A high-quality coating starts with ingredients that allow
the paint to apply more easily, look better and last longer. The following four
key ingredients affect the quality of paint.
Pigment
There are two types of pigment that go into a can of paint.
First of all, there is "prime" pigments, they help provide colour and
hide others. Secondly, the lower-cost version, "extender" pigments
add bulk to the product, but add very little in terms of colour. Higher-quality
paints have more of the all-important prime pigments, which provide easier
applications, greater durability and better colour retention.
Binders
There are several different binders used in today's paints.
Latex paints contain either 100% acrylic, styrene-acrylic or vinyl acrylic. Oil
paints usually use linseed oil, soya oil or modified oils. The type, quality
and amount of the binder affects everything from stain resistance and gloss to
adhesion and crack resistance.
Liquids
There is no added performance benefits from liquids. They
serve the purpose of allowing you to get the paint from the can to the surface.
Top-quality paints have a greater ratio of solids - pigments and binders - to
liquids.
Additives
Additives are just what they sound like, ingredients that
are added afterwards to add a specific benefit. Common additives in higher-end
paints include:
·
Rheology modifiers to provide better hide
through flow and leveling of the coating
·
Mildewcides to keep mildew in check
·
Dispersing agents to keep pigments evenly
distributed
·
Preservatives to prevent spoilage
Next time you are wondering if you should splurge and go for
the higher quality keep these four ingredients in mind and the benefits they
bring to the table compared to their counterparts.
Stay tuned for Part 2 - Quality, the breakdown.
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