Do you find yourself easily confused with terms like "Latex" or "Water-Based", "Acrylic" or "Water-Borne"?

Don't worry, you're not alone.

Paint manufacturers are forever evolving product lines to offer more washability, better color acceptance, greater versatility and ease of application. These terms are easy to understand once their basics are broken down. To be honest, I've found that many paint store employees (generally the rookies) know little about these differences. The main thing they are initially taught is that each of these can be cleaned up with water. So, let's start there.

In the manufacturing process, all paint products that can be cleaned up with water typically start with water when made. In the early days of Latex or water-based paints (say 40-45 years ago), these paints were based on PVA (polyvinyl acetate). To simplify, the closest equivalent I can suggest to this is glue. PVA was and is one of the most common forms of base for water-soluable glues. Paints that do not suggest they have any other type of "vehicle" (or base) in their formulas other than latex are most likely quite inexpensive and on the lower scale of quality. However, when they were first introduced in the marketplace, they revolutionized painting in the home like few products had done before. No oil smell, quick dry times and water clean up?! But we've come a long way since then.

Acrylics or Acrylic Latex paints are one of the new hybrids of the water-based technologies, becoming very popular in the late seventies, early eighties. Not only were these everything the old latexes were, now they were flexible as well and tough, too! The idea of not being able to paint water-based over oil-based became old school thinking. The chemistry of these new acrylics allowed for just that with a little sanding first, a blessing to people restoring old homes that had only oil-based paints on the walls and woodwork. The flexibility of the new acrylic latexes came from the "vehicle"; the closest thing to describe it would be liquid plexiglas. That's essentially what you're applying to your walls when you paint with a high-grade water-based acrylic; a thin layer of liquid plexiglas but keep in mind the differences in quality. Something that is labeled Acrylic Latex won't have the same degree of durability or flexibility as a product marked 100% (Pure) Acrylic. If you're unsure, check the price. Anything that states it is 100% Acrylic will likely cost considerably more.

Water-Borne paints are considerably different. These use a special technology in which oils are chemically introduced into the water in such a way that they are compatible, meaning oil and water can mix if it's done right. Many clear floor coatings, varnishes and even epoxies are now manufactured in this way. This means many of the virtues of oil-based paint are enjoyed while still maintaining a water clean up. Remarkable! Many companies have chosen to switch their on-site painting to water-bornes due to stricter safety and environmental guidelines enforced by C&CA (Consumer and Corporate Affairs) and OH&S (Occupational Health & Safety). These products have very little odor, do not require combustible solvents to be kept on site and are much quicker in drying than many of their regular oil-based cousins.

Many paint manufacturers will have sections of their websites devoted to "New Technology" or "Developing Product Lines" or "R&D (Research and Development)" or the like. Check and see what is available in your area and, if you're unsure as to the information you find, visit one of the local stores and ask questions of the resident expert. Get the information to make an informed decision about the products that will be right for you.

Please be sure to check my other guides on paint and related issues.

I hope you have found this guide to be informative and helpful - PLEASE VOTE YES if you did. Thanks for reading!