Industries are the busiest places for metal and wood machinery. Metal and wood machinery experience the most workload and weight in the Industrial sector. It makes the protection of industrial machinery highly important for optimal performance. A protective coat of paint gives machinery a long-lasting life and resistance against rust and corrosion. Paint plays an important role in commercial and residential spaces as it helps to protect surfaces from harsh weather, daily wear and tear, and dirt.
When it’s about choosing paint for industrial use, a major distinction must be kept in mind. Water-based paints and Oil-based paints. As the prefixes of the names suggest these two major types of paints differ on the base of their solvent. Water-based paints consist of water as their solvent while containing acrylic, vinyl, and latex as binders along with some additives. On the other hand, oil-based paints consist of oil such as Mineral spirits or turpentine as the major solvent. The solvent is the liquid solution in which the paint is dissolved and it evaporates when the paint is applied.
This article will explore the major distinction between the two paints, their properties, pros and cons, and a guide on when to apply the paint.
Importance of Paint in Industries
Industries are a jumble of thousands of chores. When you head on an industry, a tapestry of operations is on the site. These laborious and heavy tasks utilize metal surfaces and machinery to speed up the process. This exposes metal and wood surfaces to tons of weight, high-voltage electricity, and heavy vehicles.
Paint protects metal and wood surfaces from corrosion and scratches ensuring long-lasting performance. Metal surfaces upon exposure to water and sun attract rust that destroys its surfaces. Paint helps protect the metal surfaces from exposure while repelling water due to its rubber nature. Paint also helps in protecting the industrial walls from mold and mildew. Similarly, paints elevate the feel of machinery and ensure safety in the food industry.
Industrial spaces are highly vulnerable to germs and diseases. Thousands of workers in one place increase the risks of spread of airborne diseases and viral infections. Paint ensures a safe and healthy environment by acting as resistant to mold, and fungus, eliminating pores, and serving as an anti-germ due to its highly chemical nature.
Difference between water-based paint and oil-based paint
The major distinction lies in the nature of the solvent of both paints. The prefixes of the names loudly shout the difference as Water-based paints use water as a solvent while Oil-based paints use organic solvents like petroleum distillates. The nature of the solvent differs the performance and use of both paints give them specific qualities.
Below the table illustrates the differences between Water-based paints and Oil-based paints.
| Water-Based Paints | Oil-Based Paints |
| Spread Less odor after use | Spread high odor after Use |
| Low in VOCs | High in VOCs |
| Low sheen finish | High sheen finish |
| Long-lasting with no threats of Cracks | Threats of cracks after a certain time |
| Avoid using it on mild and humid surfaces | Best for mild and Humid surfaces |
Water-Based Paints
Water-based paint is low VOC paint with easy-to-use and drying characteristics. It uses water or milk as a solvent while using latex for easy cleaning and eco-friendliness. Certain characteristics and properties are explained below.
Application
Water-based paints must be applied on dry surfaces to ensure optimal performance. They are easy to apply on any surface and their sun and weather-resistant nature makes the best choice for interior and exterior surfaces.
Properties
- They have better durability, better color retention, and more elasticity.
- They can dry quickly
- They can stick easily to any surface
- They are the most durable and reliable choice for painting swimming pools.
- They evaporate low VOCs making them an eco-friendly choice
- They have less brush drag
- They have less Odor
- They quickly adhere to wood, stucco, and galvanized surfaces due to their acrylic binders.
Pros and Cons
Water-based paints are easy to use, best suitable for exterior surfaces, environmentally friendly, and less odor. They also don’t yellow over time making them the most suitable choice for residential use.
The major cons of water-based paints are that they fade quickly, they are less durable, they attract stains more easily, and sensitive to extreme temperatures such as in Dubai.
Oil-Based paints
Oil-based paints on the Contrary use organic solvents. They are called alkyds containing various diluents including ketones, esters, glycol ethers, alcohols, resins, and aliphatics. They are best for powdery surfaces or often painted surfaces that are prone to humidity and mild weather.
Application
Oil-based paints are harder on brushes due to their sticky composition. A surface must be cleaned properly before applying this paint. They take time to dry, so the respective coats must be given after a proper drying period.
Properties
- They have better shining quality
- They have more elasticity and last longer
- They are best for humid and mild surfaces
- They last longer
- Due to their solid surface qualities, they are useful for most used industrial surfaces
- They are Highly weather-resistant
Pros and Cons
The pros of Oil-based paints are their durability, resistant nature to fading, stain-resistant qualities, and long-lasting shine.
The cons of Oil-based paints are their high VOC levels, stronger odor, extended dry time, and inability to resist exterior surfaces and UV light.
VOCs and their harms
One of the major disadvantages Oil-based paint brings along is its high level of VOCs. VOCs (Volatile Organic compounds) are highly nitrogenous and carbon gases having lower water solubility and high vapor pressure emitted into the air from the paint. VOCs are industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene, fuel oxygenates such as methyl tert-butyl ether, and by-products of chlorination such as chloroform. When oil-based paint dries on the surface, the liquid in the form of VOCs floods the atmosphere and up to the harmful gases in the environment. The strong odor people experience after the paint is actually the VOCs.
The health and environmental risks of VOCs are many. A strong odor of the paint causes headaches and coordination losses while in several cases the impact lasts longer resulting in skin, eyes, nose, and throat irritation. People suffering from respiratory or skin diseases may experience high-intensity neural problems.
Similarly, the Environmental harms of VOCs are climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and drying weather. When not properly disposed of, these chemicals can contaminate ground-level water posing health risks to marine life and humans, alike. Due to the process of Vapor Intrusion, these chemicals may significantly impact the flow and quality of air.
Choosing the Right Paint for your Industrial spaces
Paint is an essential requirement of every industrial space. Before applying the paints it’s better to understand the nature of the paint and the requirements of the place. Interior places with high exposure to heavy chores must be painted using oil-based paint due to its resistant nature while exterior surfaces must be painted with water-based paints due to higher durability to UV.
For food industries, Water-Based paints must be used due to their low VOC level and higher safety mechanism. Oil-based paints are the best choice for metal equipment and low galvanized surfaces.
Our Services
We at DubaiClean understand the importance of safe and protective industrial space. Our expert painters bring years of experience to the table making the painting process easier and efficient.
We specialize in high-quality painting ensuring effective coating, thick layer painting, and painting high-to-reach and hidden spots. We use low-VOC and anti-mold paints that protect industrial spaces from every kind of mold and mildew growth.
Our expert painters use advanced techniques to paint every nook and cranny of the industrial spaces. Cleanliness lies at the center of our services. Our painters take special care of any space while performing deep cleaning after every paint session.
Conclusion
Industrial spaces attract heavy traffic and tons of workload. Metals and wood in such spaces need special attention. Water-based and Oil-based paints play essential roles in protecting and beautifying the space. Water-based paints use water or milk as a solvent while using latex for improved effects. Oil-based paints use organic solvents in the abundance of carbon.
Both paint options possess their properties which make them best fit for certain places. Effective coating and proper care ensure the long-term life of the paint. If your Industrial space in Dubai awaits a fresh coat of paint, Your expert painting partner is the Town. Reach out to DubaiClean, Today!
