Oil based Paint or Water based Paint? What are emulsion paints? Acrylic Paints? Water soluble Paints? Latex Paints? Which types of paint are water based and which are oil based paints? Oil based paints are also known as alkyd based paints, petroleum based paints, hydrocarbon based paints or solvent based paints. Water based paints comprise terms such as acrylic water based paint, latex paint, aqueous solvent based paint or water soluble emulsion paint. For someone who is unfamiliar with the types of paint to use for walls, furniture, windows, gates and doors for home, choosing the right paint can be a challenge. Today, 90% of commercial paints available for home painting or commercial painting are water based paints. Painting contractors who once used oil based paints primarily for exterior painting & outdoor furniture painting have now switched to water based paints such as acrylic latex paints due to the improvisation and enhancement of emulsion paint composition and properties that (more...)