Latex and acrylic enamel paint

Overview

Latex and acrylic paints are water-based. General Finishes notes "latex" is a misnomer: binders include alkyd, acrylic and others. It also says standard wall paints use more filler and slower-curing resins than furniture paints, and cites Benjamin Moore Advance as taking 20 to 30 days to fully cure. Furniture and trim enamels are designed to cure harder.

Pros

• Water cleanup and low odour.
• Sherwin-Williams says its Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel is hard, durable, resists yellowing compared with oil, needs fewer coats and is rated interior/exterior. Manufacturer claims.
• Fine Paints of Europe ECO Brilliant: dust-free in 1 hour, recoat after 16 hours, cure 21 days (maker).
• Wood Magazine's distressing guide uses interior latex satin paints.

Cons

• Slow full cure: 21 days for ECO Brilliant (maker), 20 to 30 for some trim paints (General Finishes).
• Wall-grade paints are softer.
• Can show tannin bleed on oak, pine, mahogany (General Finishes), needing a stain blocker.
• Fine Paints of Europe says ECO Brilliant is not for floors.

Suitability

Painted trim, cabinets, furniture and kids' pieces. Choose a trim or cabinet enamel rather than a wall paint. See Eastern white pine and MDF (medium-density fibreboard) for painted-wood cases.

Coats and application

1. Sand, prime where needed, and sand primer lightly.
2. Brush, roll or spray thin coats.
3. Allow full recoat time; Fine Paints of Europe states 16 hours.
4. Do not rush use: allow cure time.

Compatibility

Over oil-based primer or stain blocker. Compare Oil-based enamel paint, which levels well but yellows. Topcoat options: Water-based lacquer. For distressed looks see Distressing and antiquing.

Care and repair

Spot repaint after the cure. Rough wear can be recoated.

Safety and environment

Low odour per makers; spraying needs a respirator. Dispose of rags per the label.

Related

• Oil-based enamel paint
• Chalk paint
• Milk paint