Replies

1. 
   Bdub | Jun 15, 2004 07:34am | #1

   I have not used SW's floor paint, but I have used Ben Moore's latex floor paint quite often and its been great. I've used it over wooden stairs in an 1890 apartment building and it has held up wonderfully. I've even used it (with BM's Fresh Start primer) overkitchen linoleum and it wore really well for 3 years until I had the time to cover it up with T&g flooring.

2. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Jun 15, 2004 12:24pm | #2

   Oil isn't harder, its tougher.  You don't want something hard.  It doesn't give and will crack.  I still prefer oil rather than latex.  I think it bonds better to a wider range of materials.  It penetrates better into little cracks on old work.  Water-based tend to stay more on top. 

3. 
   bill_1010 | Jun 15, 2004 03:24pm | #3

   Look to the 100% acrylics rather then latex.  I love oil, but the new acrylics are winning me over.

1. 
   emaxxman | Jun 15, 2004 09:36pm | #5

   I read an article in FHB that stated that latex is a generic term the acrylics and/or other binder in the paints.  I hope I quoted that correctly.  I check the issue at home.

   The article also states that oil based paints aren't as good as latex paints because oil based paints are as "elastic".  Latex handles the movements in wood better.  The article went on to say that a lot painters use oil based primer and then latex paint for outdoor use.

1. 
   Quickstep | Jun 15, 2004 10:06pm | #6

   Do you remember which issue has the article? I keep all my back issues. I checked the online index and got a zillion references to oil vs latex......

1. 
   Qtrmeg | Jun 15, 2004 11:02pm | #7

   It all depends what you are painting. Generally you would first prime with an alkyd primer, then top coat with a 100% acrylic.

   No one article will help you, there are a million different situations.

   And I am not someone that believes everything I read...

   Some people believe you prime with Zinser 123, which is a crap primer, and is very unlikely to hold a topcoat, nevermind bond for the long term.

   To each their own.

1. 
   BARMIL48 | Jun 16, 2004 12:13am | #9

   I agree that it's dependent upon what's being painted. Generally wood will call for an alkyd primer and an acrylic top coat, but non-rusting metal, like aluminum, will do fine with an acrylic primer. Can't say that I agree, however, that Bullseye 1-2-3 is as bad as you infer. Like any primer, it will pop off the surface if water gets behind it, but I've not had it fail otherwise in over twelve years of use, inside and outside. It does have tenacious adhesion, making brush clean-up a real task. I used it under acrylic enamel on aluminum siding in 1994, and there've been no problems with it.

2. 
   emaxxman | Jun 16, 2004 12:03am | #8

   #121 if I'm correct (according to the back issue list on the FHB site). 

   I should qualify that I've read alot of articles on the web and in magazines regarding paints and painting techniques lately.  It's possible that I may have mixed up my sources.  However, I do remember that particular article as being really good.

4. 
   fartherhome | Jun 15, 2004 09:29pm | #4

   im getting away from oil. Its not as flexible as it used to be. Latex is increasingly a better choice these days.