OIL OR ACRYLIC? ACRYLIC OR VINYL? WHAT KIND OF FINISH PAINTING OVER MASONRY Good quality paint costs more per can than so-called bargain paints, but you’ll actually save both time & money using the better paint. A quality paint adheres to the surface better, it hides imperfections in the surface, and it will resist chalking, fading, dirt and mildew better than an economy paint. You’ll work just as hard (or harder) with a bargain paint, and you’ll have to paint more often, so a top quality paint is well worth the extra cost!     OIL OR ACRYLIC? It depends upon your preference and what you are painting. Here’s what you need to know to make your choice: Exterior acrylic paints provide better retention of gloss and colour, especially in sunny settings; and they resist chalking, cracking and peeling better than oil-based paints. this is because the acrylic polymer provides superior resistance to UV in sunlight, and has the flexibility to accommodate the expansion and contraction of exterior substrates. They also provide the convenience of faster drying and easy wash up of equipment in water. Oil based exterior paints are harder than water based exterior paints, and can give better adhesion to chalky surfaces. They can also provide higher gloss, for example on timber trim, but this gloss usually fades more quickly than with acrylic paints. However, oil based paints can become brittle with age which makes them prone to cracking when used on timber. <<TOP<<   ACRYLIC OR VINYL? Water based paints are made either with 100% acrylic or with vinyl / acrylic polymers. 100% acrylic is always preferred because it provides much superior exterior durability and resistance to the effects of moisture. Vinyl based paints are not recommended for exterior applications as they are prone to break down when exposed to the rigours of weather. <<TOP<<   WHAT KIND OF FINISH? In Australia and New Zealand, Low Sheen acrylic exterior paints are extremely popular for use on masonry surfaces and on timber where a high gloss finish is not required. Being lower in sheen than gloss paints, they help hide surface imperfections. Some paint brands offer Semi Gloss finish exterior acrylic paints. The can duplicate the original semi gloss appearance of factory-painted metal cladding such as Colorbond. Gloss Finish Paint can accentuate trim, windows and doors with more shine than a semi gloss or low sheen paint. <<TOP<<   PAINTING OVER MASONRY A good quality exterior acrylic paint is the best choice for use  on well-prepared masonry. Be sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Vinyl acrylic paint should not be applied directly to masonry. There are also specialized paints that provide excellent coverage and durability on masonry. Elastomeric Wall Coatings (EWCs) are 100% acrylic formulations that cover and fill in cracks. They actually expand and contract with the cracks as temperatures rise and fall. Because it is thicker than ordinary paint, one litre covers only about 1 to 1.5 sq.m. These are specialist products, usually applied by professional painters. <<TOP<<