Specially formulated paints are designed to withstand extreme temperatures.
Selecting the right paint can be a difficult decision, regardless of its expected use. Simply choosing the appropriate color that complements the decor and your personal tastes can prove challenging. Painting projects that require specially designed paints, particularly those exposed to high temperatures, add an additional factor to an already challenging decision. Selecting the right paint based on each project's needs will save you both time and money.
Common Ingredients
Heat resistant paints are made from many different materials and are based primarily on the intended use. The expected heat exposure will determine which paint is appropriate for your specific needs. Many of these specialty paints are made from silicone and silicone derivatives. Silicon resin is used in temperature resistant paints on the lower end of the heat scale. As the need for protection increases with expected higher temperatures, ceramic and silicone acrylic are often materials of choice.
Heat Ranges
Selecting the right paint, without spending more than needed, requires an understanding of what temperatures each paint is capable of withstanding. These can vary widely from paint to paint and manufacturer to manufacturer. For example, some paints are resistant up to 300 F. Other paints can range from 500 F to 1,500 F; some can even resist temperatures as high as 2,000 F.
Common Uses
While there are a number of applications, some of the more common uses of heat resistant paints are seen in automotive and jet airplane engines, exhaust components and home appliances. They are also used in industrial environments -- for example, industrial broilers, steel mill ovens, blast furnaces, power generation plants and ship boilers and equipment.
Additional Benefits
Many heat resistant paints, in addition to protecting metal and other materials exposed to extreme temperatures, also provide other benefits. Some of these specialty paints can bond to most any surface, including stainless steel, and protect surfaces from corrosion in addition to heat. Many of these paints are also purported to protect finishes from the fading and peeling often associated with weather exposure.
