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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Latex paint is not considered hazardous waste and, after hardening, should be put in your trash. Paint hardener, good for about 3 gallons of paint, is available at minimal cost from Lynch Paint near the Main Westford Post Office on Littleton Road (Route 110). Kitty litter also works as an absorber hardener but is not quite as effective.

Yes. You have two choices to do this. First would be to wash the surface then sand and then clean the sanding dust off. You then apply your latex paint over the oil based paint. That process works for both interior and exterior applications. Your other option is to wash the surface and then apply a coat of a bonding primer and then topcoat. No. The particles of acrylic latex paint fuse together to form a film that remains flexible over the life of the paint.

There are a variety of different surfaces that oil paint can be applied to. Stretched cotton canvas is one of the most popular supports used by oil painters today. Linen canvas is also used but tends to be fairly expensive. Other supports that can be used with oil paints are masonite and even certain types of wood panel.

In the satin and gloss finishes which are commonly used on woodwork, oil enamels traditionally exhibited a richness, touch and leveling ability which was unmatched by waterborne paints. However, with the introduction of Eco, many professional painters and designers believe they have discovered an odorless, waterborne alkyd, which can be used interchangeably with traditional Hollandlac oil enamels.

Traditionally, latex finishes cannot be applied to an alkyd enamel without proper surface preparation which includes sanding, cleaning, and priming. However Porter's ADVANTAGE 900 Interior/Exterior Acrylic Enamel, with its new age acrylic resin, may be applied directly to clean alkyd enamel surfaces.

Latex paint that has not been frozen or hardened can be taken to local Hader Hardware stores (5 gallons or less at a time). All paint will be recycled. If the latex paint is unusable, you can dry it out with kitty litter or sawdust and throw it away with your regular garbage. Remove the lid so the hauler can see that the paint is dry.

Generally, a SpiralTrac cannot be used for most latex compounds or latex based paint because the exit groove would be blocked by the material, and the functionality of the SpiralTrac would be degraded as a result.

In addition to being thinnable with water, latex paints feature: Less odor; Water cleanup; They are non-flammable; Offer faster cleanup; Easy to touchup; Easy to apply; Better gloss retention; Fade less when used outdoors; Won't yellow indoors and are less likely to crack or peel.

Latex is a milky white liquid composed of rubber particles dispersed in water. This material is whipped with air to form a foam, which is cured to make our mattresses.

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.

There are apparently ways to keep oil paint fresh until you are ready to use them again altough I have never actually tried either of these techniques. Proceed with caution. Some artists actually put plastic wrap over the paint and freeze it. You can also try and put your unused paint onto a piece of glass and then keep it submerged in water.

In developed countries you can buy flat-black spray paint that says "non-toxic when dry" on the label. Otherwise, black tempera paint works, but you have to be careful not to wash it off when you wash the pot. Solar cookers in Uganda report that they use aluminum pots that have been blackened on the outside by fire.

The best way to ensure proper oiling is to use our squeeze bottle recharger kit (Part No. 99-5050). With a squeeze bottle, you simply run a bead along the top of each pleat on both sides of the filter. If using an aerosol recharger kit (Part No. 99-5000), make one light pass over the entire filter area front and back. The oil will then be evenly absorbed throughout the rest of the cotton medium over the next several minutes.