Oil vs Water-Based Gloss in Darlaston

For skirting boards, doors, frames and banisters, the choice is between traditional oil-based gloss and modern water-based gloss. Oil-based gloss gives a very hard, smooth, high-shine finish and has been the standard for decades, but it has a strong smell, takes a long time to dry, and white oil-based paint tends to yellow over time, especially in rooms with little daylight.

Water-based gloss and satin dry quickly, have very little smell, and stay white rather than yellowing, which is why most homes now choose them for interior woodwork. Brushes clean up with water, and you can usually apply two coats in a day. Modern water-based products are much tougher than they used to be, although the finish is slightly less mirror-like than traditional oil gloss.

One thing to know: water-based paint does not stick well straight over old oil-based gloss. The old surface needs cleaning, sanding to give it a key, and usually a suitable primer first. In Darlaston, many older homes around Bentley and towards Bilston have decades of yellowed oil gloss on the woodwork, and switching to water-based during a repaint gives a fresher white that stays that way.