Paints is a term used to broadly describe finishing materials designed for application on a substrate wherein the film is converted to a clear or opaque solid and continuous film membrane after application. Paints are applied for varied purposes and uses such as to protect or serve special functional purposes. Acrylics, lacquers, enamels, urethanes, epoxies, sealers, primer surfacers, putties, etc. can all be broadly described as paints. All paints are similar to one another insofar as they possess three (3) basic component parts such as: Binder, Pigment or Extender, and Solvent.

1) Pigment - gives paint its color and hiding power, and adds to the durability. Pigments are dry powder which look like ordinary flour or talc powder, white or colored. Special pigments are used in undercoats (primers) to aid in filling and sanding.

2) Binder - sometimes called fixed vehicle. There are thousands of different paint binders. It is the binder which firmly adheres itself to the surface being painted. In the paint manufacturing process, the pigment is evenly distributed throughout the binder. The binder is a clear liquid varying in color from water-white to deep amber, and resembles sticky adhesive glue or pancake syrup. Without pigment, the binder or vehicle dries to a clear, glossy film.

3) Solvent or thinner - makes the binder-pigment workable and fluid when the paint is being made. It also makes efficient application possible with spray gun or brush.

After paint has been applied, the solvent or thinner evaporates completely. Binder and pigment remain to form the hardened paint film. All solvents (thinner) resembles each other very closely in outward appearance, but each solvent has a widely different effect on the workability and performance of paint.

From the above discussion, it would seem that paint is simple enough. But keep in mind that each of the many thousands of different pigments, binders and thinners in use today is chemically different. Each is a product of painstaking research and practical application. Variation in quality and quantity of the three component parts can alter the workability, appearance, and durability of paint. For trouble-free performance, paint must always be used according to the manufacturer's directions and recommendation.