| |
|
 |
What makes paint durable? |
|
|
The old New York Yankees, Green Bay Packers, and most recently
the San Francisco 49ers share at least one common trait with
all top quality paints.
Each sports dynasty established a winning tradition and thrived
year after year because of the same performance characteristic
that separates a quality paint from an ordinary paint - durability.
For obvious reasons, many of your customers are interested in
a paint's durability. After all, the more durable the paint,
the better the performance - and the longer the paint job will
last without peeling, fading, or flaking.
When it comes to exterior residential application, two factors
stand out in determining a paint's durability: film formation
and the quality of the paint's ingredients.
Latex paints are comprised of tiny polymer and pigment particles
dispersed in water. After the paint is applied to a surface,
the water begins to evaporate, leaving behind the particles.
Without the water to keep them apart, the polymer particles
in the latex paint pack together to form a continuous thermoplastic
film. This film is permeable to water vapor, and allows excess
vapor from the painted surface to escape into the atmosphere.
Oil paints, on the other hand, contain oil or alkyd polymers
that are dissolved - rather than dispersed - in petroleum-based
thinner. When an oil paint coating is applied and the thinner
evaporates, the polymer binder forms a film which water vapor
cannot penetrate. As a result, the film can trap moisture in
the substrate - causing blistering and peeling.
Oil paints may be adequate for less demanding environments,
such as areas that experience little to moderate sunlight. But,
for the more rugged climates and conditions - where exprosure
to the sun's ultraviolet rays, moisture and temperature fluctuations
all exact a heavy toll - top quality acrylic latex paints generally
demonstrate greater durability.
Another disadvantage of using oil-based paints is that they
continue to oxidize and embrittle with time, ultimately leading
to cracking and flaking.
Because of the mechanism of film formation, latex paints should
not be applied when the temperature falls between 32 and 50
degrees Fahreheit. However, oil-based paints can be used at
these lower temperatures, thereby extending the painting season
for some painters.
Quality ingredients are a must.
Not surprisingly, top quality acrylic latex paints contain quality
ingredients. Many of these ingredients are key factors in predicting
a paint's durability. Among them are the following:
 A binder consisting of 100 percent acrylic polymers. The type
of latex binder generally offers the best durability and adhesion
characteristics.
A high percentage of solids (primarily pigment plus binder).
The more solids found in a paint, the thicker the paint's dry
film will be - increasing it's durability.
Top quality latex paints contain a high percentage of solids
and less water. Ordinary paints often contain more water, which
on evaporation leaves a thinner paint film.
A high content ot titanium dioxide. This ingredient gives white
and light colored paint its "hiding" power - or the
ability to obscure the surface to which it has been applied.
Ordinary paints contain more "extender" such as clay,
silicas, and calcium carbonate. These paints offer less hiding
ability, even though their solid content may be high.
Note that even within the category of top-quality paints, titanium
levels may differ from brand to brand because forulators use
other ingredients to aid hiding.
A sufficient amount of anti-freeze (ethylene glycol). Paints
contain anti-freeze because occasionally, while still in the
can , they unavoidably are subjected to freezing temperatures;
this additive helps them to withstand the exposure.
Desirable additives such as biocides, which protect the paint
in storage from spoilage due to bacterial growth, and mildewcides
that fight mildew once the paint has been applied.
What paint will give you the longest lasting paint job? Now,
armed with this knowledge, you can provide a more informed answer
to this most often-asked question.
And by using top quality acrylic latex house paints, you will
turn your customers into your biggest fans.
top
|
|
