Home Home Improvement Painting Oil-Based Paint: What It Is and When to Use It Learn the pros and cons of oil-based paint, plus how it’s different from water-based alternatives. By Leslie Corona Leslie Corona Leslie Corona is the Associate Home Director at Realsimple.com. She has been styling, organizing, writing, and reporting on all things in the home space for a decade. She was previously at Good Housekeeping, HGTV Magazine, and Parents. She has shared her expertise on the TODAY show, Cheddar, and local television news outlets. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 19, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Definition Use Cases Cons Water vs. Oil FAQs Close Photo: Anna Efetova/Getty Images When it comes to your next painting project, there are zillions of paint colors from which to choose, plus different paint finishes, types of tools and brushes product lines and quality-based tiers—never mind the choice between oil-based paint and water-based paint. We talked to experts about oil-based paint, in particular, and how to use it. Lisa Moon is a professional painter and the co-owner of Paper Moon Painting in Texas. What Exactly Is Oil-Based Paint? Simply put: oil-based paint is just paint with natural or synthetic oil as one of its main components. It dries extremely hard, which makes it very durable and resistant to nicks and dings. It will also hold up against stains. However, oil-based paint is slowly getting phased out. “For starters, it’s not environmentally friendly,” says Lisa Moon, co-owner of Paper Moon Painting in Texas. Moon adds, “Paint technology is also constantly improving. There are now some very good water-based alternatives that are strong and durable, which make using an oil-based paint rarely necessary.” But depending on the project, oil-based paint might still be your best bet. When Should You Use Oil-Based Paint? As we mentioned, oil-based paint is quite tough, which makes it ideal for woodwork that might have to withstand high traffic, such as cabinetry, bookcases, doors, window trim, and baseboards, according to Moon. Plus, the oily base provides a glossier finish that’s easy to wipe clean, potentially making it a smart pick for kitchens. It can be hard to touch up small areas with oil-based paint without it being obvious. Consider leaving this to the pros who will get it right the first time. The Cons of Oil-Based Paint Despite its impenetrability, oil-based paint has many negative qualities that you should consider before picking up a pail of the stuff. Long Drying Time It takes significantly longer than water-based paints to dry. The label on the can will tell you exactly how long you should wait between coats, but expect it to take between eight to 16 hours. Moon adds, “This also means that the space has to be kept dust-free overnight (versus an hour or two) until the paint has fully dried so particles aren’t settling on the wet surfaces.” Discoloration Over Time Oil-based paints yellow over time, which could spell trouble if you picked a light shade, as it’s most obvious in white or off-white colors. “The amount that it yellows varies based on its exposure to light. We’ve seen homes where the oil-painted baseboards in the hallway were much yellower than the same baseboards in the living room, because the living room got much more natural light!” Moon says. Strong Odor Oil-based paints emit very strong odors thanks to the high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in most oil-based formulas. Therefore, proper ventilation is important during application! Open windows and turn on a fan to circulate the air. Messy Oil-based paint is difficult to clean up. It requires harsh solvents like turpentine or paint thinners to thoroughly remove it from brushes, rollers—even your hands! Plus, disposal is a pain. “The paint and paint thinner needed to clean your tools will need proper hazmat disposal and can’t just be poured down the drain. This would be a major hassle for your typical homeowner,” Moon warns. To test whether or not you’re dealing with oil-based paint, dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and rub it onto the surface. If the paint comes off or softens, it’s water-based. Doesn’t budge? It’s oil. Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Paint Water-based paints have H20 as a main component. It’s far less smelly than oil-based paint because it’s lower in VOCs, making it easier to work with, especially if you’re a DIYer. They’re more environmentally friendly than oil-based paints, dry much faster, and can be used in a broader range of applications. As Moon mentioned, water-based paints have improved greatly and are much more durable, so the need for oil-based paint is virtually nonexistent. And because water-based is now the industry standard, there’s a much wider range of products and colors. Companies are now limiting their oil-based products, if they’re carrying them at all. Never cover oil-based paint with water-based paint. Doing so may lead to cracking or peeling as water-based paint can’t bond to the oil. 7 Best Bedroom Paint Colors, According to Home Decor Experts Frequently Asked Questions How do you paint over oil-based paint? If you want to cover oil-based paint, use another oil-based paint. If you want to use water-based paint, first use an oil-based primer. Then coat it with your water-based paint of choice. Can oil-based paint be removed? Yes, you can remove oil-based paint. Paint thinners and solvents like mineral spirits or turpentine work well to remove oil-based paint. Commercial paint strippers that are specific for oil-based paints are also effective at removing oil-based paint. Scraping and sanding down the paint can also work. What is the best way to clean up oil-based paint? Whenever you are painting with oil-based paint, be sure to clean any excess paint off of your brushes, rollers, and other tools. Do not pour paint down the drain. Instead, scrape dried paint and pour excess paint into a sealable container and dispose of the container according to your local regulations. You can also take the container (and any paint-stained rags) to a hazardous waste disposal facility if you have one nearby. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit