The differences: water-based and oil-based enamel paints

Application and Handling Properties

Water-based enamels (acrylic enamels)

• Non-flammable

• Lower odour

• Reduced volatile organic compounds (VOC)

• Clean up with water

• More tolerant of damp surfaces

• Usually touch dry in 20-30 minutes

• Usually recoatable in two hours

Oil-based enamels (solvent or turpentine-based alkyds)

• Contains flammable solvents

• Strong odour due to solvent fumes

• High level of volatile organic compounds (VOC)

• Clean up with mineral turpentine

• Surface needs to be completely dry

• Usually touch dry in 6-8 hours

• Usually recoatable in 16 hours

Interior use properties

Water-based enamels

• Non-yellowing

• Gloss and semi gloss sheen levels

• Unable to produce a brilliant gloss or as smooth a finish

• Full range of colours

• Not always suitable for harsh treatment areas

• Not suitable for all window frames (blocking or sticking can occur)

Oil-based enamels

• Tends to yellow in absence of UV

• Full gloss and semi gloss sheen levels

• Able to produce a brilliant gloss and very smooth finish

• Restricted colour range

• Excellent resistance to wear and tear (harder and more abrasion resistant)

• Generally suitable on all window types or frames (non-sticking)

Exterior Use Properties

Water-based enamels

• More flexible hence more able to cope with substrate expansion and contraction

• Retains its sheen level well over extended periods of time in UV

• Excellent UV durability (good for exterior timber) (better resistance against chalking and colour fade)

Oil-based enamels

• Less flexible and becomes harder and more brittle with age (not good for exterior timber due to cracking)

• Not capable of retaining its initial sheen level over time in UV

• Poor UV durability(becomes chalky and more faded in short time frame)
  

General Use Properties

Water-based enamels

• Excellent for use on masonry due to resistance to alkalis

• Resistant to alkalis in zinc-rich metals
  

Oil-based enamels

• Not resistant to alkalis present in masonry (paint will lose adhesion)

• Not resistant to alkalis in zinc-rich metals

Note: A water-based enamel system is recommended where maximum exterior durability is the prime consideration. A solvent-based enamel system will provide greater resistance to wear and tear along with superior flow and levelling.