Priya Kapoor
In the context of painting, a vehicle is a liquid substance that holds the ingredients of paint in liquid suspension. Vehicles are used to spread paint evenly and uniformly on a surface and to provide a binder for the ingredients of the paint so that they adhere to the surface. In the case of oil paints, the vehicle is usually a drying oil such as linseed oil or wax. In modern times, automotive paints come in liquid, spray, and powder forms, with the most common type for heavy transportation vehicles being solid paints.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Decorative and protective |
| Types | Solid, metallic, pearlescent, enamel, lacquer, polyurethane |
| Application | Liquid, spray, powder, removable, non-removable |
| Layers | Primer, basecoat, clearcoat |
| Thickness | Around 100 μm (0.1mm) |
| Drying | Ovens, room temperature |
| Vehicle | Liquid substance that holds the ingredients of paint in liquid suspension |
| Vehicle Examples | Oil, wax, resin, beeswax, linseed oil, glycerine, sulphate of zinc, acetate of lead |
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What You'll Learn
Oil as a vehicle for paint
Oil is the most common vehicle used for paints. It is considered the best option, but it does have some drawbacks. For instance, drying linseed oil, which is made by boiling linseed oil with a metallic oxide, has a strong affinity for oxygen, which causes it to chemically bond with the colouring pigments and eventually dull their colour. This means that many delicate pigments, such as chrome yellow, verdigris, gamboge, and some lakes, cannot be used with linseed oil without losing their colour. However, this can be corrected by adding pure beeswax to the paint.
Linseed oil is created by pressing the seeds of the flax plant and is the most prevalent vehicle for artists' oil paints. Modern processes use heat or steam to produce refined varieties of oil with fewer impurities, but many artists prefer cold-pressed oils. Other vegetable oils such as hemp, poppy seed, walnut, sunflower, safflower, and soybean oils may be used as alternatives to linseed oil. For example, safflower and poppy oils are paler than linseed oil and allow for more vibrant whites straight from the tube.
Oils contain a considerable portion of glycerine, a hygroscopic fat that prevents unprepared oils from drying. However, metallic oxides can be added to the oil to make it dry more easily. The oxide of lead, sulphate of zinc, and the oxide of manganese, when boiled with oils, give them great drying properties. Oils treated in this way are called drying oils and are commonly used.
The vehicle of a paint is the liquid substance that holds the ingredients of the paint in liquid suspension. They are required for two main reasons: to make it possible to spread the paint evenly and uniformly on the surface in the form of a thin layer, and to provide a binder for the ingredients of the paint so that they may stick or adhere to the surface.
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Wax as a preservative
Wax has been used as a preservative and protective coating for centuries, especially for wood finishes and paintings. It is a powerful antiseptic with great preservative powers. It is often used as a final coat on paintings, metal sculptures, wood carvings, and antiques. Wax is also used to protect the underlying varnish from dirt and to reduce its gloss. It is commonly used as an additive to the final spray coats of many natural and synthetic resins to create a matte surface or a more even sheen.
Wax is resistant to acids and does not oxidize, turn yellow, or lose body over time. It is the least permeable to water, water vapour, and gases among all surface coatings. It can be used as a protective film on paintings that are not typically varnished, such as tempera or watercolour. Wax is also useful as a preservative for oil paintings, as it was reportedly used by the famous painter Titian, who imbued his canvas with beeswax dissolved in oil, which may have contributed to the enduring brilliance of his colours.
Wax is typically applied as a very thin layer and can be rubbed or wiped onto the surface. It can also be brushed on in liquid form. The drying time is usually short, and the surface is then buffed with a soft cloth to achieve the desired sheen. Wax can be removed and replaced without disturbing the underlying varnish. It is important to note that wax coatings scratch and mar easily due to their relative softness at high temperatures, which may cause them to retain dirt.
Wax is also used as a preservative for other materials, such as wood. Conservar Wax, made with microcrystalline wax, is recommended as a final treatment for fine wooden furniture and woodwork, both antique and modern. It can be applied in a similar manner to other waxes, and it can be buffed to a gloss finish using turpentine or mineral spirits.
Additionally, wax is used as a preservative for canvas designed for oil paintings. It can be applied as the first coating to prevent the varnish from cracking, an issue that has destroyed the beauty of many works of art. Overall, wax is a valuable preservative and protective agent in the world of art and craftsmanship, helping to maintain the longevity and aesthetic appeal of various creations.
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The use of primers
A primer or undercoat is a preparatory coating put on materials before painting. It ensures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the material being painted.
Primers are especially useful when painting porous materials, including concrete and wood. They are also used when painting surfaces that are not water-resistant and will be exposed to the elements. Priming is also standard practice with new construction to seal walls from moisture and prevent mould.
There are three main types of primers: water-based (latex), oil-based, and shellac primers. Water-based primers are generally easy to clean from brushes and other supplies. They can be used on drywall, wood, brick, and other materials. Oil-based primers can be applied under oil-based or water-based paints and provide thick coverage. However, they are slow-drying and can release VOCs. Shellac primers are suitable for serious coverage projects involving stains, smoke, smells, and other issues, but they also release VOCs.
When choosing a primer for plastic, it is important to ensure that the primer's propellant or solvent will not dissolve or warp the plastic. Manufacturers recommend testing both the primer and paint on a less visible location of the part being painted. Primers can also be used on metals to protect against corrosion and oxidation.
In some cases, self-priming paint can be used, which is thicker than regular paint and forms a thicker coat. However, using a separate primer and paint is preferable, as self-priming paint may not save time or money and can result in a weaker coat.
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Solid paints
High-solids paints have a solids content of more than 60%, which results in a premium, brighter and more opaque finish. This higher solids content also means that less paint is needed to cover a surface, resulting in cost savings and reduced environmental hazards due to better coverage performance.
The solids in paint consist of binders, pigments, and additives. Binders are the major ingredient and hold all the pigments distributed in the coating, allowing the paint to form a continuous film and adhere better to the surface. Pigments determine the colour and sheen of the paint and protect it from UV light. Additives are used to enhance the properties of the paint, such as matting agents, which give the paint a more matte finish, or additives that make the paint mould- and scuff-resistant.
The liquids in paint are called solvents and act as a carrier to help bind the solids together and improve the flow for smoother application. Solvents can be diluted or thinned with alcohol, turpentine, or spirit.
While oil is commonly used as a vehicle for paint, it has some defects that require correction. For example, drying linseed oil can promote chemical union with the colouring pigments, ultimately destroying their colour. However, this can be corrected by adding pure beeswax, which also helps preserve the paint. Wax can also be added to varnishes to prevent cracking.
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Water-based paints
The earliest forms of paint in human history were made from clay, berries, and flowers. After the advent of commercial paint pigments, individuals would blend these store-bought pigments with binders, or vehicles, of their choice, such as animal fat, cow's milk, and eggs. In 1865, D.P. Flinn received the first patent for a water-based paint formula, combining water with potassium hydroxide, zinc oxide, milk, resin, and linseed oil. Over the following decades, manufacturers continued to refine paint formulas, and the introduction of latex in the 1940s revolutionized the paint industry, allowing for higher-quality water-based paints.
Today, the two primary types of water-based paints are acrylic and latex, which are primarily used for painting homes, structures, and spaces. Acrylic paints have more acrylic polymers than latex paint, resulting in better adhesions, durability, and resiliency. Acrylic paints are typically more expensive, but they are ideal for surfaces like kitchen cabinets or outdoor furniture.
Despite these considerations, water-based paints are increasingly favoured over oil-based paints in most applications. Water-based paints are more environmentally friendly, with lower VOC levels, and they do not yellow over time like oil-based paints.
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