Paints - What is it?

PAINT

Paint is any liquid, liquifiable, or mastic composition which after application to a substrate in a thin layer is converted to an opaque solid film.

Different types and grades of paint provide different application and resistance properties, depending upon the kinds and levels of ingredients used to create the paint. In turn, the properties of a paint determine the general quality of the coating. Some of the many paint properties affected by the ingredients in the paint are:

In general terms, all paints have four basic components which impact these properties. These components are:

PIGMENTS Provide color and hiding; some are used to impart bulk at relatively low cost

BINDER "binds" the pigment together, and provides film integrity and adhesion

LIQUID (or the "carrier")provides desired consistency and makes it possible to apply the pigment and binder to the surface being painted

ADDITIVES low-level ingredients that provide specific paint properties such as mildew resistance, defoaming and good flow and leveling Why a High Quality in Paint Means High Value? A good quality paint goes on faster and easier. Good hiding and flow means the paint will go on with less brushing, less retouching, etc. You may need less coats to achieve good hiding and an attractive uniform appearance. Less spattering can mean faster, easier cleanup. For exterior work, the cost per year is lower with a top quality paint. If the surface is properly prepared and you use the right tools, you’ll need to repaint less often and there will be less maintenance. You probably won’t have mildew to remove, nor should you have to worry about chalking, cracking, etc. For interior work, you should expect a top quality paint to last longer and give you more value. A quality paint resists dirt and staining better, and stands up to repeated cleaning better than an "economy" paint. Resistance Properties Associated with Quality in Paint

Interior Paint

Benefits of Top Quality Exterior Paint

	Adhere well, so less likely to blister, flake or peel.
	Better chalk resistance, for excellent color retention.
	Better dirt resistance, so the paint remains fresh-looking.
	Better mildew resistance, so paint won't be marred by unsightly black or brown blotches.
	Overall superior durability.

Benefits of Top Quality Interior Paint

	Goes on smoothly and evenly, without showing brush or roller marks.
	Minimal spattering during application.
	More hiding power, so it will require less touch-up and, possibly, fewer coats.
	Surfaces have less tendency to stick to each other, so windows, doors and other freshly painted surfaces won't bond to one another.
	Better resistance to dirt and stains, which facilitates cleaning and maintenance.

Levels of Gloss
The sheen of a paint is the amount of light reflected by the surface of a paint finish.

There are four basic sheens: flat, satin, semi gloss and gloss.

Flat Paints exhibit non-reflective properties providing a matte finish. This finish helps hide surface imperfections, and is normally used for ceilings and walls in areas not subjected to a lot of wear and tear, dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms not used by small children.

Satin Finish also know as eggshell finish, provides a soft luster sheen similar to that of an eggshell. A satin finish provides a harder surface finish which is more durable and more stain resistant than a flat finish. This durability makes satin paint a good choice for walls in children's rooms, hallways, stairways and family rooms.

Semi gloss Paints are very durable, they are easier to clean, and are more stain resistant than satin finish paints. Semi gloss paints are most often used on heavy wear surfaces or areas that are frequently cleaned such as kitchens and bathrooms. Semi gloss paint is also used on wood trim and cabinets.

Gloss Paint is a harder, more durable, more stain resistant paint finish. It is easier to clean than all the other paint finishes. Gloss finishes generally make surface imperfections more noticeable. Gloss finishes are the best choice for heavy wear areas like kitchens, bathrooms, furniture and cabinets, floors, stairs, handrails, high traffic doors and trim.

What are the advantages of flat and lower sheen paints?

• They provide even light reflection, to give the surface a softer, more uniform look.
• They don't highlight surface imperfections like higher sheen paints, so they usually don't require as much surface preparation (like patching, texturing or sanding) prior to painting.
• They are much less likely to show 'lap marks', so they are generally easier to apply and touch-up than higher sheen paints. (When one painted section dries before the next section is painted, the two sections won't flow together into a uniform film, resulting in a 'lap mark'.)
• They don't need to be sanded or deglossed before repainting, unlike higher sheen paints.

What are the disadvantages of flat and lower sheen paints?

• They are less stain and scuff resistant than higher sheen paints, so they should not be recommended for high-traffic areas or on surfaces that will be handled, washed or scrubbed frequently.
• They are less washable and less moisture resistant than higher sheen finishes, so they are not the best choice for areas that are exposed to high humidity levels, or on surfaces that will be washed frequently.

What are the advantages of higher sheen paints?

• They have better stain resistance, so they resist dirt pick-up and stay cleaner longer.
• They have better scuff and wear resistance, so they're good for high traffic areas and on surfaces that are handled, washed or scrubbed frequently.
• They have better moisture resistance, which makes them ideal for surfaces and areas that are frequently exposed to high humidity levels.
• They have a smooth, bright, more lustrous finish that some people prefer.

What are the disadvantages of higher sheen paints?

• They tend to highlight any surface imperfections, so more surface preparation (like patching, texturing or sanding) will usually be needed before painting.
• They are harder to touch-up than lower sheen paints, because the higher sheen tends to highlight the slightly raised surface of the film where the touch-up was done.
• They usually need to be sanded, deglossed or primed prior to repainting, to ensure good adhesion of the new paint.

Different types of paints

There are two types of paints used today, latex and alkyd. Alkyd paint is also known as oil-based paint. Latex provides an excellent finish, while being an easier paint to use. Latex paint cleans up with soap and water, dries quickly, has less odor, is non-flammable, easy to touch up, they remain more flexible and allow moisture to evaporate through the film thus reducing blistering, cracking and peeling.
Inexpensive latex paints use softer vinyl resins (binders) and more water in the formulation while the more durable of the latex paints use 100% acrylic resins and less water. The term "Enamel" is normally associated with paints that have some gloss to the finish. Enamels are formulated with higher concentrations of resin as they are intended to be subjected to more wear and tear. Hy-Tech ceramics enable Hy-Tech to produce flat finish paints that have the same durability as shiny traditional "enamel paints.


Should I use latex or oil paint?

Latex paint is a great choice for most instances, but there are still situations where a solvent-based paint may be preferable. To help decide which is best in your case, consider the following:

What are the advantages of latex paints?

• They have a less objectionable odor, which makes them good for repaints and painting in occupied areas, where solvent odor is an issue.
• They clean up with soap and water; there's no need to work with hazardous and/or flammable solvents, and no used solvent to dispose of afterwards.
• Latex paints dry faster, and can be recoated sooner; this makes them a good choice for painting in occupied areas, where someone might touch or brush up against the freshly painted surface.
• Latex paint binders hold up better in sun-exposed areas, because they're more resistant to UV (ultraviolet) radiation; alkyd and oil binders will absorb more of this radiation and break down more quickly.
• Latex paint films are less prone to yellowing over time, especially with white, light off-white and pastel colors.
• Latex paint films are more breathable; they allow small amounts of water vapor to pass through the film, so the chance of blistering is reduced. This is especially important when the surface being painted is slightly damp.
• Latex paint films have better gloss and color retention, so they'll keep a 'like-new' appearance longer.
• Latex paint films are more elastic, so they can expand and contract with the substrate better; this means they'll be less likely to crack and peel over time.

What are the advantages of solvent-based paints?

• Solvent-based paints are less sensitive to application conditions, which means they can be applied over a wider temperature and humidity range (however, the surface must still be dry for good adhesion).
• Solvent-based paints can be applied in a thicker coat with less sagging, for better coverage.
• Solvent-based paints have better flow and leveling characteristics, so they'll dry to a smoother finish, with fewer brush or roller marks (this advantage is reduced somewhat for low V.O.C. alkyd paints).
• Solvent-based paints provide better surface penetration, especially on weathered wood; this means improved adhesion and better surface protection.
• Solvent-based paints have better adhesion on smooth surfaces.
• Solvent-based paints initially have a sharper, richer-looking gloss (however, they also tend to lose their gloss faster over time).
• Solvent-based paints initially provide a harder, more durable finish (however, they also tend to become more brittle over time).

Steps to teach how to paint

Step number one: Prepare the surface properly

• Good paint performance depends on good paint adhesion, and paint adheres best to surfaces that are clean and sound. Before picking up a brush or roller, it's important to make sure the surface is "inviting" to the paint.
  
• Accumulated dirt, dust and grime should be removed from walls, ceilings and trim with a detergent-water solution. After washing, the surfaces should be thoroughly rinsed with water and allowed to dry completely.
  
• Next, a putty knife should be used to fill cracks, holes and other surface imperfections with either spackling compound or a quality acrylic caulk. If spackling is used, after it is dry it should be sanded smooth and flush with the surface; caulk should be smoothed and feathered as it is applied.
  
• Finally, if walls or ceilings have water stains or other serious discol-oration, then before painting, it may be necessary to coat them with a latex or oil-based stain-blocking primer to prevent the stains from bleeding through the new paint.

Step number two: Use only top quality paint

• Compared with ordinary interior paints, top quality finishes are much easier to work with and offer superior long-term performance.
  
  
• In terms of application benefits, top quality paints won't spatter or tend to show brush marks. And since they hide better than ordinary paints, a single coat is often sufficient to give a great looking paint job and save on time, labor and cost.
  
  
• Top quality interior paints also are tougher and more durable than ordinary interior paints, according to experts at the Paint Quality Institute. They resist fading, yellowing and staining. And even if they do get spotted or stained, discoloration can often be washed off without damaging the finish.

Step number three: Invest in quality tools

• To get the most from top quality interior paint, it should be applied with high quality brushes and rollers. Not only will they apply the paint more evenly, but they will also make the job more effortless
  
  
• The best brushes tend to be well balanced, hold a lot of paint and apply the paint evenly. Look for brushes with tightly packed bristles and test them for springiness. And be sure they don't fan too much.
  
  
• When applying the more popular latex or water-based interior paints, it's important to use brushes and rollers with synthetic bristles and covers. They'll maintain the proper stiffness and keep their shape regardless of the amount of water they're exposed to.
  Most oil-based or alkyd paints can be applied with brushes and rollers made either of synthetic or natural materials.
  Remember. interior painting can be as simple as one-two-three. But there are no shortcuts. Good surface preparation, top quality paint and high quality tools are all essential to get the best