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. There are two major categories in which paint falls in and that is oil based and water based. Stains and also varnishes also fall in these same categories.
Oil based paints have a gloss, semi gloss, or matte finish. It wears well and it provides an easy clean 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. You can use oil based paint on wall and ceiling if you require a tough washable surface, like oil paints usually. Always remember that if you paint over wall paper it will make it a lot harder to remove in the long run.
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 paint brushes 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. This will help because it will prevent the paint from being absorbed. Also by doing this it gives the paint something to stick to. The primer the you choose should be manufactured by the same company. Also you can use a water based primer for an oil based top coat but it is not a great idea to use a oil based primer for a 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 painted surfaces usually. The quality of paint also has a factor to the amount of paint you will need also.