1
Q
What is paint?
A
A suspension of pigments and additives intended to colour or protect a surface
2
Q
What is a pigment?
A
- A fine powder that is insoluble in the medium in which it is dispersed
- The granules do not dissolve and remain intact and are dispersed evenly across the surface
- Pigments are intended to colour/cover a surface -> may be organic, inorganic or a mixture
3
Q
What is a binder?
A
A component that helps distribute the pigment on a surface
4
Q
What is the vehicle?
A
Refers to the solvents, resins and other additives that form a continuous film binding the pigment to the surface
5
Q
How is paint evidence used?
A
- Match paint chips physically -> shape of chip, microscopic evidence of number and thickness of layers
- Colour and texture
- Chemical analysis -> inorganic and organic compounds, metallic finish, polymer primer coat
6
Q
What are the 4 separate coatings on automobile paint?
A
- Pretreament/electrocoat: typically zinc electroplating is applied to the steel body of the vehicle to inhibit rust
- Primer: epoxy resin with corrosive resistant pigments
- Topcoat: colour
- Clear coats: unpigmented coatings applied to improve gloss and durability
