The exterior trim on our “new” house was primed and painted with Ben Moore exterior oil in eggshell, prior to installation. In recoating (it was never given 2 full exterior coats) this summer the paint is splotchy in places and brush marks show. The painter, an experienced and reliable person, is complaining about thepaint and keeps suggesting a latex exterior. Exterior latex in Ben Moore or Muralo (liked by the paint store person we trust) all are flat or low lustre (slight sheen) – most of the house has been recoated (in exterior eggshell enamel) but looks less than terrific and now Brosco is replacing 21 windows out of 26 and we have wood screens but are getting new wood storms. So, do we switch now (several paint stores say exterior oil and exterior enamel are compatible). We can’t get a perfect match – using a true hunter green but comes very close. What does anyone think – exterior oil versus exterior latex under these circumstances. All the information makes one’s head swim.
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Skip I paint on Nantucket Island off Cape Cod (horrid weather). 99% of what we paint is done in #133 Ben Moore exterior oil wood and metal finish paint with # 094 oil primer on ALL sides before assembly ,we are using white cedar for all trim (usually very high end houses).The oil looks a lot better going up and the sheen last for about 4 years here(extreme Northeast conditions ,lots of fog and salt air) but will stand up probably twice as long most other places in the country(less extreme).I'm in the process now of doing a 9200sq.fter. with the same oil primer on all sides but, B.M.soft gloss latex as a finish.The initial look is not quite as nice but I think it is far more practical.It keeps it's look for 6 years here(I know because it's how I did my own house and I'm painting that at the same time)If you really want a high gloss oil finish that will last 10 years Schruder is the way to go but hold on to your heart .The paint runs about $60 a gallon using thier thinner only ,as reccommended!.Irealize all this gives you a few options but with the conditions out here we get a chance to really experiment a lot.Hope this all helps P.S. have fun blading all the glazing off those Broscos! Dave
I once did a casual survey of painters we work with about oil vs. latex, & they all agreed that oil will give you a better finish on doors, windows & trim than the latex. They felt that oil stood up better than latex, and that it also had a better look to it - more life than latex, which can look sort of dull & pasty.
As far as compatibility goes, I seem to remember hearing that oil will adhere to a latex base better than latex will to an oil base. I know there was some discussion a while ago about bonding agents that will let you use latex over oil, you may want to search for that.
Good luck.
Skip - Get ahold of FH No 121, March 1999. Article comparing benefits and problems between oil and latex paint. Pretty comprehensive analysis that comes out with latex ahead. Not my experience or preference, but they have the credentials.