Reducing environmental impact, improving application safety, and meeting high-performance expectations are among the key priorities of today’s paint manufacturers and users. Developed in response to these needs, water-based paint systems offer a wide range of applications, from decorative finishes to industrial production.

Water-based paints are paint systems in which water is used predominantly as the carrier phase. Depending on the resin structure and intended use, they can be formulated with acrylic, alkyd, acrylic-alkyd, and other binder technologies. This makes it possible to develop solutions tailored to different performance requirements not only for decorative applications, but also for metal, wood, furniture, panel radiators, and various industrial surfaces.

Key Features of Water-Based Paints

One of the main reasons for the growing use of water-based paint technologies is their ability to provide an alternative to conventional solvent-based systems.

Low VOC Content

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. Reducing VOC levels in paints and coating systems is important both for lowering emissions in application environments and for developing products with reduced emissions.

When the appropriate resin and formulation technologies are used, water-based systems enable the development of products with low VOC levels. SUBATEK’s product portfolio also includes low-VOC water-based paint and varnish systems designed for different applications.

Dilution with Water

One of the key advantages of water-based systems is that, depending on the technical requirements of the product, they can be diluted with water. This can help reduce the amount of solvent used during application and make it easier to clean painting equipment while the paint is still wet.

For example, SUBATEK’s water-based metal and anticorrosive paint systems offer water dilution options depending on the application method.

Wide Range of Applications

Water-based paint technologies are not limited to wall paints.

Advances in resin and formulation technologies have enabled the development of specialized systems for different surfaces and production processes.

Key application areas include:

• Metal surfaces

• Pipes and profiles

• Panel radiators

• Wood and furniture

• Parquet surfaces

• Decorative applications

• Industrial components

• Dip coating systems

• Oven-curing applications

Particularly in industrial applications, paint selection should not be based solely on the type of paint. Technical criteria such as surface preparation, application method, drying or curing conditions, film thickness, adhesion, and corrosion resistance should be evaluated together.

Can Water-Based Paints Be Used on Metal Surfaces?

Yes. Today, water-based technologies can be used on metal surfaces through a variety of product groups.

For systems used on metal surfaces, key requirements include good adhesion, corrosion resistance, fast drying, and compatibility with the application process.

SUBATEK’s water-based metal paint is offered as an acrylic-alkyd-based system developed for metal pipes and profiles, while water-based anticorrosive primers are also developed to protect metal surfaces against corrosion.

Specially formulated water-based systems can also be used in dip coating applications for components such as metal wires, rods, pipes, and profiles.

Can Water-Based Paints Be Used in Industrial Production?

With the advancement of water-based paint technologies, specialized products have also been developed for industrial production processes.

For example, water-based systems are available for different application methods, including dip coating, spray application, and oven curing. Water-based dip primers used in panel radiator production are another example. In these products, properties such as adhesion, coverage, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with powder coating systems are evaluated according to the requirements of the production process.

Therefore, in an industrial application, simply choosing a “water-based paint” is not sufficient. The product must be suitable for the application method used on the production line and for the required performance criteria.

Water-Based Systems for Wood and Furniture

Water-based paint and varnish technologies also have an important place in the wood and furniture industry.

Different product groups, such as primers, filler varnishes, topcoat varnishes, and parquet varnishes, can be used to prepare wood surfaces and achieve the desired final appearance.

For example, fast drying and scratch resistance are key properties in water-based parquet varnishes, while wood and furniture primers are evaluated based on their ability to prepare the surface for the topcoat, as well as their coverage and sandability.

What Should Be Considered When Choosing a Water-Based Paint?

Not every water-based paint is suitable for every surface or application. The following criteria should be considered when selecting the right product:

Surface type: The product should be selected according to whether the surface is metal, wood, concrete, or another substrate.

Application method: Application methods such as brush, roller, spray, airless, or dip coating are important factors in product selection.

Drying and curing conditions: The process requirements of air-drying systems differ from those of systems cured in an oven or at elevated temperatures.

Performance requirements: Properties such as adhesion, water resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, hardness, flexibility, and gloss should be evaluated according to the application.

VOC level: A product with a VOC level that meets the environmental and technical requirements of the project should be preferred.

Surface preparation: Paint performance depends not only on the properties of the product but also on proper surface preparation.

Water-based paint technologies are among the advanced coating solutions used today across a wide range of applications, from decorative finishes to industrial production processes.

The development of low-VOC systems, the ability to dilute with water, adaptability to different application methods, and the development of specialized products for various surfaces such as metal, wood, furniture, and radiators continue to expand the application range of water-based technologies.

However, when selecting the right product, it is important not to consider only whether it is “water-based.” The surface, application method, drying/curing conditions, and required performance criteria should all be evaluated together.

SUBATEK offers water-based product groups for a variety of application needs, ranging from decorative paints to industrial metal coatings, dip and oven-curing systems, and wood and furniture paint and varnish solutions.