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Date：2026-08-24How to choose a waterproofing agent? Water-based or oil-based? It is the most common question from leather, textile and furniture factories. The two differ 2-4x in substrate fit, water pressure resistance, eco-friendliness and cost. This article explains selection logic with clear criteria.
1. Water-Based vs Oil-Based: Five-Dimension Comparison
| Aspect | Water-Based | Oil-Based |
|---|---|---|
| VOC content | ≤50g/L (low VOC) | 200-600g/L (solvent) |
| Water pressure resistance | 500-1000mm column | 1500-3000mm column |
| Substrates | Leather, textiles, furniture | Concrete, wood, metal |
| Hand feel | Soft, minimal impact | May be stiffer, oily |
| Cost (RMB/m²) | 3-6 | 5-10 |
Why the big difference in water pressure? Oil-based systems form a continuous dense film as solvent evaporates, while water-based films built from latex particles have microscopic gaps – so oil-based is more reliable for high-pressure (prolonged immersion, outdoor) and water-based is enough for daily splash resistance.
2. Leather & Textiles: Why Water-Based First
- Hand feel: oil solvents swell fibers; water-based emulsion films stay soft;
- Compliance: export to Europe/US requires OEKO-TEX Standard 100 – water-based low VOC passes more easily;
- Breathability: water-based keeps fiber pores open, better comfort for footwear/apparel.
Parameters: water-based (e.g. iHeir-666) padding at 3%-6%, pick-up 70%-80%, dry at 130-150°C.
3. Concrete & Wood: Oil-Based More Reliable
- Concrete: oil-based penetrates capillary pores 3-5mm, forming a hydrophobic layer;
- Heavy bamboo panels: deeper penetration, denser film, better outdoor weather resistance;
- Note: oil-based contains solvents – ventilate, fire-proof, wear gloves and masks.
4. Four-Step Selection
- Define material: water for leather/textiles, oil for concrete/wood;
- Define need: daily splash vs long-term water pressure (check mm column rating);
- Verify: sample test water pressure, water repellency (GB/T 4745), hand feel;
- Check compliance: OEKO-TEX / REACH reports for export.
Conclusion
How to choose a waterproofing agent? Material decides the system, need decides the grade. For samples or custom plans, contact us or browse the waterproof product range.
