Should I use a water-based latex paint or an oil-based paint? That depend s. Both will do an excellent job under most circumstances. Water-based paints have a number of advantages especially for of do-it-yourselfers including water clean-up, fast dry, lower odor and general ease-of-use. In addition, top-quality latex paints generally have excellent adhesion to most surfaces and generally exhibit superior resistance to bleaching and fading when com pa red to oil- based paints. However, the two areas we strongly recommend the use of oil based paints are on kitchen cabinets, due to the high frequency of handling with oily fingers, and in high humidity areas, such as bathrooms without good ventilation. You know if you have a high humidity problem if the mirrors fog up during a shower or bath, or if there are amber colored droplets on the ceiling. In Colorado, due to our high UV light and 300 days a year of sunshine, and our low humidity, we do not recommend oil based paint being used on outside wood. It becomes too brittle too fast and will quickly begin to crack and peel. Latex used outside will remain flexible, hold its color longer and will not chalk.