Our experienced staff are always happy
to provide expert advice and help with your paint needs, but
here are a few answers to the most common questions below:
1. What is the difference between acrylic,
alkyd, oil and latex paints? Answer
2. Is an alkyd paint or latex paint best for use outside?
Answer
3. What type of brush is used with what type of paint? Answer
4. Rain washes my house, why do I need to clean the outside
before painting? Answer
5. Why aren’t all these instructions written on a
can of paint? Answer
1. What is the difference
between acrylic, alkyd, oil and latex paints? This
refers to the resin of the paint, the primary component
that remains on the painted surface to provide protection
and hold the pigment. Acrylic paint is a type of latex paint
but not all latex paints are acrylic. All latex paints clean
up with water. Alkyd and oil are different products but
appear to behave the same way. Both require clean up with
mineral spirits or paint thinner. Sometimes one product
is better than another for a given application, sometimes
it’s a matter of consumer preference. Come on in and
we can help you determine what is best for your application.
2. Is an alkyd paint
or latex paint best for use outside? The answer is,
it depends. It depends on a host of factors such as desired
finish, weather exposure, the integrity of the house with
regard to moisture transfer. Older homes were always well
served with oil paints but there were reasons that this
may no longer apply. For example, these paints form a moisture
impregnable film. With older homes with no effective vapour
barrier yet added insulation and moisture producing appliances,
this can become a major problem. The best way to determine
what is best for you is to come on in and discuss it with
our qualified staff.
3. What type of
brush is used with what type of paint? Not an easy
question to answer but basically at the same price point
with the same manufacturer, a bristle brush will perform
better in alkyd or oil paint and a synthetic bristle in
latex. Just to complicate matters further, we know one manufacturer
who is blending synthetic and natural bristle in one brush.
We haven’t sorted that one out yet for ourselves.
Regardless, we can help you choose the brush or roller sleeve
best suited to your project, whether it is an inexpensive,
throw away type brush or a finely crafted brush.
4. Rain washes my
house, why do I need to clean the outside before
painting? True, rain often
cleans the house but it does not clean where it does not
reach such as the soffits and the siding under the soffits.
All kinds of contaminants adhere to these surfaces, not
least of all for us, salt. The question should really be
answered with another question: do you not have to clean
your windows? If a smooth hard surface such as glass holds
dirt and other airborne contaminants then a rougher surface
such as your siding will hold even more. Then there is the
issue of mildew. We always recommend a proper cleaning first.
It adds a bit of work, makes the project longer to complete
but we know from experience that it is well worth doing.
The result is a better-looking project that lasts longer.
5. Why aren’t
all these instructions written on a can of paint?
The paint companies don’t tell you enough. True, however
a book would have to be attached to every can of paint,
a thick book. It’s always best to discuss any project
you are new to with a qualified, experienced staff person.
We consider this to be an important part of our job. Our
goal is to help you complete your project in a way that
will leave you satisfied and proud of your work.
