Painting work is a variety of performance techniques, as well as the use of various devices, equipment and paints. Before starting the painting work, it is necessary to rationally choose the color scheme of the room. For carrying out both indoor and outdoor works, certain types of paints, varnishes, putties, etc. are created, which, depending on operating conditions, differ in components and characteristics. A significant segment of the market of paints and varnishes is occupied by alkyd paints and enamels, which have a number of useful properties.
What is in the composition?
The composition of alkyd paint materials to a large extent determines the properties and characteristics of varnishes, paints and primers. In general, any paintwork material contains ingredients such as:
- coloring pigments;
- various excipients;
- thinners;
- desiccants - substances that accelerate drying, etc.
As for alkyd paints, they contain alkyd polymers (resins) as foaming agents. But from what type of resin, pentaphthalic and glyphthalic binders are distinguished, and, accordingly, pentaphthalic (marking - PF) or glyphthalic (GF) enamels, primers and varnishes are produced. In addition, on alkyd varnish, in addition to traditional liquid, thick-grated compositions are also produced (GF-013, PF-014, etc.). Enamel painting material, or simply enamel, is a paint by means of which it is possible to obtain not a dull, but a glossy or even a mirror surface.
The segment of alkyd materials includes paints having the following basis:
- drying oil (marking - MA);
- glyptalic and pentaphthalic varnishes (marking - GF and PF);
- oil-phenolic varnish (marking - FA).
These types of coloring compositions can be mixed with each other. In addition, for their dilution or dissolution, the same solvents and diluents are used, but when preparing the working surface during application, identical primers and putties are used.
As for the methods of working with such compositions, then, as a rule, all pentaphthalic and glyphthalic enamels are applied in two layers with a roller or brush. With this method of application, the material consumption will be, on average, 150g / m2. Complete drying of the paint PF or HF occurs after 24-36 hours (similar to oil paints).
Solvents and thinners
When working with pentaphthalic and glyphthalic materials, sometimes it becomes necessary to dilute them to the desired consistency.
For these purposes, special diluents are used. In the case of alkyd paints, diluents are also solvents, i.e. substances that are capable of dissolving enamel coatings. In turn, the purpose of the diluent is to dilute the paint and help create a uniform film. But solvent substances dissolve paints and enamels, then disappear, thereby weakening the paintwork. Such volatile substances include white spirit, turpentine, solvent and gasoline-solvent, as well as special substances that serve as a solvent for certain paint materials.
The main diluent for paints based on alkyd polymers is white spirit, solvent, turpentine, xylene, gasoline-solvent Nefras-S 50/170, PC-2, as well as mixtures of these reagents.
Depending on the type of material, different substances can serve as diluents, for example:
- PC-2, turpentine, as well as white spirit, solvent or a mixture of any two diluents in a 1: 1 ratio serve as a diluent for PF-14, PF-1217 enamels.
- White spirit dilutes PF 1126 enamel.
- RS-2, turpentine, solvent (gasoline), white spirit, solvent, xylene or their mixtures act as diluents for enamels GF-230, PF-560, PF-115, PF-223.
- Enamel GF-1426 is dissolved to the required consistency, using both xylene and solvent, or using a mixture of any of the above with white spirit.
When working with substances and mixtures that dissolve or dilute enamels, a number of nuances should be taken into account.
How to dilute?
PF or GF enamels are sold ready to apply and with the degree of density that best suits the composition of the material. However, in case it is necessary to dilute the composition, it is necessary to add only the minimum amount of diluent, for example:
- If external painting is necessary, then the finished paint should be diluted by adding diluent in an amount of not more than 3% of the total enamel volume.
- For internal work, the finished paint should be diluted with a quantity of thinner of not more than 5% of the total volume.
- If you dilute the composition with a large amount of diluent, then the enamel drains (in particular, from vertical planes), forms streaks. In addition, the operational characteristics of the paintwork are reduced.
It should be noted that the material composition and the percentage ratio of ingredients in paint materials is not accidental and is the result of many years of experience. Therefore, the desire to improve the quality of the painted surface by adding a diluent in an arbitrary amount, often leads to deterioration of the characteristics of the coating.