Limewashes represent the best of both form and function. They're beautiful and breathable, making them the perfect choice for both historic and new buildings. Unlike typical modern paints, they don't trap water and they age beautifully--instead of getting shabby, they develop a lovely mellow patina over time.

Latex paint is a great choice for most instances, but there are still situations where a solvent-based paint may be preferable. To help decide which is best in your case, consider the following:

Yes, but you must make sure you clean it extremely well. It’s best if you just buy two sets of brushes, one for latex and one for oil-based paints. Natural bristles work well only with oil-based paints.

TOil based paints have been al but phased out. The exception being for industrial uses as well as some exterior rust inhibitors. Unless you can provide us with a sufficient amount of fresh oil base paint we will be using all latex paints as of the beginning of this year. The paint manufacturers have done a great job of solving the problems attributed with early latex paints.

Yes. However there are necessary steps that must be taken first in order to assure success. Excellent preparation will be needed to make this change.

If the surface may have been coated prior to 1978, please consider the following lead hazard cautionary statement: WARNING! Removing or disturbing old paint from interior or exterior surfaces by sanding, scraping, abrading, or other means may produce dust, debris, or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust, debris or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children and pregnant women.

There is an increasing exodus from many of the oil products, but ask 10 people and you may get 10 different answers. Review our short article titled "Do I Choose Oil Or Latex Paint"

Latex paint cannot tolerate a freeze without some negative consequence. In many cases, it may not be noticeable in the can or during application; however, long-term durability will suffer relative to how hard the paint freezes. Oil paint, in most cases, can take almost any temperature. There are some formulations that can 'shock' if exposed to extreme cold. A paint that has been 'shocked' will have the different ingredients (oil, resin, pigment, solvent and additives) separate.

This depends on the siding and the look you are trying to achieve. For most homes, using a 100% acrylic (latex) paint will provide the longest lasting finish. 100% acrylics tolerate more movement in the wood and retain their color much longer than an oil based paint.

Currently, there is no recycling outlet for oil-based paint. Residents can dry it out with kitty litter or sawdust and throw it away with their regular garbage.

There is an increasing exodus from many of the oil products, but ask 10 people and you may get 10 different answers. Review our short article titled "Do I Choose Oil Or Latex Paint"

You can, but it may not be the best choice. Many professionals avoid working with oil-based paints because they are harder to clean up and take longer to dry. With water-based paints, smudges and spills can be wiped away easily with a damp cloth. Water-based paint can be applied over oil-or water-based urethane finishes. For best results with opaque paints, consider first applying a white primer.

Limewash protects underlying lime coating and maosnry as it acts as sacrificially. It also remains vapour permeable thus allowing moisture to evaporate from the building fabric. Most modern masonry paints have very low vapour permeability (if at all) and will trap moisture within a wall or building, leading to greater problems of internal dampness and timber rot. Modern masonry paints also tend to peel and crack, and are affected adversely by UV light, unlike limewashes.

These paints have resins and thinners in them that evaporate when the paint dries. This process forms a hard coating and provides heavier coverage on the first coat, effective penetration and excellent adhesion. They are particularly good for chalky surfaces and those that already have several layers of oil-based paint.

If the old paint is peeling, take a good size piece of the peeling paint and hold the edges of it between your thumb and index finger. Exert pressure on both sides of the chip. If it is very flexible and bends easily, it is probably latex. If it is hard, brittle and breaks instead of bending, it is most likely oil-based paint. Another way to test the paint is to wet a rag with denatured alcohol and rub the surface of the paint. If the paint softens or rubs off, it is most likely latex.

Keep in mind, many painting projects are unique and each may require a specialty finish or surface preparation. With today's advancement in latex technology, there should be a latex paint formulation for almost any application. There are many situations that require an oil base or specialty product. FOR EXAMPLE: A weathered barn or outbuilding may have very little paint left and more appropriate in this application.

For most applications on interior walls, a latex paint will offer many advantages over alkyd paint. In most available products you will receive better color retention and the finish will be non-yellowing. Additionally, the latex products will have a lower odor, dry faster, and you will be able to clean up with soap and water.

Get access to an installation of EMBOSS and/or Staden and get someone to lead you through the tools available. RasMol is a simple, but powerful and elegant molecular imaging program which can teach you a great deal about biological macromolecules; try a tutorial. Get out on the Web and do some productive surfing for a change :-) . The best starting point is the Human Genome Mapping Project Resource Centre's "GenomeWeb".

Alkyd, or oil-based paint penetrates wood better than latex (water-based) paint and won't stick when you keep your doors and windows shut for the winter. For the bulk of most jobs, latex (water-based) paint is the better choice. It dries faster, doesn't yellow and can be cleaned up with soap and water when you break for the day. How do I determine the amount of paint I'll need for a particular job under home painting project? The first step is to add the width of all walls in the room together.

Limewash works best on backgrounds with a moderate to high level of suction, i.e. other lime mortars or coatings, sandstones and softer fired bricks. However limewashes with additives are available from specialist suppliers which will provide an improved bond with more difficult or low suction backgrounds. Specialist advice should always be sought with regards to their correct specification.

What factors are most significant in determining paint quality? We are about to paint a Victorian home and are looking for the highest quality exterior paint. Longevity without shrinking, cracking or loss of luster are our primary concerns.