Paint is a material that is used to give color to certain objects. Enamel is a thin layer of glass that is applied to the surface and subjected to high-temperature processing. Paints and enamels have different properties.
Paint: definition and properties
Regular paint is a fairly viscous suspension. The paint is created on the basis of drying oil, oil, latex and emulsion. Also, its composition must necessarily include substances that form a film on the surface, and coloring pigments. Film-forming substances are a bonding base, due to which, after drying, an opaque solid film is formed on the painted surface. Also, solvents must be present in the paint so that the material takes on a form that is most convenient for application.
There are different types of paints - water-dispersion, silicate, adhesive, art. Their properties usually depend on the film-forming material that is included in their composition. Usually they are used to create a protective layer on the surface.
Enamel: concept and properties
It is customary to call enamel a suspension of pigments prepared on the basis of varnish. When dry, the enamel forms an opaque film with a matte or glossy texture. This coating has excellent decorative properties. The protective characteristics of enamels are much higher than that of oil paints.
The enamels contain a large amount of a film-forming substance and a small percentage of fillers. It usually takes up to six hours for the enamelled surface to dry. The main feature of enamels can be considered the presence of a finely dispersed pigment in their composition. The concentration of this pigment is quite high. That is why enamel paints are best suited for working with metallics. Unlike oil paints, enamels are practically not washed out with a solvent. It is recommended to mix them thoroughly before use so that stratification into separate fractions is insignificant.
The main differences between paint and enamel
There are several main differences between paints and enamels. Any paint contains a large amount of fillers, while enamels mainly consist of substances that form a film.
Unlike paints, enamels often have a pungent, unpleasant odor due to the presence of varnishes in their composition. By the way, modern high quality paints may not have any smell at all. But enamel protects the surface much better from ultraviolet rays, temperature changes and other environmental influences.
