|
 Newer
acrylic “enamels” are much more than they used to
be
Although
they reside in the top sheen category, for the longest time,
latex gloss paints didn’t really shine very brightly.
When the highest gloss was required, oil-based (alkyd) paints
had to be specified. Moreover, the application properties
and stain resistance of latex gloss paints left something
to be desired.
But times have changed . . . and as regards latex gloss paints,
it’s all for the better. Thanks to giant leaps in acrylic
latex binder and thickener technology, latex gloss paints
are now available that perform as well as – and in some
ways better than – their oil-based counterparts.
Still, customers who are familiar with the history of latex
and oil-based gloss coatings may automatically choose an alkyd
product when they need a gloss paint – often without
even knowing how the new latex gloss coatings perform. But,
as you know, uninformed choices don’t always provide
the best results.
| How
Rheology Modifiers
Improve Film Build |
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The science behind the latest generation of latex gloss paints
– often called latex or acrylic gloss “enamels”
(see p. 20) – is impressive. But your customers will
be more interested to hear how this technological progress
translates into success on the job – most important,
how the new latex gloss coatings perform better and are more
workable than ever before.
Workability
As unlikely as it would have seemed a couple
of decades ago, the
flow and leveling of the new generation of latex gloss paints
is now on par with that of oil-based formulations.
In fact, when it comes to brush-drag and resultant film-build,
your customers may be hard-pressed to tell the difference
between the new latex gloss paints and alkyds.
Thanks to advances in rheology modifiers, the film-build of
latex gloss coatings has been significantly increased. And
advances in binder technology have succeeded in dramatically
extending latex gloss coatings’ wet-edge time, which
is needed to produce a uniform appearance when painting a
large surface, or a complex surface such as a paneled door.
Top quality acrylic latex gloss paints maintain sufficient
wet edge so that an adjoining section can be smoothly blended
into the just-painted section. This improvement, along with
other workability enhancements, ensures that your customers
can easily and consistently achieve a quality, uniform finish
with latex gloss coatings.
Exterior
Performance
When it comes to the performance of exterior paints, durability
has always ranked right at the top of customer concerns. And
today, exterior latex-based gloss paints are more durable
than ever.
Particularly when compared to their oil-based counterparts,
today’s top quality latex gloss coatings boast excellent
gloss retention, good color retention, and better resistance
to mildew, dirt and cracking.
Some oil-based gloss coatings offer a slightly higher initial
gloss level. But high quality exterior latex gloss paints
retain their gloss much longer, and they also offer significantly
better fade resistance, particularly in sunny exposures.
Latex gloss paints also remain more flexible over time and,
thus, are more crack-resistant than their alkyd counterparts.
Then there’s the fact that latex gloss coatings are better
able to resist mildew growth – the unsightly brown or
black fungus which has long been a trouble area for alkyd
paints due to the organic nature of their binder.
Interior Performance
The ability to resist mildew also makes latex gloss paints
an ideal choice for moisture-prone interior areas such as
bathrooms and kitchens. But there are now many more compelling
reasons to use latex gloss coatings inside the home, office
or other facility. The new breed of interior latex gloss paints,
for example, will tolerate even rigorous scrubbing and washing
without sustaining damage. And even stubborn stains –
like, say, the crayon scribblings of a rogue three-year-old
– typically wash right off with just a standard household
cleaner. Also, the latest latex gloss paints boast much improved
block resistance, compared to older products. This means they
reach maximum hardness quickly, which is an indispensable
feature when painting opposing surfaces, for example, doors
and door jambs.
Work Is Ongoing
Despite these advances, scientists continue to strive to make
latex gloss paints even better. Lately, there has been a particular
focus on extending wet-edge time even longer, which has been
a perennial strong point of alkyd paints.
But again, high-tech acrylic advances already allow latex
gloss coatings to retain their wet edge long enough for an
adjoining section to be successfully blended into the just-painted
section – providing your customers the unprecedented
ability to achieve a smooth and consistent look with latex
gloss coatings.
Whatever paint they ultimately decide to use, your customers
will doubtless appreciate being kept abreast of these –
and future – developments in latex gloss paints. After
all, a fully informed choice is the best choice of all. 
Many
Possible Meanings to the Word “Enamel“
Many
people call all gloss paints “enamels,”
as in alkyd enamels or latex enamels. But you have
to be careful. While the term originally referred
only to the hard-baked finish on stoves and the exception-ally
hard coating on your teeth, enamel has since come
to refer to any finish that is hard, or glossy, or
oil-based — or maybe all three.
But it all depends upon whom you talk to. Two customers
could come into your store asking for an “enamel”
— and they could want entirely different things.
One might want a highly dirt-resistant flat paint
for porch furniture, and the other a gloss coating
for interior trim. Whatever you do, don’t get
into an argument with these folks about the word “enamel”
— after all, there’s really no right answer.
Instead, just ask how and where they plan to use the
paint — then simply recommend the right type
of coating.
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