One of the most common questions homeowners face when starting a painting project is whether to use acrylic or oil based paint. Both have their place, but for most painting projects in Perth homes today, acrylic paint is the right choice. Here is a clear breakdown of the differences so you can make an informed decision.
What is Acrylic Paint?
Acrylic paint is water based. It uses water as the carrier and acrylic resin as the binder. Modern acrylic paints are highly versatile and are used for the vast majority of interior and exterior painting in Australian homes. They dry quickly, clean up with water and have low odour compared to oil based alternatives.
What is Oil Based Paint?
Oil based paint uses a petroleum or linseed oil carrier with alkyd resin as the binder. It takes significantly longer to dry, requires mineral turpentine or similar solvents for cleanup and has a strong odour during application. Oil based paints were once the standard for most painting applications but have largely been replaced by modern acrylics for interior and exterior walls.
Acrylic vs Oil Based Paint: Key Differences
Drying Time
Acrylic paint dries to touch within one to two hours and is ready for a second coat within four hours in normal conditions. In Perth’s warmer months acrylic dries even faster.
Oil based paint takes 6 to 24 hours to dry to touch and typically 24 hours or more between coats. This significantly extends project timelines.
Durability and Finish
Modern premium acrylics are highly durable and flexible. They expand and contract with surfaces as temperatures change, which is important in Perth’s climate with significant temperature variation between summer and winter.
Oil based paint cures to a very hard, durable finish that is resistant to wear and scuffing. It was traditionally preferred for high-traffic surfaces like trims, doors and skirting boards for this reason. However modern acrylic enamels have largely closed this gap.
Yellowing Over Time
Oil based paint yellows over time, particularly in areas with limited natural light. White oil based paint on trims or ceilings will develop a noticeable yellow tinge within a few years. Acrylic paint does not yellow and maintains its colour over time.
Odour and VOCs
Acrylic paint has significantly lower VOC levels than oil based alternatives, particularly modern low-VOC and zero-VOC formulations. This makes acrylics much more pleasant to work with and better for indoor air quality.
Oil based paint has strong solvent odour that requires good ventilation during application and a lengthy airing out period after painting.
Cleanup
Acrylic paint cleans up easily with water. Brushes, rollers and trays can be washed out at a tap.
Oil based paint requires mineral turpentine or paint thinner for cleanup. This adds cost and creates solvent waste.
Surface Adhesion
Acrylic paint adheres well to most prepared surfaces. For surfaces that have previously been painted with oil based paint, a quality primer or lightly sanding the existing surface is recommended to ensure good adhesion.
Oil based paint adheres very well to bare timber and metal surfaces, which is why it was traditionally used on these substrates.
When to Use Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is the right choice for:
- Interior walls and ceilings
- Exterior walls on rendered, brick and masonry surfaces
- Exterior weatherboard homes
- Most interior trims when using a quality acrylic enamel
- Feature walls
- Any project where low odour and fast drying are important
When Oil Based Paint May Still Be Used
Oil based paint still has some specific applications where it performs well:
- Bare or raw timber surfaces where maximum penetration and hardness are required
- Metal surfaces such as railings, gates and furniture where a very hard, durable finish is needed
- Painting over existing oil based paintwork where compatibility is a concern
- Floor coatings in some industrial or commercial applications
Even in these applications, quality water based alternatives are now available that perform comparably to oil based products.
What About Acrylic Enamel?
Acrylic enamel is a water based paint formulated to provide the hard, durable finish traditionally associated with oil based paints. It is the product of choice for most professional painters for interior trims, doors, skirting boards and architraves in Perth homes.
Dulux Aquanamel and Solver Paints acrylic enamel are widely used by professional painters throughout Perth. They provide an excellent finish, dry quickly, clean up with water and do not yellow over time.
Can You Paint Acrylic Over Oil Based Paint?
Yes, but preparation is important. Acrylic paint will not bond well to a glossy oil based surface without proper preparation. The existing surface should be lightly sanded to create a key for the new paint, then primed with an appropriate primer before applying acrylic topcoats.
Applying acrylic directly over a gloss oil based surface without preparation is a common mistake that leads to peeling and adhesion failure.
What Do Professional Perth Painters Use?
Professional painters in Perth use premium acrylic paints for the vast majority of residential and commercial painting projects. For walls and ceilings, products like Dulux Wash and Wear and Solver interior acrylics are standard. For trims and doors, acrylic enamels like Dulux Aquanamel are preferred.
Oil based paints are used in specific situations only — primarily for certain metal surfaces or when painting over existing oil based paintwork in poor condition where compatibility is a concern.
Professional Painting Services in Perth
Auzz Painting Service uses premium Dulux and Solver paints on every job and selects the right product for each surface and application. We handle all surface preparation and product selection so you get the best possible result every time.
With over 20 years of experience and more than 140 five-star Google reviews, we are one of Perth’s most trusted painting contractors. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
Call 0474 157 273, email info@auzzpaintingservice.com.au or fill in our contact form and we will get back to you within one business day.