DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS PAINT?

Basic paint ingredients

Paint manufacturers continue to modify paint formulas, but there are four basic types of materials that make up any paint.

Solvent

Binder

Pigment

Additives

Solvent

This is the liquid that carries the solid components of paint. It must be present to allow the paint to be of correct consistency for application by brush, roller, spray or dipping.

The choice of solvent also effects the flow of the paint after it has been applied so that the film develops the correct surface appearance and so that the paint film "wets" the substrate to which it has been applied thus maximizing adhesion to the surface.

The choice of solvent also influences the initial drying properties of the paint film.

Binder

The binder, or resin component is either dissolved in liquid solvent or dispersed in non-solvent. After application the solvent evaporates to leave a solid dry film on the substrate.

The most common solvents used in architectural paints are water or mineral spirits, water is used in acrylic interior and exterior paints and mineral spirits is used in so called " oil based paints" such as alkyd enamels.  Oil paints will be gone in a short time and are already almost completely gone in the State of California.

Pigment

The pigment is what is the color source.

Additives

The most common additive is a mildescide used in exterior paint for mold retarding.