the top of any water-based paint no problem. Having said this, all major manufacturer's offer dedicated water-based and oil-based undercoats that are specially formulated with the topcoat gloss to offer the best possible finish. It is always recommended that you use these products in combination with each other rather than using differing formulations and undercoats and topcoats from different brands.

We hope this has answered any questions you may have had regarding oil-based paints, how to use them and what the best oil-based gloss paints are. If you require any more help, just send an email to the team at hello@paintersworld.co.uk. At Painters World we have a wide range of paints & decorating supplies available, so no matter the job, we've got the right tools for you.