A chemical such as enamel is used to decorate the facades of buildings, as well as to decorate various parts of cars or motorcycles. Consider the best enamels in 2020 and what they are for. The enamel is very convenient for finishing door frames, boat bottoms or any other surfaces that are suitable for this kind of work. Good enamel is distinguished not only by excellent quality.
As a rule, enamel differs among themselves in terms of the binders contained in the composition, density, efficiency of interaction with the surface with which it is to be worked. In addition to these indicators, it is also important how long the enamel will last during the use of this or that item on which it was applied.
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How to choose the right enamel
Paint can be applied in a variety of ways, depending on which surface it is applied to. Among the most popular tools, it is worth noting such as a brush, roller or spray gun, which will evenly distribute the substance.
Enamels have their own classification, which reflects the aesthetic and practical aspects of the use of such substances. Therefore, a person who has recently faced the need to use such paint will find it quite difficult to determine which enamel is better.
The first question that arises in such a situation is how to choose the right enamel? What exactly should you be guided by in order not to be mistaken? To get started, pay attention to the following factors:
- What is the surface on which you will paint. Some types of enamels are universal, that is, they can be used both outside and inside the room, and are not picky about the structure of the surface itself. Nevertheless, if you choose a substance for any specific types of work, then it is better to turn to specialized models, since different types of enamels have different resistance to temperature extremes, the concentration of sunlight, etc.
- For which surface is this or that type of enamel recommended? Concrete, brick, wood, metal or plastic can absorb and hold paint in different ways. With the wrong choice, the enamel can not only be unevenly distributed on the outside of the material, but also fade quite quickly. Therefore, it is important to study the features of the behavior of a particular paint model on the surface you need.
- How long does it take for the enamel to dry. As a rule, this parameter can vary from 1 hour to two days. This factor is also important for those premises that need to be used as early as possible (for residential, it is a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom). It should be borne in mind that at different temperatures the paint can dry out for different times, so it is very important to choose a suitable time of year for work. In addition, the smell of enamel is often very pungent, so you should take into account that it will take additional time to ventilate the room.
- The structure of the selected enamel. The color gamut of paint in modern production is so wide that the user can choose the one suitable for the implementation of the most daring decisions. But you should pay attention to how different shades are able to combine in external texture. Currently, there are glossy, semi-glossy, as well as matte and rich matte structures of the outer layer of enamel. Therefore, it is worth determining in advance what kind of effect you want to achieve with the final result.
- How many layers do you need to apply paint to accurately achieve your idea? In fact, this is how many times the enamel will need to be passed over the surface to get the desired saturation and uniformity. As a rule, depending on the characteristics of the chemical composition, no more than three layers are required.
But the given factors are indicative, that is, you should rely on them in order to understand what kind of paint you need to carry out the planned work. In the modern world, chemical production produces a huge variety of models of enamel paint.
Many users who wish to ennoble a house or apartment as much as possible wonder which is better: film or enamel. With such a dilemma, experts advise to dwell on the latter, since this coating will provide not only the external showiness of the decor of the room or any particular part of the room, but also the enamel will last much longer. If the film has the peculiarity of detaching from the surface, which is facilitated by its reduced adhesiveness, then the paint covers it more densely, therefore it is most stable. In addition, if you have pets in your house, for example, a cat, this threatens the appearance of scratches or even partial delamination on the film. For this reason, enamel is a more reliable substance when decorating certain surfaces.
Types of enamels
Among the huge variety of models, the best enamels of 2020 were selected. The top 10 most popular and high-quality products include alkyd, acrylic, polyurethane and nitrocellulose.
Alkyd enamels are mainly used in the construction industry. They often include paints and varnishes, and in terms of cost they are considered one of the most budgetary, besides, there is a wide selection of Russian-made alkyd enamel on the modern market. This paint can be used both separately from other finishing materials, and in combination with them.
Alkyd enamels
It is very difficult to determine which is the best enamel paint, since they all have their own specifics and certain advantages. Among alkyd enamels, the following models are recognized as the highest quality.
"Dufa SEIDENMAT"
Enamel from a Russian manufacturer, which is distinguished by its resistance to weather changes (strong winds, heavy rain or snow). According to these parameters, it is perfect for finishing the facade of the house, as well as for individual external elements of the building. As customer reviews say, it is convenient to apply it to the surface with both a brush and a roller. Basically, the paint from this manufacturer is produced in semi-matt tones, since this gives the surface to which it is applied a deep color and well-groomed appearance.
Pros:
- even several years after applying the paint, yellowness does not appear on it, it does not become stained and does not give any other side effects;
- the enamel already loses its stickiness after a few hours, and completely hardens after six hours, in which it significantly surpasses analog substances;
- the paint is resistant to sudden changes in weather, does not crack and does not lag behind the surface;
- does not drip during application.
Minuses:
- paint is available only in white;
- one can of paint does not exceed two and a half liters in volume;
- not suitable for covering brick products or walls, as it looks paler and loses its aesthetic properties.
"V33 Direct protect"
This piece is produced in France and is specially designed for use on wood, metal and plastic surfaces. According to its external characteristics, the enamel has a semi-glossy structure, which gives the interior nobility. In addition to its practical properties, many buyers also noted the aromatic qualities of the paint - instead of an odorous chemical smell, they felt notes of caramel.
Pros:
- enamel is quite versatile, as it fits perfectly on various surfaces;
- as a distinctive feature, the duration of the paint's service life is distinguished, that is, even if it is applied to any objects on the street (for example, on benches in a park), it will retain its appearance for the next eight years;
- paint prevents corrosion and other destructive phenomena on the surface;
- the priming process does not have to be performed before direct use.
Minuses:
- cans, the volume of which exceeds two and a half liters, the company does not produce;
- the enamel dries for a rather long time (about a day);
- on concrete and brick it loses its properties, since the paint is not intended for such surfaces;
- the price is slightly higher than analogue devices.
Finncolor Garden 30
Paint from a Russian manufacturer, which is produced not only in jars of several liters, but also in large buckets of 9 liters. The structure is a matt white enamel that protects the surface from dirt. It does not retain various prints, and therefore is best suited for wood products, plastic, it is in good contact with concrete and brick surfaces. This variety makes enamel versatile and in demand on the market.
Pros:
- produced in large volumes;
- in terms of price range, it is much cheaper than similar enamels;
- packaging allows you to conveniently transfer paint;
- the structure of enamel allows mixing it with other substances without loss of quality.
Minuses:
- allows use on concrete, but is less suitable for this surface than for others;
- the drying time can be up to a day, while it is important after drying to properly ventilate the room, since the paint has a characteristic chemical smell;
- after applying the enamel, it is necessary to ensure that dust particles or other foreign small elements do not fall on it in the next 3-4 hours, since after complete drying they will stick tightly, which spoils the aesthetic qualities of the paint.
"Lakra PF-115"
This enamel is produced by a Russian manufacturer, but German technology is used during the manufacture, which indicates a combination of not only decorating properties, but also maximum practicality. The paint is produced with a wide color spectrum, as well as in different volumes, which allows you to choose the required amount of enamel.
Pros:
- a huge number of color shades, harmoniously combined with each other, which will allow the user to choose exactly what he needs;
- enamel is produced in jars from 1 kg to 50 kg buckets;
- differs in its democratic cost in comparison with other analogue means;
- patented technology according to German standards allows the buyer to be confident in the reliability of the product.
Minuses:
- before using the paint, it is necessary to carry out additional processing and priming in order for it to better lie on the surface of the material;
- paint is consumed rather quickly, from one hundred to two hundred grams per square meter, so if the work is extensive, it is better to buy a little more in advance than planned in advance;
- despite its reliability and high technology, in comparison with other similar products, the service life of this enamel is slightly lower (it varies from two to four years).
Acrylic enamels
Acrylic enamels in their price range are somewhat more expensive than alkyd enamels.This is often due to the fact that additional materials are used in the chemical composition of such paints, including organic substances. This greatly increases the resistance of the substance to various external changes, for example, to temperature extremes. It is best to use acrylic for decorating walls, ceilings, and also for painting bathtubs or some parts of the car (in particular the body).
Many buyers are wondering which is better: acrylic or enamel? It is rather difficult to answer it in monosyllables, since each tool has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, enamel requires a lot of effort during application, but at the same time it lasts for a long time and is used for any practical purposes. The service life of acrylic is somewhat lower, but it is simple and convenient to apply and carries a more decorative aspect.
"VGT VD-AK-1179"
The best acrylic enamel available today. Works best on wood, plastic, ceramic, aluminum or plaster surfaces. It is produced in jars with a volume of no more than half a kilogram, and after painting it gives a light pearlescent tint. In addition to a variety of colors, acrylics of this brand are produced with a metallic effect (gold, silver or bronze).
Pros:
- there is no need to process the surface on which acrylic will be applied in advance, since it adheres tightly to it and is firmly held;
- paint can be applied using a brush, roller or tampon - each customer can independently decide what is more convenient for him;
- the shelf life after printing in a closed state reaches one and a half years, which prolongs the use of ink in the future;
- acrylic does not have an odorous smell, like enamel, so it is much more comfortable to work with it.
Minuses:
- acrylic has a slight dryish sediment, therefore, before use, it is necessary to spend a little time to further dilute or mix it;
- not recommended for use at low air temperatures, as well as high humidity;
- has a fairly high consumption, up to a quarter of a kilogram per square meter;
- for a jar with a fairly small volume, the price of a product is sometimes equated to the cost of enamel for a much larger volume.
"Grida AK-16"
It is a versatile acrylic substance that can be used at any time of the year. It is often produced in rather large 15 kg or 22 kg buckets. For application, either a roller or a spray gun is most often used, and it is in excellent contact with different types of surfaces, with the exception of concrete.
Pros:
- goes well with both smooth and rough surfaces;
- in comparison with its counterparts, it serves for a rather long time, and the service life can reach from five to eight years;
- acrylic creates the effect of a film that allows air to pass through, from which the surface becomes more porous;
- this type of paint goes well with other acrylic enamels.
Minuses:
- sale is carried out only in packaging of large volumes;
- the acrylic of this manufacturer is quite thick, therefore, when using a spray bottle, additional processing of the substance is necessary;
- only white shade is available;
- a lot of material is spent per square meter when compared with other acrylics.
"Tex Universal glossy base A"
The paint is available only in white, but is an excellent base shade for use over other paints.
Pros:
- excellent contact with surfaces, adhering tightly to them;
- lasts quite a long time, on average about five years;
- despite the only color in the palette, it looks quite saturated when applied;
- paint is consumed very economically compared to analog products.
Minuses:
- before applying paint to metal, it must first be primed;
- before starting work, you need to mix well, otherwise the acrylic may be unevenly distributed over the surface;
- difficult to apply when using a synthetic fiber brush.
"Parade Classic A4"
It is an acrylic base paint, but the outer layer remains matt in final application. It has only a white tint in its color spectrum; it is produced in cans with a volume of a little less than a kilogram.
Pros:
- perfectly covers the surface, often just one layer is enough;
- the product has passed special certification, which allows it to be used for painting surfaces in rooms intended for children;
- the ink itself can be stored for five years after printing, and survives freezing and thawing;
- dries up rather quickly.
Minuses:
- not used for external use;
- has a fairly high consumption per square meter;
- the volume of cans is only one - 900 g;
- due to the high density of its structure, it requires additional stirring before application.
Polyurethane enamel
Polyurethane enamel is used mainly on surfaces that experience additional stress, in addition, such paint adheres well and is more resistant to external changes, therefore, in comparison with others, it is the most durable.
"Symphony Winner A"
Paint with a matte shade, but not devoid of a slight gloss. It is produced mainly in cans of 900 g, as well as in buckets, which can hold from two to nine kilograms of enamel. This paint is excellent for covering various parts of the car.
Pros:
- variety in the volumetric release of the product makes it possible for the buyer to choose the required amount;
- the most affordable price in relation to analog substances;
- increased elasticity makes it quite easy to tolerate any physical surface changes;
- perfectly adheres to the material to which the paint is applied.
Minuses:
- not suitable for plastic surfaces;
- it is better not to use this enamel as a floor covering;
- it takes about two days for the paint to harden completely, so at this time you will have to abandon the use of the painted product.
Nitrocellulose enamels
Due to the components, nitrocellulose enamels dry out very quickly, since the composition contains nitrate and organic components.
"Tex Nitro NTs-132"
Enamel, in the color spectrum of which there are rich shades, is available in jars from 800 g to 1800 g.
Pros:
- at its cost, a fairly affordable paint compared to analog substances;
- the paint dries completely within an hour;
- the enamel is distinguished by its flexibility, so the finished product can be deformed without damaging the paint by 3 mm;
- as a result, the surface of the material becomes hard and smooth.
Minuses:
- until the paint dries, it is quite toxic;
- in a liquid state, paint can easily ignite, so it is important to keep it away from sources of fire;
- a primer must be made before applying to metal.
Each paint has its own characteristics, so the buyer should be very careful when choosing it.