Paints, Coatings & Resins

Most alkyd enamels use one primary (surface) drier plus one or two auxiliaries. Cobalt, or manganese in pigmented paints, starts drying at the surface; zirconium is the usual lead-free through drier; calcium boosts both and reduces loss of dry on storage; zinc keeps the surface open to prevent wrinkling. Doses are set as % metal on binder solids, and '6%' on a label means 6% metal content. Final levels should come from the paint maker's own drying trials.

No. The Regulation of Lead Contents in Household and Decorative Paints Rules, 2016 limit household and decorative paints to 90 ppm lead in the dry film, and the label must state this. Lead Octoate 18% and 36% are therefore for permitted industrial coatings only, with compliance resting on the user. For decorative enamels, zirconium octoate with calcium and a cobalt or manganese primary drier is the standard lead-free system.

Pure acrylic dispersions are made only from acrylic monomers and resist sunlight and weathering with little yellowing or chalking, so they suit premium exterior facade, texture and roof coatings. Styrene-acrylics give good pigment binding and scrub resistance at lower cost and suit interior emulsions, primers and mid-range exterior paints, but are less UV-durable outdoors. Compare solids, MFFT and the recommended end use on each grade's TDS before switching.

Opaque polymer such as AQACell HIDE is a dispersion of hollow polymer spheres. Each dried sphere holds an air void that scatters light and spaces TiO₂ particles apart so they work more efficiently. BASF states it can replace about 10-15% of the TiO₂ in a formulation. It extends TiO₂ rather than replacing it fully, adds no binding power, and the real saving should be confirmed by contrast-ratio tests on your own paint.

HEC (hydroxyethyl cellulose) thickens the water phase, gives strong in-can body and water retention, and is widely used in emulsions and wall putty; as a cellulose it can be attacked by enzymes, so the paint needs a preservative. Associative thickeners such as Ashland Aquaflow link with latex particles, giving better flow, levelling and spatter resistance, with low-, mid- and high-shear grades for in-can body or brush feel. Many paints combine both.

Share the grade code, or the TDS of your current material, with your end use and monthly volume. We confirm whether that make and grade can be sourced, and its key figures such as solids, viscosity or MFFT, before quoting. The manufacturer's COA and SDS come with every batch, samples are available for trials, and water-based dispersions should be stored frost-free on arrival.