At the same time, manufacturers not only lower the solids content but resort to cheaper solids, particularly when it comes to pigments. They've also come up with tricks to make you not notice the switcheroo. Getting the chemical breakdown on your favorite primer or enamel isn't easy. The store clerk may not have the answers, and product literature may be sketchy at best. The fine print on the back of the bucket isn't often helpful.
Liquid paint consists of three essential elements.
Pigments cover up or hide what's underneath and provide color. The pigment is mixed up with the binder, also called the resin, which forms the hard film that adheres to the substrate. Alkyds are one class of binder, while another consists of acrylics, vinyls, and other plastics in latex emulsions. Both pigment and binder are applied with the help of a solvent, or liquid, which eventually evaporates. Sprinkled in with these three components are various additives that impart special qualities to the goo.