Oil or Latex Paint?

[McCheez]

So I have searched the forums a bit and didn't see anything right off hand..

I am painting white painted drywall a darker gray. I will also use a different color for trim, and considering a 2 tone about 4 or 5 feet up the wall, so basically 3 different colors, all in shades or gray.

I know for exterior applications latex is recommended due to siding expansion, but what would you guys recommend on my detached garage's walls? Ad trim?

No AC, but will have a woodburner for winter months. So it won't be climate controlled most of the time, only when I am using it (okay, most of the time).

Thanks

 

[rlitman]

On drywall? I would NEVER use oil based paint on drywall.
Depending on your plans for moisture, you could use a PVA water based primer that acts as a vapor barrier (not something I'm a fan of, but...), or you could use latex for everything.

I'm a fan of oil based primer on wood, and oil based paint on metal, but not on drywall. That would be a big mistake.

 

[Firebird 1]

In the old days oil was a better product. With todays technology there is very little reason to consider using it. Latex is every bit as good if not better for most applications.

 

[CGT80]

If the existing paint is oil, then you will have to prime first. Zinzer water based cover stain is a great primer for interior or exterior. The only reason to use oil primer is if you have very bad stains or want to do some nice woodwork and sand between coats to get it very smooth.

You could use an exterior water based acrylic paint for inside the garage, since it isn't climate controlled and it will get more use than the inside of a building. Around here, oil is a pain to find and pointless, for that type of work.

Use a decent quality paint as it covers better and is easier to work with. My go to paint is Behr (home depot) premium plus or ultra premium plus and they run 28-38 bucks per gallon. The ultra, which is supposed to be primer and paint in one, is a joke for the most part. It may stick better than the pp, but I will not rely on it as a primer. I have used many brands and many many thousands of gallons of paint over 20 years, and the Behr was convenient to get and it turns out great. It is more about the prep work and skills of the painter than it is the paint, as long as you don't use paint that is total ****.

 

[Kevin54]

Latex for the inside walls

 

[four.cycle]

Latex.
I wouldn't use Behr paint on a doghouse. Garbage. Worst stuff I've ever used.

 

[McCheez]

WOW

Thanks for the quick replies.
I will definitely go primer and then latex for walls.
I also have a local paint shop here in town where I can get my paint. They won't sell me **** paint. Never have before.
As for prep work, yes I agree painting is 90% prep, 10% actual paint.

 

[tinmanwpk]

As for prep work, yes I agree painting is 90% prep, 10% actual paint.

Yep, exactly why I hate to paint as I am a perfectionist. I do a lot of my own painting, but I just take too long with it. Prep, prep, prep.

 

[four.cycle]

"...painting is 90% prep, 10% actual paint."

^ true.

Kilz is great stuff for primer. inside or outside.

I generally try to go with Parker (a local brand). Sometimes Miller (another local) but it's pretty high priced.
I have had nothing but poor results with Behr, regardless of preparation.

I think the first time I used paint out of a can - brush type - was about 1966.

 

[McCheez]

Like I said I will go to a local place here in town and probably have them mix me up a 5 gallon bucket. I'll store any extra in the house.

 

[btdobie]

I actually just finished painting my garage last week. I used an exterior semigloss acrylic paint with fungicide(recommended by my local paint store), and it looks great. As others have said, painting drywall with oil based paints is simply not worth the effort with today's acrylic and latex technology.

 

[bluestripe67]

McCheez, I guess by now you get the picture, but if your still on the fence look at my garage. All done with Behr Premium latex.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Latex, on every thing any more. Some states you can not even get oil based paint any more.

 

[rlitman]

Latex, on every thing any more. Some states you can not even get oil based paint any more.

That's any state. It's just no longer called "paint".
Now, it's oil based "finish", or "coating" or something other than paint, but it's still there if you look closely.

 

[djjsr]

If you want to use an exterior paint, try Dutchboy MaxBond from Menards. You won't need a primer. For interior paint, Dutchboy Platinum. Same deal, no primer. It's a little higher price than average paint but Menards has it on sale frequently. (both are latex)

 

[btdobie]

If you want to use an exterior paint, try Dutchboy MaxBond from Menards. You won't need a primer. For interior paint, Dutchboy Platinum. Same deal, no primer. It's a little higher price than average paint but Menards has it on sale frequently. (both are latex)

I would like to add one note to this. If it is new drwall that has never been painted before, you may want to use a primer anyway, because new drwall will **** up a lot of paint in the first coat and primer is cheaper than premium paint.

 

[speed bump]

If you want to use an exterior paint, try Dutchboy MaxBond from Menards. You won't need a primer. For interior paint, Dutchboy Platinum. Same deal, no primer. It's a little higher price than average paint but Menards has it on sale frequently. (both are latex)

Having used both of those paints I would skip the Dutch boy paint and get some Sherwin Williams Duration. It is about $10 more a gallon but you can tell a difference as soon as you pour it. The outdoor paint is much thicker and 1 coat is about 3 coats of the max bond.

As far as oil versus water based: I prefer oil based (rustoleum holds up really well) for smooth surfaces such as trim because it tends to flow better and leave fewer application marks. Otherwise I use water based.