Architectural coatings reach consumers, painters, contractors, builders and the government via retail or wholesale distribution channels and outlets. Water-based paints first became popular in the 1950s. As paint dries, the liquid portion evaporates. This development, plus ease of cleanup, accounts for the popularity of water-based coatings in the consumer market. Industrial Coatings Industrial coatings are coatings that are factory-applied to manufactured goods as part of the production process.
Industrial coatings decorate and protect virtually all of our manufactured goods.
Without quality paints and coatings, our nation's vehicles would receive failing grades for both beauty and durability. The cost of paint on an average automobile is about one percent of the showroom price. Without that low-cost protection, a car body would rust out after less than one winter's driving in most parts of the country. Many plastic parts used in today's cars still require a factory-applied coating, and stainless steel autos would be prohibitively expensive and so heavy that fuel efficiency would dramatically drop. The coil coatings industry is one of those economic sectors that at first glance is virtually invisible to consumers.