Acrylic paint is more durable than latex paint and adheres very well to porous surfaces. Not sure how many coats to use? You can find it in all sorts of colors and finishes at almost any paint store. This makes it great for exterior painting projects. 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. It can also be ordered online. Protective top coat (Polycrilic Protective Finish works well with latex paint). Because it’s chemical-based, the chemicals in acrylic paint make it more elastic than latex paint. Latex style paints slide across one another. Use latex paint to add color to an accent piece. Right now, acrylic paints are the most popular. Additionally, Chalk Paints GRAB to each other. Whether you are new to furniture painting or a pro selling gorgeous pieces online, your time is valuable so pick the best paint for your project! 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 . What are some good projects for acrylic paint? Once it’s dry, acrylic paint is much more resistant to the sun and water than latex paint. There are many types of paint available in the market today. Compared to the history of paint, latex paint is still the new kid on the block. Sherwin-Williams used a synthetic rubber, latex, in the 1940s to create the first water enamel paint. Choose your finish based on the desired look and how much use the furniture gets. All-acrylic latex paints are the highest quality of latex paint. Vinyl latex paints are much cheaper. Latex paint on the other hand, needs a primer as a first coat in order to adhere well to most surfaces. Today we’ll break down the difference between these two types of paint and the best ways to use each one. Advantages and Disadvantages of Acrylic Paints. Chalk paint is about as durable as latex paint. 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. Right now, there are three types of paints on the market. While many people swear by a certain type of paint, I have found that different types of paint are best for different projects. Latex paints are water-based, while acrylic paints are chemical-based. The chemicals in acrylic paints are toxic and flammable. Latex paint is used frequently in artwork, while latex is used more for painting homes and commercial structures. Acrylic paint is more difficult to clean up with soap and water than latex paint since it is chemical-based. 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. You’ve probably found that there are two main types of paint for crafting projects: acrylic paint and latex paint. What about in the wet area, which is the best paint to go for without affecting the primary surface? 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. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages and is best used for certain types of projects. Latex paints are perfect for refurbishing a dresser or antique trunk. High-gloss latex paint is the most durable but also shows every imperfection. It usually takes 1-3 coats of acrylic paint to paint furniture. Oil-based paints have since been faded out over the last 15 years leaving the main options like acrylic and latex. 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. They’re a fine option if you are looking for a cheap way to add color to an accent piece, but low-quality latex paint will not hold up well under much use. It’s good to put a clear top coat over latex-painted furniture, as it will help seal and protect the piece. 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. Some are used for arts and crafts while others are used for bigger things, like painting houses or buildings. You’ll want to assure your using proper ventilation since acrylic paint can produce dangerous fumes. Now you should know everything you need to choose the right type of paint for your next DIY furniture painting project. It’s straightforward to use and goes on easily. Home | About | Services | Reviews | Interior Painting | Exterior Painting | Deck Staining & Repair | Commercial Painting | Residential Painting, Copyright © Hillis Brothers Painting. Latex paint bonds to the surface layer of furniture, so it will chip and scratch if the furniture is not prepped properly. The acrylic paint will contract and expand better than latex paint. Latex is commonly used on a wide variety of surfaces including various types of siding, brick, stucco, concrete, galvanized metal, or wood. They are oil, acrylic, and latex-based paints. 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. Overview: Latex paint is the most common type of paint found at hardware stores and comes in a variety of sheens. Chalk paint is basically a self primer that adheres well to most surfaces. They are chemical-based meaning they become water-resistant when they dry. 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Acrylic paint tends to adhere well to surfaces like wood. Latex paint is safer to use since it produces fewer fumes (still use proper ventilation regardless of the type of paint you use). It is generally sold in small containers and can be expensive. I’ll share with you everything I’ve learned painting hundreds of pieces of furniture and sets of kitchen cabinets. That is why our Milk Paint is more durable than the average chalk style paint- the ratio of filler. Would latex paint work better than acrylic paint on furniture or concrete? Acrylic latex paint is just latex paint (water-based) that uses 100% acrylic and no vinyl. It can be difficult to find in large quantities, as acrylic paints are more commonly used for art projects than walls or furniture painting. It may chip on outdoor, Use acrylic paint for outdoor furniture such as deck. By comparison, a furniture paint may contain 30% filler powder, more binders and higher quality resins, pigments for color, and water. So, on latex vs acrylic paint – latex paint is a water-based paint, while acrylic paint is chemical-based paint. It’s also significantly more toxic than water-based latex paint. Get an even coat of primer all over the piece of furniture. Latex Acrylic Paints: Typically it can take more paint to create an opaque finish for a couple of reasons. However, sanding and priming pre-painted furniture is always a good idea for the best results. How to Fix Damaged Wood Furniture . 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. 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? Here is a breakdown of what paint you should use on your wood (or laminate) thrifted furniture finds to get the best results. Low-quality latex paints are prone to chipping. It can be used for both interior and exterior applications. I’m hoping this will become the DeFacto reference for painting furniture and why you may choose oil paint or latex paint to complete your project. Interior latex paints can use stiffer resins such as vinyl. 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. As you see, acrylic and latex paints both have their pros and cons for different types of projects. Both paints use the same type of pigments, but they use different binders, and that is what sets them apart. To paint furniture with acrylic paint, there are a few things you should know. Acrylic paint is made of pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer solution and acrylic resin. The main difference between the two paints is that acrylic paint is chemical-based and latex paint is water-based. Overall, you’ll want to use acrylic paint if you’re painting outdoor furniture that needs to hold up to use and weather. Latex water-based paint is the clear rival in the market, so let’s compare water-based latex paint vs. enamel or oil-based paint. Acrylic Paint. Similar to acrylic paint, it is made from acrylic resin. 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. Product Manager and PPG Paint Specialist: Usually, a quality latex or water-based paint will be sufficient to fulfill your painting needs. Acrylic paints are great for hand-lettered signs. As a DIY homeowner, you’ll be faced with a lot of decisions during your house painting project. It expands and contracts with temperature, so it works well on wood or outdoor pieces. It’s durable, rich in color, easy to use, and will withstand the elements better than latex paint. Top-quality interior acrylic latex semi-gloss paint typically contains higher volume solids (binder and pigment), which provide many benefits when compared to ordinary latex semi-gloss paints. It’s chemical composition also requires extra care when handling. Spray paint is easier to apply on furniture with spindles, small pieces, or intricate nooks and crannies. That Sweet Tea Life is a place where I get to slow down and visit the craftier side of painting. Acrylic Vs. Latex Paint. Oil-based paint use the same type of pigments but they are suspended in an oil based binde… Chalk style furniture paints also have more filler powder than acrylic paints. Water-based paints have fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are bad for the environment. Each of these paints for furniture carries unique advantages, and some are … Here are a few suggestions and some strengths and weaknesses for both. Acrylic paint dries very quickly, as a result, the customer can use the 2 or 3 coats in a day. Latex paint dries than acrylic paint, although they take a long time to cure. 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. It’s so easy to get confused when it comes to picking paint for your dresser, table or nightstands. Water-based paints usually feel dry to the touch in a … Consider acrylic paint if you are new to DIY painting projects. Latex Paint. Final thoughts on Milk Paint vs Chalk Paint vs Latex. Latex paint is made from acrylic or vinyl resin and pigments in a water base. Acrylic paint needs paint thinners since it’s chemical-based. Latex paint is just a term used to refer to any water-based paint. acrylic vs latex paint for furniture. Latex paint isn’t very elastic. You should consider the finish of latex paint when choosing paint for your DIY furniture project. Latex is a water-based paint. Latex paints or acrylic paints use pigments suspended in a binder made from an acrylic polymer emulsion. You don’t have to worry about the extra expense of buying primer and you save time skipping that step. It is very easy to clean the Acrylic surface as it can be cleaned with soap and water. Latex paints are not as resistant to the sun and water as acrylic paints are. Maybe you have some furniture to refurbish and just can’t decide what type of paint to use. 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. When should you use Latex vs. Oil paint? Many homeowners are starting to use acrylic paints for exterior residential painting projects. Work up to finer grits as you sand. Spray paint dries much more quickly than brushed-on paint. We will cover the pros and cons of acrylic and latex paints for each project. Even if you haven’t prepped a piece of furniture perfectly, acrylic paint adheres well to most porous surfaces. It has no fumes, no odors, and is nonflammable. The name “latex paint” can be a little bit misleading. 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. This may be an advantage if you’re painting a smaller area, but this will make painting larger areas more difficult. Latex paints provide good coverage in fewer coats if you’re painting a large piece of furniture. If you’re removing a previous coat of paint or applying acrylic paint, be sure to protect your eyes and nose. Acrylic paint is chemical-based and can release toxic fumes during the painting process. It’s important to sand and prime furniture before applying latex paint. Have fun painting! As we said earlier, this is an advantage if your painting a small area like a bedroom or bathroom. Another benefit of using acrylic paint in your exterior projects is their resistance to the sun. See my post here to see my better alternative process to chalk painting furniture using latex paint. I let it dry for 24 hours and just went to apply the polyurethane to protect it. Even more, I’m hoping to learn from you and become an even better finisher. 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