10 Advantages of Oil-Based Paints

Some of the most notable advantages of oil based paints are durability, moisture resistance, low maintenance requirements, and rust prevention. These properties make oil based paints effective indoors and outdoors, easily coating floors, agricultural equipment, and marine vessels, and providing long-lasting protection. The benefits of oil based paint are similar to those of other types of paint. However, you may find the specific combination of oil based paint's assets serves your purposes better.

Its Long-Term Durability

One of the most prominent benefits of oil based paint is its superior durability. Properly cured, oil based paint is highly resistant to abrasion, chipping, and scratches. Vehicles that experience heavy use or floors with high foot traffic benefit most from this advantage, as the tough film provides a firm, long-lasting protective layer.

Water-based paints dry as the water or solvent evaporates. Conversely, oil based paint undergoes a unique chemical process named oxidative polymerisation, which describes a reaction with the air that causes the paint to dry. 

What is Oxidative Polymerisation?

Oxidative polymerisation is a chemical reaction between the drying oil that oil based paints are primarily composed of and the air. These drying oils vary and their molecular structure contains multiple double bonds, which allow them to interact with oxygen and absorb it. By doing so, the oil molecules in the paint cross-link, forming a three-dimensional polymer network which transforms the liquid into a semi-rigid film.

This process fundamentally changes the chemical structure of the paint, creating a robust coating that can withstand years of use. However, oil based paint continues to polymerise even after it dries, meaning the coating will eventually become brittle and fall away as it ages. But you have nothing to worry about; this process takes decades if not centuries to occur. 

Modern oil based paints have the added benefit of containing synthetic alkyd resins, which build upon the natural properties of drying oils. This enhancement further strengthens the coating’s hardness, minimises drying time, and increases weather resistance.

Its Adhesion

Another of the advantages of oil based paint is its excellent wetting properties. This allows the paint to flow into the microscopic pores and imperfections of the surface it is applied to and, effectively, lock itself in as it cures. The paint’s ability to adhere largely depends on the preparation of the surface. Thorough sanding of the application area creates more surface area for the paint to adhere to.

For multi-layer applications, oil-based paints offer good intercoat adhesion, particularly compared to many traditional coatings. Their solvent content allows each new coat to slightly re-wet the layer beneath, helping the layers bond together rather than sit independently. This creates a more unified paint film and reduces the risk of cracking between coats. However, while oil based paints adhere well, their bonding strength and durability are not as high as modern systems such as epoxies or 2K acrylics, which are specifically engineered for superior adhesion and long-term performance in demanding environments.

In the case of metallic surfaces, oil based paint adhesion doesn’t depend only on imperfections to cling to. When an oil based paint is painted onto metal, the fatty acids within the paint break down the ions in the metal. This process is called Chemisorption. These processes ensure the paint won’t easily peel, flake or lift. The reaction is crucial for exterior applications, including marine vessels and building exteriors.

What is Chemisorption?

Chemisorption is the process of the formation of chemical bonds between the surface of a material and the molecules that stick to it. The chemical reaction results in a high-strength and usually irreversible bond. Chemisorption allows oil based paints to easily adhere to metallic surfaces and create a sturdy film to protect the surface for decades.

Its Resistance to Moisture and Water Damage

One of the best advantages of oil based paint is its resistance to moisture and water. Water-based paint, although protective at first, can be re-emulsified by water, which weakens its structure and causes peeling and chipping. However, oil is naturally hydrophobic, meaning oil based paints inherently provides a barrier that prevents water from being absorbed by the paint. Essentially, it behaves similarly to cling-film by sealing the surface. This is a highly effective protection method for materials susceptible to water damage, including metal and water. 

Its Resistance to Chemicals and Stains

Oil based paint is resistant to chemicals and stains due to its non-porous structure, which doesn’t allow chemicals, oils, or greases to penetrate it. The three-dimensional molecular structure created by the oxidative polymerisation reaction forms a rigid, plastic-like shield that makes the oil based paint impermeable. In contrast, water-based paints have microscopic gaps and pores that allow liquids to seep into, which causes permanent staining or chemical damage.

Another of the benefits of oil based paint is that it’s also resistant to many common solvents, which ensures the paint isn’t damaged by everyday chemicals. These properties make oil-based paints a preferred choice for industrial machinery, vehicles, and flooring, which may routinely encounter harsh substances.

Its Ability to Prevent Rust and Corrosion

Oil based paint is a highly effective preventative measure for rust and corrosion. This is because it deprives the metallic surface of the components it needs to develop rust, oxygen and moisture. 

• When moisture encounters air, it dissolves the carbon dioxide in the air to form a weak carbonic acid. 

• Carbonic acid encourages water to shuffle the ions between the iron and oxygen, causing an electrochemical reaction.

• This electrochemical reaction causes the iron to lose electrons, beginning the oxidation reaction. 

• When metal rust is present, it continues oxidising, effectively eating away at the metal, causing flaking that prevents successful adhesion and impacts structural integrity.

Oil based paint seals the surface of metals, curing through oxidative polymerisation and creating a film that prevents moisture from penetrating it. Furthermore, oil based paints are naturally hydrophobic, so water basically slides off the paint’s surface. Some modern oil based paints include additives within their formulation to chemically inhibit the rusting process and protect the metal. 

Its Ability to Flow and Smooth Out

One of the best advantages of oil based paint is its ability to flow and smooth Out, creating a smooth, high-gloss finish that spreads evenly as it dries. This is due to its slow curing process and unique rheology, which refers to how the material flows. Oil based paints are formulated to have a specific surface tension and low viscosity when first applied. But during curing, the molecules on the paint's surface respond to the tension and pull themselves together. As the molecules bond, the force levels the surface, similarly to a water droplet, which rests as a perfect sphere.

Oil based paints take up to 24 hours to fully dry (not fully cured), meaning the paint is wet and workable for longer than a water-based alternative. This provides ample time for the paint to rest and streaks to melt away before it solidifies. 

Its Flexibility and Crack Resistance

When wet, oil based paint is relatively elastic, which allows it to expand and contract with the surface it’s applied to. This is especially helpful for surfaces that experience a lot of temperature fluctuation, such as vehicle engines and stoves. Its ability to withstand extreme heat and cold means cracks and peeling are rare when the paint is applied correctly. 

Its Effective Coverage With Minimal Coats

Oil-based paints are thicker than water-based alternatives and have a higher solids content. This means there is a higher concentration of mineral pigments and binders than solvents, such as mineral spirits or turpentine. This creates a far more even coverage on the surface and requires fewer coats for maximum results.

Its Tolerance for Harsh Conditions

Unlike water-based alternatives, oil based paint is not susceptible to damage from extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations. This is because oil is naturally hydrophobic, and oil based paints undergo the process of oxidative polymerisation, which transforms the paint into a hard, almost plastic-like surface. It has no pores the water can get into, and therefore no invitation for rust development or water damage. The pigments used in oil based paints are protected by this surface, so the colour of your paint will stay the same, even after prolonged exposure to harsh conditions.

Its Low Maintenance Requirements

The resilient barrier oil based paint creates when fully cured protects surfaces from the elements and wear and tear. The paint becomes a dense, plastic-like shield after undergoing oxidative polymerisation, which significantly extends the lifespan of the coating. This process makes the paint less like paint and more like plastic, which is highly resistant to physical damage, including abrasion, chipping, and scratching. When cured, the oil film is non-porous and hydrophobic, repelling water and creating an impermeable barrier that prevents oxygen and water from seeping through.

Industrial Oil Based Paint for Sale at TA Paints

TA Paints supplies industrial paints to the industrial, trade, and domestic sectors, covering all requirements and surface materials. Whether you need oil based paint for industrial floors, vehicles, or marine applications, we’re a trusted provider across the UK. Our paint comes directly from the factory, so you can cut out the middle-man and rest assured that our paints are of the highest quality. 

Our industrial oil based paint is for sale at competitive prices, so we can exceed your expectations without exceeding your budget. 

Get in touch with us if you’d like to learn more about our oil based  paint collection and need guidance on finding the right products for your application. From various product types to applicator tools and thinners, we’ve got everything you’re looking for.