Acrylic enamel: types and applications

Acrylic enamel is one of the most demanded and popular finishing materials. Similar paint finishes are available in many stores. Moreover, they are represented by a wide assortment. But it is important to know in advance what types of acrylic enamels exist, and to familiarize yourself with the features of their application.

Enamel is one of the varieties of paints and varnishes designed for finishing various surfaces. Acrylic based materials are fast drying. In addition, they have antiseptic properties.

Today the market of finishing materials is unusually rich in a variety of products. You can choose the right paintwork for any interior and any conditions. Modern acrylic enamels are universal, which can be used to decorate not only residential, but also industrial premises and even roads. For example, AK 511 is specially designed for road marking.

Such formulations are good because they are suitable for use in such conditions that any other dye mixture is not designed for. Due to its durability, high-quality acrylic enamel can be used in the decoration of the facade of the house. Even under the influence of harsh climatic conditions, such coatings are not subject to deformation. They are not afraid of precipitation, frost, or aggressive ultraviolet rays. Not every paint and varnish material can boast of such qualities.

The composition of acrylic enamels is similar to that of other enamel mixtures. It contains such components as driers, which accelerate the drying time of the coating, as well as make the paint layer more durable, inhibitors, antiseptic components, modifiers.

As for the base of acrylic enamel, organic solvents - petrochemical products - act as it. In addition, in the composition of such coloring mixtures there is one or another color scheme, which colors the composition in a certain shade. Also in acrylic enamels there are special resins.

Acrylic enamel is also distinguished by the fact that it can be applied to almost any substrate. Such mixtures easily fall even on metal surfaces, and for wood they are an excellent choice at all, since they protect it from rotting and rapid destruction.

After complete drying, acrylic enamels acquire a smooth, often matte texture. The stores also sell glossy and semi-glossy compositions. Such coatings are characterized by increased strength and reliability. Damaging them is not easy.

Acrylic enamel has advantages and disadvantages like any other finishing material.

To begin with, it is worth considering the positive qualities that are inherent in this paint and varnish coating.

• Acrylic enamel is not afraid of adverse climatic conditions. She is not afraid of rain or sun rays.

• The film, which is formed on the basis of acrylic enamel, is distinguished by high vapor-permeable qualities.Due to this characteristic, moisture easily and quickly evaporates from the surface of the base. That is why such enamels are most often chosen for finishing wooden floors, for which contact with water is destructive.
• Acrylic enamel is flexible. This property ensures the preservation of the attractive appearance of the composition in conditions of temperature changes. Moreover, elastic coatings are not subject to cracking. Elastic acrylic enamel adheres very easily to any substrate. The application of such a paint-and-varnish coating is not difficult and does not take up a lot of free time.

• On the base, acrylic enamel does not leave sloppy smudges, as it lies flat.
• With the help of such a paint and varnish mixture, even the darkest coating can be lightened.
• Acrylic enamel does not exude harsh chemical odors, so it is much easier to work with it than with conventional dye mixtures with a characteristic aroma.

• Acrylic based enamel is very easy to achieve the desired consistency. For this, the solution can not only be mixed with a solvent, but also add one or another color to the mixture.
• Acrylic enamels are fast drying. For example, when applied to wooden walls, such coatings dry in 2-3 hours.
• Such finishing materials boast a long service life. By applying them to the walls in your home, you will forget about the next repair for a long time, since they will not lose their attractive appearance and other performance characteristics.

There are no ideal finishing materials, and acrylic enamels are no exception. These paint mixtures have a number of disadvantages.

• Currently, there are a lot of fake enamels in stores that cannot boast of good quality and ease of application. For this reason, experts strongly recommend purchasing products from well-known companies. And remember: a low-quality formulation can give out too low a cost.
• If you need to apply acrylic enamel not in one, but in several layers, you will have to wait each time for the next layer to dry completely.

• Acrylic enamel should not be stored at low temperatures. This is due to the fact that in the composition of such a paint and varnish mixture there is a water base, which can freeze in the cold. Because of this, the entire composition can change its consistency and become unusable.

There are several varieties of acrylic enamels. Each of them has its own characteristics and features.

Acrylic water-dispersive enamels do not contain solvents, which indicates their environmental friendliness and non-toxicity. In addition, such paint and varnish coatings contribute to the rapid evaporation of excess moisture and moisture directly from the floors. Thanks to this property, fungus or mold does not appear on the walls.

Water-based enamels based on an acrylic binder boast increased light fastness. Even under the influence of aggressive sunlight, such finishing materials do not lose their color saturation and do not become yellow.

After the completion of all finishing works, the dispersion enamel is easily and quickly washed off from the tools and containers in which it was mixed.

Water-dispersive enamels practically do not smell, so they can be safely used for interior decoration. In addition, such mixtures dry quickly enough on different bases.

The water-dispersion mixture can be tinted as desired. Thus, you can get the enamel of the shade you like without any extra effort - just add a suitable color to the composition.

Today, reliable fire retardant enamels with an acrylic base are very popular. Most often they are used to improve fire safety in private and public facilities. There are solvent-borne enamels of this kind - they must be applied with extreme caution, especially when it comes to interior decoration.

Such enamels can be safely applied to various substrates. However, some manufacturers produce mixtures designed only for finishing steel and metal surfaces.

Such formulations under ordinary conditions are practically indistinguishable from ordinary ones. Under the influence of fire, they become completely different, since they contain special intumescent components:

• graphite (powder);
• antiprene;
• polymer varnish.

Water-based acrylic enamels have good technical characteristics.

• They are not afraid of mechanical influences. In addition, such formulations do not suffer from exposure to sunlight.
• Water-based enamels are not afraid of moisture. Of course, in this case we are talking about high-quality compositions, and not their cheap fakes.
• The paints are environmentally friendly and safe.

Such building finishing materials are characterized by increased hardness and wear resistance. In addition, they are not afraid of:

• dampness and moisture;
• exposure to petroleum products;
• industrial gases;
• animal fats.

This odorless two-component enamel is most often used for finishing metal structures, as well as engineering and hydraulic structures and bridges. Acrylic-urethane mixtures have anti-corrosion properties.

Acrylate enamels consist of:

• water base and solvent;
• binding components;
• coalescent;
• thickener;
• antioxidant preservative;
• antifreeze.

The advantages of acrylate enamels include:

• environmental friendliness;
• the ability not to attract dust and dirt;
• Breathable structure;
• fast drying;
• the ability to clean and wash with a damp cloth;
• can be applied to any floors.

Such enamels are used both for interior decoration and for decoration of building facades.

Enamel can be given any color with the help of a well-chosen color scheme.

The most popular are paint mixtures of the following shades:

• classic black, white, beige, brown (easily fit most styles of interior and exterior);
• colored (green, red, blue, yellow, blue, orange) and pearlescent options.

You can update the interior and give it a special chic with the help of "golden" enamel or a mixture that imitates metallic.

Also, the surface of acrylic enamels can be:

• glossy;
• semi-gloss;
• matte;
• semi-matt.

To choose the right acrylic mixture, you should take into account the characteristics of the surface on which it will be applied.

• Acrylic enamels are perfect for finishing wood substrates. The composition can be universal or water-based / water-dispersible.

• Metal bases can be finished with water-dispersion enamels, however, it is recommended to add anti-corrosion components to them beforehand. Also, for steel and metal elements, special fire-resistant and acrylic-urethane mixtures, which initially contain anti-corrosion components, are perfect.

• Acrylic enamel can also be matched to ordinary plastic. For this, it is quite permissible to use a universal or special mixture for PVC structures. As a rule, similar compositions are used for both interior and exterior decoration.
• For finishing the floor, it is recommended to purchase washable acrylic enamels that do not attract dust and dirt.Various pieces of furniture are often processed with similar compositions.

• If you need to finish radiators, then experts recommend using heat-resistant products designed for metal, concrete and brick structures. Also in stores you can find specialized formulations designed for radiators and heating systems.
• For kitchens and bathrooms, it is recommended to use high-quality water-dispersible enamels with antiseptic components. Such paints and varnishes will not suffer from increased levels of humidity in the room.

Shop for paints made by well-known and major brands. So you can save yourself from buying a low-quality product. You should not "chase" too low prices - they may indicate the fragility and weak strength characteristics of the finishing material.

The enamel must be prepared prior to direct application to a flat surface of the substrate. There are two ways to dilute the mixture.

• It is permissible to use plain water. It is worth paying attention so that there are no unnecessary impurities and debris in it. After applying such a mixture to a particular base, it is necessary to immediately remove the dripping drops that have ended up on the floor. When the composition is completely dry, it will be very problematic to remove traces of it from the floor covering.

• The second method should be used when you plan to apply enamel with a spray gun. The paint and varnish composition can be diluted with a special thinner intended for acrylic mixtures. These components allow you to achieve the optimal consistency of the enamel.

Currently, there are a large number of large brands in the domestic and foreign markets that produce high-quality and beautiful acrylic-based enamel.

The most popular and demanded manufacturers, about whose products consumers leave positive reviews:

• "Prestige";
• "Expert";

• "Tex";
• "Halo";

• "Lacra";
• "Rainbow";

• Eco-suite;
• Novbytkhim.

The listed companies produce high-quality acrylic enamels that are durable and long-lasting. Most buyers were satisfied with the purchase of such finishing materials.

To learn how to paint a wooden door with acrylic enamel on your own, see the next video.