
Enamel paint is
paint
Paint is a material or mixture that, when applied to a solid material and allowed to dry, adds a film-like layer. As art, this is used to create an image or images known as a painting. Paint can be made in many colors and types. Most paints are ...
that air-dries to a hard, usually
glossy
Gloss is an optical property which indicates how well a surface reflects light in a specular (mirror-like) direction. It is one of the important parameters that are used to describe the visual appearance of an object. Other categories of visual a ...
, finish, used for coating surfaces that are outdoors or otherwise subject to hard wear or variations in temperature; it should not be confused with decorated objects in "painted enamel", where
vitreous enamel
Vitreous enamel, also called porcelain enamel, is a material made by melting, fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between . The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitrification, vitreous coating. The wo ...
is applied with brushes and fired in a kiln. The name is something of a misnomer, as in reality most commercially available enamel paints are significantly softer than either vitreous enamel or stoved synthetic resins, and are totally different in composition; vitreous enamel is applied as a powder or paste and then fired at high temperature. There is no generally accepted definition or standard for use of the term "enamel paint", and not all enamel-type paints may use it.
Paint
Typically the term "enamel paint" is used to describe oil-based covering products, usually with a significant amount of gloss in them, however recently many latex or water-based paints have adopted the term as well. The term today means "hard surfaced paint" and usually is in reference to paint brands of higher quality, floor coatings of a high gloss finish, or
spray paints
Spray paint (formally aerosol paint) is paint that comes in a sealed, pressurized can and is released in an aerosol spray when a valve button is depressed. The propellant is what the container of pressurized gas is called. When the pressure hold ...
. Most enamel paints are
alkyd resin
An alkyd is a polyester resin modified by the addition of fatty acids and other components. Alkyds are derived from polyols and organic acids including dicarboxylic acids or carboxylic acid anhydride and triglyceride oils. The term ''alkyd'' is ...
based. Some enamel paints have been made by adding
varnish
Varnish is a clear Transparency (optics), transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not to be confused with wood stain. It usually has a yellowish shade due to the manufacturing process and materials used, but it may also be pigmente ...
to oil-based paint.
Although "enamels" and "
painted enamel
Vitreous enamel, also called porcelain enamel, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between . The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating. The word ''vitreous'' comes ...
" in art normally refer to vitreous enamel, in the 20th century some artists used commercial enamel paints in art, including
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso (25 October 1881 – 8 April 1973) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, Ceramic art, ceramicist, and Scenic ...
(mixing it with oil paint),
Hermann-Paul
René Georges Hermann-Paul (27 December 1864 – 23 June 1940) was a French artist. He was born in Paris and died in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
He was a well-known illustrator whose work appeared in numerous newspapers and periodicals. His fine a ...
,
Jackson Pollock
Paul Jackson Pollock (; January 28, 1912August 11, 1956) was an American painter. A major figure in the abstract expressionist movement, Pollock was widely noticed for his "Drip painting, drip technique" of pouring or splashing liquid household ...
, and
Sidney Nolan
Sir Sidney Robert Nolan (22 April 191728 November 1992) was one of the leading Australian artists of the 20th century. Working in a wide variety of media, his oeuvre is among the most diverse and prolific in all of modern art. He is best known ...
. ''
The Trial
''The Trial'' () is a novel written by Franz Kafka in 1914 and 1915 and published posthumously on 26 April 1925. One of his best-known works, it tells the story of Josef K., a man arrested and prosecuted by a remote, inaccessible authority, wi ...
'' (1947) is one of a number of works by Nolan to use enamel paint, usually
Ripolin Ripolin is a brand of paint. It was the first commercially available brand of enamel paint.
Ripolin, a brand of commercial ready-mixed paints formulated for architectural, marine and other applications, originated in the Netherlands where it was de ...
, a commercial paint not intended for art, also Picasso's usual brand.
Some "enamel paints" are now produced specifically for artists.
Enamels paints can also refer to
nitrocellulose
Nitrocellulose (also known as cellulose nitrate, flash paper, flash cotton, guncotton, pyroxylin and flash string, depending on form) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to a mixture of nitric acid and ...
based paints, one of the first modern commercial paints of the 20th century. They have since been superseded by new synthetic coatings like alkyd,
acrylic
Acrylic may refer to:
Chemicals and materials
* Acrylic acid, the simplest acrylic compound
* Acrylate polymer, a group of polymers (plastics) noted for transparency and elasticity
* Acrylic resin, a group of related thermoplastic or thermosettin ...
and
vinyl
Vinyl may refer to:
Chemistry
* Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a particular vinyl polymer
* Vinyl cation, a type of carbocation
* Vinyl group, a broad class of organic molecules in chemistry
* Vinyl polymer, a group of polymers derived from vinyl ...
, due to toxicity, safety, and conservation (tendency to age yellow) concerns. In art has been used also by Pollock with the commercial paint named
Duco
Duco was a trade name assigned to a product line of automotive lacquer developed by the DuPont Company in the 1920s. Under the Duco brand, DuPont introduced the first quick drying multi-color line of nitrocellulose lacquers made especially for t ...
. The artist experimented and created with many types of commercial or house paints during his career. Other artists: "after discovering various types of industrial materials produced in the United States in the 1930s, Siqueiros' produced most of his easel works with uncommon materials which include Duco paint, a DuPont brand name for
pyroxyline paint, a tough and resilient type of nitro-cellulose paint manufactured for the automotive industry". Nitro-cellulose enamels are also commonly known as modern
lacquer
Lacquer is a type of hard and usually shiny coating or finish applied to materials such as wood or metal. It is most often made from resin extracted from trees and waxes and has been in use since antiquity.
Asian lacquerware, which may be c ...
s. Enamel paint comes in a variety of hues and can be custom blended to produce a particular tint. It is also available in water-based and solvent-based formulations, with solvent-based enamel being more prevalent in industrial applications. For the greatest results, use a high-quality brush, roller, or spray gun when applying enamel paint. When dried, enamel paint forms a durable, hard-wearing surface that resists chipping, fading, and discoloration, making it a great choice for a wide range of surfaces and applications.
Uses and categories
*Floor enamel – May be used for
concrete
Concrete is a composite material composed of aggregate bound together with a fluid cement that cures to a solid over time. It is the second-most-used substance (after water), the most–widely used building material, and the most-manufactur ...
, stairs, basements, porches, and patios.
*Fast dry enamel – Can dry within 10–15 minutes of application. Ideal for refrigerators, counters, and other industrial finishes.
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*High-temp enamel – May be used for engines, brake calipers
A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc (sometimes called a rakerotor) to create friction. There are two basic types of brake pad friction mechanisms: abrasive friction and adherent frictio ...
, exhaust pipe
An exhaust system is used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes. Depending on the overall syste ...
and BBQs.
*Enamel paint is also used on wood to make it resistant to the elements via the waterproofing and rotproofing
Rot-proof or rot resistant is a condition of preservation or protection, by a process or treatment of materials used in industrial manufacturing or production to prevent biodegradation and chemical decomposition. Decomposition is a factor in wh ...
properties of enamel. Generally, treated surfaces last much longer and are much more resistant to wear than untreated surfaces.
*Model building
Model building is a hobby and career that involves the creation of physical models either from kits or from materials and components acquired by the builder. The kits contain several pieces that need to be assembled in order to make a final mode ...
– Xtracolor and Humbrol
Humbrol Limited is a British brand and former manufacturer of paints, solvents, and other accessories for scale model kits and toys. In the past, Humbrol produced under its own brand and the Airfix, Sky Marks, Young Scientist, 1st Gear, High S ...
are mainstream UK brands. Colourcoats model paint is a high quality brand with authentic accurate military colours. Testors
Testor Corporation (or Testors) is an American manufacturer of tools and accessories for scale model kits. The business is based in Rockford, Illinois, and is part of RPM International. It was founded in 1929 and its products are made in the US a ...
, a US company, offers the Floquil, Pactra, Model Master and Testors brands.
*Nail enamel
Nail polish (also known as nail varnish in British English or nail enamel) is a lacquer that can be applied to the human fingernails or toenails to decorate and protect the nail plates. The formula has been revised repeatedly to enhance its ...
– to color nails, it comes in many varieties for fast drying, color retention, gloss retention, etc.
*Epoxy enamel, polyurethane
Polyurethane (; often abbreviated PUR and PU) is a class of polymers composed of organic chemistry, organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. In contrast to other common polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene, polyurethane term ...
enamel, etc. used in protective coating / industrial painting purpose in chemical and petrochemical industries for anti-corrosion purposes.
Notes
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Coatings
Paints