Oil Vs. Latex for Painting Furniture

Primer

• Before any painting can be done, it is recommended that a primer be applied to the furniture. Primer is a preparatory coating which helps to prevent stains and paint bleeding and also increases paint adhesion. Like paint, primers come in oil and latex and your choice of primer can affect the type of paint you should choose.

  Latex primers are generally easier to use. They have little scent, go on easily and do a good job of blocking stains.

  Oil primers are not as user friendly, but provide stronger results. They provide superior stain resistance and adhesion, but they also give off a strong odor. You must paint in a well-ventilated area if you use an oil primer.

How Primer Affects the Choice of Paint

• Latex primers should be used with latex paints only -- combining latex primer and oil paint can lead to unfortunate results such as bubbles in the finished product. Oil primers work well with either type of paint, giving users more options once it is applied.

Latex Paint

• Like latex primer, latex paint is more new-user friendly than its oil counterpart. It goes on with little brush dragging, providing for a smooth and even application. It is non-combustible, nearly odorless and dries quickly (usually within one to six hours), making it safe and easy to apply. Its maintenance is also convenient -- it presents little danger of mildew growth and can be cleaned with soap and water.

  An added strength is that latex paint's superior flexibility makes it resistant to temperature changes which can otherwise lead to cracking and blistering. This and a similar resistance to chalking and fading makes it ideal for lawn or deck furniture.

Oil Paint

• Oil paint is less convenient and versatile than latex, but is not without its own strengths. Inexperienced painters may find it troublesome due to its tendency for brush dragging, which requires a careful hand to ensure smooth application. It takes longer to dry than latex, between eight to 24 hours. Like oil primer, it has a strong chemical odor. Its maintenance also requires more work and attention -- its vegetable oil base can provide mildew with nutrients that encourage growth, though it does contain mildewcide to counter this effect. Furniture with oil paint needs to be cleaned with solvents such as paint thinner and turpentine. Unlike latex, it is not well suited to exposure to sunlight and is more likely to chalk and fade if left outdoors.

  Despite all of this, many experienced painters prefer oil paint for indoor furniture. This is because it has superior adhesive qualities and goes on heavy. This makes it great for coverage and hides blemishes with only one coat, whereas latex often requires multiple coats.