Paint is much more than a layer of color that is applied to walls, floors, ceilings and other surfaces. It is, in truth, a compound made from four basic elements: pigments, resins, solvents and additives. "It is the main substance used to protect or beautify a surface," described Enid Vidal, Quality Control Manager at Enco Manufacturing.

The pigments are what will provide the color to the product. In general, it is a fine powder that does not dissolve completely but rather mixes with the liquid base medium. There are two types: the primary ones (responsible for giving color and a good finish to the product), and the extenders (made from clay, silica, talcum powder and chalk, which help prevent the development of mold, rust and others).

Resins , for their part, are the agent that encapsulates the pigment and adheres it to the worked surface. The highest quality is acrylic, and it is also the one that gives more or less shine to the product.

Likewise, solvents are the liquid in which pigments and resins float. When applied, it evaporates and leaves the other components well adhered to the surface. They can be water or mineral based. The lower the percentage of solvents, the better the paint coverage.

Finally, additives are the substance that is attached to the material to increase its characteristics, that is, they are responsible for ensuring that the products have good fluidity on surfaces, they improve their adhesion, and also their antifungal and antioxidant capabilities.

Chemistry recommends that "every surface that is going to be painted must be clean and dry." Sometimes, when the surface is inspected, alkalinity problems, blisters, wrinkles are detected "and these must be corrected first," he said.

A solution for every problem

Blisters- you have to scrape them off, wash them and wait for them to dry.

Humidity- can generate fungi. Wash the surface with water and bleach. One quarter chlorine and three quarters water. Then rinse, wait for it to dry and the surface will be ready for the "primer".

Cracks- Correct them with putty and then sand.

Efflorescence or new surfaces- The chemical reaction of concrete lasts 24 to 28 days. During this process, a release of salts occurs and it is advisable to wait for the period to pass. But, if the contractor or property owner wants to finish the job quickly, applying a "primer" is ideal.

Lead in my paint, what do I do?

Lead is a chemical element. It is a metal that was used in paints before 1978 and was later determined to be harmful to humans. "It causes damage to the brain, liver and lungs," the expert warned. "It is not currently used in paints, but if you have a structure that was painted before this date and there are loose paint particles, it should be removed by an EPA-certified professional. They are trained to do it," he reported.

If you decide to remove lead paint (at your own risk), you should use a respirator with EPA-approved filters. You also need to cover your hair, feet, and hands. "Scrape with a wet putty knife and moisten the wall so that the waste does not spread. Once you collect all the waste, it is mandatory to call EPA personnel to collect it. This waste is classified as toxic and under no circumstances can it be thrown away. household garbage," said Vidal.

The ideal painting

Painting is not only to beautify but also to protect surfaces from attacks by various environmental agents. Therefore, to choose the right paint, it is necessary to analyze not only its aesthetic contribution, but also its technical characteristics.

"Take into account that sometimes a single type of paint is not enough to adequately protect a surface. In those cases it is necessary to combine layers of paint with different characteristics, each one will provide a specific property. And when painting, what might require additional effort is the prior preparation work and reaching the areas that need painting," said the manager.

Likewise, we must ask ourselves under what surfaces we are going to paint. If outside, the best resin that works in our climate is 100 percent acrylic. On the other hand, to paint indoors, it must be low in odor. "In the market we have low-odor products to take care of the respiratory tracts of people within the property," said Vidal. "If it is a surface exposed to humidity, there are paints that block it and that are a 'primer' and sealant, with bioside and fungicides that eliminate the fungus."

Types of paintings

1. Water paints. They are ideal for interior walls because they dry quickly and you can give it a second or third coat 3 to 6 hours later.
2. Oil-based paints. Outside, use weather-resistant ones that are oil-based.
3. Varnished paint. If you are trying to recover a piece of furniture, varnish is usually used, which gives the wood an attractive appearance, and then you apply polyurethane for a bright and even finish.
4. Epoxy paint. On materials such as wood or metal, epoxy paint is ideal. It can also be used in humid places. This type of paint is available in a "kit" with resin, hardener and thinner.
5. Matte paint. For finishes, the most common are matte, semi-matte and satin. However, there is a new line of paints that provides textured finishes that can even resemble cement.