Painting your home is one of the easiest home improvement projects you can do. It requires very little special knowledge and is something anyone can learn to do. It also is a simple way to completely change the look of your home or a room. With so many choices in paint it can be hard to figure out what type to buy. One versatile choice would be oil based paint.

The Basics

Oil based paint are an alternative to water based latex paints. This is a great option for someone with a severe latex allergy who could be endangered by using latex paint of any kind. Additionally, oil based paints are much more durable, so they last longer and show wear less than latex paint. Oil based paints are ideal for trim, doors and other areas of high traffic.

Using It

Oil based paints can be a bit more difficult to use than latex paint. There are thicker and therefore requires different tools than you would use with latex paint. You need to have thicker brushes and rollers. They also require good ventilation when using them due to the strong odor. However, despite these things, they can be bought anywhere, like latex paint and found in almost any color you need.

Another good tip is that before painting it is very important to stir up the paint and avoid shaking it. It can bubble when applying so application should be done in several thin coats and not put on too thickly to avoid bubbles. You should allow adequate drying time between coats and remember that oil based paint will take longer to dry than latex paint. When disposing oil based paint you should follow local guidelines because they are toxic and considered hazardous waste.

Where to Use It

Some good projects for oil based paint is in many areas. Bead board, window trim and molding are great places to use oil based paint because they see a lot of wear. Painting them with oil based paint will make them easier to clean and keep wear from showing up easily. Doors are a good choice, too, for the same reason. They are very good for exterior projects, too, because of their resistance to water and wear. Metal projects work well with this paint, too. They are very good for a variety of projects. So consider them the next time you have a painting job to do.