How to Choose the Right Kind of Paint for the Job?

The world of paint offers many options for purpose, application and effect. Knowing the types of paint available will help you select the best paint for the job.To help you master the art craft of painting like a pro, we will answer the following questions:

1. What paint is made from and why is it important to know?
2. What do certain paint terms mean?
3. What are the different types of paint?
4. What are the different types of paint finishes?
5. What is primer paint?
6. What is an undercoat?

1. WHAT IS PAINT MADE FROM?

Any paint available on the market is simply a mixture of four main ingredients:
pigments, solvents, resins and additives. Pigment is one of the most expensive agents that are added to the paint mixture. A good quality paint should contain atleast 45% pigment and resins per volume. Cheaper paint contains a higher percentage of solvents and less pigments. Cheaper paint requires more coats to get the desired colour effect you need. That’s why it’s better to opt for quality from the start when it comes to paint.

For a full guide on INTERIOR PAINT, read our article HERE.

If you want to a full guide on EXTERIOR PAINT, read our article HERE.

2. WHAT DIFFERENT PAINT TERMS MEAN?

Understanding these paint terms means understanding what the paint has to offer. Let’s take a look:

• SHEEN
  This refers to the ‘amount of light reflection that a paint’s coat finish has once applied to the surface. Higher sheen paints are also more durable.
  
  BE AWARE: The more sheen a paint has the easier it will show wall and application defects. Ensure your surface is clean and level before applying this type of paint.

• LEVELING
  A paint with good leveling qualities means that when you apply the brush stroke, the paint will settle to fill the brush stroke imperfections and ultimately create a smoother surface on its own.
  
  
• VOCs

Some types of paint emit higher levels of toxic emissions (Volatile Organic Compounds) during and even after application. These are not suitable for certain conditions such as nursery rooms, family living areas or food-safe surfaces.

1. Acrylic paint

Acrylic paint is mainly used indoors and coats can last for about 4 years. It adheres well to alkyd paint and dries in about 6 – 8 hours. It is also available in satin and medium gloss finishes.

Contains: 5 – 10% turpentine (can be thinned with water)

Best used for: Craft and hobby projects

IMPORTANT:

• Because it can be thinned with water, it is not resistant to the elements and is not suitable for projects that live outside.
• Once applied, it can’t be smoothed out and it does not have the best leveling qualities.

2. Emulsion paint

These paints can be water or oil based, and are quick to dry and easy to clean.

Contains: Polyvinyl acetate & Polystyrene as a binding agent, with drying agents like cobalt and manganese and pigments.

Best used for: Interior walls, ceilings & masonry work, and some specialised types can be used on wood.

IMPORTANT:

• Emulsion paint can be more expensive.
• They take longer to dry in more humid atmospheres.

3. Enamel paint

Enamel forms durable and glossy coatings that can cleans easily and usually has waterproof and chemical-resistant properties.   

Contains: Lead or zinc and pigments added to varnish

Best used for:

Indoor & outdoor walls; trimming & surfaces made of wood, masonry, glass

or metal; flooring & stairs.

IMPORTANT:

• Enamel paints dry very slowly, and usually require a titanium coating before application.

4. Cement paint

This durable and waterproof paint is a powdery mixture of ingredients that can be combined to form the consistency and colour you desire.

Contains: Powder cement, pigments & accelerators that are mixed with

water to the desired consistency.

Best used for: Rough surfaces, both indoors and outdoors.

IMPORTANT:

• Painting a surface with cement paint is at least a 2-day project, due to longer drying times.

5. Aluminium paint

This type of paint is highly resistant to corrosion, electricity and weather exposure.

Contains: Aluminium particles, oil varnish & pigments.

Best used for: Wood surfaces, as well as metal surfaces that receive and

conduct a lot of heat, such as heaters and oil tanks.

IMPORTANT:

• Aluminium paint should ONLY be operated while wearing regulation PPE, such as a face mask & safety gloves.

6. Water-based paint

Most paints intended for walls and ceilings are water-based. Professionals will advise not to use water-based paints over oil-based paints and vice versa. There are specialised water-borne enamel paints that can help you cross over from oil-based surfaces to a water-based coating. Water-based paints also have low VOC emissions and dry quicker.

Contains: Synthetic solvents, resin, pigment & water.

Best used for: Indoor & outdoor, on fresh surfaces or surfaces previously

painted with water-based paint.

IMPORTANT:

• Has a less vivid colour than oil-based paint.
• Usually does not stick well to walls in humid conditions.

7. Oil-based paint

This type of paint tends to be more expensive because of its ingredients, but it is usually the better option for a long-lasting paint job due to its high durability and good leveling properties.

Contains: Natural (linseed) or synthetic (alkyd) oil, additives, resin &

pigments.

Best used for: Most surfaces, but not recommended for untreated masonry

without first applying a primer.

IMPORTANT:

• Oil-based paints generally emit high VOC levels.
• Is hard to touch-up without making touch-ups noticeable.

8. Chalkboard paint

Chalkboard paint is available in a select range of colours, even  a clear option, and provides a chalkboard surface finish. They are non-toxic and have low VOC levels.

Contains: Talc, acrylic, water, glycol, titanium dioxide, carbon black, opacifiers, silica, esters & pigments for the coloured variations.

Best used for: Chalkboard surfaces, kid-friendly areas that will be easy to wipe clean, craft projects such as labels, etc.

IMPORTANT:

• Has an extremely slow drying rate.
• Needs multiple coatings to be effective.

SHOP a wide selection of paint products in our online store by clicking HERE

4. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PAINT FINISHES AND WHAT IS THE BEST ONE FOR YOU?

1. High gloss

This paint finish is due to a high ratio of resins in the paint and less pigment.

Durability: Highest

Sheen: Highest

Leveling: Low to medium

Best for: Kitchens, door & window trimmings, room accents you really want

to stand out such as furniture or cabinets

IMPORTANT:

• Darker colours with high gloss have an overwhelming amount of sheen and are not suitable for most interior living spaces.

2. Semi-gloss

This option pairs well with other finishes and can easily be applied to an otherwise matte palette to create a stylish accent in a room.

Durability: Higher

Sheen: Highly reflective

Leveling: Varies from product to product

Best for: High-traffic areas, areas that are humid and receive moisture, mouldings and trimmings, as well as baseboards and doors

IMPORTANT:

• Application imperfections can show up easily, as well as cracks and bumps on the wall.

3. Satin

This provides a more medium light reflection than semi-gloss, but is still more vibrant than eggshell.

Durability: Higher

Sheen: Medium

Leveling: Depends from product to product

BEST FOR: Family rooms, hallways, humid spaces like bathrooms and kitchens, or darker rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light, such as

basements.

IMPORTANT:

• Touch-ups can be tricky once the paint has dried.

4. Eggshell

This finish gets its name from the flat no-sheen look with little lustre, just like the surface of a chicken’s egg.

Durability: Medium

Sheen: Low to none

Leveling: Depends from product to product

Best for: Dining rooms and living rooms, or areas with lots of natural or

electric lighting.

IMPORTANT:

• Not recommended for high traffic areas that get a lot bumps and scuffs.

5. Matte

This paint finish contains more pigment than resin, and is considered the standard sheen for interior walls

Durability: Medium-low

Sheen: Lowest

Leveling: Medium to High

Best for: Bedrooms, Less-used rooms that don’t receive moisture

IMPORTANT:

• Soaks up a lot of light so is not suited for rooms that are already too dark.

5. What is primer paint and undercoat?

Primer

Fresh concrete, masonry or wood surfaces are highly absorbent, which is why it is essential to first apply a coat of primer paint before applying your final coats of pigmented paint. Primer paint has special properties which differ from the top coat you will apply and can prevent stains from penetrating the paint permanently.

Undercoat

Applying an undercoat reduces the absorption of the underlying material, causing your pigmented coat of paint to adhere better to the wall and provide a fuller colour and appropriate finish. Use an undercoat that is rust-resistant on metal surfaces, before applying your top coat paint.

Shop primer and undercoat products HERE.

GET PAINTING!

BUCO covers all your painting needs including a wide range of paints available in-store online.

SHOP a wide selection of paint products in our online store by clicking HERE.

For expert assistance for all your paint project related queries visit us instore today to get your perfect paint project under way – locate your nearest BUCO store HERE.

For a full guide on the top essential painting tools, read our article HERE.