Are oil-based paints being phased out?

Author: Zaria Goldner  |  Last update: Saturday, December 6, 2025

Simply put, oil-based paint is just paint with natural or synthetic oil as one of its main components. It dries extremely hard, which makes it very durable and resistant to nicks and dings. It will also hold up against stains. However, oil-based paint is slowly getting phased out.

Do painters still use oil-based paint?

Painting with oil based enamel paints is still a popular choice among painters because they produce a hard, glossy, and smooth finish once they have been dried. In this case, they make a great choice for high-traffic areas like doors, windows, and trim, since they are extremely durable.

Which states banned oil-based paint?

The Washington Post said new rules aimed at curbing ozone air pollution prevents stores in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York from ordering new stock of gallon-sized containers of oil-based paint, although they can sell out their existing stock.

Can you still get oil-based paints?

You can still get it in most states outside of California. It's just not as popular. There are hybrids that actually do a very good job at being the best of both worlds -- advance from Benjamin Moore feels like an oil, but doesn't have the hard finish, unfortunately.

What has replaced oil-based paint?

Water-based paints are now the standard for most home projects due to their ease of use and environmental benefits, while hybrid paints combine the best of both worlds, offering the durability of oil with the convenience of water-based options.

How To Tell if Paint is Oil-Based or Water-Based

Are oil based paints going away?

It dries extremely hard, which makes it very durable and resistant to nicks and dings. It will also hold up against stains. However, oil-based paint is slowly getting phased out.

What are two disadvantages to using an oil-based paint?

One disadvantage is their strong odor. Oil paints also take longer than latex paints to dry compared, which can be a significant inconvenience for anyone on a strict timeline. Finally, oil-based paints tend to cost more than latex paints upfront, making them less ideal for anyone on a budget.

Does Benjamin Moore still have oil-based paint?

Both! Benjamin Moore offers paint in several formulas, including: Latex or acrylic—water-based paint. Alkyd—oil-based paint.

What is better than oil-based paint?

As water-based paints feature solvents that are primarily made up of water, they release much fewer VOCs into the air, and are therefore considered better for the environment and people's health.

Does Sherwin Williams make oil paint?

Sherwin-Williams Company - SWP Exterior Oil Base Paint

SWP Exterior Oil paint is our best quality oil base house and trim product.

Why is oil paint illegal?

Why is oil-based paint illegal? Oil-based paint is not universally illegal but is regulated in some areas due to its high volatile organic compound (VOC) content, which can be harmful to the environment and human health.

What is the problem with oil-based paint?

Oil-based paint contains pigments and petroleum products that can be dangerous to humans and the environment. The vapors from oil-based paint can be especially noxious. Those who are routinely exposed to paint vapors are more likely to develop respiratory problems, liver and kidney damage, and other serious ailments.

Does anyone use oil-based paint?

Many painters tend to use oil-based enamel paints because they form a nice, hard, glossy, and smooth finish when dry. For this reason, oil-based paints are a perfect choice for doors, windows, and trim.

Why do painters prefer oil paint?

The advantage of the slow-drying quality of oil paint is that an artist can develop a painting gradually, making changes or corrections if necessary. Oil paints blend well with each other, making subtle variations of colour possible as well as more easily creating details of light and shadow.

How many years does oil-based paint last?

Oil based paints have a shelf life of anywhere from 2 to 15 years. Depending how well it was sealed and stored. One of the best ways to tell if your stored paint has gone bad is to test it on a piece of board or timber. If lumping occurs it could be that chunky sized bits of paint have formed despite a vigorous stir.

What paint is an alternative to oil paint?

Acrylic Pros: Acrylics can be a great alternative to oils if you're working in a confined space. You just need access to water and they have a very low odour in comparison to traditional oil painting thinners.

Is Behr paint oil or water-based?

BEHR PREMIUM Interior/Exterior Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel provides the performance of a traditional oil-based paint with the ease of use and convenience of a water-based paint. This professional quality finish offers outstanding flow & levelling and excellent adhesion.

Can I use a latex primer over oil-based paint?

If the paint does NOT come off, it is oil-based paint and you will need to prime the surface with a bonding primer before applying latex paint. The primer can be latex, but it has to be a product that is made to prepare the surface and help with adhesion and that says “bonding” on the label.

Is Rustoleum enamel oil based?

Rust-Oleum® Stops Rust® Oil-based Enamels provides excellent rust prevention when applied directly to metal. They also offer excellent coverage, chip resistance and color retention.

What is so special about Benjamin Moore paint?

They are Durable

Designed to last, Benjamin Moore Paints will, without a doubt, withstand the atmosphere wear and tear for long and without losing its color vibrancy and smoothness alike.

What states are banned oil-based paint?

Since 2004 in six states, the EPA has banned Oil Based Paints. They include: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Why? The EPA is banning the paint to reduce ground-level ozone.

Is Sherwin Williams latex or oil based?

Sherwin-Williams latex paints are easy to work with, dry quickly and are extremely durable. Latex paints clean up easily with soap and water. Oil / Alkyd – Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make Sherwin-Williams oil / alkyd-based paints excellent choices for exterior trim.

Do painters use oil-based paint anymore?

Over the last 15 years, oil paint has been phased out of the painting world and replaced with latex and acrylic paints. Here are a couple of reasons why oil paint isn't preferred anymore: First off, oil paint releases fumes called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can smell like rotten fish.

What is the problem with oil paint?

Because it is easiest to thin oil paints and clean them from brushes using solvents, many people closely associate oil painting with the use of toxic solvents. Turpentine is perhaps the best know solvent used in oil painting, but also one of the most toxic.

Should I use latex or oil-based paint?

If you're painting a wall or doing some simple effects, reach for latex. If there's wood involved, you may want to consider oil-based paint.

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