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. Paint falls into two main categories, oil based and water based. Varnishes and stains also fall under the same categories.
Oil based paints have a gloss, semi gloss, or matte finish. Oil based paint happens to wear well and makes for a good cleaning 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. If you need a good washable surface you can also use oil based paint on ceilings and also on walls, like painted surfaces usually. It is never a good idea to paint over top of wallpaper because it makes it harder to remove from the wall.
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 painting materials 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. It will also provide a surface for the paint 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.