Basic noun definition of paint is a pigmented (solid component) liquid, applied like a light film, to protect and beautify surfaces.

Various raw materials to make paint fall into Pigment, Resin, or Solvent that make up two portions of paint. The liquid portion is resin and solvent. The pigment is the solid portion.

Primary Pigment is commonly titanium dioxide, its amount impacting greatly on the hiding capabilities of the paint film and its UV protection.

Secondary Pigments could consist of talc, silics, calcium carbonate, mica, etc. They have little hiding capabilities. Basically used as fillers to help control viscosity, leveling, sheen, etc.

Just as in any major project undertaking, the most important steps are the planning and preparation. Plan ahead about your paint color choices while you are also planning the type and amount of paint.

If possible, it's a good idea to purchase paint with all matching color gallons having the same number batch code. At least, try to use one batch code on one side of the room (or house). Today's color matching techniques eliminate most color-matching problems.

Most companies' paint departments have high-tech measuring and computer color mixing formulas to achieve the exact color tint you have chosen from paint samples or to match a customized decorating color tint from your own sample item. (such as a piece of cloth, ceramic, porcelain, wood, picture, flowers, etc.)

Each mixed paint can should be computer accurate if your sales representative is correctly following the formula. During this time you may want to pay close attention to their adding the formula and the mixing time. Sutherlands guarantees their color mix for your convenience and confidence.

However, if you should have some reservations about absolute color perfection or you have an extremely "critical eye," to be even more certain that all the gallons are the same tint, place all the gallons in one separate, large container and thoroughly mix them together before you begin painting. (Known as "Boxing.")

Colors are often associated with our moods and emotions .

Yellows, oranges, and reds are warm colors. Greens, blues, and purples are cool colors. Consider the "temperature" of a color if you want to "warm up" a room that may be on the shady side of the house. Rooms with a southern exposure are already naturally more on the warmer side so you may want to consider a cool color.

Colors visually "alter" the proportions of rooms.

Light colors like white or yellow are airy, expansive, and cheerful. Use light colors in small, dark areas that you may want to appear larger and brighter.

A light color of paint on a low ceiling will make the ceiling seem higher.

Dark colors like blue or brown help create a cozy, sophisticated feeling in oversized rooms. A long narrow room can be made to appear wider by painting both shorter walls a darker color than the longer walls.

A dark color of paint on a high ceiling will make it seem lower.

The amount depends on the type of paint, the kind of surface, and the amount of surface.

To compute the surface area:
Measure height and width of each area.
Multiply to find number of surface square feet.
Look at gallon paint can label for the number of square feet each gallon covers.
Divide that into the number of square feet to obtain the number of gallons of paint per coat.

It's important to apply the paint at the spreading rate recommended on the label.

Latex Paint Characteristics & Usage

Oil Paint Characteristics

Varnish Characteristics

Enamel Characteristics

Shellac Characteristics

Sheen Characteristics

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Latex Paint Characteristics & Usage

Thins with water: Spills, spatters, brushes, rollers, etc. cleaned with warm, soapy water.

Dries faster than oil base paints. Most can be re-coated within four hours.

Low odor. No solvent smell.

Easy to apply.

Use with nylon or polyester brush (not pure bristle), polyester or synthetic roller covers (not lambswool) or flat applicators. (The natural bristles and lambswool absorb water in the paint and become soggy.)

Has flat to high gloss range.

For interior or exterior use, depending upon product.

Latex paint can be applied over oil based paints. When painting over a semi-gloss or gloss surface, dull the old paint with sandpaper or a dulling solvent first.

Avoid using latex paints when surface is above ninety degrees or below forty five degrees. High temperatures may evaporate the paint too quickly and cause poor flow for an uneven finish. Low temperature may prevent it from forming a uniform film that will also create an uneven finish.

Check weather forecast to be sure that rain isn't expected before the latex paint has had a chance to set-about two to four hours.

Most latex paints can be stored for at least two years without the risk of deterioration. However, exposure to extremes of heat or cold may shorten the paint's storage life. Severe, prolonged or repeated exposure to freezing temperatures could cause separation in the can. Stir to bring back the correct consistency.

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Oil Paint Characteristics

Thins with solvents such as mineral spirits or turpentine. Brushes, roller covers, and other tools to be cleaned with solvent, not water.

Dries slower than latex paint. Waiting overnight to re-coat is necessary.

Higher odor level than latex during application and drying.

Use pure bristle or polyester brush or lambswool or polyester roller.

Has flat to high gloss range.

For interior and exterior use, depending upon product.

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Varnish Characteristics

Solutions of resins in a drying oil. Contains little or no pigment.

Dries and hardens by evaporation of the volatile solvents, oxidation of the oil, or both.

Recommended for both outdoor and indoor applications where a hard, glossy finish is needed for weather protection.

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Enamel Characteristics

Basically a varnish with pigments added. Same basic durability and toughness of a good varnish.

Produces easy-to-clean surface.

In proper formulation, can be used for interior and exterior. For the highest quality interior work, an undercoat is required.

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Shellac Characteristics

Long-standing favorite for finishing wood floors, trim, and furniture.

Apply in dry, warm air to avoid clouding.

Dries dust free in fifteen to twenty minutes.

Can be used as a pre-staining wash coat to obtain even stain tone on porous or soft wood such as pine.

Can change tone of an already shellacked surface by tinting with alcohol-soluble aniline dye.

Instead of re-staining, pigmented shellac (also called shellac enamel) can be used as a sealant over stained finishes for a uniform, freshly-painted surface.

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Sheen Characteristics

FLAT. Lusterless, non-shiny appearance. Most often used on interior walls, exterior body or walls of homes and commercial buildings, and associated with interior and exterior stains.

EGGSHELL. Slightly higher than "dead" flat. Is usually an enamel paint. Most often used on interior and exterior walls and on doors and trim.

LO-LUSTRE. Low sheen or "satin." Slightly higher than eggshell, but lower than full semi-gloss. Popular interior enamel sheen. Most often used in kitchens, baths, and on interior doors and trim as it's resistant to marking, easy to clean, and more washable than most flat latex.

SEMI-GLOSS. Midway between flat and high gloss. Associated with enamel paint and most often used in kitchens, interior doors and trim and exterior siding and trim. Very resistant to marking and easy to clean.

GLOSS/HIGH GLOSS. Very shiny appearance. Enamel paints. Used on interior and exterior surfaces. Popular for furniture, toys, floors, exterior doors and trim. Resists marking and easy to clean.