Oil-Based
Grace McDonald
General Information
Oil-based paint contains either a natural or synthetic oil as its base, and is very durable and resistant to low temperatures. In the 1600s, paint was developed from linseed oil from the seeds of a flax plant and used to plaster walls in England
Oil-base paint has good adherence properties, allowing for application to a variety of different materials. Oil-based paint has a longer drying time which allows the paint to level out and therefore produce a smoother finish. This type of paint also has better coverage due to its components, so only one coat is typically needed for application.
Environmental Impact
Oil-based paint is very difficult to clean up, and, if applied before 1978, can be very toxic due to VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). However, more recent development are free of VOCs and much less toxic for the environment and air quality.
Oil-based paint lasts a very long time due to its durability, making it relatively sustainable. Although it is a very high-quality product used for a variety of finishes, oil-based paint needs to be handled with and applied with caution because of its toxicity.
Use in Interior Setting
1. Oil-based paint is commonly used for painting window and door frames because its temperature and humidity resistance factors.
2. Oil-based paint is also commonly used for baseboards in interiors because of its durability. Baseboards get a lot of traction from everyday life, so having a durable paint is key.
3. Oil-based paint adheres better to metal surfaces and, unlike latex paint, is not based on water suspension, so there is no potential of rusting.
4. Oil-based paint has been used for art since the Middle Ages. It takes a longer time to dry compared to water-based paint, so the versatility of textures within the paint is vast.
Application
Oil-based paint dries hard, making it very resistant to wear and tear. The paint is very sticky and thick, so it takes longer to dry. It is quite common for oil-based paint to take 24 hours to dry, so it is recommended to wait at least a day before potentially applying a second coat. Oil-based paint is also more suited for a re-application of paint.
Testing Organizations:
American Coatings Association - https://www.paint.org/
Painting Contractor's Association (PCA) - https://www.pcapainted.org/
Relevant standards through ASTM:
ASTM D2245 - 90(2011) Standard Test Method for
Identification of Oils and Oil Acids in Solvent-Reducible Paints
