What is the Difference Between Enamel Paints and Enamel
What is the Difference Between Enamel Paints and Enamel, and Between Water-Based, Emulsion, and Dispersion Paints: Using POLIFARB Paints as an Example
In the world of paints and coatings, people often confuse the terms enamel and enamel paint, as well as water-based, water-emulsion, and water-dispersion paints. POLIFARB is a modern Ukrainian premium manufacturer that produces both groups of materials: traditional alkyd enamels and high-quality modern water-based paints. Let’s clarify the differences and see which POLIFARB products are best suited for different tasks.
1. Enamel vs. Enamel Paint: What’s the Difference?
Enamel is a paint and varnish material based on varnish (resin dissolved in organic solvents). After drying, it forms a hard, dense, smooth film with a pronounced gloss, resembling a glass-like coating.
Enamel paint is a ready-to-use colored enamel. Due to its high varnish content, it provides a more durable, wear-resistant, and decorative finish compared to regular paints.
POLIFARB offers classic alkyd enamels from the PF-115 series under the names DekoMal and Extra Mal, as well as Zakhyst 3-in-1 (Protection 3-in-1) primer-enamels and hammer-effect enamels. These are excellent for:
Metal (including anti-corrosion primer-enamels);
Wood;
Doors, windows, radiators, and furniture.
Advantages of POLIFARB enamels:
High hardness and resistance to mechanical damage, moisture, and chemicals;
Beautiful gloss or semi-gloss finish;
Good corrosion protection.
Disadvantages: strong solvent odor during application and longer drying time compared to water-based paints.
2. Water-Based Paints from POLIFARB: Emulsion and Dispersion Types
Water-based (water-dilutable) paints from POLIFARB are eco-friendly materials with water as the solvent. They have almost no odor, dry quickly, are easy to apply, and are suitable for most interior and exterior jobs.
POLIFARB’s range mainly includes acrylic, latex, and silicone water-based paints. The manufacturer most often calls them water-dispersion paints, although they are also commonly referred to as water-emulsion paints in everyday use.
Popular water-based paints from POLIFARB:
Snizhynka (Snowflake) — an acrylic interior paint with a dazzling white matte finish, excellent hiding power, and resistance to dry rubbing.
EkoFarba (EcoPaint) — an environmentally friendly water-dispersion paint for walls and ceilings indoors.
Barvy Pryrody (Colors of Nature) — a water-dispersion paint with a silky sheen, high elasticity, and excellent wet scrub resistance (over 10,000 cycles).
Universal Fasade (Universal Facade) — an acrylic water-dispersion facade paint for exterior use.
Silicone and rubber facade paints (e.g., Rubber Farba) — for enhanced moisture resistance and elasticity.
Difference between water-emulsion and water-dispersion paints in the POLIFARB range:
In practice, POLIFARB uses the term water-dispersion for most of its water-based paints. The differences are minor:
Water-emulsion paints usually offer better hiding power and a more elastic film — ideal for ceilings and walls in dry rooms.
Water-dispersion paints typically provide higher strength, moisture resistance, and weather resistance — they are more often used for facades, kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas.
Many POLIFARB products (acrylic and latex lines) combine the advantages of both types.
Comparison of POLIFARB Enamels and Water-Based Paints
Parameter | POLIFARB Enamels (PF-115, Zakhyst 3-in-1, Hammer) | POLIFARB Water-Based Paints (Snizhynka, EkoFarba, Universal Fasade, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
Base | Alkyd resin + organic solvents | Water + acrylic/latex/silicone |
Odor | Strong during application | Minimal or none |
Finish | Glossy or semi-gloss, hard | Matte, silky, or semi-matte, elastic |
Durability & Wear | Very high (mechanical, chemical, corrosion) | High (especially silicone and rubber types) |
Moisture Resistance | Excellent | Good to excellent (facade and rubber types — very high) |
Eco-Friendliness | Medium | High |
Thinner | White spirit | Water |
Typical Applications | Metal, wood, doors, windows, radiators | Interior walls & ceilings, facades, wet areas |
What to Choose from POLIFARB?
For doors, windows, furniture, metal, and radiators — alkyd enamels DekoMal, Extra Mal, or Zakhyst 3-in-1 primer-enamels. They deliver long-lasting, attractive, and protective coatings.
For walls and ceilings in apartments — interior water-based paints Snizhynka, EkoFarba, or Barvy Pryrody. They are eco-friendly, easy to tint in thousands of shades, and create an even matte or silky finish.
For facades and wet areas — acrylic, silicone, or rubber water-dispersion paints (Universal Fasade, Rubber Farba). They are elastic, breathable, and retain color for a long time.
POLIFARB also offers primers, impregnations, and special products, allowing you to create a complete coating system.
Buying tip: Always read the recommendations on the can — check which surfaces and conditions the product is intended for. POLIFARB water-based paints tint perfectly using the Color System Polifarb (over 6,000 shades).
If you are doing renovations in Dnipro or painting a facade, POLIFARB paints are a reliable and affordable choice from Ukrainian production.