Only one brand of quality latex paint can fulfill almost all of your painting needs. While working with different paints, a common question may pop up in your mind- Is latex paint waterproof?
Well, there are latex paints both with or without the ‘waterproof’ feature. You can find either or both options according to your needs.
However, there are some key things you also should know about before working with latex paint.
Fear not, this article will explain:
- If latex paint is waterproof or not.
- What latex paint is used for.
- Pros and cons of latex paint.
- Mostly asked questions with the answers.
- And, some fun info you may not know about!
Table of Contents
Is Latex Paint Waterproof?
As we said before, there are both options on the market. You’ll find plenty of waterproof latex paints out there. In fact, latex paints that are not waterproof, you still have options to make them waterproof.
How?
Not that complicated. You can do it simply by adding a top coat of acrylic varnish, sealer or gloss. So, you just need to add a binder (acrylic, alkyd, or vinyl) to make it water-resistant after the paint is dried.
Or, you may want to mix in a waterproofing additive, it’s a pretty common method a lot of painters follow.
Yes, simple as that.
What is Latex Paint Used For?
Latex is water-based paint and it’s used widely for both indoors and outdoors. Let’s see some examples.
Walls & Trim
Did you ever use latex paint to design your indoor interior? More specifically, have you ever used the paint for bathrooms (because moisture-resistant paints are a must for bathrooms)?
If you’re saying no, then you’ve been missing something. Latex paint dries a lot quicker than oil-based paints. So, you don’t need to wait long for applying the second coat.
Moreover, latex paints go smoother and do not show brush strokes so easily as oil-based paints do. For being water-based, it’s pretty easy to clean the paint as well. All you’ll need is soap and water, and that will get the job done.
Wood
Yes, latex paint is great to cover wood as well. You can handle wood siding, wood furniture, and wood paneling, everything of them only with latex paint.
Also, if you use 100% acrylic latex paint or all-acrylic latex paint, it’s the most durable latex paint and can resist freezing. So, if you are painting wood that’s exposed to very low temperatures, using all-acrylic latex would be best.
Aluminum Siding
Wait a minute if you are going to replace your old aluminum siding. You have a better option- clean it and use outdoor all-acrylic latex paint to paint it. This will work amazingly to prevent fading caused by the sunlight.
Since there are some other outdoor elements in the paint and there will not be chalk, your paint will look new for years. Also, latex paint is more elastic and durable than oil-based paint, so there’s no worry about whether the paint will easily crack.
Stucco
Latex paint is great when it’s about resisting mildew and moisture growth. You can paint stucco with latex paint without the anxiety of whether it will fade if exposed to the sunlight. Moreover, if there’s any minor defect in the stucco, latex paint will help hide it.
Because latex paint dries super quickly, you can apply the second coat within a few hours. And, you can clean the stucco with only soap and water afterward.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Latex Paint
By now, you know some areas where you can use latex paint and get the best results. It’s time to know what are the advantages and disadvantages of latex paints. Wade through the points below!
Advantages
- Incredible adhesion to most substrates and has better elasticity than oil-based paints.
- Goes smooth and evenly with even less brush drag.
- Very low odor.
- Needs only a simple soapy water clean-up.
- Versatile. You can use latex paint on concrete, wood, galvanized metal, brick, stucco, aluminum siding, vinyl siding, and so on.
- Dries so fast. No need to wait for long to apply the second coat.
- Cheaper than oil-based paints.
- Provides long-term flexibility.
- Contains a non-yellowing feature.
Disadvantages
- Since the paint dries so fast, brush marks might show up.
- In harsh outdoor conditions, latex paints don’t be as durable as oil-based paints.
Faq
Is latex paint washable?
A: Yes, it is. Latex paint is washable after it dries.
Can I paint oil-based over latex paint?
A: Well, the answers are both yes and no. If you have at least a little preparation, it’s okay to add a layer of latex over any oil-based painted surface. Otherwise, it’s not okay if you just walk over a painted wall and want to add the new latex paint over the oil-based paint.
Why is latex a better option than oil-based paints for the exterior?
A: Since oil-based paints do not flex, they trap moisture under the paints. Also, the clean-up is time-consuming and not as easy as water-based paints. Oil-based paints contain more VOC gases (Volatile Organic Compounds) that can affect your health and the environment as well.
Can I mix latex and acrylic paint?
A: Yes. Since both paints are water-soluble, you can mix them.
How much water should I mix with one gallon of latex paint?
A: Adding ½ cup of water for one gallon of paint is okay. However, you should mix thoroughly and check the thickness to understand whether more water is needed.
Verdict
So, hopefully, ‘is latex paint waterproof?’ isn’t a big question for you.
Latex paint can be a great option to spruce up your place. There are numerous benefits of using the paint so, why not make the most use of them?
However, one thing we would like to add before wrapping up is that- do not pour any paint down the drain. It’s not a healthy habit to throw liquid paint in the regular trash. So, make sure you properly dispose of the paint.