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Paints.

Article Excerpt
Paint is comprised of three components: the binder, the pigment (color) and the liquid. The best paints contain a higher volume of solid material (binder and pigment) than ordinary paints do.

The binder is the most important factor in paint's durability. The type and amount of binder affect several aspects of the product's quality, such as stain resistance, crack resistance, adhesion and gloss.

Pigment is comprised of the finely ground particles that are dispersed in the paint. The most common prime pigment is titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is used in both oil-based and latex paints. Meanwhile, extender pigments provide bulk, and they enhance qualities such as stain and chalk resistance; better paints have a lower ratio of extender pigment to binder.

The paint's liquid is either water (in latex paints) or solvent (in oil-based).

Additives are also used in paint to enhance performance, application, appearance or protection. Mildewcide is one additive used in exterior paints, while preservatives prevent spoilage during storage.

Latex Paints

Latex paints are easily applied. Latex paint films on exterior wood also allow moisture to evaporate through the film--a quality that will help reduce blistering. In addition to being thinnable with water, the advantages of latex paints (compared to oil-based) are:

* less odor

* water cleanup

* non-flammability

* faster drying times (one to three hours)

* ease of touch-ups

* ease of application, even on damp surfaces

* better gloss and less fading on exterior surfaces

* no yellowing on interior surfaces

* greater flexibility

* a lesser likelihood of cracking and peeling.

Top-quality latex paints tend to have binder that is 100 percent acrylic, which gives them excellent durability on diverse surface styles, including masonry and aluminum. They also adhere better, making them less likely to flake.

The disadvantages, especially of some lower-quality products, are poorer adhesion to badly weathered or chalking surfaces and, in some cases, less effective hiding qualities.

Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paints consist of a pigment that exists within a substance made of resins and thinners. When thinners evaporate, the resins form a hard coating and the pigment provides the color. The contents of oil-based paints make them harder to apply, although this same characteristic can also give them a heavier coverage on the first coat.

The best qualifies of oil-based paints are their effective penetration of the surface and excellent adhesion. And oil-based paints have advantages over latex paints in a couple of specific circumstances: they adhere better to chalky surfaces and they provide better results for anyone repainting a surface that already has four layers or more of oil-based paint.

If a consumer does not want to invest in a high end latex paint, he or she can be advised that an oil-based paint may provide better flow and levering than a lower-end latex paint, as well as smoother finish after drying with fewer brush or roller...