UNIT 8

PAINTS AND VARNISHES

 INTRODUCTION
• Apart from protecting various building units from the weathering
action of the atmosphere, the main objective of surface finishing
materials is to provide a decorative finish to obtain a clean, colourful
and pleasing surface.
• Surface finishing materials are paints, varnishes, distempers and
white/colour washing.
• The surfaces may be plastered wall surfaces, ceilings, wooden
surfaces, metallic surfaces, etc.
• These surface finishing materials have to provide a hygienic surface
and present a healthy surrounding to live in.
 INTRODUCTION
• Paint is a liquid surface coating.
• On drying it forms a thin film (60–150 µ) on the painted surface.
• Paint is mainly composed of two ingredients, viz., a base which is a
solid material and a liquid called a vehicle.
• The vehicle carries the solid matter, distributes it evenly and
enables the solid matter to adhere to the surface.
 FUNCTIONS OF PAINTS
• It has to protect the surface from the weathering effects of
atmosphere such as sun, wind, other liquids, fumes, etc.
• It has to prevent corrosion of metal bases and decay of wooden
surfaces.
• It has to provide a smooth surface for easy cleaning.
• It should provide the surface good aesthetic appearance and a
hygienically sound surface.
 CONSTITUENTS OF OIL PAINT
• Metals and wooden surfaces are generally painted by oil paints.
• Sometimes walls are also painted by oil paints.
• An oil paint is made up of six main constituents:
• Base
• Inert Filler
• Colouring Pigment
• Vehicle
• Thinner
• Drier
 CONSTITUENTS OF OIL PAINT
• Base:
• The base forms the chief ingredient of a paint.
• The most important purpose of adding a base to the paint is to make
an opaque coating so as to hide the surface to be painted and to
reduce shrinkage cracks.
• The bases that are commonly used for the paints are white lead, red
lead, oxide of zinc, oxide of iron, titanium white, etc.
 CONSTITUENTS OF OIL PAINT
• Inert Filler:
• It is a cheap pigment added to a paint to reduce its cost.
• Further, it modifies the weight of the paint and makes it more durable.
• Commonly used inert fillers, also called as extenders, are barium
sulphate, lithophone, silicate of magnesia or alumina, gypsum, etc.
• Colouring Pigments:
• It is a white or coloured pigment added to the paint to get the desired
colour of the paint.
 CONSTITUENTS OF OIL PAINT
• Vehicle:
• Vehicle acts as a binder for various pigments, viz., bases,
extender and colouring pigment.
• Vehicles are required for two purposes, mainly:
• To make it possible to spread the paint as a thin layer on the
surface evenly and uniformly.
• To provide a binder for the ingredients of a paint such that the paint
sticks to or adheres to the surface.
• Vehicles that are commonly used are: linseed oil, tung oil, poppy
oil, nut oil, etc.
 CONSTITUENTS OF OIL PAINT
• Thinner:
• It is also known as solvent.
• It is a liquid which thins the consistency of the paint and evaporates
after the paint film has been applied.
• It increases the workability of the paint.
• The commonly used solvents are: turpentine, pure oils, petroleum
spirit and highly solvent naphtha.
 CONSTITUENTS OF OIL PAINT
• Drier:
• It is a material used in small quantities for accelerating the drying
of paint film.
• It is a metallic compound that acts as a catalyst for the oxidation
and polymerization of the vehicle used in the paint.
• The commonly used driers are: litharge, lead acetate,
manganese dioxide and cobalt.
• In an oil paint only 10% (by volume) of the drier should be used.
• The use of excess drier leads to flaking.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PAINT
• The consistency of the paint should be adequately workable.
• It should be capable of being spread across a wide area and cover
the specific area with the minimum quantity of paint.
• The thickness of the paint film should be enough for good protection
and decoration of the surface.
• It should dry within a reasonable time and not too rapidly.
• The dried surface should withstand adverse weather conditions and
should have a long life.
• It should have adequate resistance to moisture, cracking and
flaking.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PAINT
• It should be attractive as well as pleasing in appearance.
• With time the colour should not fade.
• During the application of paint it should not harm the health of the
workers.
• It should be fairly cheap and economical.
 TYPES OF PAINTS
• Cold Water Paint
• It consists of mineral pigments carried in water in presence of a drier.
• Soybean protein and casein are common binders.
• Cold water paints get easily washed away. Hence it is suitable for
interior applications.
• Oil Paint
• These paints are self-priming and in general do not need any special
primer or undercoat.
• When it is used for general decoration purposes, it is a common
practice to apply at least three coats of varying compositions, i.e.,
primers, undercoats and finishing coats on the unpainted surfaces.
 TYPES OF PAINTS
• Cement Paint
• The term cement paint is applied to paints which are based on white
cement with a pigment, a filler and an accelerator.
• It is available in a dry powder form.
• A variety of shades are available and are water-proof and durable.
• It is mixed with water immediately before its application.
• Cement paints are ideal for rough surfaces because its adhesive
power is poor on smooth surfaces.
• Two coats have to be applied. Before applying the first coat the
surface is wetted.
• The second coat is applied not less than 24 hours after the first coat.
 TYPES OF PAINTS
• Cement Paint
• To obtain best results, the surface has to be kept wet for about two
days after the final coat.
• However, the cement paint is not recommended for regions under
sub-zero temperatures.
 TYPES OF PAINTS
• Acrylic Paint
• Acrylic paint is a popular type of paint used in various artistic and
decorative applications.
• It is a water-based paint that uses acrylic polymers as binders.
• Acrylic paint can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including
canvas, paper, wood, fabric, metal, and more.
• It can be applied thickly or diluted with water for more translucent
effects.
• One of the advantages of acrylic paint is its fast drying time.
• Once dry, acrylic paint forms a durable and flexible paint film that is
resistant to cracking and fading.
 TYPES OF PAINTS
• Aluminium Paint
• Finely ground aluminium is suspended in either quick-drying spirit
varnish or slow-drying oil varnish as per the requirement.
• After painting, the spirit evaporates and a thin metal film of aluminium
is formed on the surface.
• It is widely used for painting gas tankers, hot water pipes, radiators,
etc.
 TYPES OF PAINTS
• Emulsion Paint
• It contains binding materials such as polyvinyl acetate, synthetic
resins, etc., and it is easy to apply.
• It dries quickly and the colour of the paint is retained for a long period.
• The surface of the paint is tough and can be cleaned by washing with
water.
• Emulsion painting can be carried out either by a brush or sprayed
using a gun.
• Two coats are needed for a long life.
• In general, a smooth surface is needed to apply emulsion paint.
 TYPES OF PAINTS
• Enamel Paint
• It contains white lead or zinc white, oil, petroleum spirit and resinous
matter, which are available in different colours.
• It forms a hard and durable surface but dries slowly
• The surface painted by enamel paint is not affected by acids, alkalies,
fumes of gases, steam, water, etc.
• This is quite suitable both for internal and external walls.
• To make the appearance look better, it is recommended to apply a
coat of titanium white in pale linseed oil before applying enamel paint.
 TYPES OF PAINTS
• Plastic Paint
• This type of paint is also called plastic emulsion paint and is available
in the market under different trade names.
• The paint is composed of plastic compounds such as vinyl acetate
and acrylate.
• This paint has a pleasing appearance, and it is attractive in colour.
• This is used in showrooms and auditoriums.
 TYPES OF PAINTS
• Bituminous Paint
• This paint is obtained by dissolving asphalt or mineral pitches in any
type of oil or petroleum.
• This has a black appearance and is used to paint iron work under
water.
 VARNISH
• Varnish is a clear, pale solution of a resinous substance dissolved in
either oil, turpentine or alcohol.
• The resinous substances are amber, common resin, copal, lac or
shellac.
• The solution spread on the surface after drying forms a hard,
transparent and glossy film on the varnished surface.
 FUNCTIONS OF VARNISH
• In general, varnish is applied on wooden surfaces of doors,
windows, etc. to decorate the surface without hiding the beautiful
grains of wood and at the same time to protect the surface from
atmospheric effects.
• Sometimes painted surfaces are also varnished to enhance the
appearance of the paint and also to increase the durability of the
painted surface.
• As the preparation of varnish is tough, readymade varnishes are
used.
 CONSTITUENTS OF VARNISH
• Resins
• The commonly used resins are copal, lac or shellac and resin.
• Copal is available from the earth at places where pine trees existed in
the past.
• It is a hard substance in a variety of forms.
• Lac or shellac is obtained by the exudation of some insects.
• Resin is obtained from pine trees.
 CONSTITUENTS OF VARNISH
• Solvents
• Based on the type of resin, the type of solvent is decided.
• The solvent for different resins are:
• Boiled linseed oil : Amber & Copal
• Methylated spirits : Lac or Shellac
• Turpentine : Mastic, Gum dammar & Rosin
• Wood naphtha : Cheap resins

• Driers
• To accelerate the process of drying, driers are added to the varnish.
• Common driers used in varnishes are litharge, white copper and lead
acetate.
 TYPES OF VARNISH
• Oil Varnishes
• Oil varnishes are prepared from the hardest resin or gums, such as amba,
copal, etc., by heating and dissolving them in linseed oil with turpentine.
• Heat is added to increase the workability.
• Although it dries slowly, it is the hardest and most durable of all varnishes.
• In general, it can be used both for interior and exterior works.
• Turpentine Varnishes
• These varnishes are prepared from soft resins such as gum dammar,
mastic, common resins, etc., by dissolving them in pure spirits or
turpentine.
• These varnishes are flexible, lighter in colour and quick in drying.
 TYPES OF VARNISH
• Spirit Varnishes
• These varnishes are also called lacquers.
• These are prepared from soft resins such as lac or shellac dissolved
in methylated spirit.
• They are harder, dries quickly and brilliant in appearance.
• These are easily affected by weathering actions.
 TYPES OF VARNISH
• Water Varnishes
• These varnishes are prepared using shellac, which is dissolved in hot
water and mixed with an adequate quantity of ammonia or borax,
potash or soda such that the shellac gets dissolved.
• Water varnishes are used to varnish wallpapers, maps, pictures, etc.
• French Polish
• This is a refined spirit varnish.
• It is prepared by dissolving 0.15 kg of black or light brown shellac in
one litre of methylated spirit without heat.
• The polish is obtained by adding a suitable colour pigment.
• This polish dries out quickly within a few minutes.
 TYPES OF VARNISH
• French Polish
• It gives a fine glossy surface.
• It is mostly used for superior wood works like furniture, hand rails, etc.
 PROPERTIES OF AN IDEAL VARNISH
• It should always provide a glossy surface and be pleasing in
appearance.
• It should dry fast and provide a uniform finished surface.
• When exposed to the atmosphere, the colour of the varnish should
not fade.
• The developed thin film on the surface should be tough, hard and
durable.
• During or after drying it should not show cracks or shrink.
 PAINTING PLASTERED SURFACES
• Painting a New Surface
• Surface Preparation
• Paint cannot take care of construction defects.
• Before applying the paint it is ensured that the surface is free from dust,
dirt, loose matter, grease etc.
• It is rubbed with an emery paper, to provide a mechanical key between
surface and paint for satisfactory adhesion.
• Sequence of Painting
• The primer (first coat) is applied with brush or spray on the prepared
surface.
• It should be thinned with water or thinner in the recommended manner
 PAINTING PLASTERED SURFACES
• Painting a New Surface
• Sequence of Painting
• After drying it is rubbed with emery paper.
• Dents and cracks, if any, are filled with putty using a knife applicator.
• If the required thickness is large, it should be applied in two coats.
• After the it has dried, the whole surface is rubbed down well in order to
smoothen the putty and provide a mechanical key to the finished coats.
• Two or three finish coats are applied.
• Each coat is allowed to dry before the application of next coat.
 PAINTING PLASTERED SURFACES
• Painting Old Surface
• The procedure depends on the state of the existing coating.
• If any of the defects discussed below is very much pronounced it is
completely removed and the surface is painted as a new surface.
• Chalking
• Clean the surface, rub with an emery paper so that the chalk is
removed.
• Apply one or two finish coats.
 PAINTING PLASTERED SURFACES
• Painting Old Surface
• Efflorescence, Blistering, Cracking and Flaking
• Scrap off the old paint from affected areas.
• Touch up with primer and apply one or two finish coats on effected
areas.
• Rub the entire surface and apply the finish coats.
• Glossy Surface
• Remove all gloss by rubbing with emery paper and then apply the finish
coats.
 PAINTING PLASTERED SURFACES
• Painting Old Surface
• Fungus Growth
• Remove the fungus.
• Apply fungicidal solution liberally and observe for further growth.
• If no further growth of fungus is observed apply the desired paint.
 PAINTING WOOD SURFACES
• New Wood Work
• Surface Preparation
• The wood should be well seasoned, dried, cleaned and the surface
made smooth with an emery paper.
• Nails, if any, should be driven down the surface by at least 3 mm.
• Knotting
• Knots in the wood create lot of problems.
• These excrete resin which causes defects such as cracking, peeling
and brown discolouration.
• Knotting is done so that resin cannot exude from the knots.
• Following methods may be used suitably.
 PAINTING WOOD SURFACES
• New Wood Work
• Knotting
• Ordinary Knotting
• This is also known as size knotting.
• The knot is treated with a coat of hot red lead ground with a strong glue
size in water.
• Then a coat of red lead ground in boiled linseed oil is applied.
• Lime Knotting
• The knot is covered with hot lime for 24 hours after which it is scrapped off.
• Thereafter, the process described in ordinary knotting is followed.
• Patent Knotting
• Two coats of varnish or shellac are applied.
 PAINTING WOOD SURFACES
• New Wood Work
• Priming Coat
• The main function of priming coat or primer is to form the base for
subsequent ones.
• After knotting priming coat is applied over the entire surface to fill all the
pores.
• A second priming coat is applied after first has dried.
• In general the ingredients are same as those of the subsequent coats
but with a difference in proportion.
 PAINTING WOOD SURFACES
• New Wood Work
• Stopping
• After the priming coat putty is applied to fill the pores of the surface.
• Then it is rubbed smooth.
• Colouring pigment is also added to it to match the shade of the finished
coat.
• On drying, the selected paint is applied with brushes to bring
smoothness and uniformity in colour.
• After painting the surface in one direction, the brush is worked in the
perpendicular direction to eliminate brush marks. This is known as
crossing.
 PAINTING WOOD SURFACES
• New Wood Work
• Stopping
• All the successive coats are applied after drying and slight rubbing of
previous coats for proper bond.
 PAINTING WOOD SURFACES
• Old Wood Work
• The old paint is removed with a sharp glass piece, sand paper, or with
a paint remover .
• Any smoky or greasy substance should be washed with lime and
subsequently rubbed with pumice stone.
• The surface is then washed with soap and water and dried
completely.
• Then two coats of paints are applied in a way similar to that described
in painting new surfaces.
 PAINTING WOOD SURFACES
• Paints for Wood Work
• A mixed pigment paint provides better protection; white lead
combined with zinc oxide and a moderate amount of filler such as
barytes or silica gives good results.
• Tinted paints have proved to be satisfactory for maintaining colour
and durability.
• Generally enamel paints are used to give high gloss surface.
• When the wood is of superior quality and if the grains are to be
highlighted the only choice is the varnish forming a transparent or
translucent film.
 PAINTING METAL SURFACES
• New Iron Work
• The surface should be free from scales, rust and grease.
• Scales and rust are cleaned by hard wire brush.
• Grease is removed by using petroleum or by hot alkaline solution of
Na2CO3 or NaOH, benzene, and lime water.
• A priming coat of red lead with barytes and raw linseed oil is then
applied over the prepared surface.
• After drying of the priming coat, one or more undercoats with desired
paint are applied.
• The second coat is given only after the first coat has dried.
• The finishing coat is applied carefully to produce a smooth fine surface.
 PAINTING METAL SURFACES
• Old Iron Work
• The surface is prepared by scraping properly all the scales and rust
with emery paper.
• The greasy substances are removed with lime water.
• The old paint may be burned with a blow lamp or by suitable solvents.
• After this the surface is brushed with hot linseed oil and painted as for
new iron work.
 PAINTING METAL SURFACES
• Paints for Structural Steel Work
• Red lead is considered to be the best priming coat; it produces a
tough elastic film, impervious to air and moisture.
• Graphite paint used for black colour, is very durable and is not
affected by sulphur films, ammonia or chlorine gases.
• Aluminium paint is also gaining popularity because of its shining and
contrast properties and heat and chemical resistance.
• Bituminous paints may be very well adopted to paint inside of pipes,
iron under waters, piles, ships and boats; they are unsatisfactory
when exposed to sunlight.