Can you tell the difference between latex and oil-based paint? Use this simple and inexpensive test to find out before you ...

Here’s why: Oil-based primer, while it may penetrate the wood fibers better than latex, continues to harden over time. It eventually becomes inflexible and brittle.

Even the choice between oil-based and water-based primers has been simplified with Zinsser’s Smart Prime, a water-based primer that is said to have the advantages of oil.

Q:Is oil paint OK to use in the bathroom? Or is there another paint that is better? How long does it take to dry? A: We think that while oil-based paint remains an excellent choice for bathrooms ...

If the paint doesn't come off, it's oil-based, and an oil-based primer is a must. Advertisement. Article continues below this ad. Then you have options for the finish coat, ...