DIY painting jobs for home plate melioration can be overwhelming especially if you have little knowledge about the various types of paints , what they are made of , and how they are used .
Enamel and latex paint are often confuse with each other . But what is the difference between enamel and latex paint??Well , enamel is oil - based while latex pigment is water based . And it does not cease here .
In this post , we will talk about enamel vs latex blusher . If you find the difference between these two paints useful for your next painting job , take on .

In this article
What is enamel paint?
Enamel paint is an oil - based paint . Its distinguishable characteristic would be , it easy dries and then hardens . The issue of enamel paint is a glossy close to any surface . Enamel paint are unremarkably used for outdoor painting Job . Some variant of enamel paint have add resin in them while others have varnish .
What is latex paint?
Latex paint is also bid acrylic paint . It is water - based , which means that the key is carried by water with glycol ether as its dissolving agent . The terminus latex does not have in mind that it has a rubber eraser component . The latex paint in latex paint denote to the resin that is used to tie up the key .
Latex paints are often used as primer for drywall , brick , or stone wall . It can also be used for surface that have been paint with rubber-base paint paints before .
Related : Can I Use Exterior Paint Inside The House ?

What is the difference between latex and enamel paint?
To do it more about the difference between latex and enamel key , here is a table for your source :
Latex blusher has a special software compass compare to enamel . Aside from this , latex has a disposition for smudging and might require re - applications programme . It also peel easily compared to enamel . As such , there is greater preference for enamel paint peculiarly in outdoor paries because it is hardier , and the pigment just holds better on surface .
Is enamel paint more durable?
Yes . Because it is easier to dry out and because it harden as it dry out , enamel paint is more resistant to cracks and desquamation . It is also more undestroyable in changing outdoor conditions as well as changing temperature .
Walls with latex paints require to be recoated doubly or thrice to attain almost the same durability as that of enamel paint . The known enduringness of enamel paint is also the reason why it is still the most preferred outdoor paint for walls and other concrete structures .
Is oil-based enamel better than water-based enamel?
The main difference between fossil oil - based tooth enamel and piddle - based enamel is how fast they dry and how dauntless they are to wear and split . Oil - based tooth enamel exact more clip to dry but is applaudable for its validity to wear and rip . However , its elasticity is not guaranteed and may be vulnerable to crack at some pointedness .
Nowadays , water - establish enamel key is now made with the same dry rate of petroleum - based enamel . At the same time , they have become harder when it comes to wear and split . They are now also design to get and become flexible to changing weather condition and outdoor situations . Other than this , water - found enamel does not give off bad olfactory perception as it dry out . With this , water - base enamel has become better than crude oil - based one .
Can you paint over latex with enamel?
The answer is no but with some exceptions . Directly overlaying oil - base tooth enamel on latex paint can become a problem in the long ravel . The different composition of the rouge can leave in crack or desquamation and unevenpaint textureor blistering . But of course , there are some exception and sometimes you could overlay latex with enamel .
One , you’re able to do this as long as enamel is only applied for the glossy coating . This means that you have to paint the surface with a latex paint priming and then a latex rouge after .
Allow it to dry and then apply the enamel paint for a glossy ending . Two , you’re able to use enamel on latex if the latex paint pigment is now very former . Three , use enamel on latex if the rubber-base paint is done curing . Normally , latex paint paint cures for at least two class .

Can you paint latex over water-based enamel?
Since both are water supply - based , the reply is yes . But of course of instruction , there are some needed preparation before you could do this or else , you put on the line break through or peeling of the paint in just a few months . The footstep are promiscuous though . You just have to scavenge , softened the latex , dry , and then prime the aerofoil with the H2O - based enamel before lend oneself the latex pigment .
relate : Can You Use Latex Paint over an rock oil - Based Primer ? – The Definitive Guide
Is enamel paint oil-based or latex?
distinctly , enamel refers to all oil - based cover admit paint . This makes them decided because the oil colour - based label means that they offer up glossy finish . But nowadays , latex and other water - based paints have take up the term enamel to have-to doe with to their key type that offer a glossy finish .
Is acrylic latex enamel the same as acrylic enamel?
Yes . These two are one and the same . But contrary to the latex label in the name , acrylic latex enamel really does not have real rubber-base paint in it . It is a high - ground level water - based paint that comes in semi - gloss and glossy chance variable .
Acrylic rubber-base paint has the highest content of acrylic rosin seduce it keep back considerably than other water - base paints . It is commonly used in forest trims or as coating for window as well as doors .
Is high gloss the same as enamel paint?
Yes . As a matter of fact , you may choose between semi - gloss and high gloss enamel . High gloss is recommended for upcountry painting specially in cabinets because it gives a mirror - like finish . This intend that it is not susceptible to dirt and does not collect soil . As such , cabinets with high color finish are gentle to clean and they can assert their pristine look for a long time .
Is oil-based enamel paint waterproof?
Yes . When rock oil - based paints dry , they organise a protective oil level that makes them waterproof . However , without upright cooking , waterproof oil - based enamel can only gravel to specific surfaces . A good stride is to put undercoat on the Earth’s surface first before applying oil - based enamel blusher . They might not need a topcoat but they sure as shooting take a primer for them to stick well .
What is latex paint used for?
If you are wondering about the types of surfaces which you could paint with latex paint , here is a list of where you should use your latex pigment on :
It is the best choice for indoor painting jobs because it does not have a dirty odor , it can be cleaned with water , it has a faster dry time , will not yellow with age and is non - combustible .
What is enamel paint used for?
As have been note , enamel paint is the pro pick for a ambit of paint job . It can be used for outside surfaces . This include painting airfoil of cars , boats , and even planes . For minor ordered series house painting , enamel can also be used for ceramics , aluminum , metal , as well as Natalie Wood . Enamel paint is almost always used for signages as well as alloy posts .
In indoor picture , enamel rouge is used for entrance ways , as well as in cabinets and article of furniture .
When should I use high gloss enamel?
Since enamel paints are used for both indoor and outdoor surface , it is but right to know the basics as to when to use gamey gloss enamel . Well , with its suave and shiny finish , high semblance enamel is sodding for live suite , libraries , dining rooms , and if you have wainscoting . It is also good to use for accent trimming . Just a countersign of carefulness though , high polish enamel is the hardest tooth enamel paint variant to use .
Does enamel paint need primer ?
Yes , and most especially when it is used for upcountry house painting like in indoor wall , cabinets , trims , and furniture . Primer before enamel painting is needed for the paint to have a enceinte postponement on the surface . For this , you have to check the best primers that are recommended for enamel paints . You also have to hold your enamel paint because some arrive with pre - assorted primers in them .

Why can’t I use latex paint for metal?
Latex is water - found and water system or moisture is a rusting element for alloy . If you need to paint metal post or other metal - based objects , always opt for oil - base enamel .
Is enamel paint good for cabinets?
Yes . As a matter of fact , it is one of the most recommend paint for cabinets , especially kitchen cabinet . The independent grounds is that it offer more durability to cabinets because of its glossy conclusion .
take a smoother surface mean that the cabinet would not hoard shit and will be more resistant to scratches , dents , and marring . Enamel paint will preserve the pristine , shining look of your cabinets .
What is the best enamel paint?
If you are convinced that enamel paint is the best paint for you given your house painting Job at home base , you should the follow top - shit enamel paints :
Conclusion
There is so much fuss about confusing enamel with latex paint when the remainder between the two is straightforward ; enamel is oil - based while rubber-base paint is H2O - based . The only time it get confusing is when you have water - based enamel or when you must know when to apply fuzee and when you do n’t .
From a general view , enamel paint is more various to use than latex paint paint . It is also more weather - proof and operable too when it comes to its range of surfaces to extend . With all thing considered , you now have a fast understanding of when to use enamel and latex paint and of course , a clear thought of how they are different as rouge .