Colours have facinated mankind, to, at times a point of obsession from the colours of nature down to chemical pigments dying your hairy crowns further down to keeping your favourite Cars in zavy sunshine shimmer, it has been the story of colours. Paints are just a revolutionary way which man through his intelligence has devised to continue partaking to enjoy one of natures most rechererche gifts - colours. But beside the visual impact, painting has an entire gamut of functions and roles associated with it.

Paints can best be understood in terms as a pigmented liquid composition which is converted into an opaque solid film after application as thin layers. It is carefully balanced combo of pigments, resin, solvents and additives. So why should one paint? Paints are essential for the decoration and protection of the majority of manufactured goods and architectural and industrial structures.

Types of paints

According to end use paints can be classified into two - Architectural paints and industrial paints. While the surfaces or substances they are used on, may be different, they serve the same basic objectives - decoration and protection.

Industrial painting is completely requirement based and there are various types of industrial paints available in the market. The type of paints applied, for example, may vary from say an operation theatre to a boiler room or a coir product. It is always best to consult a manufacturer to recommend or develop a paint required for a specific purpose. Stoving enamels, Epoxy paints, Bituminus paints, Polyurethane paints and Thermoplastic paints like vinyl paints, chlorinated rubber paints etc., are a few to mention.

Architectural paints are further divided broadly into interior and exterior paints. The former is basically applied to walls and other home products finished in wood, plastic or metal. While solvent base paints or enamel paints are used for wood and steel, water base systems are for walls. Clear wood finishes like polyurethane and melamine are used for wooden furniture and accessories to retain the natural appearance of wood surfaces. For walls you have a choice between distemper paints - oil bond as well as acrylic - and emulsion paints in matt and sheen finishes. Paints for exterior applications (outer walls, facades of homes buildings etc. ) include the conventional cement paint, texture finishes and acrylic emulsion paints with varying durability and cost. Choose an exterior paint that offers an excellent resistance to sunlight as UV rays could lead to discolouration and degradation. Resistance to rain and humidity, super antifungal and drying properties are the other requisites, to look for, especially in tropical climes like ours.

Colour-uses and benefits We love to see colour. Colour plays an important role in our life. We are very careful in selecting Colours for our walls. We are all very anxious how the Colours of Tapestries, Carpets etc., match to the colour of surrounding walls.

What is colour? When a ray of light falls on an object, part of it is absorbed and part of it is transmitted and part is reflected. Colour of the reflected light is the colour of the object as perceived by the eye. When most of the light falling on an object is reflected back we see the object White and when absorbed we see the object Black.

Psychological effects of colour Colour has Dimension Colour can make an object appear larger or smaller. Light colored object appears larger than a dark colored object. Colour has weight Colour can make an object lighter or heavier. A pastel colour object will appear lighter than a similar object in dark colour. This factor has practical use in industry where lifting is a factor. Colour has movement Colour can make an area or object appear nearer or further away. Light Blues & Violets tend to recede and bright or dark colours appear to advance. This aspect is of value in decorating through illusion of making a small room appear larger or a large rock seem smaller by simply changing the colour. Colour has temperature It can create the impression of warmth and coolness. Blues and Greens appear cool and Yellow appears warm. Dark Colours absorb more heat-rays. A black article if kept in Sun will be more hot sooner, than an article painted White. Colour can create identity The use of colour in trade mark products and corporate image is wide-spread. Other uses of colour identity are by coding of pipelines.

It is generally found that: Red Excites Orange Activates Yellow Cheers Green Refreshes Blue Cools and Subdues Purple Depresses Magenta Stimulates.

When planning the colour scheme........ Take into account:

The area to be painted The function of each room The overall mood and effect you want to achieve Your budget

The colours of your walls can have a great impact. A few tips can help you make the right choice.

If the total area to be painted is large, go in for high durability emulsion paints as they last longer and would over the long run prove more cost effective. Choose colours that suit your tastes and do not follow trends blindly. Paint smaller rooms in lighter shades to visually add space. Always try to work on a theme and co-ordinate the colours used for curtains, upholsteries, furniture and accessories with that of the colours on the walls. Experiment with bright and vibrant colours in children’s rooms.

Tips for Painting - New Surfaces   Brick Work Cement Plaster Concrete Wood Work Iron & Steel Wall Boards & Hard Boards Surface Preparation Surface should be clean, dry and free from effloresence. Rub down and dust off to remove loose materials Rub down to smooth finish and dust off and patches to be sealed Surface should be clean and free from rust & grease Surface to be clean, dry and free from grease  Primer Coat Cement Primer or WT Cement Primer ( 2 coats preferred). For interior walls, rub down with sand paper. Fill up dents with Gifty wall Putty. Smooth with sand paper. Hitech pink/grey primer ( 2 coats preferred) 2 coats of Hitech Zinc Chrome Primer/Red Oxide Zinc Chromate Primer/Red Oxide Metal Primer/PS Grey/White Hitech Pink/Grey Primer ( 1 coat) followed by Hitech White Primer (1 coat) F I N I S H Flat Emulsion (Interior)  2 coats of Classic super acrylic emulsion 2 coats of Classic super acrylic emulsion   2 coats of Classic super acrylic emulsion  or 2 coats of Gifty super acrylic distemper Emulsion (Exterior) 2 coats of Classic Choice (Economy) or 2 coats of Choice XL.      Washable Distemper 2 coats of Gifty Super Acrylic Distemper 2 coats of Gifty Super Acrylic Distemper   Quartz (Exterior) One coat of Vartex Matt       Flat Cement Paint (Exterior & Interior) 2 coats of Water Proofing Cement Paint        GLOSS/ MATT Enamel Varnish 2 coats of Varlac Gold Super Synthetic Enamel  Gloss/ Matt 2 coats of Varlac Gold synthetic enamel or Varlac Clear Varnish or Richwood PU Finish or Richwood Melaminised Natural Finish 2 coats of Varlac Gold super synthetic enamel 2 coats of Varlac Gold super synthetic enamel.

Tips for Re-Painting   Washable Distempered Surfaces Emulsion Painted Surfaces Gloss Painted Surfaces Cement Painted Surfaces Surface Preparation Surface should be cleaned & rubbed down. All loose & flaking material to be removed. Imperfections to be made good. Surface to be clean dry and free from grease and loose or flaking material. Wash down with soap, rinse thoroughly with water. Imperfections to be made good. Paint in poor condition to be stripped down with a suitable paint remover and treat as for new work. Other surfaces to be washed with soap & rinsed with clean water. If adhesion is poor, strip completely. Damaged surface should be repaired. Primer Coat Cement Primer or WT cement primer Prime repaired surface with Cement primer or WT Cement primer Prime repaired surface with Hitech wood or metal primer A coat of white cement, if necessary F I N I S H Emulsion Exterior & Interior 2 coats of Classic Super Acrylic Emulsion 2 coats of Classic Super Acrylic Emulsion 2 coats of Classic Super Acrylic Emulsion 2 coats of Classic Choice ( Economy) or 2 coats of Choice XL Washable Distemper (Interior) OMIT primer Gifty Super Acrylic Distemper       Quartz (Exterior)       Apply 2 coats of Vartex Matt Cement Paint (Exterior)       Water proofing cement paint 2-3 coats Finish Gloss/ Matt ( Interior or Exterior) Hitech white primer followed by Gloss/ Matt Varlac Gold Super Synthetic Enamel. Hitech white primer followed by Gloss / Matt Varlac Gold Super Synthetic Enamel. 2 coats of Gloss / Matt Varlac Gold Super Synthetic Enamel.

Paint it right

Always entrust the painting job to experienced and skilled painters. After all whatever be the quality of the paints you buy, it ultimately depends how it is applied to bring out the best effect.

Paint it safe Paints, as any other chemicals, requires proper handling. Here are the do’s and don’ts

Use paints in well - ventilated conditions. Do not breath or inhale paint. Wear face masks, if possible, as the smell of fresh paint is known to cause wheezing and asthmatic allergies for some. Avoid skin contact wear rubber gloves and boots. Paints must also be kept away from children who may consider it to be fun objects. As fresh paints emits toxic fumes, new born infants should not be allowed to newly painted rooms for at least two days.