Paint pigments are one of the three primary components of any paint, the other two being the solvent, and the binder. The pigment is the most visible part of the paint, and that’s not surprising, since the purpose of the pigment is to give paint it’s color.

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The pigment usually takes the end form of a powder, that is insoluble. This point is important, since it is the main distinguishing factor between pigments and dyes. As pigments do not dissolve, they remain in a state of suspension in the solvent, often resulting in what chemists call, a colloidal solution.

In the olden days, the most valuable pigment was used to produce a color called Ultramarine. This was rare because the only way to obtain the pigment of the color, was to crush the semi-precious stone known as the “Lapis Lazuli”. Now of course, there are several ways to synthesize this color.

Pigments have occasionally caused the economies of entire countries to rise, or fall. For example, it was responsible for the industrial rejuvenation of Germany.

Often, pigments are used for purposes other than coloring, such as forming a protective coat over the substance being painted (Called the substrate) from Ultraviolet rays. It is important that a pigment be stable meaning, that it cannot lose it’s color over time, or become black. Such pigments are called fugitive pigments.

Turpentine is very commonly used in wood work for a variety of reason, primarily for the thinning of paint. However, it is also used chemically as a solvent. So what is turpentine?

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Turpentine is what we call an essential oil. It is characterized by the strong pungent smell that is common to all aromatic compounds. To obtain it, we need to separate it from the Resin that comes primarily from pine trees. Since volatile organic compounds disentigrate at higher temperatures, we use a special sort of distillation called steam distillation, which lowers it’s boiling point for safe extraction.

If you  recall our article on varnish, you will remember that one of the components is a solvent. A solvent is used to dissolve a substance. Ideally, we would like it to be as volatile (ie. evaporates quickly) as possible so that it leaves behind the dissolved substance. So the solvent carries out it’s purpose of making a thick substance easily manageable, and removes itself by evaporation once it has fulfilled that purpose.

This is why turpentine is so commonly used as a paint thinner. The pigment of the paint is thick, and does not flow easily from a brush. When mixed with turpentine, it flows smoothly, gets distributed, and is left behind in a uniform manner when the turpentine is gone.

Turpentine has other uses as well, apart from paint, and was used for medicinal properties in the olden days. Learn the clinical uses of Turpentine here.

Often, you will want to change the color of the wood that is used to make your home, or a piece of furniture. This can be either to fit it in with the rest of the room, or merely as a preference. To accomplish this, Wood Stains are used.

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Wood stains are actually paints, but with a difference. Unlike paint, wood stains are meant only to enhance the wood - not to hide it altogether like paint does. Also, a primary ingredient of paint, is the binder, that allows the paint to form a film over the surface. Wood Stains however, contain a very low amount of binder. This allows the stain to sink into the pores of the wood. This is usually followed up with varnish for added protection and finish.

Staining is easiest when the wood is old, and has large pores. It will also depend on the type of stains used. If the pigments are metallic in nature, they will take longer to settle and dry, and this can be a problem in cold damp conditions.

You must also remember, that a few woods that are rare like Maple, or Aged Pine are best not stained at all since they look best in their natural color. Staining must always be done to benefit the wood, otherwise it’s best to leave it alone.

If you’re unsure of how to proceed (And staining can be very complex), get a professional to help you out.

Most people are familiar with the word varnish in reference to making objects made of wood shine, and in some way or the other, protecting the wood. But how does this happen? And what exactly is varnish?

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Varnish, is a way of placing a tough protective layer over the wood. This layer is transparent, and unlike paint, does not contain any pigment. The result is a shiny substance that covers the wood and protects it.

One of the primary components of Varnish, is a “Drying Oil”. This is a substance that hardens on exposure to Oxygen. It doesn’t really ‘dry’ in the normal sense of the word meaning evaporation, but through a chemical process that involves formations of cross linked polymers. This process is also called curing.

Depending on the type of varnish, the curing time varies widely. It is important to remember that most varnishes are highy flammable as they are drying due to the solvent evaporating. Since varnishes take time to dry, they are best applied in a dust free room, as dust particles will spoil the finish.

The advantages of varnish include restricting the effect of moisture and humid air on wood, and providing a certain amount of protection from casual abrasions. Depending on the specific purpose for which the wood is being varnished, the type of varnish is chosen.

Quite apart from the aesthetic angle of painting (which should by no means be ignored), paints are used for protection in a variety of ways. Most you will know that they are used for preventing corrosion, but you might be surprised in how many ways, this can happen.

Effects of Corrosion

Corrosion happens when a material like Iron comes in contact with the air. The air reacts with the metal, forming a layer of rust. Over time, so much of the metal is eaten up, that it becomes weak, brittle, and can collapse. This photograph shows the fate of the bridge known as the “Silver Bridge” that broke down causing the death of 46 people in 1928. One of the reasons for this, was something called Stress Corrosion Cracking, which means that a small fissure (possibly with the thickness of a hair), can be invaded by the atmosphere, and slowly destroy the integrity of the structure.

To avoid this, paint is used to prevent the material from coming into direct contact with the air. The component of paint called the primer, performs this important duty. It is usually applied before the main coat of paint, and serves the dual purpose of blocking up little pores (In say wood), as well as ensuring that the main coat of paint adheres properly.

Surfaces like wood are degenerated even more quickly by the environment unless protected by a coat of paint or varnish. So painting your house is more than a simple consideration of the appreciating looks your neighbors bestow, but one that shows how much you care for your dwelling.

Eco Friendly Paints are one of the more recent developments in the paint world. With technology advancing everyday, there are more and more choices available to the consumer.

You know that smell of a freshly painted wall that so many people love as a symbol of new beginnings? They may not be as benign as you think they are. Most likely, they are organic chemicals that evaporate, and are harmful.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ruled that if a paint contains more than 5 grams of Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC), it is not safe. Green, or Eco Friendly paints are “Zero VOC”, meaning that they pass something called the “EPA Reference Test Method 24″

If you’re worried about pollution, consider that indoor air is three times more polluted that outdoor air because of the proliferation of VOC’s. This poses a serious health risk, especially for young children.

Eco Friendly, or “Green” Paints, are made up of natural oils and other natural ingredients that do not cause harm to you, or the environment. This means that it decreases landfill, and groundwater usage, as well as reducing hazardous residue.

As a responsible citizen, and a caring parent, it is in your best interests to use Eco Friendly paints for a clear conscience, and a healthier society. You can find out about our community activities to learn more about how we support the green movement.

Lead Paint Removal can be a dangerous business. Several houses still have lead paint that was used before the 1978 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of paint with high percentages of lead.

Contrary to popular belief, you get lead poisoning not by chewing lead paint, but by inhaling small particles of lead. This is particularly dangerous to young children below the age of six.

When you want to remove lead paint, you have several techniques. Most of them require professionals wearing HEPA filters. These will ensure that 99.97% of the smallest particles will not be inhaled.

Removing lead paint is very dangerous, as most methods are likely to create dust that can be inhaled. All furniture should be taken out of the room, or covered with a twin layer of plastic. If this sounds too much of a hassle, see if you can just replace the offending components of the room like windows, that are covered with the paint.

It is unadvisable to remove the lead paint completely yourself. Any contractor whom you hire, must have a “Lead Based Paint Permit”, which tells you that they are qualified to handle and remove lead paints. The safest methods are “Wet” methods, since they weigh down the particles are prevent them from being dispersed into the air.

If you feel that you want to hire a professional, you can hire one from this resource.

You will find that there are a lot of ways that you can dramatically change the decor of your home, but you will find that the quickest and cheapest way to decorate is to find your color schemes.

You will want to go to the local hardware store and just grab a bunch of paint colors and then try to future out what you would like to paint and where you would like to paint. You will find that there are a lot of things that you will want to consider, but you will first want to consider what it is that you are painting.

There are a lot of older homes that have paneling everywhere. You will want to keep in mind that there are a lot of places in the home where you will want to have the wood look and you will find that there are places where you will want to have some color. You do not want to have the whole house paneled, because it will take away some of the ways that you can personalize the home.

You will also want to keep in mind that there are some things that you will want paint so that you can have your own personal space. When it comes to the bedrooms you will want to make each and everyone person feel like it is their own personal space. It is very important that you learn to make your home a home.

When it comes to the color in the bedrooms you will want to make sure that it reflects who you are. You will want to make sure that you add some color to the home, but that you don’t go overboard. You may want to pick some colors that are going to be calming and easing.

You will want to make sure that you do everything that you can to become comfortable with the home. You may want to think about using colors like browns, blues, and lighter shades. You do not want to make any bold statements.

When it comes to the colors of the rooms that you paint, you will want to consider the fact that there are objects in the room that you will want to match. You will want to make sure that you try to match the bathroom towels with the decor of the bathroom, that you match the comforters to the colors of the bedrooms. Everything needs to coordinate.

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House siding comes in many styles and types including vinyl, aluminum, wood, stucco, seamless steel, brick, and engineered wood. Each material has its individual pros and cons to consider in terms of new home installation, residing an existing structure, and insulation and protection against the elements. It is more than just a great way to modernize the exterior of your home. It is a way to add years of protection to your exterior structure.

It goes without saying that siding your home is a great way of enhancing your home’s visual charm. Siding also adds fortification against the elements - wind, rain, snow, and ice. It is essentially a barrier applied to the outside of your home to make it weatherproof.

Siding helps prevent moisture from seeping in, protects the interior structure against unwanted pests, thwarts the growth of common biological contaminants like mold, bacteria and dust mites, thereby lessening allergic, respiratory and other health issues.

We all know that siding comes in vinyl. Vinyl siding has been around for years. However, siding is made in lots of different materials, and comes in a multitude of colors, textures and gauge thicknesses. It can imitate architectural details that were once made only from wood products.

Using vinyl siding can help reduce home maintenance bills, and protect your home from wear and tear. The material that covers the outside walls of your house is important to your home’s makeup, facade, and weather worthiness. Many companies consider vinyl siding so tough that they offer a lifetime warranty.

One of the biggest detractors from using vinyl siding is in its insulation value. Vinyl siding offers little in the way of insulation-value for your home, so if you choose go this route, make sure that your home has an adequate amount of insulation prior to installation.

Wood siding is also available to install on your house in three forms: boards, shingles, or shakes. It comes in Cedar siding, Masonite siding, and log and pine siding. Woods such as cedar, redwood and cypress are most often used as siding.

Cedar Siding is available in smooth, rough or saw-textured surfaces and is very durable. Cedar is known for its grain qualities and rot resistance. It also takes a stain well adding a rich character to your facade.

Whether you go with vinyl or wood, house siding is an excellent investment for your home. It is a terrific way to update your home’s look while increasing your resale value. If you want to move away from painting, house siding is an excellent alternative that can provide years of beautification to your home exterior.

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