Understanding Painting Systems :

Painting Guide :
Generally surfaces are prone to wear and tear, the beauty of walls fade with time, while wooden
furniture or doors may get scratched. Periodic painting is not only a method to preserve the aesthetic
appeal of your surrounding but also to protect and prolong the surfaces painted. But before you paint
you must understand what is paint, what are the types of paint, what is a primer or a putty, why and
when do we require single or double coats and much more.

This initiative of J&N is to make you an informed customer so as to help you understand the issues and
nuances involved in painting as well effectively achieve your desired end results.

Let us start with a few painting terminologies:

Paint :
A fluid suspension applied thinly to the surface of objects for the purpose of decoration, protection or
preservation. Paint usually consists of pigment in tiny particles mixed in a medium which binds the
pigment and causes it to adhere to the surface. Paint comprises three main substances – resin known
as the binder, solvent to dissolve the binder and to give the paint its required consistency and pigment
which imparts the colour.
Emulsion Paint :
These are the superior quality of paint formed by mixing oil/water and an emulsifying agent to prevent
the combination separating. They have much better ease of application, are washable and have a
greater overall decorative appeal. Not only do they have higher coverage than enamels and distempers,
they are mostly washable and can be easily applied on concrete and stucco surfaces. As per the interior
and exterior painting requirements both interior and exterior emulsion paints exist
Distemper Paint :
Distempers are durable and economical water based paints The major constituents of distemper include
colouring agents, as well as chalk and lime. They have been the main painting substance for decades and
still are excellent budget painting solutions. Even the distempers now used are more varied and have
special properties.
Enamel Paints :
Enamels are hard, washable and usually glossy paints. They can be oil based or alkyd based and come in
several sheens, from eggshell or low-lustre to satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss. They find application not
only on metal surfaces but also on interior walls and wooden surfaces.
Wood Finishes :
Wood Finish Paints are different from the usual wall paints and are formulated specifically for
application on wooden surfaces. They have better capacity of adhering to the wooden surfaces and
enhancing the appeal of the wooden textures. These include wood sealers, varnishes, preservatives etc.
Primer :
A primer is a preparatory coating put on materials before painting. Priming ensures better adhesion of
paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the material being
painted. Different types of surfaces and different types of paints required different types of primers.
Putty :
Putties are base coats applied to walls before painting; they provide a protective layer for the expensive
paint. Putties are generally non-hygroscopic and resist moisture giving more life to the painting surfaces.
Not only do they provide smooth surfaces by levelling undulations, cracks etc but also are helpful in
increasing the coverage of the paints applied.
Aluminium Paint:
These are paints containing Aluminium blended in a resin base. Despite its name, aluminium paint is
actually used to paint a variety of materials, including metals, wood, and masonry. It is long-lasting and
durable, and is one of the best types of paint to use around oil, grease, and chemicals. The painted
surface offers realistic aluminium finishes, and is highly resistant to rust and corrosion.
Texture Paints :
Texture paints are used to create to desired visual effects on the walls. By the use of brushes, rollers,
putty knives, trowels and other applications a variety of patterns can be created. Other paints can be
applied on the textures to create desired effects. Sometimes, texture paints are tinted prior to
application, giving the desired colour. Texture paints also help in covering undulations and levelling
surfaces.
Cement Paint :
To give a new look for concrete and other cement-based materials, cement paint is the perfect answer.
It is a special paint coatings made for masonry and cement-based materials, including concrete, mortar
(and brick), concrete block and stucco. Not only it adds to the aesthetics of the wall but also provides a
waterproofing coating and can supplement the role of putty.