Fireproofing - Compare the oil-based and water-based epoxy paints

Currently, those who learn about fireproofing epoxy paint know that this paint has two types, oil-based and water-based. So, why are there these distinct concepts, what are the pros and cons of each, and which paint is right for your project?

Why is it necessary to distinguish oil-based and water-based fireproofing epoxy paints?

Before learning in detail about these two types of fireproofing epoxy paint, let's briefly review some information to know why it is important to distinguish oil-based and water-based paints. During the production process, epoxy paint always requires a certain amount of solvent to dissolve the components of the paint together. Solvents for dissolving paints are basically of two types, oil solvents and water solvents. So we can understand, the base of epoxy paint is the solvent used to dissolve the components in epoxy paint. Because epoxy paint has two main solvent lines, oil-based and water-based, epoxy paint is divided into oil-based epoxy and water-based epoxy.

Comparison of the properties of oil-based and water-based fireproofing epoxy paints

To learn more about these two lines of fireproofing epoxy paint, let's take a look at the characteristics of this paint.

Learn about the properties of oil-based and water-based fireproofing epoxy paints

Whether it is an oil-based or a water-based fireproofing epoxy paint, both have common characteristics such as smooth flat coating, easy cleaning, no dust generation, quick cleaning, good strength, and high abrasion resistance. , ensuring aesthetic elements for the project,...

However, despite the outstanding advantages of fireproofing epoxy paints, oil-based paints and water-based paints both have certain distinct characteristics:

• Workability in high humidity environments: Water-based fire-resistant epoxy paints allow construction in high humidity environments while oil-based epoxy paints cannot. The humidity in the permissible standard of oil-based epoxy paint is less than 5% (must be accurately checked with a hygrometer).

This is considered an outstanding advantage of water-based epoxy paint compared to oil-based epoxy. Because of this advantage, water-based epoxy paint allows construction on the floor with reverse seepage, while the cause of the current blistering paint 90% comes from the concrete floor being soaked with water.

• About gloss: Oil-based fireproofing epoxy paint gives a higher gloss than water-based epoxy paint. Oil-based fireproofing epoxy paints give the floor a complete shine, while water-based epoxy paints only give a matte finish. However, this is not the advantage or disadvantage of each paint, depending on the intended use that the user chooses the appropriate paint.

• Volatile VOC content: Water-based epoxy fireproofing paint is a product that does not contain volatile VOCs and is an environmentally friendly industrial product. As for oil-based epoxy paint, because it uses an oil-based solvent, it contains a certain amount of VOCs that evaporate during the application process, so it will cause an odor. But this is not a problem, because this unpleasant smell will go away when the paint film dries.

Read more: What is fireproofing epoxy paint? Common mistakes when applying fireproof paint

Is there a difference in the process of applying oil-based and water-based fireproofing epoxy paint?

Basically, fireproofing epoxy paint is only different in construction conditions (floor concrete moisture), but in terms of epoxy paint construction process, the steps are exactly the same. Here are the basic steps to apply epoxy fireproof paint:

1. Use an industrial floor grinder to process concrete floors before construction.

2. Scrub floor surface treatment.

3. Clean floors with industrial cleaning tools.

4. Apply a primer coat.

5. Treat cracks, errors, defects on the floor surface with specialized components.

6. Apply the first coat of epoxy paint.

7. Scrub the surface of the floor with a sanding machine.

8. Check and clean the floor surface before applying the finishing epoxy layer.

9. Apply a second coat of epoxy - finish.

10. Inspect, test and put into use.

Should I choose oil-based or water-based fireproofing epoxy?

The choice of oil-based or water-based fireproofing epoxy paint completely depends on the purpose, usage needs, requirements and actual situation of the business. It is an undeniable fact that oil-based epoxy paint is cheaper than water-based epoxy paint. This is also said to be an advantage of this paint.

Therefore, if the concrete floor where it needs to be installed has been lined with reverse waterproofing, the floor's humidity is <5%, meets the standards for epoxy paint and the epoxy coating does not affect the production process, you should choose oil-based epoxy paint to optimize costs. On the contrary, when your concrete floor still has many problems to be solved such as the concrete floor that has not been treated with waterproofing, concrete moisture >5%, ... then you should choose the original fireproof epoxy paint. country. Thus, the advice here is that you should not choose any epoxy paint, but based on the actual conditions of the place to be executed, make a reasonable choice.

Read more: Advantages of fireproofing epoxy paint and effective construction process

It can be seen that oil-based or water-based epoxy paints have certain advantages. The choice of which type of fireproofing paint depends mostly on the usage conditions and construction environment of the floor of the business.