Which paint
for which job?
Properties, applications and on-site considerations for seven paint families, from alkyd to nitrocellulose. Under each category you will find the CORAL product codes for that group.
Golden rules for all paint types.
Surface Preparation
70% of success! Completely remove oil, rust, dirt and moisture from the surface. Always sand smooth surfaces and use a suitable primer.
Correct Mixing
Stir the paint for 2–3 minutes before use. For thinning, use only the product's own thinner, in the specified ratio.
Application Conditions
Ambient temperature should be 5°C – 35°C and relative humidity below 80%. Do not apply in rainy weather or when there is a risk of condensation.
Health and Safety
Always wear personal protective equipment such as a mask, goggles and gloves. Ventilate enclosed spaces well.
Seven families, seven different behaviours.
Select a paint family from the tabs to view its properties, applications and on-site considerations.
Alkyd (Industrial) Paints
Fast, practical and economical solutions.
- One-component and easy to use.
- Dries very quickly (dust dry ~15–30 min).
- Air-drying.
- Offers a glossy, attractive appearance.
- Machinery and components, agricultural equipment.
- Steel structures, iron joinery.
- Industrial production lines, metal goods.
Because it dries very quickly, work fast with brush and roller to avoid leaving “lap marks”. Its chemical and abrasion resistance is not as high as epoxy.
CORAL PRODUCTS IN THIS CATEGORY
Standard Primer
· Fast Drying· High Hiding Power· A smooth surfaceEconomy Primer
· Fast Drying· High Hiding PowerIndustrial Paint
· Excellent Hiding Power· Gloss above 90 GU· High distinctness of imageIndustrial Paint
· Gloss Above 90 GU· Does Not Soften in SunlightIndustrial Paint
· Good hiding power· Glossy finishIndustrial Paint
· Semi-Gloss finish· Does Not Soften in SunlightIndustrial DTM Paint
· High Volume Solids· High Sag Resistance· Semi-Matt FinishIndustrial Paint
· Semi-Matt FinishIndustrial Paint
· A Matt FinishSynthetic (Oil-Based) Paints
Traditional, flexible and compatible with all surfaces.
- One-component.
- Slow-drying; flows out over the surface to form a smooth film.
- Excellent adhesion and flexibility.
- Available in gloss, satin and matt.
- Interior/exterior wooden surfaces (doors, windows).
- Metal surfaces (iron railings, fences).
- Plaster and concrete surfaces with a suitable primer.
Full hardening can take up to 7 days; protect the surface from impact during this time. May yellow over time in dark environments.
CORAL PRODUCTS IN THIS CATEGORY
Synthetic Primer
· High CoverageSynthetic Automotive Paint
· Gloss above 90 GUSynthetic Paint
· A Glossy FinishEpoxy Coatings
Maximum protection, chemical and mechanical resistance.
- Two-component (A: resin + B: hardener).
- Forms an extremely hard film through chemical reaction.
- Superior resistance to water, chemicals and abrasion.
- Concrete floors in factories, warehouses and car parks.
- Water tanks, chemical storage areas.
- Hygienic floors such as hospitals and laboratories.
If the components are not mixed in the correct ratio, the paint will NEVER CURE. Watch the pot life (usually 30–60 min). UV resistance is poor; may need additional protection in direct sunlight.
CORAL PRODUCTS IN THIS CATEGORY
Anti-Corrosive Primer
· 500 Hours Corrosion Resistance· Surface-Tolerant· Suitable for difficult substratesShop Primer
· Excellent Weldability· No fumesEpoxy Paint
· 4/1 Mixing Ratio· Semi-Gloss Finish· 400 Hours Corrosion ResistanceAcrylic Paints (Solvent-Based)
Excellent colour retention and UV resistance.
- Usually two-component (paint + hardener).
- Dries quickly and forms a hard film.
- Non-yellowing; highly resistant to UV rays and outdoor weather.
- Offers high gloss and colour retention.
- Automotive and commercial vehicle industry.
- High-quality machinery and metal components.
- Signs, billboards and exterior metal cladding.
Usually requires professional spray gun application. Mixing ratios and overcoating intervals must be followed precisely.
CORAL PRODUCTS IN THIS CATEGORY
Acrylic Primer
· Easy SandingAcrylic Paint
· 2/1 Mixing Ratio· High Distinctness of Image and UV ResistancePolyurethane Coatings
Flexible, durable and UV-resistant topcoats.
- Two-component (paint + hardener).
- More flexible than epoxy.
- Ideal for exterior use thanks to excellent UV resistance.
- Very high scratch and abrasion resistance.
- As a UV-protective topcoat over epoxy systems.
- Heavy industrial plants, bridges, vessels.
- Floor coatings and sports halls.
Mixing ratios are critical. Usually applied over epoxy primers to form a complete system. May contain isocyanates harmful to human health; very good ventilation is required.
CORAL PRODUCTS IN THIS CATEGORY
Polyurethane Paint
· 5/1 Mixing Ratio· Does not soften in sunlightPolyurethane Paint
· 10/1 Mixing Ratio· Semi-Gloss ProductPolyurethane Paint
· Semi-Matt Product· High-Build Application1K Speciality Products
One-component, practical, special-purpose solutions.
- One-component; no hardener required.
- Dries physically (the solvent evaporates).
- Usually very easy to apply.
- Road markings, site markings.
- Stoves, chimneys etc. exposed to high temperatures.
- General-purpose quick repairs and touch-ups.
Their durability (mechanical and chemical) is generally lower than that of two-component systems. Each product has its own specific application area.
CORAL PRODUCTS IN THIS CATEGORY
1K Primer
· Excellent adhesion to difficult substrates· High physical resistanceTOPCOAT
· Resistant to 200 °C· Metallic gilt colour· For stoves and pipesNitrocellulose Paints
The fastest in the furniture and metal industries.
- One-component (nitrocellulose-based).
- Dries extremely fast (within minutes).
- Forms a glossy, smooth surface.
- Very well suited to sanding and polishing between coats.
- Wooden furniture production and varnishing.
- Automotive refinishing (fillers and primers).
- Musical instruments and decorative metal objects.
Highly flammable. Thin only with its own dedicated nitrocellulose thinner. Incompatible with other paint systems; may lift the surface when applied over old paint.
There is no specific CORAL product for this category.
The right thinner, the right performance.
Never use the wrong thinner; every system works with its own solvent balance.
Rapid Industrial Thinner
Used for thinning alkyd (rapid) paints and primers. Evaporates quickly.
Synthetic Thinner
Used for thinning synthetic (oil-based) paints, primers and varnishes. Evaporates slowly, helping the paint flow out well over the surface.
Epoxy Thinner
Used for thinning all epoxy resin-based primers, paints and varnishes and for cleaning application equipment. A special solvent blend.
Polyurethane Thinner
Used for thinning polyurethane-based primers and paints. Contains special solvents that do not react with moisture in the system.
Acrylic Thinner
Formulated for acrylic systems. Used for thinning 1K and 2K acrylic paints and varnishes.
Nitrocellulose Thinner
Used for nitrocellulose-based primers, paints and varnishes. A very strong solvent that evaporates very quickly; cannot be used in other systems.
See paint types side by side.
Select a property to compare the relative performance of the seven paint families on a scale of 5.
Values are for relative comparison; the final choice should take into account ambient conditions and the ISO 12944 category as well.
