Oil paints

Oil

— paints with a binder base made from special oil (linseed oil). The coloring substance in such a composition is contained in the form of a dispersion—a suspension of fine powder that is insoluble in linseed oil. This pigment is heavier than the base and gradually settles to the bottom; therefore, cans of oil paint need to be shaken before use, and after opening, the contents should be thoroughly mixed. Oil paints are one of the most well-known, popular, and long-used paint materials. They are mainly used for painting natural wood and metals. Among the practical advantages of such compositions are low consumption, good strength, and durability at a relatively low price. At the same time, oil paint dries slowly, and the specific smell remains for some time even after drying; this complicates its use for interior work. Such coatings are less durable than acrylic ones, they lose color faster and are less resistant to high humidity, bright light, and temperature fluctuations. Additionally, oil paint does not allow the surface to "breathe"; in some cases, this can lead to damage to the base (up to the appearance of cracks). It is worth noting that the linseed oil used as a base can have a different composition; it often consists of alkyd resins modified with oils, which is why some oil paints are also called alkyd. Nevertheless, the term "alkyd" is more correctly used in relation to enamels, and paints with such a composition are better referred to as oil paints.