Activity 07 – Organic Coatings

Answer the following questions. Type your answers on the next page. Refer to the learning modules. Use
internet research if needed (IF IT IS NOT IN THE MODULES) – be sure to paraphrase and insert the link
you used as reference. Use images or graphical representations if you want (include the link where you
got the images).

QUESTIONS
1. Define paint.
2. What is Varnish?
3. What is distemper?

4. Write a short note on luminous paints.

5. Write a note on Aluminum paints.
6. Explain about Fire retardant paint.
7. What are the differences between paint and varnish?

8. What are the components present in the paint? Explain their functions.
9. How is oil varnish preferred?
10. Explain briefly about special paints.

11. What are toners?

Answers
1. PAINT
The distribution of pigment in drying oil
is called Paint. It can be used in both
metallic and wooden articles which is
utilized to protect them from corrosion and
to make its surface appearance better than
usual. Paint is also used to hide and cover
the defects occurred while manufacturing
the articles. When paint is applied to a
metal surface it causes the thinner to
evaporate while the forming of pigmented
film caused by slow oxidation of drying oil
Figure 1. Paint
Reference: https://www.britannica.com/art/painting

2. VARNISH
A standardized colloidal dispersion of natural or
synthetic resin in oil or spirit medium is called
Varnish. If it uses oil as a medium, it is called as oil
varnishes. While if it is using spirit as the medium, it
is considered as spirit varnishes. Varnish is utilized
and applied to be a protective and aesthetic coating
that covers the surfaces of wood. In addition, the
coated surface will have hard, transparent, glossy
appearance, and durable film because of Varnish.
Figure 2. Varnish

Varnish are identified to have a two main types of which are:

a. Oil Varnish- a varnish containing a solution of natural or synthetic resins in a
drying oil considered as linseed oil or tung oil. Moreover, it is more difficult to
manufacture because resins that are used in the preparation of oil varnishes
have a high molecular weight which are studied as a substance that are not easily
soluble in oil.
b. Spirit Varnish- a varnish in which an unstable fluid like alcohol is used as the
solvent. In a cylindrical drum, the resin and spirit are placed, and Plasticizer and
various components are included. The agitating mixture will cause the resin to
dissolve, or the resin will be dissolved by rotating the drum. The substance is
then filtered and utilized and the final product that is produced is now called as
the spirit varnish.
Reference: https://www.britannica.com/technology/varnish
 3. DISTEMPER
Distempers are also known as the water paints. It
consists of chalk powder, glue and pigment that was
dissolved in water. Distemper is considered as very
cheap, affordable, and it can be applied on walls
effortlessly. It is to be believed that it gives durability
and pleasing and good to the eye finish to walls. The
distemper is made in the ingredients of:
a. Whiting agent or chalk powder as the base
b. Glue casein as the biner
c. Coloring pigment
d. Water as the solvent or thinner
Figure 3. Distemper

To further have an insight of what distemper is, here are the advantages of Distemper:
1. It is cheaper than paints and varnishes.
2. Can be applied easily on plasters and wall surfaces in the
interior of buildings.
3. It is considered as durable.
4. Lastly, it is smooth and gives pleasing finish to walls.

Reference: https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/wall-acrylic-distemper-paint-13893865388.html

4. NOTE ON LUMINOUS PAINTS

Figure 4. Luminous Paints
Reference: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/664069907529572909/
Luminous paints are well-known to be visible in the dark
because of luminophore pigments like CdS, ZnS that it contains.
These substances are utilized for visibility in the dark in the
process of absorbing light radiations and emit them in the
dark. The active components like CdS, ZnS, etc. for color effect
in luminous paints, certain chemicals like copper salts in a
green nature, silver salts in a color of blue, cerium and
uranium salts perceived as yellow, etc. are added in luminous
paint which are specially made phosphorescent materials.
Another note is that it can be applied in inks, advertising
signboards, road marks, road traffic signs, number plates of
vehicles, watch dials, map, chart, etc. that we see all day when
going outside.
 5. NOTE ON ALUMINUM PAINTS
Fine powder of aluminum is utilized
as the base material in aluminum paint.
The substance that is suspended in
either spirit varnish or an oil-varnish
depending on the requirement is to be
believed as the ground fine powder of
aluminum. Moreover, the thinner
evaporates and oil, if any, undergoes
oxidation and polymerization when
paints are applied. A bright adhering
film of aluminum is obtained on the
painted surface as the product. It can be
used in wooden and metallic articles for
both interior and exterior decoration.
Figure 5. Aluminum Paints
To take note of the advantages of
aluminum paint, here are the benefits: 1.) It manifests the power of good covering, 2.) It gives
attractive appearance to the surface, 3.) has fair to good heat-resistance, 4.) gives great
electrical-resistance, 5.) Considered as waterproof, 6.) Gives visibility to electrical surfaces
even in the dark, and lastly, 7.) It protects the iron and steel surface to corrosion better than
all other paints.
Reference: https://www.cbnme.com/suppliers/cost-of-paint-and-coatings-shoot-up/

6. FIRE RETARDANT PAINT

A fire-retardant paint is considered as the
paint which retard the fire. Basically, fire
retardant means to slow down, halt the fire, or
to reduce the intensity brought by the fire.
This paint consists of chemicals such as PVC,
Chlorinated rubber, urea formaldehyde and
carbonate pigments which are studied as a
substance which has a fire-resistant nature.
These substances breakdown to give the non-
inflammable gases like CO2, NH3, HCL, and
HBr. at higher temperatures. In addition,
these gases are non-combustible and do not
Figure 6. Fire-Retardant Paint
support combustion substances.
Fire retardant paints are primarily used on defense, industrial, commercial, education,
and residential complexes. Especially in the most common source of a fire which can happen
in any hotel, restaurant, or residence. That is why the walls, doors and even kitchen counters
should be protected against the spread of fire.
 It should also be utilized in various things and places such as False ceiling, lift, equipment
rooms, aircraft safe deposit vaults, lockers, computer server rooms, power plants, chemical
plants, storage tanks, structures in sugar mills, textile mills, and floorings to make it fire
resistant.
Reference: https://envirograf.com/intumescent-paint-achieves-ul-certification/

7. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PAINT AND VARNISH

The paint and varnish can be differentiated in their pigment, applications, its visibility.
Paint has a pigment while varnish does not have a pigment. Varnish can only be applied in
wooden articles, but paint can be used both in metal and wooden articles. Lastly, paint is
opaque which means one cannot see through it and varnish is transparent that allows light
to pass through it.
In short, here is a table for the difference of paint and varnish.
PAINT VARNISH
Paint has a pigment Varnish does not have a pigment
Can be applied in both metal and wooden Can only be applied in wooden articles
articles
Opaque Transparent
Table 1. Difference between Paint and Varnish

8. COMPONENTS PRESENT IN PAINT

Components of paints and their functions
The important components of paint are as follows:
a. Pigments- it is a substance that is in the state of solid and considered as color-
producing which provides the desired color of paint. Ex. White pigments, black
pigments, red figments.
Functions of pigments:
• It gives opacity and color
• Covers the defects of manufacturing
• Gives strength to the film
• Protects by reflecting dangerous ultraviolet rays

b. Vehicle or drying oils or medium- It is the liquid portion where the pigment is
scattered. Ex. Linseed oil, dehydrated castor oil, soybean oil, and fish oil.
Functions of Vehicle or drying oils or medium:
 • It holds the pigment particles on the metal surface together.
• It forms protective film by evaporation or by oxidation and
polymerization of unsaturated elements of the oil.
• It provides better adhesion to the metal surface.
• Imparts water repellency, durability, and toughness to the film.

c. Thinners- it is added to paints to lessen the viscosity of the paints to make it

simpler to add on the metal surface. Ex. Turpentine, kerosene, and petroleum spirt.
Functions of thinners:
• Reduces the viscosity of the paint to make it easy to use to the metal
surfaces.
• Dissolves oil, pigments, etc. and create a homogeneous mixture as a
product.
• Evaporates quickly which helps the film to dry.
• The elasticity of the film increases because of thinners.

d. Driers- It is used to help the drying process speed up and boost the drying of the
oil film through oxidation, polymerization, and condensation. Ex. Naphthenates,
resins of lead, cobalt, and manganese.
Functions of driers:
• It acts as the carrier of oxygen catalysts that supports the oxygen
absorption and catalyze the drying of the oil film through oxidation,
polymerization, and condensation.

e. Fillers or extenders- It is utilized to increase the volume of the paint which

reduces the cost. It also increases the durability of the paint. Ex. Asbestos, talc,
china clay, calcium sulphate, and calcium carbonate.
Functions of fillers or extenders:
• Serves as the filler of voids in the film
• Reduces cracking of paints
• Increases the durability of the paints
• Reduces the cost of the paint
f. Plasticizers- It is the chemical that applied to increase the elasticity of the film and
to prevent cracking of the film. Ex. Tertiary amyl alcohol, triphenyl phosphate, and
triglyceryl phosphate.

g. Anti-skinning agents- It is the chemicals applied to the paint to prevent further

skinning of the paint. Ex. Polyhydroxyl phenols, guaiacol, and more.
 9. OIL VARNISH PREFERRED
Even though Oil varnishes are difficult to manufacture, it is still preferred over specific
selections. Oil varnishes provides more durability on the surfaces of the wood which makes
it avoid scratch that may damage the surface. The application of oil varnish is way simpler
than spirit varnish because of the reason that spirit varnish dries quickly which makes it
hard to apply to the wood. Lastly, it uses non-harmful chemicals which is considered as safer
than spirit varnish that uses various chemicals.

10. SPECIAL PAINTS

Special paints are made with chemicals consists of substances that are used for
extraordinary purposes. Special paints include the paints mentioned earlier which are the
Luminous paints, Fire-retardant paints, Aluminum paints, and Distempers. Luminous paints
are the paints that gives visibility in the dark because it contains substances such as
Luminophore. Luminophore is the ingredient that gives the paint luminous effect. Another is
Fire-retardant paints. Used to prevent occurring of high intensity fire and avoid spreading of
fire. It contains chemicals like PVC, Chlorinated rubber, urea formaldehyde and carbonate
pigments that is fire-resistant in nature. Additional special paint is Aluminum paint which is
utilized on surfaces to have adhering effect of film in Aluminum. It includes fine powder of
aluminum in the paint. Lastly, distemper. This type of special paint is water based which is
cheaper than the ordinary paint and gives a pleasing appearance of the wall.

11. TONERS
Toners are particles that are finely ground which generates a particular tone and shade.
Toner helps achieve the specific type of shade and color that is desired on the paint. The paint
is usually toned by hand or at the paint store that needed help of machines, by adding the
exact amount of pigment.
Reference: maximapaints.com/en/advices/color-pigments-in-wall-paints-toners