Let's analyze the question that is relevant for those who are going to make repairs and which professionals can not always answer. Namely: "What is the difference between enamel and paint?" Someone will say that enamel and enamel paint are the same thing. Some will answer that the paint becomes dull after drying, and the enamel remains shiny. But these answers in no way reveal the essence of the differences between enamel, paint and enamel paint, as well as a number of their varieties. Will we deal with this issue thoroughly?
Enamel
We can easily recognize the difference between enamel and paint when we know a clear definition of each of the materials. First of all, we establish that enamel and paints and varnishes do not have “related ties” between each other.
So, enamel is a vitreous substance, in which there are:
- Alkaline metal oxides.
- Quartz.
- Pigments.
After this material is applied to the base, it is necessarily thermally processed. After that, a protective and durable wear layer is formed. If paints are applied, the enamel is deposited: baths, sinks with enamel coating, enameled dishes, some types of ceramic tiles, enamel on metal, fixed by firing, and so on.
Oil paint
We continue to understand the difference between enamel and paint. Paint and varnish material is a broader concept than enamel paint. The appearance of the latter is associated with the development of technology for the modification of pentaphthalic drying oil with alkyd resins.
The basis of the usual paintwork material is synthetic or natural drying oil (linseed oil), brought to a boil. The difference between enamel and oil paint can be seen even from the marking: MA (oil) index will distinguish ordinary paint, and letters PF (pentaphthalic) will be displayed on enamel paint. The difference is noticeable in the nature of the coating - enamel paints lie in a smoother and more durable layer.
The fields of application of oil paint are as follows:
- External and internal works.
- Primer, including and under enamel (in the case of a wooden surface).
- Painting wood, plastic, metal, concrete.
The application methods are varied: brush, roller, spray.
Varieties of oil paints
The main types of oil paints are two:
- Fluffy . After opening the container, the product can be used immediately.
- Pasty (thick-worn) . Before staining, the substance must be diluted with turpentine or drying oil. In this case, the addition of drying oil will make the painted surface glossy, and turpentine - matte.
Disadvantages of oil paints
What is the difference between alkyd paint and enamel? Like other types of oil coatings, a number of disadvantages:
- Low rate of both wear resistance and hiding power.
- Long drying - from several hours to a day.
- If the drying oil in the paint is synthetic, then paintwork is toxic, which is why its use inside residential premises is undesirable.
- A thick layer of oil paint blocks the access of air to the substrate, so the coating may be in the network of cracks.
- Drying oil over time is manifested by yellowness, which spoils the aesthetic appearance of the surface.
However, despite the above, oil paints continue to be in demand, primarily because of their low cost and versatility. If this paintwork is applied correctly, and the surface is not subjected to mechanical stresses, then such a coating will last up to 7 years.
Enamel paint
Understanding how enamel differs from paint, we realized that under the first concept the majority means enamel and varnish-and-paint material. Its composition is drying oil and zinc oxides, and the basis is high-quality varnish. After preliminary priming, such coatings can be applied to almost any surface, including adhesive sealant and polyurethane foam. This type of paint was called enamel because of the similarity of the painted surface in appearance with glaze enamel.
Enamel paint is a paste-like or liquid pigment, the medium of which is represented by a solution of film-forming agents in solvents of an organic nature. The film-forming agent is varnish, alkyd resins or other substances related to them by physicochemical characteristics. After such an enamel material dries, a film of a certain color is formed on the basis, whose texture, the saturation of the shade depends on the type of paint material.
The main differences between enamel paints
What distinguishes alkyd enamel from oil paint is one very unpleasant moment - a pungent odor. Oil-based varnish coatings rarely possess it - usually the “aroma” is weak, and it may be completely absent in water-based coloring materials.
As for the statement that enamel paints are characterized by a stronger shine than ordinary ones, then it is not entirely true. The type of film former and a number of additives in the composition of coatings (paint and varnish) are responsible for the gloss of the film. Therefore, ordinary paint can form a much more shiny surface than enamel.
But a definite plus of enamel paints is their strength, opacity and high moisture resistance. Unlike conventional coatings, they do not swell and do not crack under the influence of water. Therefore, enamel paints are often used in industry to counter corrosion processes.
Varieties of enamel coatings
To know how acrylic enamel differs from acrylic paint, we give a brief description of varieties of enamel coatings:
- Organosilicon . Suitable for application on various types of surfaces. They are characterized by increased strength, wear resistance, and insensitivity to moisture. Combining such a paintwork is possible only with a fully dried acrylic base.
- Nitrocellulose . This paint is characterized by the presence in the composition of cellulose nitrate, pigments, solvent, fillers and additives. The most common base options are wood, metal, concrete. It is packaged in cans and in convenient aerosol cans. Paint dries quickly (within an hour), fire hazard. There are two disadvantages of this type: a pungent smell, combination with other paints is possible only after appropriate technological preparation, in other cases it is unacceptable. Please note that the combination of nitro enamel and oil paint is unacceptable! Nitrocellulose will coagulate upon contact with the solvent, causing the painted surface to begin to bubble and crumble.
- Acrylic This is a latex-based aqueous dispersion. Non-toxic, quick-drying, safe from fires. The difference between acrylic enamels is that they are combined only with those coloring materials in which water is present. To combine with other varieties of coatings, preliminary surface preparation is necessary. Suitable for coloring furniture, indoor.
- Alkyd, alkyd-urethane, urethane . Speaking about alkyd enamels and oil paints, we note that they are characterized by high strength and long-term wear resistance. Enamels are perfectly applied to the surface painted with epoxy, oil, pentaphthalic paint. Their cons - a pungent smell, a long drying time. Why these coatings are used for outdoor work.
We presented a far from complete assortment of enamel coatings, only the most common. A wider list with brief specifications contains specialized tables on the compatibility of dyes.
Key differences and similarities
In summary, we will draw your attention to two points regarding oil and enamel coatings.
- General:
- Manufacturing technology: pigment and bonding structure.
- Universality in scopes.
- Perform a protective function in relation to the surface to be painted.
- Differences:
- Composition: the base of enamel - varnish, the basis of oil coatings - varnish.
- The protective properties of enamels are an order of magnitude higher than that of oil paints.
We hope that our article allowed you to broadly understand the world of paints and varnishes and choose the most suitable paint for the case.