Water Based Vs Oil Based Paint - Which Is Best For Wood?

Water Based Vs Oil Based Paint

Firstly let's establish what the difference is between water based paint & oil based paint and what the drawbacks & benefits to each are. These type of paints vary on what type of solvent used in the paint, which when it evaporates is what leads to the paint drying. As the names would suggest, one has an oil based solvent, while the other is almost all water.

But how do these two forms of paint vary in terms of performance? Well, we have broken down the main advantages & disadvantages of both water based and oil based paints.

Water Based Paint Advantages

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

Water Based Paint Disadvantages

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

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 with
• Traditionally offer higher durability
• Harden much quicker than water based

Oil Based Paint Disadvantages

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

Overall, water based and oil based paints have their advantages & disadvantages. These have changed over the years however. From a trade perspective, professional decorators historically would always swear by oil based paints as at the time, water based paints were poor quality. Over the years, water based technology has developed, while oil based paints have decreased in quality due to regulations regarding VOC's (emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids). Nowadays, a old school decorator will insist that oil based paints are better, however the reality is today that water based paints can offer an equally good finish, but without the pain that comes with oil based paints.

That said, it is purely down to individual preference and the job it is needed for!

Water Based Paint For Wood

So what water based paints are available for wood?

Interior

When it comes to a good quality water-based paint for interior woodwork, we highly recommend the Crown Trade Fast Flow range. This is a water-based range that includes an undercoat plus eggshell, satin & gloss finishes. This is an example of a hybrid formulation, meaning offers the finish that you can achieve with an oil-based paint, with all of the benefits of a water-based paint such as quick-drying, non-yellowing, low odour and low VOC. This means it is the best of both world's so you do not have to compromise!

Exterior

An excellent all round water based paint for almost any exterior surface is Zinsser Allcoat. This is available in satin, gloss & crucially a matt finish, which is fairly found with an oil based paint. It offers excellent long term protection for exterior wood, lasting up to 15 years and comes with all of the benefits of a water based paint such as fast recoating time and easy clean up. This can be tinted to any colour, making it the ideal tool to get creative with your exterior surfaces!

Alternatively, another exterior wood treatment that can be tinted to any colour is Sadolin Superdec Satin Opaque. This is a specifically designed wood treatment that is self priming and undercoating, flexible and offers 10 year protection to all exterior wood surfaces except decking. Unlike Zinsser Allcoat, it is not available in gloss or matt, but is a slightly cheaper option.

Oil Based Paint For Wood

There are a number of oil based paints for wood available too. Whether you are looking for an undercoat or a exterior wood treatment, there is plenty of options. These are generally satin or gloss finishes, due to the higher sheen provided by an oil based paint.

Interior & Exterior

Many oil based paints for wood are able to be applied to interior or exterior wood thanks to their durability. For maximum gloss, apply a high quality undercoat such as Crown Trade Full Undercoat. It has an excellent opacity, adheres well to any joinery and can be used outside also! A topcoat option is Dulux Trade High Gloss, which gives interior & exterior wood and metal a tough, durable high gloss finish. For a non-gloss finish, Armstead Eggshell is the best oil based option. This can be used on interior walls & ceilings or trim, giving a less shiny finish than a gloss paint.

Oil-based finishes do not enhance the grain of the wood, meaning woodstains and other non opaque wood treatments are oil based. One such treatment is Sadolin Classic Woodstain. This is a coloured wood treatment that offers a transparent coloured finish, enhancing & protecting interior and exterior wood. It can be used on any wood surface, including windows, doors, fences & decking. For another all wood treatment but with added durability, Sadolin developed Sadolin Extra Durable Clearcoat, which creates a clear protective barrier on all timber.

Exterior

An excellent specialist exterior wood paint is Sadolin Beautiflex Solvent Opaque Woodstain. This is a durable exterior wood paint that can be tinted to any colour you want. It offers an opaque finish for all exterior wood including decking. The formulation flexes with the wood, allowing it to resist cracking, peeling or flaking. This means it offers 7 year protection, which is excellent for a exterior coloured wood paint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I use a water based undercoat paint with an oil based topcoat?

A. Yes, it will potentially dry flatter due to the lesser sheen that the water based undercoat provides

Q. Do you have any advice for cleaning brushes that have been using oil based paint?

A. Remove as much paint as possible using a paper towel to make the cleaning as mess free as possible. Get two jars, and fill one with a little bit of white spirit. Clean off as much paint as you can using the spirit in the jar, moving the brush around the jar until it turns cloudy with paint. Pour the paint filled white spirit into the other jar and repeat the process until the white spirit is clear. Once your brush is clean, give it one last clean off using a paper towel and put away ready for another use. Put the lid on the jar and leave it for a few days. When you come back to the jar after a period of time, the paint will have separated from the white spirit, and you will be able to re-use the white spirit for your next brush clean up!

Q. How can I tell if my walls have been painted using oil based paint or water based paint?

A. Simply put some white spirit on a cloth and wipe a small part of the wall where it will not be noticeable. If the cloth is stained with the wall colour, it is water based paint, as oil based paint will not be affected by the test.

Q. How long does oil based paint take to dry?

A. The drying time of oil based paint can vary between products. They often take six to eight hours to completely dry.

We hope this has answered any questions you may have had regarding water based and oil based paint. At Painters World we have a wide range of paints available, so no matter the job, we've got the right tools for you! Shop our huge range of products today.