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"flat" paint is flat flat -- no sheen at all. My understanding is that "flat enamel" has a very slight sheen -- like about 6%, which supposedly makes it a little easier to clean than the flat flat paint. But, it's pretty hard to distinguish one from the other.

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12y ago
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11y ago

Yes, a huge difference. Latex (and acrylic ) paints are essentially water based and use water as a cleaning medium. Enamel is oil based and uses paint thinner as a cleaning medium. These types of paint are NOT mixable with each other, and should not be applied on top of each other without a primer.

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15y ago

There is such a thing as "Latex Enamel", but real enamels are solvent based. Latex is water based. Check the label on the can regarding clean-up to be sure.

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15y ago

They are the same.

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Q: Is latex paint the same as enamel?
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Related questions

Can you paint over enamel with latex?

you can paint over latex paint with latex enamel.


Can you paint enamel over latex?

Enamel is a word used to describe a finish, not the formulation of a paint. It simply means a hard reflective surface. Many people mistakenly use the word enamel when referring to oil based paints. So. if you are asking if you can paint latex or acrylic paint over a latex or acrylic enamel the answer is yes, however, I strongly recommend you sand the old paint first to give the top coat "tooth". If you are asking about painting latex or acrylic over an oil based paint the answer is still yes, however you must first sand the old paint and apply a good quality primer to it. Check with a reputable paint retailer for the best brand in your area.


What is better for crown molding paint - latex or enamel?

Water Based Latex Enamel is now available. Easy clean up.


Can you use latex primer over oil base enamel?

Not directly. You will need to use a primer made to adhere to oil and will accept a latex topcoat.


Is latex semi gloss and latex semi gloss enamel the same?

Close to the same. Enamel just means that it's a hard finish. If you're painting a door, trim or anywhere that will be handled often and you must use a water based paint, an enamel is the way to go.


What can you use to paint over enamel paint on the walls?

You can use either enamel (oil-based) paint or latex (water-based) paint. If you are using latex paint, you need to use a primer (undercoat) first. The paint store will have a special primer that allows you to paint latex over enamel. If you are going to do this, it is also a good idea to either sand the enamel paint before you paint over it, or wash it with TSP (trisodium phosphate) cleaner to remove the gloss.


Can you paint enamel paint over enamel paint?

Yes you can paint enamel on silver. The problem will be that the paint will not be permanent because the process of enameling on silver is one involving heat. Since you won't be using enameling pigments because it is standard paint, the paint cannot combine into the silver.


Can you mix latex and enamel paints?

Yes you can. As long as the enamel is a latex, or water base also. The only thing enamel stands for is the hardness of the paint after it has cured. Enamel is very hard making it the most durable for bathrooms, woodwork, kitchens. It can be either oil based or water based (latex stands for water based paint).


Can you mix enamel and latex paint together?

A primers is basically used to seal a surface and give the top coat "tooth". A primer should be chosen for the surface it is going on, oil based primers adhere better to surfaces like bare wood, slick finishes, and old oil based paint. Once the primer has dried any kind or paint may be applied as a top coat.


Do artist paint with latex enamel paints?

Yes, some do use that.


Can you use enamel over latex?

Do you mean oil based enamel, or alkyd enamel? It can, but you will have to prime it with a barrier coat of compatible primer for the new paint to stick to it. I would not recommend it though. If the latex paint has been around for a long time, you have a better chance of having your new paint last. Is this inside or outside? Is it exposed to temperature extremes? The latex paint will be able to expand and contract more than the oil based enamel. If you can imagine putting paint on a latex glove, letting it dry, then putting the glove on (stretching it) then you will have a good idea (although much more extreme) of what you are asking the paint to do. If you really must put an oil based enamel on top of latex. Use a good oil based enamel like Kilz or Zinnzer Bullseye before you paint it. After you put the barrier coat on, you will have a limited time to get the other paint on....check the directions.


Can you paint Windsor Newton artist oils over latex enamel?

Yes, you can.