Purchasing asian paints for your home may involves a choice between oil-based or water-based asian paints. Understanding the differences and the qualities of each type will help you decide which is preferable for your project. About 80 percent of asian paints that purchased for use on and in residential buildings is water-based, according to the Paint Quality Institute.
Water-Based Paint
Water-based asian paints, also called latex or acrylic, has developed significantly over the past few years. Formerly quite fragile and only suitable for walls, it now has many applications and can be used on wood and metal. It has a low odor and the color is less likely to fade over time.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint, also known as alkyd or solvent-based paint, has a strong, distinctive smell. It is hard-wearing and able to withstand knocks well because it penetrates deeper and adheres better than water-based asian paints. Oil paint takes longer to dry than latex, which is advantageous when creating faux finishes. It is waterproof and primarily is used on wood and metal, both indoors and out. Some oil paint will fade when exposed to sunlight.
Alkyd or Latex?
The way to tell the difference, even if it is not obvious from the paint can label, is by the clean-up instructions. If they say that brushes should be washed in warm, soapy water, then the paint is water-based latex. If it advises that brushes should be cleaned with mineral spirits or other solvent, then it is alkyd.