Water-based paint is a popular option for wall finishing because of its eco-friendliness and ease of application. Knowing the fundamentals of water-based paint can make any project—renovating a space or taking on a new one—go more smoothly and efficiently. This kind of paint is a fantastic choice for interior applications because of its short drying time and minimal smell.
It’s crucial to properly prepare your surfaces before painting. For a smooth finish, make sure the walls are clean and any imperfections are fixed. The way your painted walls turn out in the end can be greatly influenced by this preparation. It’s also essential to know how much paint you’ll need in order to ensure even coverage and prevent waste.
This post will go over important pointers for using water-based paint, such as how to measure out how much paint you’ll need for your project and how to prepare your walls. With a little effort and these tips, you’ll be ready to accomplish a polished finish.
Aspect | Details |
Basics of Painting | Water-based paints are easy to apply and dry quickly. They are low in odor and can be cleaned up with water. Ideal for indoor walls, they provide a smooth finish and are available in various finishes like matte, eggshell, and semi-gloss. |
Material Consumption | Typically, water-based paint covers about 350-400 square feet per gallon. The exact coverage depends on the paint"s thickness and the wall"s texture. For best results, two coats are usually recommended. |
Surface Preparation | Proper preparation ensures a smooth finish. Start by cleaning the walls to remove dirt and grease. Patch any holes or cracks and sand the surface to make it even. Priming the wall can help the paint adhere better and provide a more uniform color. |
What is water-based paint
General information
As one might assume from the name, water-based paint is an aqueous emulsion. Particles of undissolved polymer in water are present. They leave behind a continuous, reasonably thick film on the surface as the water evaporates.
Experts are frequently questioned by do-it-yourself enthusiasts about the distinction between water-based and water-dispersion paint, which share the same definition.
The definition of a water-based paint and varnish coating varies depending on the source; specifically, the following claims can be found online:
- an outdated name for a water-dispersion coating;
- is a separate type of paint and varnish materials, which differs in composition from water-dispersion mixtures;
- is an aqueous dispersion based on vinyl acetate resins (PVA), as a result of which it has lower performance qualities than other water-dispersion coatings.
Emulsions are actually dispersed systems made up of tiny, undissolved liquid droplets that are uniformly dispersed throughout another liquid. Regarding paint and varnish coatings, the term "water-based" typically encompasses all varieties of polymer water-dispersion mixtures.
Water-based paint and varnish coatings in a bathroom
Features
Many people who are unfamiliar with these paint and varnish coatings wonder if painting walls with water-based paint is feasible and if the coating will "float" as soon as it comes into contact with moisture. These compositions actually adhere well to all coating types, with the exception of glossy ones. As a result, they adhere well to decorative plaster, putty, and other finishing supplies.
Regarding moisture resistance, the resulting film does not dissolve in water once the moisture has evaporated. It is advised to use vinyl acetate-based compositions in dry rooms as they are not as moisture resistant as other kinds of water-dispersion paint and varnish coatings.
These coatings also offer a number of additional benefits:
- they have no smell, since water is used as a solvent;
- high drying speed, which depends on the rate of water evaporation (from 2 to 24 hours, depending on environmental conditions);
- are elastic and durable;
- As mentioned above, these compounds do not evaporate harmful substances;
- Most of the compositions are tinted, which allows you to get any color of water -based paint for walls.
The price and other features vary depending on the kind of composition.
Paint for vinyl acetate ceilings
Types
At the moment, the following varieties of water emulsion trains are available for purchase:
- vinyl acetate;
- acrylic;
- latex;
- Silicone.
We will familiarize ourselves with each type’s features below.
Vinyl acetate
The least effective kind of water-dispersion coating is this one. They are the least resistant to moisture, as was already mentioned, but they also have instability when it comes to abrasion.
Consequently, ceilings are the typical application for these LKPs. On the other hand, water-based paint based on vinyl acetate resins can be used to whitewash walls in dry rooms.
A ten-liter bucket of this material costs roughly 300 rubles. It should be mentioned, though, that this kind of paint and varnish material is extremely uncommon to find in stores.
Water-dispersion acrylic paint
Acrylic
Performance qualities of acrylic compositions are significantly higher. Specifically, the following benefits should be emphasized:
- resistance to moisture;
- resistance to temperature changes and frost;
- good resistance to abrasion;
- the price is lower than for other water-dispersion coatings.
As a result, acrylic paints and varnishes have gained popularity recently. They can also be used to decorate the outside as well as the interior.
Kindly take note! You must consider whether a coating is intended for internal or external work when selecting one.
The image shows Dufa’s acrylic interior paint.
The prices for acrylic paint and varnish coatings from a few reputable producers in our industry are shown below:
Manufacturer | Cost, RUB. |
Parade | ~ 1000 10L |
GROSS (facade) | ~ 500 4.2L |
Bolars | ~ 850 11L |
DUFA | ~5300 10L |
TIKKURILA | ~ 3800 9L |
Per square meter, water-based wall paint typically uses between 1/7 and 1/8 liter. You can figure out how much painting one square meter will cost if you know this amount.
Kindly take note! Should you choose not to paint the walls yourself, the price of applying water-based paint should be included in the overall cost of the material, which typically ranges from 100 to 200 rubles per square meter, excluding surface preparation.
Composition based on latex BERGER
Latex
Latex compositions have even more characteristics than acrylic ones. Specifically, it is possible to emphasize the following attributes:
- good adhesion to various surfaces;
- have the highest moisture resistance, compared to other water-dispersed compositions. Therefore, washable latex paint can be used for painting walls in the kitchen and bathroom;
- It forms a matte silky coating on the surface, which cannot be obtained using other types of paintwork;
- has increased elasticity and wear resistance.
Kraftor moisture-resistant latex interior paint
This material is more expensive than acrylic:
Manufacturer | Cost, rub. |
Parade | ~ 1800 10l |
Berger | ~ 1100 10l |
Kraftor | ~ 820 14l |
CAPAROL TOPLATEX | ~ 2 900 10l |
Tikkurila | ~ 5500 9l |
Counseling! The surface needs to be treated with soil before painting in order to cut down on the amount of water-based paint used by 1 m2 of the wall.
Silicone Caparol
Silicone
The priciest silicone water-dispersed coatings also have the best performance characteristics:
- are highly resistant to abrasion;
- have good vapor permeability, but at the same time reliably protect the walls from moisture;
- have the ability to self-clean, which is important when painting external walls;
- are not exposed to sunlight;
- on the surface of the walls they form a noble matte coating.
These paints and varnishes have the most expensive prices:
Manufacturer | Cost, RUB. |
Caparol | ~ 2100 2.5 l |
FINNGARD | ~ 6100 10 l |
Ceresit | ~ 4600 10 l |
Counseling! It is advisable to buy coatings for other surfaces along with wall materials. Zinga conductive paint is therefore appropriate for external metal components like drains, canopies, etc. Polistil fire-retardant paints for metal can be used on internal metal parts, such as heating elements.
Because it is simple to use and has advantages for the environment, water-based paint is a popular option for wall finishing. The fundamentals of painting with water-based paint will be covered in this article, along with tips on how to prepare surfaces correctly, calculate material requirements, and produce a smooth, long-lasting finish. Knowing these fundamentals will help you achieve the greatest results with the least amount of work, whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or just trying to update your area.
Painting nuances
Applying water-based paint to walls is very similar to applying other kinds of paints and varnishes. There are still some subtleties, though.
Thus, the following are the painting instructions:
- first of all, it is necessary to prime the walls. Acrylic universal primer is perfect for these purposes;
- then you need to prepare the paint and varnish coating. If the composition has a color, then you just need to mix it. If the paint and varnish coating is white, then to give the desired tone it should be tinted.
For tinting, specific dyes, or colorants, are utilized. With their assistance, you can experiment with a small amount of paint to get the desired color and keep in mind the ideal ratios. The tinted composition needs to be well combined before using;
A paint roller tray for painting walls
- The prepared coating must be poured into a tray for a paint roller;
- then you need to wet the roller in the paint liquid and squeeze it out slightly so that it does not drip off the painting tool;
- after this, the composition must be applied to the wall in even thin layers, avoiding drips. As necessary, the roller must be dipped in the paint and squeezed out;
- then you need to paint over hard-to-reach places with your own hands using a paintbrush;
- when the surface of the walls is completely dry, the procedure must be repeated again.
This completes the water-based paint job on the walls.
Water-based paint is an eco-friendly and practical option for walls because it is easy to apply and comes in a variety of colors. You can attain a smooth and long-lasting finish by being aware of the fundamentals of painting, such as surface preparation and material usage. Painting requires careful wall preparation, including cleaning, sanding, and priming, to ensure good adhesion and extended paint life.
Estimating the amount of paint you’ll need can help you cut down on waste and unnecessary trips to the store when it comes to material consumption. A gallon of paint typically covers 350 to 400 square feet, though this can vary based on the surface’s texture and the number of coats used. For more precise information, always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for the paint.
In summary, water-based paint can effectively and efficiently transform your walls with the correct preparation and careful material calculation. This technique improves the aesthetics of your room and helps create a healthier indoor atmosphere. Have fun with your paintings!