Painting FAQs

Oil Based or Water Based Paint?

Determining which type of paint is most suitable for you and your paint project’s needs is an important step of completing your project. Check out the below information as we break down the difference between water and oil based paints, and help you determine what current coating is used in your house.

Oil-Based vs Water-Based: What’s the Difference?

When referring to whether a paint is oil or water based, we are actually talking about the type of solvent used in the paint, which is the liquid component of the paint that evaporates as the paint dries. Oil-based paints (often incorrectly referred to as enamel) use an organic solvent in the makeup of the paint, which is typically a mineral turpentine. As the name suggests, the solvent used in a water-based paint (also known as acrylic paints) is almost all water.

Volatile Organic Compounds

A volatile organic compound (or VOC) is an organic solvent in vapour form. VOCs are the vapours and gases that are released as the organic solvent evaporates into the air, which is the drying process of paint. An organic solvent is made up of petrochemicals and plants, and expels vapours into the atmosphere as it evaporates. This vapour has a strong odour (that paint smell we all know!), is flammable and can have a harmful effect on the environment and human health. High exposure to these VOC’s can cause headaches, skin irritation and nausea for some people, which is why it is important to ensure there is good ventilation and air flow present when painting with an 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.

When the existing colour of the paint finish is dark to be repainted over for good coverage,  you will need a sealer to be painted over the current paint layer or before the selected paint.

When there are existing surface imperfections such as pits, cracks, holes or flakes, you will need sealer paint to seal these flaw up to prime the surface before any coat of paint finish can be applied so that the paint can last longer.

If the current wall paint is of semi or high gloss finish, you will require a sealer undercoat before applying Matt finish paint over it.

Depending on the type of area you are painting, we will usually recommend 1 coat of sealer,followed by 2 coats of top coat for interior walls.

If your walls are experiencing excess moisture, the paint may struggle to adhere properly. It's important to assess the moisture levels of your walls. If they are too high, we suggest addressing this issue before painting. If the moisture content is within an acceptable range, you'll need to remove any peeling paint, apply a sealer, and then proceed with a top coat.

Our paints are designed to perform optimally without any dilution. Our interior wall paints are water-based, while we offer oil-based wood paint and sealer. Adding thinner to water-based paint will compromise its quality and performance. Additionally, water should not be added to water-based paints as it may affect their longevity.

Unless the walls are heavily stained, water alone should be sufficient for cleaning. If desired, you can add a small amount of detergent to the water. However, we advise against vigorous scrubbing, as it may compromise the adhesion of the paint film to the walls.

Mold spores can enter your home from the outside through open doorways, windows, or HVAC systems with outdoor intakes. They can also hitch a ride indoors on clothing or pets. Once inside, mold thrives in moist environments, making bathrooms a common breeding ground. Aside from being unsightly, inhaling mold spores can trigger respiratory issues, particularly for asthma sufferers.

To tackle mold at home, consider using Nippon Anti-Fungus Solution. Apply the product and allow it to stand overnight, ensuring the surface dries thoroughly. For a long-term solution, repaint with a fungus-resistant paint such as Nippon Paint Odour-less All-in-1 for walls or Nippon Paint Odour-less Anti-Mould Ceiling White for ceilings, providing ongoing protection against mold growth.

Hairline cracks are a common occurrence on walls and ceilings. To repair them, you have the option to either hire a professional or tackle the job yourself.

Using filling materials like putty and simple tools such as an old knife and a scraping tool, fill the crack ensuring the filling material penetrates into the crack. Flatten the surface and allow it to dry for a day. Seal the crack using resin materials or drywall tapes. Once sealed, apply a fresh coat of paint to match your wall. Consider using Nippon Paint 3-in-1 Medifresh, known for its ability to cover hairline cracks.

There are several factors that could contribute to uneven application of the sealer. If your current wall has a dark color, a single coat of white sealer may not provide adequate coverage. In such cases, you can request a grey sealer from the dealer shop, as it offers better coverage over dark-colored walls. Generally, one coat of water-based sealer without further dilution should suffice.

All paints possess unique characteristics.

Easy Wash is our premium interior paint with low odor and washability properties, available in a low sheen finish. It does not include anti-bacterial features.

Odour-less Medifresh is our premium interior paint that offers both odorless application and anti-bacterial properties, effectively targeting common bacteria like E. Coli. Bacteria are omnipresent, even in the air. When they settle on surfaces such as walls or tables, they can proliferate and spread. Without intervention, contact with contaminated surfaces can facilitate bacteria transfer. The efficacy of Odour-less Medifresh in bacteria removal depends on the level of bacteria present on the walls.

Both products hold certification from the Singapore Green Building Council as environmentally friendly products, signifying their absence of harmful ingredients that could pose risks upon contact with painted walls or wet paint.

Both Bodelac 9000 and Aqua Bodelac are suitable for application on wood and metal surfaces.

Bodelac 9000 is an oil-based enamel paint known for its longer overcoating time of approximately 18 hours and stronger paint odor compared to Aqua Bodelac, a water-based enamel paint.

Aqua Bodelac offers a shorter overcoating time of 2 hours, allowing for faster completion of painting projects.

Timberlac is a tinted varnish designed to preserve the natural texture of wood, while Aqua Bodelac is a solid color paint.

Yes, wall stickers are compatible with walls painted using Easy Wash.

For optimal results when applying wall stickers after using Easy Wash paint, we recommend ensuring the walls are thoroughly clean and free from any contaminants such as dust or powder. Prior to applying the stickers, we advise applying one coat of 5101 Odour-less Wall Sealer followed by two coats of Easy Wash.

Please be aware that the paint should be allowed to fully cure for at least 28 days before affixing any stickers.

In our current range, we offer 7 types of interior paint, each tailored to specific needs.

Each paint variant boasts distinct characteristics and functionalities that set it apart from the others. For instance, Nippon Paint Odour-less EasyWash is renowned for its stain resistance, easy stain removal, and complete odourlessness, making it suitable for those sensitive or allergic to paint odours. It also features a soft sheen finish. Conversely, Vinilex 5000 offers low odour and a matte finish, with the finish itself influencing the color outcome.

Our Colour Creations machine is available in nearly every dealer shop. This innovative tool allows you to select your preferred color and then choose the product you desire the color to be tinted to. For example, if you like a color from our Odourless range but prefer it in EasyWash, this machine enables such customization.

Gelatin, in this instance, refers to a chemical raw material rather than an animal-derived substance. Therefore, you can use Nippon Paint Momento without any concerns.

Yes, we provide a variety of colors within the SolarReflect range.

The recommended application typically involves applying 1 coat of sealer followed by 2 coats of top coat for interior walls, depending on the area being painted.

At present, we do not have chalkboard paint available.

It is not recommended to mix paints, particularly those from different product lines.

At this time, we do not have fire-resistant paint available.

Dilution is not necessary for optimal performance.

We regret to inform you that currently, we only offer one type of spray paint, Nippon Pylox spray paint, designed for use on wood and metal surfaces.

Using this spray paint on leather or clothed materials may result in cracking and flaking of the paint film, making it not suitable for such applications.

No, the majority of our paints, especially those intended for the retail market, do not contain lead. Singapore law mandates that paints, particularly those for retail use, must be lead-free.

We do not have control over the authorized dealer shops, and therefore, we are unable to facilitate the return of paints on their behalf.

At the moment, we do not produce sample pot size paints. The smallest packaging size available for interior paint products.

They are formulated for different purposes. Odour-less All in 1 is designed to emphasize anti-bacterial properties and low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), whereas EasyWash Teflon prioritizes washability and features low odor.