paint

For the last few years the auto world has mainly focused on electronics and other technical areas. But now its paint technology, auto paint technology is changing fast at various levels. Automotive paint becomes significant when it comes to protecting the metal from the cruelties of nature. Whether it is, rain, sun or snow, the paint is expected to perform its job well, not asking for much attention. Not only protecting the metal from external enemies, auto paint also plays a major role in making the automobile attractive. It enhances the elegance and personality of the vehicle. More and more technical developments are carried on at different levels to extend the service life and quality of automobiles. Technical advancements over the last few years have resulted in auto paints with impressive durability, and the ability to retain that “new look” for years.

Paints are an excellent example of rust prevention products and corrosion inhibitors. Auto paints are industrial coatings that are known more for their protective properties, rather than aesthetic ones. These paints consist of several layers, each with a different job to do. While car rust prevention is their main aim, they carry out rust repair also. Automobile manufacturers commonly use zinc phosphate coatings because it provides a very tough barrier against rust, especially in harsh climates. These days more and more automakers prefer water thin able paints that are applied electrostatically. Like auto paints, concrete coatings are used for the protection of reinforce concrete materials.

With an increase in competition in this field, auto companies are trying hard to come up with a new range of paint systems. BASF of Germany has developed an automotive finish that focuses on eco-efficient waterborne base coats and high solid paints. Using this system it is possible to compile all the legal solvent reduction requirements. Another company - Daimler Chrysler has developed a new type of lacquer that is expected to be more scratch resistant than conventional paints. The lacquer contains minute ceramic particles that form a barrier against the ravages of mechanical car wash equipment, along with offering car rust prevention.

In recent years, current automobile finishing processes have advanced to a level that not only offers efficient rust prevention but also meets the environmental norms. To know more about paint technology and the latest range of auto paints visit www.rustbullet.com. Rust Bullet also provides you with suggestions regarding the selection of good quality, eco friendly paint for your vehicle.

We have all seen them dotted around South Africa, especially in small quaint suburbs that have a lot of history or attract people of the creative orientation. Townhouses, duplexes and cottages lined up in a row along the street, each painted in its own particular colour scheme, according to the owner’s preference. It’s these houses that separate that particular street or suburb from the rest of its neighbours. In general people have a tendency to just stick to neutral, safe colours for their houses such as beige, white and off white colour schemes. Occasionally you might find one house in these plain suburbs with a touch of one other colour on the accents of their house, but the basic idea is to keep everything simple. Whether it’s because they are scared their property might not be as easy to sell if it only suits a particular group of people, or whether it’s because making their house stick out from the rest of the crowd is too daunting to contemplate, is uncertain. However, colourful houses do exist and the amount of people that are flocking to the suburbs is growing by the day. Some historic neighbourhoods in South Africa have colourful houses due to the fact that in the 1900’s technology advanced to the point where many colours of paint could be made and people took advantage of it. In Cape Town, houses in Woodstock, Oranjezicht, Tambourskloof and Observatory all share at least one magical lane of multi-coloured homes, and it’s these suburbs that have the largest population of alternative families, artistic individuals and out-the box thinkers. It’s the colour that draws people to buy the house. Exterior visuals play a large part when the house is on show. It’s literally one of those “love at first sight” scenarios. When you paint your house a particular colour on the exterior you are revealing yourself to the world and people respond. Estate Agent Andre Bottger says that colour is definitely a contributing factor in the property transaction. External colour is the first thing people see and first impressions do count. He says that in his opinion most South Africans are conservative when it comes to exterior house colour. Estate Agent Arnie Berman says the opposite, in that he generally finds that if the exterior of a house is in colour it has a positive effect on the sales. Each colour brings its own territory of emotions and atmospheres and while the garden, fencing and structure do add to the ultimate end result, the base colour is the true origin of the over-all theme and feel. This is probably why certain colours work better when it comes to the sale of a house. Each culture has its own philosophy about what a colour of the rainbow brings to the table of tastes and emotions, but the theme of the house should also be examined when choosing. While your favourite colour might be purple and green, that doesn’t necessarily suit an old Victorian styled house. Recently earthy colours such as burnt orange and desert yellow have become quite popular in neighbourhoods that previously had reputations of clean white walls and picket fences. If you look at the psychological symbolism behind these two colours in comparison to global issues and where South African is today, it’s not really a surprise that people feel more comfortable coming home to these shades. Orange is a mix between red and yellow and therefore it’s meaning is a balance between the two. Generally its association shares the same as red, although due to the yellow added, it doesn’t share the intensity. So while red is hot, orange would be warm. It’s the colour of comfort, cheer and activity. Yellow, which is the more popular of the two, is the colour of hope, communication and optimism. Purple is more specific, as it usually deals with the spirituality of a person, which is why it only attracts certain people. Purple also refers to the mental state of a person. Turquoise is a popular colour for trimmings on a house and this colour has to do with inspiration and calmness, which is why a lot of people use it. When you paint your house a particular colour it might not be approved of by everyone or attract everyone either, but the fact is that when it does, that person will love it for its colour, just the same as you do.

Celeste does writing for Garden and Home News, which is a portal site for all garden and home information.

Peeling Paint

Another common symptom of a failed paint coat is when the paint peels off from the surface. The paint may commonly appear to curl and flake from the work surface for a number of reasons. Most commonly, the peeling occurs because of poor paint adhesion, due to improper prep work or lack of primer.

Before any new paint is applied to the exterior of your home, the surface must have the necessary “roughness” for the paint to grip to. Sanding and/or applying a layer of primer is sufficient to provide this “roughness.”

Efflorescence

This condition most commonly occurs on painted masonry surfaces, such as brick or concrete. Efflorescence appears as crusty white salt deposits emerging through the paint film. This situation transpires when salts in the brick or concrete become dissolved with water, and then attach to the surface as the water evaporates.

Some common causes of paint efflorescence include moisture emanating from indoors, inadequately waterproofed below-ground walls, and poor surface preparation. If basement walls are not adequately waterproofed, ground water may penetrate the paint and induce efflorescence. Cracks in walls and other water damage are also common causes. If the concrete or mortar was not entirely cured and dried out when the paint was applied, or if prior efflorescence was not entirely removed before the last paint job, the condition may materialize.

Mildew/Mold

Another common symptom of failed paint is the appearance of mildew and mold. Mildew is easily recognized as dark green, brown, or black splotches on the paint surface, and is usually found in damp, shaded areas. Mildew is actually a living fungus which feeds and grows on paint film.

Mold spores can float through the air and form new colonies where they land. Mold and mildew have been found to cause several health problems, such as chronic fatigue, sinus problems, respiration problems, sleep difficulty, and an impaired immune system.

Mildew and mold is most commonly caused by heavy moisture, poor ventilation, and lack of sunlight. A combination of these conditions will provide an ideal habitat for mold and mildew to thrive and grow. Some of the most common areas on the exterior of your home where mildew may grow include the underside of soffits, eaves, and similar shaded areas.

Chalking

Paint chalking occurs as a formation of fine powder on the surface of the paint film. Chalking paint will rub off of the surface and get on to skin, clothing, etc. Chalking paint can also have a fading effect on the paint coat. Chalking is actually a natural cleanses process of paint, however, excessive film erosion can result in heavy chalking.

This problem is typically caused by the use of a poor quality paint, or the use of an interior paint on the exterior of the building. Before applying a new coat of paint, be sure to fully remove any excess chalk from the surface. Primer may also be needed. Budda Oliver is a marketing agent for N. Chasen and Son. The leading painting contractor in the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on aexterior painting experts in richmond virginia please visit their website.

You know the smell of new paint, the one that gives you a slight headache? That's the smell of the paint releasing toxin-containing fumes which may be harmful to you and your family. For those with chemical sensitivities and allergies, these hidden pollutants can make life extremely difficult, and they aren't good for the rest of us. The EPA estimates over 10,000 Americans are killed annually by indoor air pollution, and one source of this pollution are the toxic VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are released from new building materials, paints and other finishes as they "off-gas". In addition to respiratory and eye irritation, headaches and muscle weakness, VOCs have been linked to serious conditions like liver disease and lung cancer. Studies have found that when paint is drying, indoor air can contain VOCs at levels up to 1,000 times that of outdoor air.

How can you reduce your family's exposure to these chemicals? Well, the good news is that, as the links between health effects and air quality have become better understood, environmental regulations have gotten stricter. And with consumers becoming more aware of the health issues, the demand for less toxic paints has gown. Today almost every paint manufacturer offers at least one variety of non-VOC paint.

VOCs are measured in grams per liter (g/L). While standards vary somewhat, national regulations limit VOC content of flat paint to 250 g/l and non-flat to 380 g/l. Although it's almost impossible to make a completely toxin and VOC free paint, it's not hard to find safer alternative: "No VOC" paint is typically considered anything less than 5g/L. "Low VOC" paint is anything less than 50g/L. Keep in mind that adding color can increase the VOC levels.

The cost of low and no-VOC paints is usually around the same as a manufacturer's premium paint line. There are many benefits to choosing these paints – they are effective and long lasting, have reduced toxins and fumes (low odor and no off-gassing means higher indoor air quality), and they have environmental advantages as well. Using low and no-VOC paint reduces groundwater pollutants and ozone depleting contaminants. They can be easily disposed of because they aren't considered hazardous waste, and, being water-based, they clean up easily with soap and water.

So save yourself a headache and so much more – give your home a paint job that's safer for your family and the earth. Your lungs will thank you.

Ernies Equipment - Airless Paint Sprayers ErniesEquipment.com handles a full line of airless paint sprayers by both Wagner and Spraytech. The full lines of airless paint sprayers includes everything from the DIY or do-it-yourself inexpensive paint sprayers to the top of the line professional sprayers. They are intended both for home use on house painting and for commercial painting contractors. We supply painting equipment in both new and factory reconditioned. All equipment comes with a factory warranty.If you will read the reviews and comparison charts on the various units you will see that they apply anywhere from 1⁄4 of a gallon of house paint per minute up to nearly 2/3 of a gallon per minute. Just click our link on choosing the right airless sprayer Ernies Equipment - Airless Paint Sprayers and you can determine which is the right unit for your application. With these excellent painting tools you can cover a tremendous area in very short order, and go through a 5 gallon bucket of paint rapidly - especially if you are working in a wide open area. For a more detailed description of airless spray application click our link below on techniques. Ernies Equipment - Airless Paint Sprayers In the near future we will be taking on the Campbell Hausfeld line of sprayers in both new and reconditioned units.So for DIY or do-it-yourself house painting or full commercial airless spray painting it's ErniesEquipment.com . The best equipment at the best prices!

I wrote this post as a prelude to a series of posts in the near future set out to help beginner painters, wannabe artists, and anybody else interested learn how to paint. I will include every "how to" paint resource I can get my hands on, so even if don't take away any of my advice at the very least you should find somewhere else that can help. I know I'm not the best painter but I will share with you everything I know about painting from A to Z, and if that's not enough you can use the links I'll provide. The purpose is to help you, I'm not trying to sell anything. My advice is absolutely free. So take it or leave it!

First let's look at why people paint. Why should you get started? People paint for a variety of different reasons.

* They might do it as a hobby, "Sunday painters" if you will.

* Some do it to let off steam. It is very therapeutic, the process of painting itself and the satisfaction you get from it.

* That leads to people doing it for something they can be proud of. When they feel they've accomplished something they can actually put it up on their walls for everybody to see.

* People paint for a couple extra bucks. There are plenty of people that can make a few dollars at fairs or flea markets, or on busy city streets with their artwork. There is a market for this, because not everybody who wants artwork can afford the stuff found at galleries.

* People paint for a living. Painting as a profession will never die. Even with all these technological breakthroughs, people still want good oil paintings hanging in their living room. People still want their portraits painted in genuine paint. Granted it takes a lot of skill to be able to reach this level.

* Some do it hoping to achieve greatness, with aspirations to be like the masters and to emulate them. A true artist rarely comes along in history. Could it be you?

Whatever the reason for painting, I highly recommend it. Most people come up to me and say they can't paint, nor ever will be able to, and I think this is just hogwash. Some people just don't feel like ever trying, and I understand this is not everyone's cup of tea. To each his own.

You never know until you try. Most creative ventures are never begun because of an underlying fear. I'm guilty of this one myself and it's what keeps me from pumping out canvas after canvas. I don't want to fail, I don't want to waste my time if it turns out bad, and I'd rather not find out the hard way that I'm not as good as I think in my head. But it's this type of thinking that prevents some of the greatest artwork ever from being created. I may be no Leonardo, but I know I can do my best, and I know sitting around worrying about it accomplishes zilch. So I get around my fear.

The good thing about the would be amateur is the wealth of information available. With the internet, there are infinite resources at your fingertips, especially for the "How to Paint" tutorials. Each book or article is written by a different artist with different views and styles, no two are exactly alike.

What I intend to accomplish here is to provide a step by step tutorial on how I paint, and how you can too. Like I said I'm no expert, but maybe we could learn together. Each post will be a different chapter, which will include topics such as "Materials," "Composition and Subject Matter," "Techniques," and plenty more. I intend to show plenty of pictures as we go, and maybe even a couple videos.

All of us have different backgrounds and maybe some of you have gone to art classes and art school and whatnot. I myself went to one drawing class when I was 11. It was comparable to my ninth grade art class, and didn't really teach much (or rather I didn't learn much). So most of my learning has been by doing and developing as I went. There is no better advice than to actually do it. Painting is not learned by reading a book alone.

Although there have a good deal of decent art books that I've read rich with information. The best art book I've read by far is Rudolph Arnheim's "Art and Visual Perception." It's not light reading and I didn't finish it in a day, but the point is to absorb the info on the pages, not just to race through it. This is the kind of book that I've gone back numerous times to reread passages, and I always end up learning something new every time. "Art and Visual Perception" is a great book that's half psychology, half art book about how people see things, look at things, and understand them, and how this relates to art. I'm sure Arnheim could sum it up better, so you can take it from him. I wouldn't recommend it to just anybody, but it is a must read for any serious painter.

There's also a number of good television shows about painting that you can always find on public television in the afternoon. I think we all know and love Bob Ross. When I was first starting out painting years ago my parents bought one of the Bob Ross painting kits. It was great, it came with everything you need: palette, brushes, about 10 tubes of paint, painting knives, a book and a VHS, even a small canvas I think. You can't develop creativity from tutorials like this, having to copy exactly what you see, but it's great practice. I still use Bob Ross techniques for painting pine trees and reflections in water.

So all kinds of methods can be used to learn how to paint. I recommend hitting up the arts and crafts shop and buying one of those starter paint kits. If you're brand new at it, I would start with acrylics, being easier to use, and you can wash the brushes in water instead of turpentine. Or you could get some oil paints, they're generally a little more expensive. You can get some small canvas boards for cheap, just for practice mainly, or you could get the larger stretched canvases. I use Fredrix medium tooth, red label canvases.

But whatever you do, just do it. Fail at first, it only teaches you. But have fun with it, and have with this tutorial. Stay tuned for upcoming posts, on "How to Paint."

Until then...

Dan Kretschmer writes a daily art blog at vincesear.com. Thanks for visiting!

Paint in Spain – Types of paint

I imagine that many people including myself only think about the planned or suggested colour for any decorating project when it is getting near the time that they actually wish to purchase paint. However it is just as important to decide which type of paint should be used and for which surface etc and the final finish that is required needs to be carefully considered.

I will attempt to set out some of the various options that are available and usually work well in most average settings.

Various Types of Paint:

The terms used in paint Latex and oil base are often used rather loosely. When a painter specifies a gallon of a certain brand of latex, he may in reality often be getting non-latex or an artificial-latex water based paint. The explanation here is that there are continuously new products being developed using synthetic materials that perform more or less identical to latex. Naturally many of these paints still carry "latex" on their label. Where a paint or stain product is referred to "acrylic" or "water based", it usually has the same properties similar as that of latex paint, even if it does not include the term latex pain on the can. Similarly when you ask for an oil-based paint you may get the similar alkyd. In this article I have used the term "latex" to also include other similar water-based paints, and the term "oil-base" to include alkyd.

Effects of varying degrees of Gloss High gloss, semi gloss, eggshell, satin, low sheen and flat, these are all very general terms, and it can often be noticed that as one moves from one brand of paint to another or perhaps from one type of paint to another the gloss factor will change. A very good example of this is that with many paint companies you will find that their interior oil based semi gloss appears to be quite a lot glossier than their interior latex semi gloss. In addition a satin oil finish from one company may look to have the same shine factor as perhaps semi gloss oil from another paint manufacturer. Obviously it is important to choose the correct gloss and in many ways this is just as important as selecting the right choice of colour.

A shining surface sends out a much different effect than a non-shinny surface and so the degree of gloss will most certainly influence the final outcome of the entire project.

The author markets paint for the Trade and DIY in Estepona Spain for further information his web site is at paint-spain.com/>Paint in Spain.

Although it is hard to notice the surfaces of your home accumulate dirt, fingerprints and a variety of stains and contamination. If you want to achieve the best look for the interior of your home it is essential that you follow the advice below to get the best possible look and feel from your interior paint job.

Before you even open the tin of paint there are steps that need to be taken to get your paint job off to the best start. It is essential that you clean the area by scrubbing the walls with detergent and water and using a stiff wire brush to do so. You should then rinse the area and allow it to dry thoroughly before priming your walls.

It is also extremely important that you choose good quality tools to perform your paint job. It is highly important that you have the following materials:

• Broom • Brush • Bucket • Cloths • Dust sheets • Ventilation (window or fan) • Ladder or step

Once you have cleaned your walls and gathered all the necessary materials you can start to paint but before you do are you sure you have the right paint for your walls? There are many different types of interior paint that is available such as solvent or water based paint. Each of these have there benefits and disadvantages. Water based paint is better for long term flexibility and for good resistance to cracking and chipping. Water based paint also emit less odour and is not flammable.

Solvent based paint has the ability to be applied in just one coat. It is a better adhesive to different types of surfaces, such as ones that haven’t been cleaned. Solvent paint also allows a greater length of time for it to be brushed before it sets.

Another aspect that you need to consider when applying paint to the interior of your property is the level of sheen that you want to acquire. The level and amount of sheen and gloss that you should choose depends on the appearance and functionality of a room. Matt paints are excellent for a uniform appearance across a large area and hides bumps and dents but can tend to trap dirt. Silk paint produces a longer lasting ‘just painted’ look and is popular for large wall areas. The finish is also resistant to dirt and stains.

Another aspect that it is important to think about is the conditions that you are going to be painting in. The temperature of a room can affect the finish of a paint job. Paint performs better in mild conditions; it shouldn’t be too hot or cold when the paint is applied. Conditions that are too cold make brushing and rolling more difficult and slows down the drying time of the paint. Conditions that are too hot can make paint dry to fast and compromise the durability of it.

For the best paint finish possible you should hire the help of a professional interior painter from a building contractor firm. By enlisting the help of a professional all your surface preparation will be taken care of and you won’t have to buy all of the equipment needed as the building contractor team will provide it. Helen is the web master of ARCH Building Solutions, specialists in all aspects of Interior Painting.