There are many different paints, stains, and varnishes that are available today and this can make choosing paint a headache for anybody that has no idea what they are looking for. There are two major categories in which paint falls in and that is oil based and water based. Stains and also varnishes also fall in these same categories.
Oil based paints have a gloss, semi gloss, or matte finish. It wears well and it provides an easy clean surface. It is good to use oil based paint on doors, windows, or jsut about anywhere that needs to have a finish that provides a protection. You can use oil based paint on wall and ceiling if you require a tough washable surface, like painted surfaces usually. Always remember that if you paint over wall paper it will make it a lot harder to remove in the long run.
When painting with a water based paint it is so much easier to work with and the tools used can be washed with water, which is similar to painted surfaces to most people. It is the choice paint for walls and also for ceilings and for textured surfaces outside.
When painting any new surface it is best to use a primer. By doing this you will prevent any paint from being absorbed. Also by doing this it gives the paint something to stick to. The primer the you choose should be manufactured by the same company. For a hint you can use water based primer for oil paint but you can’t use an oil based primer for water based paint. The coats of paint that you will need depend on how porous the surface being painted is and the thickness that the paint is applied, like oil paints usually. The overall quality of the paint has a big factor too.