Odorless alkyd paint for interior work - myth or reality

Gusevsky Andrey Anatolyevich

Alkyd enamels "Kraffa"

Many people, having started repairs at home, refuse to wallpaper and cladding, in favor of painting the walls. Today, for these purposes, water-based emulsions are widely used, they are also water-dispersion compositions that are excellent for work both indoors and outdoors.

But sometimes, as the main material, sellers offer alkyd paints for walls, arguing this choice with their excellent performance properties.

Properties

The properties of such paints are truly unique, but anyone who has ever used them will probably say that there can be no odorless alkyd paint for internal work in principle, because the smell from them is very caustic, which indicates toxicity. Naturally, to reuse such enamels indoors, there is no desire for anyone.

Therefore, in this article we decided to highlight in detail all the varieties of these paints and varnishes, and to note from them those that are optimally suitable for working inside residential premises.

Respirator necessary protection against toxicity of paints

Scopes and properties of alkyd enamels

Keep in mind that the instruction on each particular bank will most accurately describe the scope and properties of the material inside. The information provided in the article is summarized, which suggests that the paint from different manufacturers has its own distinctive features.

The range of application of these paints and varnishes (LKM) is very wide, and is not limited only to internal or external decoration. They are used for painting wooden, metal (seeTypes of paints for metal: which one to choose), plastic, concrete, mineral and other surfaces. Sometimes there are even “exotic” places for painting, for example: decoration of wall and floor tiles in the bathroom.

In addition to this, alkyd-type enamel has a large assortment within each particular species. For example, alkyd paints for wood and metal can be graded for abrasion resistance and a variety of color palettes. Depending on the brand, there are glossy, semi-matte and matte options.

Fireproof alkyd paint for metal for outdoor use with flame retardants

So:

• It is no secret that the listed properties directly depend on the chemical composition of enamel. The basis of these paints consists of the following components: alkyd varnish, solvent, coloring pigments and fillers. Paints, the price of which is above average, are supplemented with antiseptics and flame retardants, which are especially important for materials used in painting wooden surfaces.
• Antiseptics give the wood antibacterial properties, and protect it from damage by fungus (mold), which increases the service life. Fire retardants present in enamel indicate that this composition is less combustible, and is excellent for both wooden and metal surfaces, which provides protection against excessive overheating during a fire. An example of such paint is presented in the photo above.
• Fillers are substances that act as thickeners.These include granite and marble dust, fine sand, as well as similar materials. In some formulations, metal chips with a very fine fraction are used - such paints are highly specialized.
• The main component of any paint is varnish. In the manufacture of alkyd enamels, two types are used: glyphthalic and pentaphthalic. Each type has its own marking, which will be discussed a bit later.

The vast majority of alkyd enamels are made from pentaphthalic varnish, which is the cause of the pungent chemical smell. Gliphthal base is less common (mainly soils), but finding paint of this type if desired is not difficult, because it is better to use them for internal work. The smell will be present, but it is much weaker than that of the first species.

Pros and cons of alkyd enamels

White Spirit Organic Alkyd Paint Thinner

First of all, we list the advantages.

These include:

• Application on any surface and practically by any means - spray guns (seeHow to use a spray gun: tips from professionals), rollers, brushes, etc., which will allow you to do all the work yourself.
• Fast drying, which is especially important when working in a residential area.
• UV resistant. The paint retains elasticity, and its color does not fade for a long time.
• The temperature range is from -60 C to +60 C.
• The presence of excellent protective properties against corrosion.

How to provide first aid for paint poisoning

The main disadvantage is, of course, evaporation. Organic solvents in the composition have a persistent odor that disappears for a rather long time, and their vapors are toxic and flammable.

They can cause poisoning, so carry out all work with the windows open, observing all safety precautions. Further, we note that because of its molecular structure, alkyd paint has a very small coating layer thickness.

In addition, we say that in order to dilute thickened paint, it is necessary to use a special solvent for organic-based alkyd paints. The most common and affordable is the White Spirit.

The best solution for floors

Universal alkyd-urethane enamel

An alkyd-urethane floor paint belongs to a separate category. It has several advantages compared to other formulations.

Namely:

• Increased adhesion to reinforced concrete, concrete (seeConcrete floor painting: do it yourself), metal, wood, and also interlayer adhesion. This is achieved due to the fact that the painted surface adheres to enamel at the molecular level.
• Corrosion resistant properties increased compared to simple alkyd compounds (some paints can convert rust).
• Thanks to desiccants in the composition, the drying time is reduced (1.5 - 2 hours).
• Surface Strength Increased - Excellent performance indicators, both in residential and industrial premises.
• Excellent tolerance of contacts with refined products, mineral oils and household chemicals.
• The average life of this coating is about 10 years.. If you purchased a more expensive acrylic-urethane epoxy ester paint, then you can expect this figure to increase to 15 years.

Epoxy ester protective composition

Experience from practice! No matter how the manufacturer praises his paint and ascribes wonderful properties to it, for example, complete conversion of rust, all technological requirements should always be followed, especially those relating to the preparation of the painted surface.This way you will achieve the best quality coating, and maximize its life.

Classification of alkyd enamels

All types of enamels have an accurate classification. The assignment to a particular class affects the direct purpose of the paint, and its basic properties, such as hydrophobicity. To know exactly what product you are dealing with, you need to be able to decipher the factory label.

Sample code on a can of paint

In the above photo, on the can of paint we see the code - PF 115, how to decrypt it? The letter combination indicates the basis on which the enamel is made.

In this case, it is a pentaphthalic varnish. Accordingly, the glyphthal base is indicated by the letters "GF". The first digit in the numerical code corresponds to the purpose of the paintwork. The other two digits are the catalog number.

Below is a table in which we will decode all the numerical values:

Cleaning metal surface from rust

Briefly summarize the above. Ideally, it is best to use alkyd paints for outdoor applications, but if you approach the problem fully equipped, you can easily and comfortably paint the interior.

All enamels differ from each other not only in price, which can often be heard from an inexperienced seller in a household goods store, but also in their direct purpose. Before use, carefully read the instructions and properly prepare the painted surface.

Do not neglect safety measures - a respirator for which you will spend no more than 100 rubles will save precious health. Do not forget to immediately clean surfaces where the paint has gotten wrong, for which purpose keep a clean rag on hand. The video in this article will give you a clearer picture of the features of alkyd paints and enamels.