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January 2005

Oil Paints: Going, Going, Gone?

Environmental restrictions in the most populous areas of the country are making oils scarce, but painters have adapted as waterborne alternatives improve. If you're not in one of the affected states, here's a look at what's to come.

by Tom O'Brien (5 Pages)

First 100 Words:

Oil Paints: Going, Going, Gone? Environmental restrictions in the most populous areas of the country are making oils scarce, but waterborne alternatives are getting better all the time Tom O'Brien On New Year's Day, painters in many northeastern states woke up with more than a hangover. New regulations that significantly reduce the allowable content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in most paints and stains took effect on January 1 in the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, as well as in the District of Columbia and 10 counties in Northern Virginia (see Figure 1, next page).

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2 Comments so far...

The terms waterborne versus oil base is an oxymoron. It implies that waterborne coatings have no oil binder. Many waterborne coatins do have some vegtable oils such as linseed, soyabean, etc. The term should be waterborne or solvent type.
Posted by: Albert G Silverton on January 13th 2005
the enviroment is important. and without it we are not going to make it. but consider that it is hard to sale a high end product that is ugly. our firm builds very high end homes and depend on oil finishes to highlight our extensive mill work. latex is a homeowner product and the results by even a professional is very entry level quality. Keep the oil base paints for professionals and monitor desposal or impose a higher enviromental fee on oil base but do not take it away.
Posted by: buzz on January 31st 2005