One, the difference between water-based wood paint and oil-based wood paint
Oil-based wood paints primarily consist of dry oils, while water-based wood paints primarily consist of water-soluble resins. Water-based wood paints use water as a solvent and are non-toxic, while oil-based wood paints contain substances such as formaldehyde, which are harmful to the human body. Water-based wood paints do not offer the same hardness, fullness, and anti-aging properties as oil-based wood paints.
2. Is water-based or oil-based wood paint preferable?
Water-based paints are preferable.
1、From a health and environmental perspective
Water-based wood coatings: Water-based wood coatings utilize water as the dispersion medium, with main components including acetone and polyurethane-based materials. Their VOC content is far below the national environmental standards, specifically VOC content ≤200g/L. Furthermore, water-based coatings, due to their water-based dispersion, exhibit inherent fire resistance, reducing the potential hazards associated with fire. The low odor of water-based wood coatings ensures a healthy and environmentally friendly application.
Oil-based wood paint: Oil-based wood paint utilizes organic solvents as the dispersion medium. These solvents primarily consist of hydrocarbon compounds. Polyester and nitro paints exhibit the highest toxicity due to their high content of toxic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene. These toxic substances are also highly flammable and pose a significant fire hazard.
2、From a physical performance perspective
Water-based wood coatings: The hardness of water-based wood coatings, when fully dry, is generally between 1-2 hours. This hardness is slightly lower compared to oil-based wood coatings. However, due to the use of thin coating and "virtual texture" techniques, water-based wood coatings still have a rich and satisfying feel. Additionally, water-based wood coatings offer advantages such as resistance to yellowing, abrasion resistance, and durability.
The hardness of oil-based wood coatings is generally higher than that of water-based wood coatings. However, this is because oil-based wood coatings have harder film layers, which makes them more prone to cracking and detachment. Oil-based wood coatings also offer the advantage of vibrant colors and a rich texture. However, nitro-based paints within the oil-based category have the worst color and texture, and due to the need for multiple coats (over ten), their film hardness is also poor. Other disadvantages of oil-based paints include yellowing, discoloration upon impact, and poor durability.