Six Popular Paint Types in Ohio
Over the years, we here at Trusted Coatings have worked with a variety of paint brands and types – as directed by our customers’ application requirements, aesthetic aspirations, and budget. While we are not partial to any particular manufacturer or brand, we do want to share some high-level information on the most common types of paints we work with here in Ohio. They include:
Six Popular Paint Types
1. Acrylic Latex Paint – Water-based and widely used for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to cracking and peeling. It’s easy to clean and works well on a variety of surfaces. Acrylic latex paints are the most popular choice for residential exteriors due to their ease of use, quick drying time, and long-lasting performance.
Benefits: durability and flexibility, fast drying time, low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and easy cleanup, excellent adhesion and coverage, and mildew & moisture resistance
Drawbacks: requires proper surface preparation, can dry too fast in certain conditions, and is sensitive to extreme heat or cold
Best For: interior walls, exteriors, ceilings, furniture (with topcoat), and areas exposed to moisture
Not Ideal For: high-impact areas, metal without primer, or projects needing a thick, self-leveling finish
2. Vinyl Acrylic Paint – A more affordable water-based option – commonly used for exterior walls and siding. It’s not as durable as 100% acrylic but still offers good adhesion.
Benefits: cost-effective, good for interior walls and ceilings, low VOC and easy cleanup, fast drying time, and good adhesion to drywall & plaster
Drawbacks: less durable than pure acrylic paint, poor moisture resistance, can break down under ultraviolet (UV) rays and extreme weather, and may require more frequent repainting
Best For: interior walls, ceilings, and low-traffic areas like bedrooms and living rooms
Not Ideal For: high-traffic areas, humid spaces, or exterior applications
3. Acrylic Enamel Paint – Known for its hard, durable finish – making it a great option for doors, trim, and other high-traffic areas.
Benefits: high durability and hard finish, leaves a smooth, glossy finish, water & chemical resistance, good adhesion to most surfaces, and fast drying compared to traditional enamel paints
Drawbacks: can be difficult to work with, not as flexible as pure acrylic paint, requires a clear coat for extra durability, and has limited availability on the market in water-based form
Best For: cabinets, furniture, trim, metal, automotive, and areas needing a hard, durable finish
Not Ideal For: walls, ceilings, or flexible surfaces like fabric or soft plastics
4. Acrylic Urethane Paint – A hybrid that combines acrylic and urethane resins for a tough, weather-resistant coating – often used on metal and wood surfaces.
Benefits: extremely durable and long-lasting, excellent chemical & moisture resistance, provides a high gloss, smooth finish, strong adhesion to many surfaces, and fast drying compared to traditional urethane paints
Drawbacks: more expensive than regular acrylic and urethane paint, can be challenging to work with, need to be mindful of safety and Ohio environmental requirements by selecting a water-based version to get lower VOCs, and proper surface preparation is critical
Best For: automotive painting, cabinets, furniture, boats, industrial applications, and areas needing a strong, long-lasting finish
Not Ideal For: interior walls, ceilings, or projects where ease of application is a priority
5. Elastomeric Paint – A high-build coating designed for masonry, stucco, and concrete surfaces – providing excellent waterproofing and crack-bridging capabilities.
Benefits: superior waterproofing & moisture resistance, high flexibility and crack filling capabilities, excellent durability & longevity, and provides thick, high-build coverage
Drawbacks: difficult application requiring expertise, more expensive compared to standard exterior paint, not ideal for all surfaces, and difficult to repaint or remove prior layer
Best For: stucco, masonry, brick, concrete, and surfaces exposed to harsh weather
Not Ideal For: interior walls, standard wood siding, or surfaces that need frequent repainting
6. Epoxy-Based Paint – Used for specialty applications, such as metal and concrete – offering high resistance to moisture and chemicals.
Benefits: extreme durability and impact resistance, high chemical and stain resistance, provides a high gloss, attractive finish, waterproof and mold resistance, and long-lasting with minimal maintenance needs
Drawbacks: complex and time-consuming application, more expensive compared to standard paints, can be slippery when wet (perhaps, inspiring reminiscence of a popular 80s rock album), and difficult to remove or recoat
Best For: garage floors, warehouses, basements, high-traffic areas, and chemical-heavy environments
Not Ideal For: walls, low-traffic areas, or surfaces that require frequent color changes
Ohio Environmental Considerations
While we’re on the subject of viable paint options, Ohio does have some progressive environmental restrictions to consider when selecting paints. Ohio has implemented regulations that restrict certain types of paint – primarily focusing on reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions to protect air quality and public health. Relevant Ohio regulations to be aware of include:
VOC Limits on Paint Thinners and Solvents:
As of July 1, 2023, Ohio prohibits the sale, supply, or manufacture of multi-purpose solvents and paint thinners that exceed 1% aromatic compound content by weight. Products manufactured before this date can be sold until January 1, 2026, provided they comply with specific product dating requirements.
Source: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-3745-112-03?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Restrictions on Oil-Based Paints:
Ohio has phased out many oil-based paints due to their high VOC content. While some exceptions existed for primers and industrial coatings, recent regulations have further limited these products.
Source: https://www.contractortalk.com/threads/ohio-to-ban-solvent-paints-etc-by-2024.451430/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Adoption of OTC Phase IV Model Rule:
Ohio adopted the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) Phase IV Model Rule, setting new VOC limits for various consumer products. These limits became effective for products manufactured on or after July 1, 2023 (with certain categories, like disinfectants and sanitizers, effective July 1, 2024).
Source: https://www.issa.com/articles/update-on-voc-regulations/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Despite our subject being about wet paint, this blog may be a bit of a dry read – but we hope it’s informative when considering paint types for your home or business. Please let us know if you have more specific paint questions or want to hear more about Trusted Coatings’ years of experience working with various compounds. Thanks for reading!