Different companies have different jargon that they use to describe there paint and the way it works, but there are some basic descriptions that are common to all. These are: pigment, binder (sometimes called vehicle), solvent and additives. We will give a basic description of these components below.

First: Pigment

Pigment is mainly known for its contribution of color to paint. It is a granular solid that sometimes is added to give the paint a toughness which sometimes shows up as a different texture. Some pigments are poisonous like lead in lead paint. This is why lead paint was made illegal in 1978 in the US and other parts of the world. Pigment can also be used to make paint cheaper also. There are different types of pigment that engineers are experimenting with to help the painter do his or her job quicker and better all the time.

Second: Binder

The Binder is the only part of paint that must be present. All the other components can be added to do a specific task but they all have to work with the binder. The binder is the vehicle or carrier that promotes adhesion making the pigments stick together. Binders can be synthetic or natural in composition and sometimes this gives them there names. You might recognize acrylics, polyurethanes, epoxy and oil as well as others.

Binders also give the paint its ability to flex and determine its drying time and curing ability. There are paints that will dry only and others that dry then cure and others that dont have to dry to be able to cure. Latex paints cure by the water evaporation that allows the binder to stick everything together.

Third: Solvent

Solvents are used to change the curing properties and the thickness of the paint. It helps the fluidity of the paint as your applying it with a brush or sprayer. It also keeps the paint stable as your applying it. As the solvent is put into the paint to help it do its job it will evaporate and leave the paint stuck to the surface that you wanted to paint. Solvents are sometimes called diluent, they are an option that is not necessary. The diluent for what is called latex paint is Water.

Fourth: Additives

Additives are categorized as miscellaneous. They are ingredients that are usually added to paint in very small qualities. In spite of there minute presents they can significantly change the effect of the paint and the way it works. Some of the things that additives do are, change the surface tension, flow, finish appearance, make the pigment more stable, keep the paint from freezing, etc. Others provide thickening, texture, promote adhesion. Some take the gloss out of the paint and others fight bacteria.

The paint that you will be buying to do your jobs in and around the house are classified as Non-Toxic Paints. With that said, you should consider that household paint contains as much as 10,000 chemicals, and about 300 of them are TOXINS. Now that in its self isnt bad but you should know that 150 of those chemicals are harmful and they have been connected to kidney and liver damage and/or are cancerous. Paints will continue to release these toxins for years after they have been applied and dried. The name of these toxins are Volatile Organic Compounds. Non-toxic paints dont contain as many of these as do other paints and are safer to breath indoors. They are also easier on the environment, releasing fewer toxins to our water sources and atmosphere.

Even though there are disconcerting side effects to paint, technology has come a long way in helping us to take care of things. Enjoy your project.

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