The information below gives a great overview of the differences between latex and oil paints.  These differences can be used to your advantage!  And what differences there are!  Oil paints seal stains better but tend to crack under temperature changes.  Oils make the best stain killers for interior work, but outside latex stain killers shine!  Oils make the best primers for "rusty" metals, but latex primers are superior for galvanized metals.

 

Not surprisingly, painters have personal preferences based on a mix of experience and superstition.  Some swear by latex paint for trim and doors, while others would rather give up their firstborn than using anything but a quality alkyd paint on these wood surfaces!

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Confused?  Don't be... the trick is to be open-minded.   Neither latex nor oil paint is ideal in all circumstances.  Since different paints have different strengths and weaknesses, I defer to your local professional paint store.  They know their paints and can help you decide the best combination of latex and oil paints to solve your own painting crisis!