Activities
12.1 What are surface coatings? (1)
Tutor guidance notes
Aims and objectives
At the end of these activity sheets, learners should be able to:




state the purposes of surface coatings
state the three components of paint, and explain the function of each one
understand the processes at work when paint dries
recall information about a variety of types of paint.
These questions and activities are not intended as formal assessment. However,
the answers should be discussed with the learners as a group to ensure they
have full comprehension of the subject.
Individual teachers will use these questions and activities in different ways. They
could be used at the end of a session to recap; used individually during the
session as a ‘to-the-point’ learning tool; or used as homework. Whichever
teaching method is chosen, make sure that you set and agree upon a completion
date for each activity.
The answers given are not exhaustive and are to be used as a guide only.
Alternative, appropriate answers may be considered.
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Activities
Candidate name:
Date:
12.1 What are surface coatings? (1)
Chapter 12: Surface coatings
Aims and objectives
At the end of these activity sheets, you should be able to:




1
state the purposes of surface coatings
state the three components of paint, and explain the function of each one
understand the processes at work when paint dries
recall information about a variety of types of paint.
State four reasons for applying surface coatings.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2
State four categories into which surface coatings generally fall.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
3
Explain the meanings of these two terms in relation to paint.
water-based: ________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
solvent-based: ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Activities
4
Until recently, solvent-based paints were the number one wall coating
choice for plaster, masonry and other surfaces. Why are water-based paints
widely used these days?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
5
What is the difference between opacity and adhesion?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
6
Here are some paints that can be used in spraying. Which are oil-based and
which are water based? Write ‘oil’ or ‘water’ next to each one.
etch primer ______
vinyl silk emulsion ________
epoxy resin paint ______
blockfiller ______
chlorinated rubber paint ______
7
wood stain ______
anti-graffiti paint ______
quick-drying acrylic metal primer ___
acrylic undercoat ______
interior varnish ______
State the three components of paint.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
8
State the two ways in which paint can dry.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Activities
9
Answer these questions about paints that dry using a chemical reaction.
a
What are these paints used for? _____________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
b
Why are the base and the hardener supplied in separate packs?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
f
c
Once the components are mixed together, within how long must the
paint be used? __________________________________________
d
What is the term for the amount of time two-pack paints remain at a
workable consistency? ____________________________________
e
What will happen if more paint is made up than can be used within
this time frame? _________________________________________
What will happen if brushes etc. are not cleaned in good time?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
10
This text gives some information about health and safety when using
paints. Complete the text by writing the missing words.
Special attention should be paid to any safety information provided with
paints. Some types of paint contain _____________ known as isocyanate
groups. These chemicals give off vapours, which irritate the airways and
could cause conditions such as _________. You should also avoid contact
with the ______ or eyes. The correct PPE should be worn when working
with these materials, including air-fed ________ and powered
_______________. In addition, make sure the area you are working in is
well _______________, and take regular breaks.
11
State four factors on which successful painting depends.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Activities
12
Describe the effects that the following weather conditions can have on the
application of paint.
warm and dry: ______________________________________________
cold and humid: _____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
13
This text gives some information about film thickness. Complete the text by
writing the missing words.
On new surfaces, it is necessary to apply an initial paint film build-up of
adequate thickness. This can usually be achieved by the application of at
least three coats of solvent-based systems, such as one coat of _________,
one coat of _____________ and one coat of ________. Alternatively, at
least two coats of ____________ and ___________ water-based paints can
be used, all applied at the correct spreading rate as indicated for the
specific product. The use of an additional coat, sometimes of primer,
undercoat or _____________ paint, is often also beneficial.
14
How do these two types of paint protect surfaces from moisture?
solvent-based: ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
water-based: ________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
15
What is the advantage of solvent-based acrylics?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
16
When can universal primers be used?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Activities
17
Provide the following information for acrylic wall primer.
 uses: ____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 special properties: _________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 spreading rate: ____________________________________________
 surface preparation: ________________________________________
 application: _______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
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Activities
18
Provide the following information for undercoat.
 uses: ____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 drying time: ______________________________________________
 equipment cleaner: _________________________________________
 surface preparation: ________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 application: _______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
19
Name four different types of finish.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Activities
20
State the advantages and disadvantages of alkyd gloss.
 advantages: ______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 disadvantages: ____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
State the advantages and disadvantages of water-based gloss.
 advantages: ______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 disadvantages: ____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
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Activities
21
Provide the following information for vinyl emulsion.
 uses: ____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 special properties: _________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 storage: _________________________________________________
 surface preparation: ________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 application: _______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
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Activities
12.1 What are surface coatings? (1)
Chapter 12: Surface coatings
Answers
1
State four reasons for applying surface coatings.
to
to
to
to
2
protect
decorate
sanitise
identify (i.e. distinguish different areas or components)
State four categories into which surface coatings generally fall.
paint
varnish
wood stain
sealers and preparatory coatings
3
Explain the meanings of these two terms in relation to paint.
water-based: the main liquid part of the paint is water
solvent-based: a chemical has been used instead of water to dissolve
the other components of the paint
4
Until recently, solvent-based paints were the number one wall coating
choice for plaster, masonry and other surfaces. Why are water-based paints
widely used these days?
Changes in safety and environmental legislation have forced
manufacturers to develop water-based products as safer
alternatives.
5
What is the difference between opacity and adhesion?
opacity is to do with how transparent or see-through the paint is;
adhesion is to do with how well it sticks to a surface
6
Here are some paints that can be used in spraying. Which are oil-based and
which are water based? Write ‘oil’ or ‘water’ next to each one.
etch primer oil
vinyl silk emulsion water
epoxy resin paint oil
blockfiller water
chlorinated rubber paint oil
wood stain water
anti-graffiti paint oil
quick-drying acrylic metal primer water
acrylic undercoat water
interior varnish oil
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Activities
7
State the three components of paint.
thinner (water or solvent)
binder
pigment (colour)
8
State the two ways in which paint can dry.
air-drying
chemical reaction
9
Answer these questions about paints that dry using a chemical reaction.
a
b
c
d
e
f
10
What are these paints used for? special purposes, such as floor
paints and corrosion-resistant coatings used on structural
steel
Why are the base and the hardener supplied in separate packs? so
that the chemical reaction that causes the paint to start drying
only happens when they are mixed together
Once the components are mixed together, within how long must the
paint be used? about four hours (but always check the
manufacturer’s instructions)
What is the term for the amount of time two-pack paints remain at a
workable consistency? the pot life
What will happen if more paint is made up than can be used within
this time frame? It will set in the tin.
What will happen if brushes etc. are not cleaned in good time? They
could be ruined.
This text gives some information about health and safety when using
paints. Complete the text by writing the missing words.
Special attention should be paid to any safety information provided with
paints. Some types of paint contain chemicals known as isocyanate
groups. These chemicals give off vapours, which irritate the airways and
could cause conditions such as asthma. You should also avoid contact with
the skin or eyes. The correct PPE should be worn when working with these
materials, including air-fed masks and powered respirators. In addition,
make sure the area you are working in is well ventilated, and take regular
breaks.
11
State four factors on which successful painting depends.
preparation
environmental conditions
film thickness
workmanship
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Activities
12
Describe the effects that the following weather conditions can have on the
application of paint.
warm and dry: accelerates drying
cold and humid: slows drying time, which can cause gloss paints to
dry flat or ‘bloom’
13
This text gives some information about film thickness. Complete the text by
writing the missing words.
On new surfaces, it is necessary to apply an initial paint film build-up of
adequate thickness. This can usually be achieved by the application of at
least three coats of solvent-based systems, such as one coat of primer,
one coat of undercoat and one coat of gloss. Alternatively, at least two
coats of emulsion and acrylic water-based paints can be used, all applied
at the correct spreading rate as indicated for the specific product. The use
of an additional coat, sometimes of primer, undercoat or finishing paint, is
often also beneficial.
14
How do these two types of paint protect surfaces from moisture?
solvent-based: forms a waterproof layer, which keeps out any
moisture
water-based: provides a moisture screen that prevents most water
from penetrating the surface; any moisture that does penetrate can
escape as water vapour
15
What is the advantage of solvent-based acrylics?
They combine the adhesion of solvent-based paints with the
flexibility of water-based coatings.
16
When can universal primers be used?
They are intended for use on a wide range of surfaces, but you will
achieve better results by using primers specifically designed for a
particular surface.
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Activities
17
Provide the following information for acrylic wall primer.
 uses: applied to walls before any other paint, to provide better
adhesion of paint to the surface, to increase the durability of
subsequent coatings, and to serve as a protector
 special properties: low odour, fast-drying, easily applied, good
opacity and flow; can also contain ingredients that cover most
stains
 spreading rate: 10–12 square metres per litre on smooth, nonporous surfaces
 surface preparation: ensure surface is sound, clean and dry
 application: stir well before use; apply one full coat in firm, even
strokes using a brush or roller
18
Provide the following information for undercoat.
 uses: applied to a surface after the primer but before the finish;
suitable for both interior and exterior surfaces
 drying time: 16–24 hours
 equipment cleaner: white spirit or turpentine substitute
 surface preparation: ensure surface is sound, clean and dry and
free from grease; previously painted surfaces should be rubbed
down with wet abrasive paper to provide a good key; bare
surfaces should be primed with the appropriate primer; after
priming, fill cracks and nail holes with filler
 application: stir well before use; apply one or more coats as
required with a brush or roller; when each coat is dry, rub down
lightly to remove any nibs; if there is a lengthy time between
undercoat and gloss application, another coat of undercoat will
be required before applying gloss finish
19
Name four different types of finish.
Any four of the following:
 matt emulsion
 silk emulsion
 vinyl matt emulsion
 vinyl soft sheen
 oil-based eggshell
 water-based eggshell
 alkyd gloss
 water-based gloss
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Activities
20
State the advantages and disadvantages of alkyd gloss.
 advantages: good covering power; provides a good waterproof
barrier; provides a durable, easy-clean, high-gloss finish;
available in a wide range of colours
 disadvantages: white alkyd gloss is prone to yellowing, or
chalking, and loses its gloss on exteriors after a number of years;
becomes brittle with age; any water trapped within the surface
cannot escape, leading to blistering or even wet rot
State the advantages and disadvantages of water-based gloss.
 advantages: easier to apply than alkyd gloss; provides a flexible,
non-yellowing film; does not give off toxic fumes when drying;
equipment can be easily washed out in water after use; dries
quickly in dry, warm conditions; resistant to alkalis; does not
chalk upon ageing
 disadvantages: does not provide a high-gloss finish; does not
provide a seal between the glass and putties on timber window
frames; drying can be retarded by cold, damp conditions, and it
can freeze, both on the surface and in the can; can be washed off
exterior surfaces by rain while still wet; not as resistant to
abrasion as alkyd gloss
21
Provide the following information for vinyl emulsion.
 uses: the number one choice for domestic internal surfaces; matt
emulsion is used where a shine is not desired (e.g. uneven
surfaces); silk emulsion leaves an attractive sheen and is durable
and washable
 special properties: easy to apply, high opacity, resistant to
yellowing and fading
 storage: replace lid firmly; protect from frost
 surface preparation: attend to all surface imperfections and cracks;
prime and undercoat as necessary; rub down previously glosspainted surfaces to provide a good key
 application: stir well before use; apply with a brush or roller; when
applying to absorbent surfaces, thin the first coat with clean water; apply
two coats, or sometimes three with severely contrasting colour changes;
for spray application, thin with clean water as required; do not apply
when the air or surface temperature is below 5°C
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