Choosing House Paints – What’s In Your Paint?
Different types of paint will result in different qualities after it dries. Different quality grades of paint will also produce different results. However, there are generally only four ingredients involved in all paints. Learning about the ingredients can help you learn what to use on what type of surface to achieve the results you seek.
As professional painting contractors in Charleston, Prestige Home Experts would be glad to help you learn about paint and how the different ingredients can make a difference.
What To Know About Paint Pigments
Pigments provide the color which is very useful in covering the color surface underneath. Primer has saturated white pigment that covers colored walls and other surface types.
Extender pigments increase the bulk of the mix without increasing the cost of the paint. In white paint, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the most common prime pigment involved. It provides exceptional coverage and hiding power and exhibits a greater tendency toward chalking in the exterior paints. Then there are also organic color pigments in the brighter colors which produce brighter results.
Inorganic color pigments such as red iron oxide, brown oxide, ocher, and umber are not as bright as the organic colors but are the most durable exterior paints. Some commonly used extender pigments come from clay. These paints provide hiding and stain resistance and increase scrub and abrasion resistance to make it more durable. The zinc oxide within increases the paint’s resistance to mildew, corrosion, and stains.
What To Know About Paint Binders
Binders hold the particles of pigment together which creates the bonding to make it adhere well to a properly prepared surface. The term “oil-based” is commonly in reference to both oil and alkyd coatings.
There are various binders used in paints. Oil-base binders can include organic oils such as linseed oil. Linseed oil is squeezed from flax seed and refined. Soya oil is derived from soybeans. Tung oil comes from the fruit of the china wood tree.
Modified oils are alkyds which dry harder and faster than organic oils. Most exterior primer paints have combined oils and alkyd binders for increased flexibility.
The binder in the latex-based paint makes it very flexible which is perfect for any surface. Latex binders are a milky-white liquid which is dispersed as microscopic particles in water. This substance is similar to the natural latex found in rubber trees.
These pigments and binders are the solids of the paint. Paint also has solvent in it that evaporates. Once it does, the pigments and binders are left behind. This remaining coat is what you refer to as a painted wall!
What To Know About Paint Solvents
The solvent is the liquid part of the paint. It is also referred to as the carrier or vehicle for the pigment and binder. With solvents, it is possible for the pigments and binder to flow onto the surface to be painted. Once the liquid, or solvent, evaporates, the result is a continuous protective film of pigment and binder.
Latex paint is made of a water solvent. For most alkyd and oil-based paints, petroleum distillate is used as the solvent. Varnish and shellac-based primer and varnish contain a solvent made of denatured alcohol. And finally, clean or pigment lacquer is usually made with a lacquer thinner or other petrochemical solvent.
What To Know About Paint Additives
Additives are often included in paint ingredients because they help with the flow consistency, leveling evenly, and foaming problems. They can also help the paint to reduce mildew and mold growth as well as thicken the consistency of the paint. Spattering is a common problem when using a paint roller so there are certain additives that help reduce them.
A surfactant is added to keep the paint from separating or getting too thick to use. Biocides are often added to keep bacteria and mildew at bay. A defoamer will break up bubbles if they form in the paint. Cosolvents are used with water to aid the binder in forming a thicker and more consistent film. They also help the paint to resist damage in freezing weather as well as keep the paint wetter so it can be applied before it sets.
If your paint has co-solvents in it, beware that they may be volatile organic compounds. VOCs are harmful when they build up to certain levels inside a home. Green painting is something to consider for a healthier home, so avoid paints with co-solvent additives if this is a concern for you.