The more acrylic resin in the paint, the better it tends to hold up and adhere to a surface. Latex paints are not as resistant to the sun and water as acrylic paints are. The type of paint is the biggest consideration you’ll have to make, since there are oil, latex and acrylic paint options for furniture, along with specialty paints like chalky paint and milk paint. Latex paint is readily available at hardware stores, home improvement stores, department stores, paint stores, etc. Oil-based paints have since been faded out over the last 15 years leaving the main options like acrylic and latex. Another benefit of using acrylic paint in your exterior projects is their resistance to the sun. Many homeowners are starting to use acrylic paints for exterior residential painting projects. Even more, I’m hoping to learn from you and become an even better finisher. Latex paint is cheaper than acrylic paint and easy to find. Parlaying off the last point, acrylic paints are more durable and more expensive, but you get what you pay for, right? Water-based paints have fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are bad for the environment. We have covered a lot of information on which is better: milk paint vs chalk paint vs latex. Acrylic paint is made from acrylic resins and pigment in a chemical base. Overview: The name “General Finishes Milk Paint” is a tad bit misleading, because this paint is actually a water-based acrylic paint, engineered to give a similar finish to the milk paint that has been used for centuries.. Pros:. Latex paint is safer to use since it produces fewer fumes (still use proper ventilation regardless of the type of paint you use). Not sure how many coats to use? Both paints use the same type of pigments, but they use different binders, and that is what sets them apart. Acrylic paint is often used for small crafts or projects such as painting signs. Enamel & acrylic paint can both be used as household paint effectively. High-gloss latex paint is the most durable but also shows every imperfection. It’s chemical composition also requires extra care when handling. It does not mix well with oil-based paints and won’t adhere to a wall previously painted with oil paint. Latex paint is known to chip when used for furniture that is not prepped correctly. Vinyl latex paints are much cheaper. Today we’ll break down the difference between these two types of paint and the best ways to use each one. Latex is commonly used on a wide variety of surfaces including various types of siding, brick, stucco, concrete, galvanized metal, or wood. It has no fumes, no odors, and is nonflammable. Also, I recently came to realize that chalk paint brushes can provide really good coverage. acrylic vs latex paint for furniture. Latex style paints slide across one another. The chemicals in acrylic paints are toxic and flammable. Get an even coat of primer all over the piece of furniture. Choosing standard interior acrylic-latex for your cabinets may seem like a good idea at first, but you will find that it lays down in streaks and easily peels. Here are a few suggestions and some strengths and weaknesses for both. You’ll want to assure your using proper ventilation since acrylic paint can produce dangerous fumes. I just finished applying an acrylic clear polyurethane clear coat gloss over a dresser that I had painted & glazed using latex paint & latex craft paints and a latex glaze. Paint: The Pros and Cons of Each Finish, The Best Paint for Furniture DIY Projects, 21 DIY Wood Wall Art Ideas to Inspire Your Creative Side. Here is a breakdown of what paint you should use on your wood (or laminate) thrifted furniture finds to get the best results. This makes it great for exterior painting projects. As a DIY homeowner, you’ll be faced with a lot of decisions during your house painting project. It’s important to sand and prime furniture before applying latex paint. Latex paint usually covers with fewer coats. Low-quality latex paints are prone to chipping. It’s less toxic than acrylic paint. Not … Latex paints are not as resistant to the sun and water as acrylic paints are. Have fun painting! Latex Acrylic Paints: Typically it can take more paint to create an opaque finish for a couple of reasons. Latex paint isn’t very elastic. As we said earlier, this is an advantage if your painting a small area like a bedroom or bathroom. There are pros and cons to using acrylic paint for your DIY furniture project. Latex paint is made from acrylic or vinyl resin and pigments in a water base. It is easy to apply and goes on smooth and level. Latex Paint. Spray paint dries much more quickly than brushed-on paint. Work up to finer grits as you sand. Latex paint is a great option for covered chairs. This post is about why I use latex paint for many of my furniture makeovers and why you should consider latex paint too. Another question you’ll need to answer is, “Between acrylic vs. latex paint, which one should I use? Acrylic paint dries extremely quickly. It’s also significantly more toxic than water-based latex paint. Now you should know everything you need to choose the right type of paint for your next DIY furniture painting project. Both acrylic and latex paints are made with acrylic resin and polymers. Latex paint on the other hand, needs a primer as a first coat in order to adhere well to most surfaces. Acrylic paint, unlike latex, is most often sold in small containers for craft use, making it ideal for small details and accents. Overall, you’ll want to use acrylic paint if you’re painting outdoor furniture that needs to hold up to use and weather. Even if you haven’t prepped a piece of furniture perfectly, acrylic paint adheres well to most porous surfaces. That Sweet Tea Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, paint can work for most of your furniture, paint bonds to the surface layer of furniture, Stain vs. You don’t need to prep furniture as carefully for acrylic paint as you do for latex paints. 11 Reasons Why You Should Paint Furniture With Latex Paint 1. It usually takes two to five hours for acrylic paints to dry in between coats. Latex paints are water-based, while acrylic paints are chemical-based. Because it’s chemical-based, the chemicals in acrylic paint make it more elastic than latex paint. Latex paint is safer to use since it produces fewer fumes (still use proper ventilation regardless of the type of paint you use) Latex paint usually covers with fewer coats. Final thoughts on Milk Paint vs Chalk Paint vs Latex. Acrylic paint needs paint thinners since it’s chemical-based. Inside: How to paint furniture with latex paint, plus a pro guide to prepping pieces for paint, and how to repair furniture prior to painting. Acrylic paint is chemical-based and can release toxic fumes during the painting process. 10 Tips for Painting Furniture with Latex Paint Mark and I have painted many a furniture piece using latex paint, though none as challenging as the Roll-Top Desk . Acrylic paints are great for hand-lettered signs. This means its just a little harder to get that full coverage finish. So, on latex vs acrylic paint – latex paint is a water-based paint, while acrylic paint is chemical-based paint. Often the pigments arent as saturated and concentrated in Latex Acrylic Paint. Latex is a water-based paint. It can be difficult to find in large quantities, as acrylic paints are more commonly used for art projects than walls or furniture painting. Compared to the history of paint, latex paint is still the new kid on the block. It does not require top coat like chalk paint or milk paint. Acrylic Paint. To paint furniture with acrylic paint, there are a few things you should know. It usually takes 1-3 coats of acrylic paint to paint furniture. Posted on Last updated: December 8, 2020 By: Author Ryan Cunningham. There’s no rubber latex in paint with the name. It can also be ordered online. It is less environment-friendly than latex paint. However, in some circumstances, an oil or alkyd-based paint may also be used. Chalk paint is basically a self primer that adheres well to most surfaces. It adds some color and protection, but the area that gets the most use is covered with fabric so there’s less wear. Availability. Exterior latex paints tend to be all-acrylic or mostly acrylic, because then they hold up better to the weather and are slightly more elastic. Learn how your comment data is processed. Overview: Latex paint is the most common type of paint found at hardware stores and comes in a variety of sheens. Product Manager and PPG Paint Specialist: Usually, a quality latex or water-based paint will be sufficient to fulfill your painting needs. Here’s the rule of thumb: a satin or semi-gloss latex paint is the best choice for most furniture projects and kitchen cabinet painting. If you have a piece of furniture covered with oil-based paint, for best results you’ll want to remove it and sand the piece before applying latex paints. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of time, make your project run smoother, and allow you to focus your time on choosing the right color for your project instead of worrying about paint types. If you’re painting furniture for outdoors or refurbishing a piece that will be heavily used, go with all-acrylic exterior latex paint. High-quality latex paint can work for most of your furniture projects, but there are still pros and cons you should consider. Here are the main advantages of using latex paint: It’s easier to apply latex paint to a surface and it dries a lot faster. Latex paint is easier to clean up with just soap and water. Acrylic paint is made of pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer solution and acrylic resin. Pros: available everywhere, unlimited color choices, variety of sheens, easy to clean Cons: some smell (more than chalk & mineral paints but not as much as oil-based), more prep needed if furniture already has paint or stain on it, primer is recommended It expands and contracts with temperature, so it works well on wood or outdoor pieces. Latex paint is just a term used to refer to any water-based paint. Sand moving up to finer grits as you go, and then clean and prime the piece of furniture before applying your acrylic paint. That Sweet Tea Life is a place where I get to slow down and visit the craftier side of painting. Chalk style furniture paints also have more filler powder than acrylic paints. The name “latex paint” can be a little bit misleading. Unlike acrylic, it’s recommended to use latex paint when painting larger areas. In case you hadn’t noticed, we do a lot of painting over here Paint is probably the best and most cost efficient way to update a space or a furniture piece. Consider acrylic paint if you are new to DIY painting projects. I’ll share with you everything I’ve learned painting hundreds of pieces of furniture and sets of kitchen cabinets. Chemical-based acrylic paints release fumes that water-based paints do not. Home | About | Services | Reviews | Interior Painting | Exterior Painting | Deck Staining & Repair | Commercial Painting | Residential Painting, Copyright © Hillis Brothers Painting. See my post here to see my better alternative process to chalk painting furniture using latex paint. Here are the main advantages of using acrylic paint: The chemicals in acrylic paint cause it to have greater elasticity. If you’re choosing paint for a furniture project, you may have been confused by the term “acrylic latex paint.” Weren’t acrylic and latex paint different things? Since Latex paint is water-based, it’s easier to clean up with just soap and water. This puts them a step above latex paints and miles ahead of oil-based paints. Since then, its safety, environmental friendliness, and ease of use have motivated the ongoing development of latex paint technology. We will cover the pros and cons of acrylic and latex paints for each project. Choose your finish based on the desired look and how much use the furniture gets. You can find it in all sorts of colors and finishes at almost any paint store. Having conquered this one, though, I thought it might be useful to share some of our tips and tricks for working with this fantastic medium. They’re a fine option if you are looking for a cheap way to add color to an accent piece, but low-quality latex paint will not hold up well under much use. Sherwin-Williams used a synthetic rubber, latex, in the 1940s to create the first water enamel paint. They are chemical-based meaning they become water-resistant when they dry. Right now, there are three types of paints on the market. While many people swear by a certain type of paint, I have found that different types of paint are best for different projects. The primary difference in their compositions, however, lies in the bases that support these resins. All-acrylic latex paints are the highest quality of latex paint. When should you use Latex vs. Oil paint? Here are some ideas for your next DIY acrylic painting project. Advantages and Disadvantages of Acrylic Paints. Latex Paints: Latex paint is much more durable than the oil based paints, it is very easy to clean with soap and water. Furniture usually requires two or three coats of latex paint. It’s so easy to get confused when it comes to picking paint for your dresser, table or nightstands. As a result of its higher solids content, top-quality interior acrylic latex semi-gloss paint dries to a thicker film than ordinary latex semi-gloss paint, resulting in better hiding and durability. Simply put, the main difference between acrylic and latex paint is that acrylic paint is chemical-based, and latex paint is water-based. As you see, acrylic and latex paints both have their pros and cons for different types of projects. The acrylic emulsion is water-soluble, non-toxic, and flexible, which is why they are likely to be used in areas exposed to heat and cold. You’ve probably found that there are two main types of paint for crafting projects: acrylic paint and latex paint. Latex paints or acrylic paints use pigments suspended in a binder made from an acrylic polymer emulsion. Read: Painting Over Oil Based Paint, Here’s How. The acrylic paint will contract and expand better than latex paint. However, sanding and priming pre-painted furniture is always a good idea for the best results. Latex is cheaper than acrylic paint. Latex water-based paint is the clear rival in the market, so let’s compare water-based latex paint vs. enamel or oil-based paint. Let’s take a closer look at these painting materials. Most spray paint is oil-based and provides a more durable finish than latex paint. It is generally sold in small containers and can be expensive. Latex paint isn’t very elastic. Make sure you read this article. You’ll want to sand the piece well so that the latex paint can adhere well to the surface. They are oil, acrylic, and latex-based paints. Chalk paint is about as durable as latex paint. Paint wooden chairs with acrylic paint since wood will expand and contract with heat and cold. Some are used for arts and crafts while others are used for bigger things, like painting houses or buildings. My name is Ryan and I’ve been a professional painter for the last 20 years. Right now, acrylic paints are the most popular. Latex paint bonds to the surface layer of furniture, so it will chip and scratch if the furniture is not prepped properly. This means the paint will expand and contract properly as temperatures fluctuate. Acrylic paint is more difficult to clean up with soap and water than latex paint since it is chemical-based. Latex paints provide good coverage in fewer coats if you’re painting a large piece of furniture. I’m hoping this will become the DeFacto reference for painting furniture and why you may choose oil paint or latex paint to complete your project. Matte latex paints don’t hold up very well under use. If you’re painting furniture with latex paint, you’ll want to be sure to prep the piece before painting it. High-quality acrylic paint doesn’t always need a top coat. The main difference between the two paints is that acrylic paint is chemical-based and latex paint is water-based. It usually takes latex paint one or two hours to dry in between coats. Spray paint can be used on practically any surface, including wood, metal, wicker, plastic and resin. Home » Blog » acrylic vs latex paint for furniture . Search the web for “oil paint vs latex paint” and you’ll find tons of sites and posts but no real answers. The furniture turned out just how I wanted it. Acrylic Vs. Latex Paint. Latex paint dries than acrylic paint, although they take a long time to cure. All Rights Reserved.​, Acrylic Vs. Latex Paint: The Difference And Which To Use. It is very easy to clean the Acrylic surface as it can be cleaned with soap and water. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Acrylic and latex paints are each actually made from acrylic resins. Additionally, Chalk Paints GRAB to each other. What are some DIY projects where you should use latex paint? You should consider the finish of latex paint when choosing paint for your DIY furniture project. Do be aware since latex paint is water-based it will not mix with oil-based paints. How to Fix Damaged Wood Furniture . Spray paint is easier to apply on furniture with spindles, small pieces, or intricate nooks and crannies. Somewhere in the middle will be the most practical. This may be an advantage if you’re painting a smaller area, but this will make painting larger areas more difficult. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages and is best used for certain types of projects. You don’t have to worry about the extra expense of buying primer and you save time skipping that step. Acrylic latex paint is just latex paint (water-based) that uses 100% acrylic and no vinyl. Acrylic paint dries very quickly, as a result, the customer can use the 2 or 3 coats in a day. Odor and risk difference. Interior latex paints can use stiffer resins such as vinyl. Latex paint is used frequently in artwork, while latex is used more for painting homes and commercial structures. Latex paint is easier to clean up with just soap and water. So, what’s the difference between acrylic and latex paint? Use latex paint to add color to an accent piece. All-acrylic or 100 percent acrylic latex paint is the highest quality of latex paint and is the most durable. Acrylic paint tends to adhere well to surfaces like wood. By comparison, a furniture paint may contain 30% filler powder, more binders and higher quality resins, pigments for color, and water. It may chip on outdoor, Use acrylic paint for outdoor furniture such as deck. You will be able to settle on the right paint for your furniture project in no time. What you need is a paint that is either designated specifically for cabinets or another type of paint that is especially cabinet-friendly. Top-quality interior acrylic latex semi-gloss paint typically contains higher volume solids (binder and pigment), which provide many benefits when compared to ordinary latex semi-gloss paints. Water-based paints usually feel dry to the touch in a … It’s durable, rich in color, easy to use, and will withstand the elements better than latex paint. What are some good projects for acrylic paint? Latex paints are perfect for refurbishing a dresser or antique trunk. Posted in BlogBlog There are many types of paint available in the market today. That is why our Milk Paint is more durable than the average chalk style paint- the ratio of filler. Clean the furniture and remove any previous paint with the paint scraper. I let it dry for 24 hours and just went to apply the polyurethane to protect it. Protective top coat (Polycrilic Protective Finish works well with latex paint). Not because it dries slower, but because it’s usually purchased in larger quantities. Would latex paint work better than acrylic paint on furniture or concrete? What about in the wet area, which is the best paint to go for without affecting the primary surface? Acrylic paint is more durable than latex paint and adheres very well to porous surfaces. There’s chalk paint, latex paint, 2 types of milk paint, and enamel paint too. Maybe you have some furniture to refurbish and just can’t decide what type of paint to use. Wondering what type of paint to use for your DIY painting project? It’s straightforward to use and goes on easily. This reduces the amount of flaking and cracking. Whether you are new to furniture painting or a pro selling gorgeous pieces online, your time is valuable so pick the best paint for your project! Oil-based enamel paint is known for its annoyingly strong odor. If you’re removing a previous coat of paint or applying acrylic paint, be sure to protect your eyes and nose. It’s good to put a clear top coat over latex-painted furniture, as it will help seal and protect the piece. Once it’s dry, acrylic paint is much more resistant to the sun and water than latex paint. Oil-based paint use the same type of pigments but they are suspended in an oil based binde… Acrylic paint is elastic. It can be used for both interior and exterior applications. As far as the best latex paint for furniture, I prefer Sherwin Williams ProClassic (Acrylic Alkyd) as my first choice and Behr Marquee as a close second. Each of these paints for furniture carries unique advantages, and some are … Similar to acrylic paint, it is made from acrylic resin. I like to use acrylic paint for small crafts and anything that will expand or contract (such as wood furniture). 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