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Paint Sample Preparation and Analysis Procedures InspectAPedia®  -     Detailed procedures for preparing paint failure samples for lab analysis Guide to high power light microscopic examination of paint chips and fragments Simple chemical tests to aid in identifying acrylic/latex or oil/alkyd classes of paint Lab observations aid in diagnosing the cause of paint failure on surfaces

This article describes a simple procedure for preparing paint samples for reflected light low to high magnification microscopic examination in the paint failure laboratory. A procedure is described for mounting sectioned paint chips on edge for microscopic examination. This procedure is useful in the determination of paint layers, paint layer thickness measurement, and paint layer interactions. The procedure also permits detection of mold or debris which has been painted over. Additional lab photos of paint chips and paint failures can be viewed at PAINT FAILURE ANALYSIS LAB PHOTOS.

Two simple chemical tests are described for identification of paint as acrylic or alkyd, useful as a quick, inexpensive alternative to pyrolosis gas chromatography, We include photographs of the procedure for preparing paint chips for cross-section and flat surface analysis. and photos of the results of simple chemical analysis to identify paint samples as acrylic or alkyd paints.

This document is a chapter of Diagnosing and Preventing Paint Failure on Building Exteriors. Readers should also see Paint Failure Case Photographs-SITE and then Paint Failure Case Photographs-LAB and see PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR for a guide to the selection and proper application of paints and stains on exterior wood surfaces.The diagnosis and cure of paint failure on buildings, particularly on wood siding and trim, is quite possible if there is a careful and thorough inspection of the building, its history, its surfaces, and the actual points of paint failure. It is diagnostic to compare the same coating on the same type of surface at different locations on a building and in areas of failed and not-failed paint.

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A Procedure for Preparing Paint Samples for Examination by Reflected Light Microscopy

Flat Surface View of Failing Paint Chips for Paint Failure Diagnosis

Paint chips and samples from a painted surface can be easily mounted flat for microscopic examination, though care should be taken in selection of mounting media to be sure that the media does not react with or modify the sample. Flat mounting of paint chip samples to examine the exposed and inner surfaces is a basic step in microscopic examination and lab diagnosis of failing coatings.

Examination of the exposed paint surface in flat or planar view may disclose defects such as micro cracking, micro blistering, or contaminants. Examination of the inner, hidden, or release-surface of sample paint chips from a failing coating can provide critical information needed to state the cause of the paint failure with confidence.

The inner paint surface may show wood fibers, chalked dust from the painted-on surface, or even separation of paint ingredients or surfactant bleeding which form critical diagnostic data but which cannot be seen with the naked eye. Photographs of these failures are provided in other chapters of this document.

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PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR
PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION
PAINT FAILURE CHECKLIST
  PAINT FAILURE - EXTERIOR CLUES
  PAINT FAILURE - INTERIOR CLUES
  PAINT FAILURE - SITE HISTORY of
  PAINT FAILURE INDICATORS
COMMON PAINTING MISTAKES
  PAINTING MISTAKE - BAD SURFACE PREP
  PAINTING SHORTCUT ERRORS
  PAINTING OVER MOISTURE
  INCOMPATIBLE PAINTS
  PAINTING in SUN or WIND
  PAINT on STUCCCO, FAILURES
PAINT FAILURE DICTIONARY
PAINT FAILURE ANALYSIS LAB PHOTOS
PAINT LAB SAMPLE PREPARATION
  Flat Surface View of Failing Paint
  Sectional View of Failing Paint
  Chemical Tests of Failing Paint
  Contributors & References

• Leila Kotama, Product Manager, Tikkurila Paints Oy, Finland. Dr. Kotama has more than 20 years experience as a paint chemist.
• Ulrik Runeberg, Conservador , Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico, San Juan Puerto Rico
• Bodycote Materials Testing, Ontario, Canada


• Paint and Surface Coatings, Theory and Practice, R. Lambourne & T.A. Strivens, Ed., Woodhead Publishing Ltd., William Andrew Publishing, 1999 ISBN 1-85573-348 X & 1-884207-73-1 [This is perhaps the leading reference on modern paints and coatings, but is a difficult text to obtain, and is a bit short on field investigation methods - DF]
• Analysis of Modern Paints, Thomas J.S. Learner, Research in Conservation, 2004 ISBN 0-89236-779-2 [Chemistry of modern paints, overview of analytical methods, pyrolysis-gas chromatography signatures of basic modern paints and their constituents, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for paint analysis, direct temperature-resolved mass spectrometry, and analysis in practice - technical reference useful for forensic paint science, focused on art works -DF]
• Seeing Through Paintings, Physical Examination in Art Historical Studies, Andrea Kirsh, Rustin S. Levenson, Materials in Fine Arts, 2000 ISBN 99-051835 [ forensic science, technical reference, focused on art works - DF]
• Paint Handbook: testing, selection, application, troubleshooting, surface preparation, etc., Guy E. Weismantel, Ed., McGraw Hill Book Company, 1981 [Excellent but a bit obsolete paint theory and practice, also a bit light on field investigation methods, out of print, available used-DF]
• Art, Biology, and Conservation: Biodeterioration in Works of Art, Robert J. Koestler et als. Eds., Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2003, ISBN 1-58839-107-8
• Paint Test Laboratory Listings Welcome: independent forensic and microscopic or chemistry labs offering paint analysis or paint failure services are welcome to be listed here at no fee. See our ADVERTISING & LINK EXCHANGE POLICY and Contact Us

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More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Exteriors, Landscaping, & Siding - Inspection, Repairs, Product Failures

• Quotes in the opening text of this document are from the encyclopedic but not quite complete paint website: PPG Exterior Failures http://www.ppg.com/getpaint/etraining/solver/exterior.html

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