Why Measure the Viscosity of Paint?

In the case of raw materials used in the production of a batch of paint, it is to ensure that the viscosity is in line with the user’s specification otherwise the quality of the whole of the batch is compromised.

Viscosity is checked at various stages in the manufacturing process: Research & Development, during production, post-production quality control and during application.

The viscosity of a paint material determines the type of application equipment (airless spray,  conventional air spray, roller and handbrush) and this viscosity is stated on the technical data sheet issued by the manufacturer.

It will be necessary to make adjustments to the viscosity (usually by the addition of a suitable thinner or by heating) to ensure that it can be applied properly and that the desired wet film thickness can be obtained without sagging. Too much thinner will result in reducing the viscosity significantly and this can result in a lower film thickness leading to a loss in hiding power and performance of the paint system if this is not rectified.