It can be simply defined as coating a surface with paint (including pigments or colors). This process is commonly used to decorate, color and protect objects as well as provide texture to them. Paint coatings can be applied using brushes, rollers and spraying methods. Paint is usually applied in liquid form an  d dries to a solid film.

Industrial paints are used to protect metal, wood, and a variety of other materials. Their properties and performance depend in part on the composition of the paint and the performance specifications required for the particular application of the paint.

Paints usually contain four main components. They are pigments, binders, liquids and additives. Pigment is simply powder in its unmixed form. It is used to determine the color and appearance of the paint. The main pigment is responsible for the color or whiteness of the paint. Titanium dioxide is the main ingredient (primary pigment) in most white paints. Body pigments are used to add bulk to the paint.

Silicon dioxide is an example of a bulk pigment used to add durability to paint. Binders are used to hold the pigments in place. Oil-based binders (used in oil-based paints) oxidize when exposed to air and harden with the rest of the paint. The liquid component evaporates. Latex-based binders are often used in non-aqueous coatings. In this case, after the paint is applied, the water evaporates, leaving behind a coating consisting of pigment and binder.

Three important paint binders were mentioned. Acrylic polymers (resins) are found in latex paints and are commonly used to paint the interior and exterior of buildings. Alkyd polymers (resins) are contained in decorative gloss paints. Epoxy polymers (resins) are commonly used as binders in industrial primer coatings. They give coatings good adhesion and high corrosion resistance.