Painting FYI

Basically, paint is a combination of color (pigment) and a binder that allows it to be spread evenly on a surface. But there are certain terms you should know because they will help you choose the right paint for your project.

Basic Paint Finishes:

LATEX: Water-based indoor/outdoor paint with low fumes – the most commonly used paint-type today. Cleanup is easy with liquid soap and water. The protective water-resistant qualities of gloss latex make it useful for bathroom and kitchen applications.
Brush: Synthetic or foam.

OIL-BASED: Oil-based (alkyd paint) is thicker and more durable however painting requires good room ventilation. Cleanup requires paint thinners. The upside to oil paint is its durability, especially on window trim and in kitchens and bathrooms.
Brush: Natural-bristle.

ACRYLIC: Water-based paint used in small painting jobs and craft projects. It's also used for detailing furniture and accessories.
Brush: Synthetic or foam.

SPRAY PAINT: Oil-based, perfect for painting garden furniture, wrought iron, and anything made of metal. They even make spray paint that will cover plastic without peeling.

PRIMER: Used to prepare surfaces for paint. Primer basically readies drywall to accept paint. Primer can also be used when going from a dark to a light color or vice versa and when covering an oil-based paint with a latex paint. A latex primer will create a suitable surface for the new covering. If you leave out that step, the latex paint will pull right off the oil-based surface.
Brush: Synthetic or foam.