What is latex paint used for? If you’re also looking for an answer to this question, then this article is specifically meant for you.
Latex paint is a type of paint that is water-based and that is available in an array of finishes such as semi-gloss, flat, and glossy. Whether you want to work indoor or outdoor, you will have the appropriate latex paint for your painting work.
A survey of the paint market shows that the water-based latex paint makes 3 out of every 4 paints in the market, that’s a whopping 75%. Why is this paint type so popular in the market?
If you take a look into what the paint is used for, you will understand why it has gained such popularity and acceptance.
To its credit, latex paint has been found useful as the ideal paint for different surfaces. The paint can be used with the best result on these surfaces:
What is Latex Paint Used For?
Latex Paint for Wood
[su_note note_color=”#ebeec6″ radius=”5″]Latex paint is a great paint for covering wood. Whether you want to paint wood furniture, wood paneling, or wood siding, the paint can do that and give whatever it is a good and appealing finish.
A huge benefit of using the latex paint on wood is that it is easy to maintain and clean due to its low VOC in comparison with oil-based paints.
Note that acrylic latex paints have anti-freezing properties and will be good for woods that are in low-temperature area.[/su_note]
Latex Paint for Concrete
A concrete surface is another place where latex paint can be used with the same degree of efficiency. There are some special types of latex paints that are specially designed for use on concrete, regardless of whether you want to work on either outdoor or indoor concrete such as stairs, floors, garages, and decks.
Latex Paint for Walls
Latex paint has proven to be great for painting walls too. If you have ever used oil-based paint for painting indoor walls, you will notice how long it takes the wall to dry. The same cannot be said of this water-based paint.
The ability of latex paint to dry faster offers you the opportunity to apply a second coat on the paint without having to wait till eternity for the first paint layer to dry.
What is more, you will also get smother painting without showing the irritating brushstrokes that are noticeable in oil-based paints.
When used on walls and trim, the paint can also be cleaned easily. You only need water and soap to do the cleaning due to the lower Volatile Organic Compounds content of the paint.
Latex Paint for Arts and Crafts
If you are into arts and crafts and want a paint that can retain your design’s natural quality for long, latex paint will come in handy for you. The paint is available in a wide range of colors to choose from and you are guaranteed quick drying as well.
You can get the best latex paint for your work whether you are working on a toy model, a canvas, or a piece of furniture. Murals and other larger artistic works can also be worked on with this paint.
Thus, the arts and crafts type notwithstanding, latex paint is there for you to help you to give a professional touch to your work.
Latex Paint for Aluminum Siding
[su_note note_color=”#ebeec6″ radius=”5″]Another great way to use latex paint is on your aluminum siding. It is not uncommon to see people get rid of their old aluminum siding after using them for some years.
Rather than replace yours, you only need to clean the siding and apply outdoor latex paint on it to bring it to life.
By applying this paint, you increase the siding’s resistance to fading that may be caused by too much exposure to the sun. Thus, the aluminum siding will maintain its color for as long as possible without outdoor elements having any power over it.
If you are scared of cracking that may be caused by fluctuating temperatures that are common with oil-based paints, well, ditch your fears.
To its credit, this paint doesn’t crack easily and that eliminates disfiguration that may be caused by the expansion and contraction of the siding when exposed to such temperature fluctuation.[/su_note]
Latex Paint for Masonry
Whether you are working on stucco, concrete, or bricks, you can paint these external wall surfaces with the latex paint. If you do, you are taking advantage of its resistance to cracking, peeling, and flaking.
The external faces can successfully sustain their good looks for long without losing their color.
Generally, latex paint will work very well on surfaces that have been previously painted with flat oil-based or latex paints.
If you are working on unpainted masonry or unprimed drywall, the paint will still do great, making it a very effective and versatile paint for a wide range of uses.
Note that regardless of its versatility, it doesn’t perform well when used on surfaces with high-gloss finishes.
Although this paint is easier to use than its competitor, it will be great if you can prepare the surface in advance with the right tools. Get rid of defects that will undermine the efficiency of the paint.
Some of the outstanding attributes of latex paint that make it the paint of choice for most professional painters and DIY exponents include:
Long-term flexibility: You are guaranteed that the paint won’t just peel off after a couple of weeks of use but can be around for years to make whatever you paint to look good and shiny.
Easy maintenance: Items that are painted with latex paint are easy to maintain. With just a piece of cloth and water, you can keep them clean without much ado.
It is not combustible: There is the assurance that the paint won’t catch fire and consume the item even in hot weather. This assures you that you are not taking an unnecessary risk when using the paint.
It dries faster than oil-based: I have briefly alluded to that. Its ability to dry faster makes it a better paint that will allow you to get the job done without delay. The same cannot be said of the oil-based paint.
In general, latex paint can be used for a wide range of objects and offer tons of attributes that make it a better choice than its competitor.
Thus, when contemplating giving your house, furniture, or anything else a good painting, latex paint is there for you.
What is latex paint good for?
Latex paint is used frequently in artwork, while latex is used more for painting homes and commercial structures. 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.
Where can I use latex paint?
Latex paint is great for interior and exterior paint jobs. It is washable with soap and water after drying. Even though latex paint is safer to use than oil, still be sure the area is well ventilated, and that you are wearing proper breathing equipment. Use it on trim, siding, ceilings, and walls.
What is difference between latex and acrylic paint?
Simply put, the main difference between acrylic and latex paint is that acrylic paint is chemical-based, and latex paint is water-based. The name “latex paint” can be a little bit misleading. There’s no rubber latex in paint with the name. Both acrylic and latex paints are made with acrylic resin and polymers.
Can you use latex paint on walls?
Its glass-like finish makes it good for trim and molding. Water-Based Paint: (Latex paint is often called water-based) Commonly used on walls and ceilings, it is less toxic and easier to clean up than oil-based paints.
Does latex paint peel?
Latex paint is a water-soluable paint that’s durable and non-toxic. When applied to a dirty surface, especially in high-traffic areas, it’s likely to peel and chip. During certain weather conditions, latex paint can bubble, creating air pockets that often result in future paint chips and peeling paint.
Is latex paint good for wood?
Basic latex paint that you find at local home improvement stores is usually fine to paint wood furniture with. It tends to be one of the easiest paints to work with when it comes to painting furniture. Latex paint can easily be cleaned up with soap and water.
Will latex stick to concrete?
Acrylic latex paint is a water-based product that mixes and spreads easily on masonry surfaces. You can use it to paint floors, walls, steps, or any other concrete or block surface. A concrete garage floor could require a new coat of paint every two to three years, though it will last longer on vertical surfaces.
Should you use latex paint?
Quality interior latex paints provide better long-term flexibility, that is, resistance to cracking and chipping. Latex paints also tend to resist yellowing with age in areas protected from sunlight. They emit fewer odors, clean up with water and are not flammable.
Why is it called latex paint?
Latex paints are named “latex” because they previously had a rubber base, which is no longer used. Latex paints are now made with a water soluble base and are built on vinyl and acrylics. As a result, they clean up very easily with water and mild soap.
Why does paint come off walls when wiped?
If the surface is not properly prepared, the paint does not adhere, and peels when the wall is cleaned. When the paint is disturbed by cleaning or scrubbing, it peels away from the wall. Lack of primer also can cause the paint to come away from the wall. Primer helps create a strong bond between the wall and the paint.
Can you use latex paint on wood outside?
A freshly painted wood porch is an inviting outdoor space for homeowners to enjoy. Latex porch paint offers durability and easy cleanup. With the proper surface preparation combined with quality paints and tools, a wood porch painted with latex paint can attain an attractive, long-wearing finish.
