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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Oil versus water-based paint for exterior?
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justins7
Member
# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 10:29
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The exterior of my old board and batten cabin is in desperate need of repainting. I'm almost tempted to use a few gallons of Rustoleum oil-based enamel, which works great to protect wood. But I'm also considering water-based exterior paint from a big-box store. I know I have few color options with oil paint, but it just seems so resilient.

Any opinions on both — recommendations, benefits and drawbacks, etc. — are appreciated!

Kamn
Member
# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 10:31
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For exterior, oil based is best and have yet to find a latex that will hold up to sun and weather exposure.

snobdds
Member
# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 11:43
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Sherwin Williams makes some great weather resistant paint with UV inhibitors. Not cheap, but I don't want to do it again soon. I just painted the back side of my cabin this weekend with the stuff, you can see the cans in the pictures. Now granted, I opted to use a cement siding due to the a number of factors, but I expect it to last at least 10-15 years.
Back_Siding_close_up.jpg
Back_Siding_close_up.jpg
Siding_from_afar.jpg
Siding_from_afar.jpg


justins7
Member
# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 11:44
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Nice job!
Was it water- or oil-based paint?

snobdds
Member
# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 12:15
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It was a acrylic latex based paint, no oil in it.

I have gotten away from oil based paint due to them never hardening anymore. Part of making them less VOCC, requires them to take out the hardening agents. The paint then stays somewhat tacky and soft.

I actually put a small amount of automotive paint hardener in all my latex paints to give the paint a super hard surface. The hardener does not work in oil based paint, just so you know.

justins7
Member
# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 12:27
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Good to know. I am an artist/painter, so I am familiar with some of these materials.

I didn't realize that the manufacturers are taking the hardeners out....

I'm so used to thinking of oil-based paint as the supreme exterior shield, but I'm now wondering about the exterior latex. Many people seem to use it, but I wonder about actual protection and longevity.

hueyjazz
Member
# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 13:59
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I've only painted for years preferring oil base paint. It's pretty tough to get here in the NE US anymore due to concerns with the VOCs. I've yet to find a latex water based paint that holds up as well as my oil. Last time I painted the house I drove three States over to get paint but I bought enough to paint house twice. That was about four years ago. I didn't have any issues with paint not hardening. This was a Sherwin Williams product. Now if you paint over oil with latex you will need to sand it dull and prime over old layer.

Atlincabin
Member
# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 14:34
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snobdds,

What product (name of automotive hardener) is that you are using? Seems like a good idea.

snobdds
Member
# Posted: 15 Aug 2017 15:00
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This is the stuff I use



I put about 4oz per gallon.

Jabberwocky
Member
# Posted: 16 Aug 2017 09:58
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Can't recommend the products as I have never actually tried them, but I had planned to use linseed oil paint when we intended to build a cabin:

http://www.solventfreepaint.com/zero-waste-paint.htm

snobdds
Member
# Posted: 16 Aug 2017 12:08 - Edited by: snobdds
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Quoting: Jabberwocky
Can't recommend the products as I have never actually tried them, but I had planned to use linseed oil paint when we intended to build a cabin:

http://www.solventfreepaint.com/zero-waste-paint.htm


That is basically old oil based paint without the hardening agents. It will never dry and be akin to having a tack rag on the side of your place. It would be like fly paper with dirt and anything else sticking to it.

The push to low VOCC killed paint. That's why I add back in the solvents to get the durability back.

Here is a test to see how good a specific type of paint is. Take your fingernail and scratch a dried surface. If you catch your nail or it digs in...it's not going to hold up more than 5-6 years in an outside environment.

justins7
Member
# Posted: 16 Aug 2017 12:33
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snobdds, Have you experienced Rustoleum not hardening anymore? I am still contemplating just getting a few gallons of that brand and mixing the colors myself. But not if it doesn't harden completely.

The push to lower VOCC is ridiculous, when there are so many more toxic chemicals out there. Oil paint is irreplaceable.

As an artist I have heard so many people complain about the smell of oil paint over the years — but then they use other chemicals freely, like spray-paint (how is that any safer?).

snobdds
Member
# Posted: 16 Aug 2017 13:36
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Quoting: justins7
snobdds, Have you experienced Rustoleum not hardening anymore? I am still contemplating just getting a few gallons of that brand and mixing the colors myself. But not if it doesn't harden completely.

The push to lower VOCC is ridiculous, when there are so many more toxic chemicals out there. Oil paint is irreplaceable.

As an artist I have heard so many people complain about the smell of oil paint over the years — but then they use other chemicals freely, like spray-paint (how is that any safer?).


I have not used the rustoleum paint outside of the spray cans. My guess it would fall into the same category as the other low VOCC paints.

My research into paints started when I repainted my 1988 Toyota truck. At the time, there was paints that could be not be sold in California and paints that could be. Obviously the more desired paints were the ones that were sold outside of California. The painters in California, got around the silly rules by augmenting both car and later latex paint with the solvents the companies had to take out.

I guess I just want people to know that paint can be made to be long lasting and durable, by adding back in hardners. Do some research and see for yourself.

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