I’d probably find loads of info/opinions in the archives..but here’s a basic painting question…Is it worth the hassle to paint interior trim with oil. I’m half way through a 1st to 3rd floor hallway/stairway (1 coat) with lots of trim where I’ve used oil. The basic thinking is that I’ll get a better, nicer, harder finish in the end with alkyd based paint.
I’m thinking now though, I can’t take this smell and toxic cleanup anymore and want to switch to a high quality latex for the finish coat – the first of which has been very time consuming with the oil.
What is the latest buzz? My gut tells me that high quality latex is the way to go and the ‘snob appeal’ of oil as superior is a thing of the past.
Please tell me what I want to hear so I can go back to cleaning my brush in the sink……
Replies
There are some very high quality latex enamels out there that will do a very good job. Ben Moore is a good one.
We still prefer oil on top notch jobs because of the reasons you state.
Assuming you will be applying the latex over an oil primer and not an oil enamel you will be fine. I would not suggest a latex over new oil enamel, adhesion will be a problem.
Latex enamels usually do not dry quit as uniform or smooth as oils. This is more noticable on the larger flat areas such as doors or wainscotting. Good brush skills are more important in these areas. If done well its hard to tell the difference between the two, especially if you can spray the latex.
All the trim (crown, base, casings, window sills, windows) in our 1920's era home has been done in Ben Moore's Satin Impervo, in white. The odor really does not last that long. True, clean up is not as easy as latex is with water. But it settles nicely, because it takes some time to dry, leaving very few, if any, brushmarks (also depends on the correct brush and painter's skill/experience) and it has a wonderful soft sheen - enough to catch some light and to contrast against the flat walls, but not so glossy it looks wet. We are extremely happy with it. Over time, as oils do, it will yellow and not stay bright white like latex does. But it goes with the age of our house, too.
Smell?
What smell?
I tryed Latex on trim
once.
Excellence is its own reward!
Gee, How'd it go??
Concur with latex over oil primer as being sat. I'm pretty happy with Sherwins Pro Classic for a waterborne acrylic. I've tried brushing it (well, don't), rolling it (better results) but given any inclination whatsoever to justify hooking up the airless, with a fine finish tip, it's gold.
Only downside to oil is its inclination to yellow and crack with age. Granted, all paint wears in its own way. With the quality of whats out there, thats a fairly mild concern save for anything getting direct sunlight all of the time, like a window sill in a non low-e window.
"The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb " lyrics by Roger Waters
interior trim with oil -=-
Depends on the location.
Mid 90's made a bookcase for #2 DIL, she painted herself, a good point. No oil though, thats too messy at cleanup. Told her it would not withstand the impact of book edges over the years.
Big crappy chipped edge mess now. So much for latex anywhere where where it gets wear.
(had to write this, just an hour ago used the " 'ow much wood could a woodchuck chuck" phrase was used <G>. )
edit ps: salvaged and Durham rockhard filled holes from tubing pallets of #2 spruce used for bookcase , which is why I didn't choke on DIL painting wood in the first place <G>
Edited 9/25/2003 2:24:29 AM ET by JUNKHOUND
...thanks all for the words of wisdom. I ended up bucking up (with a respirator) and finishing the trim job I started...in oil (California alkyd enamel - semi-gloss) I don't regret one damaged brain cell. It really does look great and has flattened out into an incredibly smooth brush-less finish. I'm not looking forward to yellowing which I hadn't thought of. For a stairway, though, I feel like oil was the right choice for a long term durable finish - especially after the hours of prep and finish trim work. Basically it wasn't worth complaining about the last couple days work to get to the end.
Now onto the next 1/2 finished project...