Latex paint is safer to use since it produces fewer fumes (still use proper ventilation regardless of the type of paint you use). Water-based paints have fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are bad for the environment. Home » Blog » acrylic vs latex paint for furniture . Acrylic latex paint is just latex paint (water-based) that uses 100% acrylic and no vinyl. Enamel & acrylic paint can both be used as household paint effectively. Latex paints are water-based, while acrylic paints are chemical-based. Latex Paint. Choose your finish based on the desired look and how much use the furniture gets. Both acrylic and latex paints are made with acrylic resin and polymers. When should you use Latex vs. Oil paint? This means its just a little harder to get that full coverage finish. Latex is commonly used on a wide variety of surfaces including various types of siding, brick, stucco, concrete, galvanized metal, or wood. That is why our Milk Paint is more durable than the average chalk style paint- the ratio of filler. Oil-based enamel paint is known for its annoyingly strong odor. Wondering what type of paint to use for your DIY painting project? Odor and risk difference. Here is a breakdown of what paint you should use on your wood (or laminate) thrifted furniture finds to get the best results. 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. I let it dry for 24 hours and just went to apply the polyurethane to protect it. It can be used for both interior and exterior applications. 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. Here are some ideas for your next DIY acrylic painting project. There’s chalk paint, latex paint, 2 types of milk paint, and enamel paint too. They are oil, acrylic, and latex-based paints. That Sweet Tea Life is a place where I get to slow down and visit the craftier side of painting. 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. Acrylic paint dries extremely quickly. Work up to finer grits as you sand. We will cover the pros and cons of acrylic and latex paints for each project. You can find it in all sorts of colors and finishes at almost any paint store. Oil-based paint use the same type of pigments but they are suspended in an oil based binde… Final thoughts on Milk Paint vs Chalk Paint vs Latex. Use latex paint to add color to an accent piece. 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. It can also be ordered online. Another benefit of using acrylic paint in your exterior projects is their resistance to the sun. Product Manager and PPG Paint Specialist: Usually, a quality latex or water-based paint will be sufficient to fulfill your painting needs. It may chip on outdoor, Use acrylic paint for outdoor furniture such as deck. Latex paints are not as resistant to the sun and water as acrylic paints are. You will be able to settle on the right paint for your furniture project in no time. Acrylic paint is chemical-based and can release toxic fumes during the painting process. It does not mix well with oil-based paints and won’t adhere to a wall previously painted with oil paint. Latex is cheaper than acrylic paint. The furniture turned out just how I wanted it. Consider acrylic paint if you are new to DIY painting projects. Home | About | Services | Reviews | Interior Painting | Exterior Painting | Deck Staining & Repair | Commercial Painting | Residential Painting, Copyright © Hillis Brothers Painting. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Oil-based paints have since been faded out over the last 15 years leaving the main options like acrylic and latex. 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. 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. Latex paint isn’t very elastic. Somewhere in the middle will be the most practical. Low-quality latex paints are prone to chipping. High-quality latex paint can work for most of your furniture projects, but there are still pros and cons you should consider. Latex paint is easier to clean up with just soap and water. It usually takes two to five hours for acrylic paints to dry in between coats. Latex paint is easier to clean up with just soap and water. 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. Unlike acrylic, it’s recommended to use latex paint when painting larger areas. There are pros and cons to using acrylic paint for your DIY furniture project. Latex paint is just a term used to refer to any water-based paint. It does not require top coat like chalk paint or milk paint. Availability. It’s so easy to get confused when it comes to picking paint for your dresser, table or nightstands. Latex is a water-based paint. Not because it dries slower, but because it’s usually purchased in larger quantities. Latex Acrylic Paints: Typically it can take more paint to create an opaque finish for a couple of reasons. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. It’s also significantly more toxic than water-based latex paint. Right now, there are three types of paints on the market. 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. Acrylic paint is more durable than latex paint and adheres very well to porous surfaces. This may be an advantage if you’re painting a smaller area, but this will make painting larger areas more difficult. Here are a few suggestions and some strengths and weaknesses for both. Clean the furniture and remove any previous paint with the paint scraper. Latex paint isn’t very elastic. Overall, you’ll want to use acrylic paint if you’re painting outdoor furniture that needs to hold up to use and weather. The chemicals in acrylic paints are toxic and flammable. Acrylic paint is more difficult to clean up with soap and water than latex paint since it is chemical-based. Latex paint is used frequently in artwork, while latex is used more for painting homes and commercial structures. The main difference between the two paints is that acrylic paint is chemical-based and latex paint is water-based. Chemical-based acrylic paints release fumes that water-based paints do not. Simply put, the main difference between acrylic and latex paint is that acrylic paint is chemical-based, and latex paint is water-based. Latex paints are not as resistant to the sun and water as acrylic paints are. Matte latex paints don’t hold up very well under use. Now you should know everything you need to choose the right type of paint for your next DIY furniture painting project. High-quality acrylic paint doesn’t always need a top coat. You’ve probably found that there are two main types of paint for crafting projects: acrylic paint and latex paint. Posted on Last updated: December 8, 2020 By: Author Ryan Cunningham. Have fun painting! This puts them a step above latex paints and miles ahead of oil-based paints. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages and is best used for certain types of projects. Advantages and Disadvantages of Acrylic Paints. Acrylic paints are great for hand-lettered signs. Latex Paints: Latex paint is much more durable than the oil based paints, it is very easy to clean with soap and water. They are chemical-based meaning they become water-resistant when they dry. If you’re painting furniture for outdoors or refurbishing a piece that will be heavily used, go with all-acrylic exterior latex paint. Acrylic Vs. Latex Paint. Make sure you read this article. We have covered a lot of information on which is better: milk paint vs chalk paint vs latex. Acrylic paint is made of pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer solution and acrylic resin. Do be aware since latex paint is water-based it will not mix with oil-based paints. Latex paints or acrylic paints use pigments suspended in a binder made from an acrylic polymer emulsion. Even more, I’m hoping to learn from you and become an even better finisher. Because it’s chemical-based, the chemicals in acrylic paint make it more elastic than latex paint. 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? 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 The more acrylic resin in the paint, the better it tends to hold up and adhere to a surface. Latex paint is readily available at hardware stores, home improvement stores, department stores, paint stores, etc. Not … It’s good to put a clear top coat over latex-painted furniture, as it will help seal and protect the piece. Acrylic paint tends to adhere well to surfaces like wood. Often the pigments arent as saturated and concentrated in Latex Acrylic Paint. Many homeowners are starting to use acrylic paints for exterior residential painting projects. Compared to the history of paint, latex paint is still the new kid on the block. You should consider the finish of latex paint when choosing paint for your DIY furniture project. As you see, acrylic and latex paints both have their pros and cons for different types of projects. Also, I recently came to realize that chalk paint brushes can provide really good coverage. Acrylic paint is often used for small crafts or projects such as painting signs. Vinyl latex paints are much cheaper. 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. Latex paints are perfect for refurbishing a dresser or antique trunk. I’ll share with you everything I’ve learned painting hundreds of pieces of furniture and sets of kitchen cabinets. Similar to acrylic paint, it is made from acrylic resin. 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 paint is elastic. It usually takes latex paint one or two hours to dry in between coats. 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. It has no fumes, no odors, and is nonflammable. While many people swear by a certain type of paint, I have found that different types of paint are best for different projects. Spray paint can be used on practically any surface, including wood, metal, wicker, plastic and resin. See my post here to see my better alternative process to chalk painting furniture using latex paint. Parlaying off the last point, acrylic paints are more durable and more expensive, but you get what you pay for, right? 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. Paint wooden chairs with acrylic paint since wood will expand and contract with heat and cold. acrylic vs latex paint for furniture. 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:. You don’t need to prep furniture as carefully for acrylic paint as you do for latex paints. 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. What are some good projects for acrylic paint? 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. However, in some circumstances, an oil or alkyd-based paint may also be used. So, on latex vs acrylic paint – latex paint is a water-based paint, while acrylic paint is chemical-based paint. What you need is a paint that is either designated specifically for cabinets or another type of paint that is especially cabinet-friendly. Some are used for arts and crafts while others are used for bigger things, like painting houses or buildings. The acrylic paint will contract and expand better than latex paint. The name “latex paint” can be a little bit misleading. Acrylic Paint. How to Fix Damaged Wood Furniture . This reduces the amount of flaking and cracking. There’s no rubber latex in paint with the name. Latex paint is made from acrylic or vinyl resin and pigments in a water base. Acrylic paint, unlike latex, is most often sold in small containers for craft use, making it ideal for small details and accents. Furniture usually requires two or three coats of latex paint. It’s less toxic than acrylic paint. Here are the main advantages of using acrylic paint: The chemicals in acrylic paint cause it to have greater elasticity. Chalk paint is about as durable as latex paint. You’ll want to assure your using proper ventilation since acrylic paint can produce dangerous fumes. High-gloss latex paint is the most durable but also shows every imperfection. 11 Reasons Why You Should Paint Furniture With Latex Paint 1. Most spray paint is oil-based and provides a more durable finish than latex paint. It adds some color and protection, but the area that gets the most use is covered with fabric so there’s less wear. Latex paint usually covers with fewer coats. It expands and contracts with temperature, so it works well on wood or outdoor pieces. Latex paint is a great option for covered chairs. As we said earlier, this is an advantage if your painting a small area like a bedroom or bathroom. By comparison, a furniture paint may contain 30% filler powder, more binders and higher quality resins, pigments for color, and water. Latex paint dries than acrylic paint, although they take a long time to cure. Right now, acrylic paints are the most popular. Acrylic paint needs paint thinners since it’s chemical-based. 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. It’s important to sand and prime furniture before applying latex paint. However, sanding and priming pre-painted furniture is always a good idea for the best results. What are some DIY projects where you should use latex paint? Overview: Latex paint is the most common type of paint found at hardware stores and comes in a variety of sheens. To paint furniture with acrylic paint, there are a few things you should know. Interior latex paints can use stiffer resins such as vinyl. It is generally sold in small containers and can be expensive. It is very easy to clean the Acrylic surface as it can be cleaned with soap and water. Water-based paints usually feel dry to the touch in a … Latex paint is cheaper than acrylic paint and easy to find. It’s durable, rich in color, easy to use, and will withstand the elements better than latex paint. Chalk style furniture paints also have more filler powder than acrylic paints. There are many types of paint available in the market today. It usually takes 1-3 coats of acrylic paint to paint furniture. 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