Alkyd paint: features of choice

The durability of many materials depends on external factors acting on the surface. One way to extend the life of metal or wood is to coat them with protective compounds. They minimize external impact on the top layer of the substance, thereby reducing the risk of its destruction. Among its analogues, alkyd paint perfectly solves these problems.

Alkyd paints have appeared on the modern market for a very long time. Their history began several decades ago, when man learned to synthesize artificial polymers. The name of these mixtures is due to the presence in their composition of polyesters, which are called alkyds. These products consist of oils and fatty acids, which are combined into one group.

Such a connection made it possible to obtain a high-quality liquid, which was then used as a solution for various paint-forming components.

The popularity of alkyd paints today is due to several of their positive aspects:

• Resistant to moisture. The top layer repels water very well, preventing it from penetrating under the surface of the coating.
• High density protective film. This, in turn, also affects the wear resistance of the material. The substance tolerates abrasion well and can be stored for a long time.

• Resistance to mechanical damage.
• The paint is not afraid of the effects of various chemical solutions. Therefore, it is used in industrial plants and other specialized places.
• High drying speed.

Alkyd paints are a fairly wide group of mixtures that include the so-called enamels. It is these solutions that are often associated with alkyd-based mixtures. Another popular product is acrylic enamel, which is used almost everywhere.

To understand which material is better, you should compare several of their characteristics:

• Drying time. Alkyd enamel dries up to 2 days, which allows you to quickly and efficiently make repairs. Acrylic-based solutions gain strength from 2 to 30 days, depending on the composition and place of use. This can sometimes be inconvenient, especially if the deadlines are tight.
• Life time. Alkyd paints can be used at both positive and negative temperatures. The frozen mixture does not tolerate ultraviolet light well. Therefore, after 2-3 years, the alkyd layer will simply crack, and it will need to be changed. Acrylic enamel is much more elastic than its counterpart. Its service life can reach up to 8 years. If you cover metal or plaster with it, then the top layer will last up to 20 years.

• Price. Acrylic-based paints are distinguished by a high price, which is several times higher than that of alkyd solutions.
• Composition. The main component of acrylic paints is acrylic polymer, as well as water, which acts as a solvent.Nevertheless, alkyd mixtures suggest the presence of alkyd varnish, as well as white spirit. Both types of paint contain special dyes and plasticizers, but this already affects the specific characteristics of the solution.

Alkyd paint is suitable for many applications.

It is made on the basis of several main components:

• Alkyd resins. Often, the composition of paints includes varnish, which perfectly binds together all the other components.
• Solvent. Many manufacturers use kerosene (white spirit) as this element. But some also use other solutions related to this chemical group.
• Fillers. The main element here is granite or marble chips. It is crushed to the size of flour, which allows the substance to be evenly distributed in the solution.

Depending on the structure and composition, paints of this type are divided into 2 large groups:

• Oil. The main component of this solution is drying oil. There are several brands of such mixtures, among which MA-021, MA-025 and others can be distinguished. Such solutions are quite rare, as they have a strong odor when dried, and also quickly fade under the influence of the sun. But the cost of oil paints is relatively low, so many still use them.
• Enamel. The main component here is alkyd varnish, which forms a strong film on the surface after hardening. Depending on the main filler, enamels can be divided into glyphthalic and pentaphthalic enamels. The first group of solutions hardens quickly. It is advisable to use glyphtal paints only indoors. Pentaphthalic compounds are more versatile and very good at repelling water. There are several types of paints here, among which PF-115, PF-133 and others can be distinguished.

An aerosol mixture is a great alternative for this. Spray paint is easy to apply, as it lays down in an even thin layer. However, it should be noted that not all alkyd formulations can be produced as aerosols.

To change the physical properties of paints, many manufacturers add certain substances to the composition.

Depending on this, products can be divided into several more types:

• alkyd-urethane;
• styrene;
• other.

The color palette of alkyd paints is quite limited. Black, white and brown solutions are especially popular. But manufacturers allow you to change the color of the paint yourself.

To do this, they produce a variety of colors (dyes). They are added to the composition of the purchased paint, and it acquires the desired color. By combining several mixtures, you can get the shade you want.

The scope of use of alkyd paints is quite wide, since the material easily forms a strong bond with almost any material.

Today solutions of this type are used in various industries to solve complex problems:

• Painting of wooden surfaces. Very often, alkyd solutions are used to paint doors, furniture or floors. Please note that not all formulations can be used in this case. For example, a wooden floor should be painted with mixtures that have increased abrasion resistance (PF-253).
• Protection of metal parts. This group includes almost all types of alkyd paints. But there is also a gradation of use, depending on the environment of use. So, for painting heating radiators, a mixture of the PF-223 brand is suitable. It is intended for indoor use only and can withstand high temperatures. Among the disadvantages, a very pungent smell can be distinguished, so all work must be performed only in protective clothing.

• Protection of concrete walls.Paints for these surfaces have appeared relatively recently. To achieve high-quality results, they are recommended to be used together with special primers. Similar solutions are used in most cases for walls, since concrete flooring is almost never painted.

Today, many companies are engaged in the production of alkyd paints, among which products of several brands can be distinguished:

• Belinka. The paints are great for a variety of surfaces. But the main direction is the manufacture of solutions for wood.
• Tikkurila. The Finnish company is the leader in the paint market. Here you can find quality alkyd products that meet all safety standards. Among the positive characteristics are the long service life of the material and a large number of color shades (up to 120).

• Alpina. The company is also widely known for its products. There are both alkyd and acrylic enamels on the market. The materials are of high quality and ease of application.
• Sadolin. A Swedish brand that has been on the market for a very long time. Produces several types of alkyd paints. Here you can find solutions for both wood and metal. The color of many formulations can be changed with colourants.

Alkyd paints are produced by many companies today, but not all of them are of different quality.

When buying such a product, you should pay attention to several characteristics:

• Price. Cheap enamels are not able to protect the surface from corrosion for a long time and with high quality. Preference should be given only to foreign brands that have proven themselves well on the market.
• Purpose. All types of alkyd paints are used with specific materials. In theory, wood mortar can be applied to concrete or metal, but it will not stick to this surface for long. Therefore, it is better to use only specialized solutions.

• Composition. Only high-quality materials should be used for the manufacture of paint. All this must be confirmed by relevant documents. It is important to pay attention to the level of safety, as some modifications can release very toxic components. Therefore, it is not recommended to work with them in a domestic environment.

In the next video, you will find a review of Tikkurila Empire alkyd furniture paint.