Enamel Paint
Get the perfect glossy, hard finish with enamel paint
The term ‘enamel paint’ covers a variety of coating types used for different substrates and purposes. The common factor between all these applications is that the coating provides a hard, opaque, and glossy surface, and it is this which characterises the ‘enamel’ paint. There are three main types: Enamel paint for high gloss house surfaces like window frames, doors and trim, high temperature enamel paint for industrial and heat-proof surfaces, and the kind of enamel paint that is used for enamelware which is baked onto a substrate.
In this article we look at the different types of enamel paint, as well as how they are used and applied. We also list enamel paint manufacturers and suppliers in Australia.
The 3 different types of enamel paint
As mentioned above, there are three main ‘types’ of enamel paint: those used for architectural applications, those for heat protection, and those which are baked on. Below we describe each of these in more detail. Within the different categories there is enamel paint for metal, enamel paint for wood, oil or water based enamel paint and a range of other substrate and chemistry specific varieties.
1. Gloss enamel paint – doors, windows, trim, etc.
Surfaces in high traffic or high use areas like doorways, windows, trim, and cabinets require a hard-wearing paint that won’t easily be chipped and scratched by daily use. There is water based and enamel paint and oil based enamel paint for these purposes which can be used for interior or exterior surfaces. They provide excellent coverage and colour retention, are washable, and are available in varying levels of gloss – generally the higher the gloss level, the more heavy duty the finish.
It is possible to use enamel paint for wood, metal and plaster surfaces. This coating also comes in the form of enamel spray paint. Products like Dulux Duramax Enamel Spray Paint are used for metals, wood and plastics to give them a glossy finish.
Buy enamel paint for interior and exterior timber
Econamel Paint – Zero VOC
- Based on: Acrylic
- VOC: zero VOC
- Colour: can be tinted in practically any colour
- Finish: satin / gloss
- Suitable for: interior and exterior timber, skirting boards, doors, windows, masonry
- Coverage: 10 – 16sqm/L
A heat resistant enamel paint can be used for stoves, barbecues, and ovens.
2. High temperature enamel paint
High temperature or heat proof enamel paint is an enamel paint for metal that protects surfaces from heat. These kinds of enamels are available as aerosols and liquid paints and are generally used for heat proofing surfaces at home rather than hard-working industrial heat proofing. Objects like barbecues, stoves, lamps, flues, stove pipes, engines and other heat adjacent or exposed surfaces all can be treated with a heat proof enamel. This applies to exterior surfaces – the interiors of stoves and barbecues (or any part that comes into contact with food) should not be treated.
These enamels contain silicone resin, which is what gives them their heat resistant properties. They are formulated to provide heat resistance, film integrity and colour retention up to different temperatures, from 300°C to 650°C. Though the colour range is not vast, heat proof enamel is available in at the very least red, black, and silver.
3. Baked enamel paint – enamelware
Every grandma had some somewhere, and now the trend has come round again – enamelware is a homely classic. And it is not just a kitchen classic; the history of car paint includes a variety of different enamels. These types of coating are generally alkyd enamel paint or acrylic enamel paint, but they can also be epoxy or urethane resins. Other typical applications for baked enamels are oven walls, kitchen appliances, sinks, bathtubs, silos, processing equipment and pharmaceutical tanks and even advertising signs.
The key ingredient in baked enamel coatings is powdered glass (‘frit’), which is why they are also called vitreous enamel.This glass is fused to the substrate and baked at very high temperatures (about 850°C), which is why it is a process used for metals. It is smooth, hard, durable, resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and corrosion, and very easy to clean.
Where to find enamel paint suppliers and products in Australia
There are a number of companies that provide each of the different enamel paints for the Australian market. For gloss enamel paint there is always Bunnings, where you can find products from brands like Dulux, British Paints, White Knight, and Taubmans. For heat proof enamel paint Bunnings also has a wide selection from White Knight and Dulux. For vitreous enamel companies like Melbourne Enamelling and Glassmetal Industries provide a range of services. Below we have compiled a sample selection of enamel paint products and companies in Australia.
If you have a project that needs enamel coating and need advice on products, get in touch! Our experts are here to help. Just use the “Request a Quote” button beneath this article and fill in the contact form with the relevant information.
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| Enamel Paint Product/Company | Description |
|---|---|
| British Paints H2O Enamel Paint | A water based enamel, designed for use on interior and exterior doors, windows and timber trim surfaces. Fast drying and low odour. |
| Concept Paints | Manufacturer and supplier of commercial and industrial coatings, including automotive enamel paint. |
| Dulux Duramax High Heat Enamel Spray Paint | A heat resistant, silicone resin based spray paint for painting the exterior surfaces of items around the home. Ideal for painting objects exposed to heat, like barbecues, stoves and lamp shades with heat resistance of 300°C to 690°C. Suitable for application on the exterior surfaces only. |
| Dulux Super Enamel High Gloss Paint | An oil based, hard-wearing, long-life finish suitable for interior surfaces. Recommended for doors, architraves and timber trim in heavy traffic areas such as hallways and family rooms. |
| Glassmetal Industries | Company that provides a unique Vitreous Enamel Protective Coating Service for a wide range of customer’s products. These include heat exchangers, bakeware, stove parts, solid fuel wood heaters, gas heaters and barbecues. Glassmetal Industries specialise in the application of very high temperature resistant enamels. |
| Lacnam 300 RD Enamel | A rapid drying industrial enamel based on co- polymer alkyd resins for the protection of metal surfaces in light industrial environments. Typical areas of application are machinery, cabinets, furniture. bridges, pylons, tanks, electronic equipment housings, earthmoving and materials handling equipment. |
| Melbourne Enameling | Vitreous enamel applicators for cooking appliances, cookware, signage, heaters, fireplaces, baths, basins and more. |
| Taubmans Ultra Enamel | Oil based acrylic enamel designed for high traffic areas. It is suitable for all interior and exterior timber and metal applications where a smooth gloss finish is desired. |
| Wattyl High Bake Enamel 609 | A high bake, alkyd/melamine baking enamel suitable for application to domestic appliances, office furniture, steel shelving and new drums. |
| White Knight High Temp Pot Belly Black | A heat resistant, self priming paint designed for use on metal surfaces which are subject to radiant heat with a maximum heat resistance of 300°C. Ideal for use on pot belly stoves, heaters, ovens, BBQ surrounds and flues. |
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