In order to choose the paint best suited to resist stains, it is important to learn the basics about paint and some general painting terms.
There are two common types of paint available today: solvent-based and water-based. Solvent-based paints are either oil or alkyd in nature. In oil-based paint, the liquid solvent is mineral spirits. This type of paint generally dries slower than water-based; it usually needs about 24 hours to cure. It is necessary to clean up this paint with turpentine or paint thinner. Water-based paint is latex paint; the liquid in the paint is water. It dries much faster than solvent-based paint and the clean up only requires soap and water. Paint cans are also labeled for either “indoor/interior” or “outdoor/exterior” use. It is important to note this and use the paint best suited for your surface.
As a general rule of thumb, stains are easier to remove from paints with higher levels of sheen. Therefore, high gloss paints have better stain removal properties than flats. This is noteworthy when choosing a paint in high traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. Eggshell, semi-gloss and gloss sheens are more washable than flat sheens. Specific definitions of these paint terms and others are listed below.
Sheen – the degree of light reflection the paint provides. The lower the sheen level, the lower the stain-resistance of the paint. Different companies use different terms but some general classes are “gloss”, “semi-gloss”, “satin” and “flat”.
Semi-gloss – easy to use and durable but provides less sheen than a gloss. It resists dirt spots, other stains and mildew. This paint works well in high traffic areas such as kitchens, hallways and bathrooms.
Satin – easy to clean with a moderate level of sheen. It provides a crisp-looking finish that lasts; it also resists dirt and stains better than flat paint.
Eggshell – smooth, low-sheen finish with even less sheen than satin. It is best-suited for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and dens.
Flat – non-reflective paint that is a good choice for large walls and ceiling areas. It hides imperfections quite well but can trap dirt, stains and create a mildew-friendly environment more so than a satin finish.
Ceiling paints – diffuse light from lamps and windows and have excellent spatter resistance. However, ceiling paints offer low hiding ability and scrub resistance. As such they are not recommended for walls.
Overall, for the best stain removal characteristics in interior latex coatings, choose a top quality acrylic coating. The higher the quality of acrylic latex, the easier it is to remove stains. High quality acrylic coatings contain greater amounts of pigments and binders and a higher ratio of binder to pigment than ordinary paints. The higher level of binder allows the 100% acrylics to form a film that is less porous. This film has fewer “pockets” where dirt and stains can lodge.
If a top quality acrylic paint becomes dirty or stained, the lower porosity of the film makes it easier to clean since the dirt and contaminants stay near the surface where cleaning action has more effect. Top quality acrylics also resist sheen and color changes from scrubbing and cleaning. The higher binder content gives them a tight grip on the pigment particles. The binder content also provides burnish resistance so that even a flat top quality paint will resist becoming shiny.
Armed with some knowledge, choosing the appropriate paint is simple. Painting is one of the best ways to add value to a home. It can transform raw space into a warm and inviting environment. It can revive a room by defining and highlighting architectural details. It can add color, texture and life to a home.
