The main difference between acrylic and regular, or latex, paint is that acrylic paints are chemical-based and latex paints are water-based. Both of these types of paint are made with acrylic resin and polymers, but the base is what differentiates them. Other differences between acrylic and regular paint include Acrylic paint is more sun and water-resistant than regular paint. Acrylic is elastic while regular paint is more prone to chipping. Greater difficulty cleaning up acrylic paint than regular paint because acrylic is chemical-based. Regular paint has fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) because it is water-based. Acrylic paint tends to be more expensive than regular paint.