Solvents vs water-based paints: the facts

Whether you’re painting a room or a piece of furniture, the type of paint that you choose can have a big impact on the final result of your work. Two common types of paint are solvent-based and water-based paint, and each of these paint types comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we’re going to explore the strengths and weaknesses of both types of paint and clear up some common misconceptions about these paints.

What are solvent-based paints?

Solvent-based paint, which is also known as oil-based paint, uses organic solvents such as mineral spirits and turpentine as a carrier for the pigment. These solvents are highly flammable and older solvent paints can emit harmful VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) into the air during the painting process, although modern solvent-based paints have reduced the number of VOCs present in the paint drastically – but more on this later.

Some of the advantages of solvent-based paints are:

• Durability: Solvent-based paints have a hard, smooth finish that’s durable and long-lasting. This makes them a good choice for high-traffic areas.
• Smoothing: Solvent-based paints can fill in small cracks and imperfections in surfaces, resulting in a smooth and even finish.
• Adhesion: Solvent-based paints adhere well to most surfaces, making them a good choice for painting over existing paint or other coatings.
• Moisture-resistance: Solvent-based paints are resistant to moisture, making them a good choice for use in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas that are exposed to water or humidity.
• Colour retention: Solvent-based paints have better colour retention than water-based paints, which can fade over time.

Some of the cons of solvent-based paints include:

• Drying time: Some solvent-based paints i.e. 2K paint can take longer to dry than water-based paints, which can slow down the painting process.
• Flammability: Solvent-based paints are highly flammable, making them a fire hazard during storage and use.
• Cleanup: Solvent-based paints require solvents such as mineral spirits or turpentine for cleanup, which can be messy and more difficult to dispose of than water-based paint cleanup.

What is water-based paint?

Water-based paint, also known as latex paint, has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its ease of use, fast drying time and low toxicity. Water-based paints are often considered to be more eco-friendly than solvent-based paints, as they sometimes emit fewer VOCs and are easier to clean up with water rather than solvents. However, over recent years there has been an increasing number of low VOC solvent-based paints entering the market, which means that water-based paints no longer trump solvents on this point.

Some of the advantages of water-based paints include:

• Drying time: Water-based paints dry quickly, which can speed up the painting process and allow for multiple coats in one day.
• Easy cleanup: Water-based paints can be easily cleaned up with soap and water, making cleanup quick and easy.
• Non-flammable: Water-based paints are not flammable, making them safer to store and use.

Some of the disadvantages of water-based paints include:

• Durability: Water-based paints are generally less durable than solvent-based paints and may require more frequent repainting.
• Adhesion: Water-based paints may not adhere well to some surfaces, particularly those that are oily or have previously been painted with solvent-based paints.
• Colour retention: Water-based paints may fade or change colour over time, particularly when exposed to sunlight.
• Moisture susceptibility: Water-based paints may be susceptible to moisture damage and may peel or crack when exposed to water or humidity.
• Wood preparation: Water-based paints may raise the grain on wood surfaces, requiring additional preparation before painting.

Which is more eco-friendly, solvent-based paints or water-based paints?

There’s a common misconception that water-based paints are more environmentally friendly than solvent-based paints, but this is old news. Today, many solvent-based paints are created with a low VOC (volatile organic compound) that competes with the VOC levels in water-based paints. We manufacture and sell solvent-based paints with a Minimal VOC of 0.029%, the lowest you can get. This paint has a significantly lower number of VOCs that water-based paint!

Really, the truth is that both types of paint have advantages and disadvantages when it comes to eco-friendliness. Water-based paints have low VOC emissions as standard and they’re also easy to clean up. However, some water-based paints may contain additives that are harmful to the environment such as biocides and fungicides. Solvent-based paints, on the other hand, may last longer than water-based paints and so reduces the need for repainting, saving resources. If you choose solvent-based paints with low VOC level, it’s hard to go wrong.

A little more about VOCs in paint

VOCs have been a hot topic over recent years because of the negative effects they can have on both human health and the environment. When VOCs are released into the air, they contribute towards air pollution and smog, and they can also cause short-term health problems like headaches and nausea or even contribute to longer-term issues. However, blanket statements about the VOC content of one type of paint versus another are meaningless at best and potentially dangerous at worst.

We can illustrate this point by comparing VOC levels in different types of paint. The maximum VOC level in water-based interior matt wall paint is 30g per litre, while in water-based glossy finish paint, it is 100g per litre. If you compare this with our solvent paints, which contain a maximum VOC content of 18g per litre in synthetic matt or 70g per litre in gloss paint, it’s clear that in this case, solvent paint can have a significantly lower number of VOCs than water-based paint.

The final verdict: solvent vs water-based paint

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to which type of paint you should use. Old arguments about VOCs no longer apply in a market that’s populated with low-VOC solvent paints. Low VOC solvent paints are a good option for buyers who want a smoother finish and long-term durability, while water-based paints may be considered easier to use for beginners.

Whether you’re buying water-based or solvent-based paint, the most important thing is shopping around for the right paint. Read the label carefully, ignore hearsay, make the effort to find out the actual maximum VOC level of the paint you buy, and only work with paints that have the eco-friendly and safety credentials that you’re looking for.