I hired a painter a few months back to paint my entire home. He asked me to choose between water-based and solvent-based paints. The question what is the difference between solvent paint vs water based paint kept running in my head. Hence, I researched about it and found there were some clear differences. Here’s what I learned through the process, and hopefully, it’ll help you too.
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Water Based Paint vs Solvent Based Paint
During my research I noted all the differences I found. I have listed the same in the below table:
Water-Based Paints |
Solvent-Based Paints |
These are great for indoor use, especially for a quick, low-odor option. They use water as the solvent, so they’re very eco-friendly because of their lower VOC levels. |
These paints are tougher and create a hard, durable finish. I noticed these are better for outdoor areas because they can withstand extreme weather, dirt, and temperature changes. |
One thing I really liked is that they dry super fast, sometimes in as little as two hours. |
They have higher VOC levels, which means they come with stronger smells and can take much longer to dry. |
Cleaning this paint up is easy too, just soap and water. |
Mineral spirits or turpentine should be used to clean up after using them, which can be a bit of a struggle. |
They don't smell much, so painting a room didn’t turn into a headache. |
With time, they can become brittle and lose their gloss. |
They work well for nearly any surface, and the color stays vibrant for longer. |
This paint works well for high traffic areas. |
In short, water-based paints are my choice for indoor projects as they are easy to use, quick drying, and better for the environment.
But for outdoors or high-traffic areas where durability is a must, I think solvent-based paints have their strengths too. I finally chose water based paint for my entire house.
So, I hope that my answer helps you understand the difference between solvent and water based paint.
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What is Solvent Based Paint vs Water Based Paint?
Even though almost all paints were solvent-based decades ago, technological advancements have brought water-based paints up to level with those paints. I will elaborate on water based vs solvent based paint here to make you understand the meaning, features and composition of water-based and solvent-based paints.Solvent Paint vs Water Based
Water-Based Paint | Solvent-Based Paint |
Water is used as the solvent in the production of this paint. | Organic compounds are used as solvents in paints that are solvent-based. |
It has a binder, colouring, and filler that have all been dissolved in water. | Your wall will have a firm, long-lasting finish that is resistant to abrasions and scratches thanks to the organic components. |
Following the revised VOC rules, their low volatile organic compound (VOC) content made them a preferred paint. | These paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is one of the biggest difference between water based and solvent based paint. |
This makes them paint that is favourable to the environment and has little to no negative health impacts. | They are potent enough to give off intense headaches. |
Water-based coatings can be recoated in as little as two hours and have a very short dry time. | Its thickness also helps to conceal wall defects, but it also necessitates a prolonged drying period. |
You can make your walls cleaner with the use of these paints, which are also simple to clean. | Mineral spirits or turpentine are needed to thin and clean solvent-based coatings since they are very thick. |
It has little to no fragrance, which makes painting more enjoyable and makes the space kid-friendly. | They emit a strong stench that makes breathing difficult and makes one feel generally ill. |
They are used for swimming pools, barns, flooring, railings, and roofing. | Because of their excellent resistance to extreme weather, they are more effective when used in subfreezing temperatures and other climatic situations. |
Can be applied anywhere. | It is the best option for an external coating. |
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What is the Difference Between Water Based and Solvent Based Paint?
Ojaswi
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1 Year
2024-04-30T17:31:01+00:00 2024-04-30T17:31:09+00:00Comment
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