PAINT

Paint is a pigmented opaque material that

completely covers and hides the surface to which
it is applied. Paint is available in oil-based and
water-based formulae. Paint can be made or
purchased in many colorsand in many different
types, such as watercolor, synthetic, etc. Paint is
typically stored, sold, and applied as a liquid, but
most types dry into a solid.

HOW IS PAINT USED IN CIVIL

ENGINEERING?
There are many purposes for using paint in
building construction. These includes increase the
visual appeal of building surface, protect surface
against weathering impact, make the surface water
proof, protect surface from termite attack and
increase the surface durability.

METHODS OF
APPLICATION
1. Brush Application
This application technique is relatively slow and is
generally used for coating small areas with decorative
paints and for surface tolerant primers, where good
penetration of rusty steel substrates is required.

2. Roller Application
Roller application is faster than brush on large,
even surfaces and can be used for the application of
most decorative paints. However, control of film
thickness
is not easily achieved. As with brush, high
.film build will
generally not be attained. Care must be
taken to choose the correct roller pile length,
depending on the type of paint and degree of
roughness of the surface.

3.

Air Spray (Conventional)

This is a widely accepted, rapid method of

coating application in which paint is atomised by a
low pressure air stream.

4.

Air Spray (Pressure Pot)

Pressure feed tanks or pressure pots are commonly

used in association with low pressure air stream
(conventional) spray guns, to provide a means of
delivering paint at a regulated pressure from a tank,
through a fluid hose to a spray gun.

5.

Airless Spray

Here atomisation is achieved by hydraulic pressure forcing the paint

through specially designed nozzles or tips. No air is mixed with the paint.
The chief advantages of airless spray are:
High build coatings can be applied without thinning
Very rapid application is possible, giving an economic advantage
Compared to conventional spray, overspray and bounce-back are reduced,
leading to reduced losses of material and lower fume hazards

OIL-BASED PAINT
VS
WATER BASED PAINT

Oil Based

Latex

Durability

Excellent adhesion; better

adhesion than latex on heavily
chalked surfaces

Excellent adhesion to most

substrates; better elasticity
than oil.

Color
Retention

Not as good as latex; more likely

to chalk and fade in sunny
exposure.

Ease of
Application

More difficult to apply due to

greater "drag," but goes on
heavier for better one-coat hiding
and coverage.

Superior resistance to
chalking and fading,
especially when exposed to
bright sun.
Goes on smoothly and
evenly, with less brush drag.

Mildew
Resistance

Vegetable oil base can provide

nutrients for mildew growth; most
products contain mildewcide to
minimize growth.

Less inherent tendency to

grow mildew; mildewcide
additives discourage mildew
growth, help maintain fresh
appearance.

Versatility

Can be used on most materials,

but for new concrete, stucco and
other masonry, a sealer or pretreatment is required; should not
be applied directly to galvanized
metal.

Can be used on wood,

concrete, stucco, brick,
galvanized metal, vinyl
siding, aluminum siding, etc

Odor

Noticeably more odor than latex.

Very little odor.

Clean Up

Turpentine, paint thinner or other Simple water cleanup.

solvent.
Eight to 24 hours.
One to six hours, permitting
quick recoating.

Drying Time

COMPONENTS
1. Binder holds together the other components prior
to application and forms a protective film on the
surface to which the coating is applied.
2. Pigment fine solid particles that hide the suface
providing decorative colors and sometimes corrosion
resistance.
3. Solvent helps the flow of the coating material and
aids in application.
4. Additives in general, manufacturers put additives
into coatings for one or more reasons, including
aiding in manufacturing, enhancing application
characteristics, or improving the properties of the
coating.

TYPES OF PAINTS
1. Water based paint: This paint tends to be used for walls
and paints a flat surface. It can also be used for other painting
work, as indicated by the container instructions. The great thing
about this paint is the ease of clean-up - simply wash out with
water. This paint is often low VOC (volatile organic compounds)
these days, making it easy on your respiratory system

2. Stain or semi-gloss paint: This provides a

sheen finish. It is best used to highlight specific
features or rooms. It's also suitable for high traffic
areas. It can be either water-based or oil-based. If oilbased, you'll need to take greater effort cleaning up
afterward.

3. Gloss: Gloss paint is hard-wearing and is usually

used for wooden areas such as skirting boards and
window surrounds. This one is usually oil-based and
requires mineral turpentine to wash the brushes.

4. Non-drip. This is an alternative to gloss. It has a

gel-like consistency and it won't drip when using,
making it a great choice for painters who find this
aspect of painting troublesome.

CONCLUSION
It's important to use the best paint you can afford. Top-quality
paints are designed to produce the best-looking and longest-lasting
results. They provide a smoother, more uniform appearance and can
last more than twice as long as cheaper paints. In the long run, that
saves money because you don't have to repaint as often.
High-quality paint goes on faster and with less effort because it
hides better and flows out evenly. That means less brushing, rolling,
and retouching. It also means you can apply fewer coats to get an
attractive and uniform appearance. And if you're rolling, a high-quality
paint will save you clean-up time because it doesn't spatter as readily.
For exterior work, a properly prepared surface coated with highquality paint will also require less maintenance between paint jobs. You
probably won't have to clean off mildew or worry about excessive
chalking, peeling, or cracking.
Likewise with interior work, a top-quality paint not only lasts longer,
it also resists dirt and stains and stands up to cleaning better than
lower-line paint.

REFERENCES:

The Basics of Airless Spraying

(Information on BasicComponents, Spray
Techiques and Safety)

International Paint Ltd. (Paint Application)

Basic Civil Engineering (
www.safaribooksonline.com)
Wikipedia