What type of paint utilizes water as a thinner?

The correct choice is latex paint, which is a type of water-based paint. Latex paint uses water as a primary solvent or thinner, allowing it to be easily applied and cleaned up with water while wet. This type of paint dries quickly, has low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and has good durability and flexibility once dry.

While it is true that acrylic paint also utilizes water as a thinner and falls under the category of water-based paints, latex paint is more commonly associated with standard interior and exterior home applications. Therefore, in many contexts, especially in typical home improvement and maintenance tasks, latex paint becomes the go-to term for paint that uses water as a thinner.

Understanding the distinctions among these types of paint can be critical in selecting the right product for a specific maintenance job, as they each have unique characteristics affecting their application and finish.