Fine Paints of Europe: What You Should Know

The warmer summer weather can inspire you to improve your living spaces, but you don’t have to go crazy with renovations. Even a change in paint color can go a long way. Whether it’s a wall, floor or even an outdoor surface, a fresh coat of paint can update the area, giving you a new appreciation and enjoyment of the space. If you’re going to go to the trouble of painting, you want to pick a high-quality paint that will retain its beauty and be durable for years to come.

Fine Paints of Europe is an independently owned company established in 1987 that imports superior paint from the Netherlands for distribution. Free from inexpensive fillers and only crafted with the finest pigments and ingredients, these paints are what you want to reach for when your living space needs a facelift.

The History of Dutch Paint

For almost two centuries, the Netherlands has led the world in paint production. Though the size of the country is not large, more than 120 paint manufacturers call it home. The world’s largest paint manufacturer, Akzo Nobel, is just one of those 120.

Toward the end of the 18th century, there were a host of artists who resided in the Netherlands; among them were Vermeer and Rembrandt. These artists wanted paints that would stand the test of time. So, Dutch entrepreneurs set to work to create paint that would be what the artists wanted and needed to create their masterpieces and help them remain vibrant through the years. By 1790, the right formula of oils and pigments was discovered, and high-quality Dutch paint was born.

With a history as rich as Dutch paint manufacturing, it’s no wonder that Fine Paints of Europe is among the best paint in the world.

What Is Paint Made Of?

To understand how Fine Paints of Europe paint is superior to other paint brands that are manufactured stateside, we must first investigate what paint is made of. Paint contains four main ingredients:

1. A solvent is the component that gives the paint a particular viscosity and keeps any solid parts of the paint suspended without settling. The solvent also affects how well the paint sticks to a surface, and the solvent will eventually evaporate, leaving the paint film itself on the surface. Typical solvents are water in acrylic paints and mineral spirits in oil-based paints.
2. The paint’s binding ingredient is one of the most important, as it directly affects the adhesion of the paint on a surface as well as the appearance of the paint’s pigment. The binder is responsible for binding the pigment together so that the surface remains sufficiently covered once the solvent evaporates. The binder is the primary factor that influences the gloss, sheen, toughness and durability of the paint once it coats a surface.

Binders come as either natural or synthetic, and there three overall categories: drying oil, synthetic resin or natural resin.

There are several different types in each category. Linseed and poppy seed oils are two commonly used oils, while rubber or ester are common natural resins. Synthetic resins include polyurethane and silicone.

3. The paint’s pigment is actually very small solid materials that are insoluble in the solvent and binder, so they are what give the paint its color. Dyes may be included with the pigment to help enhance the color. Fillers are a specific type of pigment and are generally used to make paint a little thicker, increase the volume and reduce the cost of the paint.

Some natural pigments include talc, clay and silica. Synthetic pyrogenic silicas are just one of the types of engineered pigments.

4. The additives comprise small amounts of other ingredients that make the paint more useful. Some properties additives provide include:
   • Waterproofing
   • Texturing
   • Enhanced adhesiveness to a given surface
   • More pleasant smell

Now, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions of Fine Paints of Europe.

How Is Fine Paints of Europe Paint Different Than Standard Paint?

While Fine Paints of Europe paint contains the same overall categories of ingredients, it’s different from standard paint because of the quality of those ingredients.

When paint is manufactured with inexpensive fillers and other ingredients of lesser quality, you’re left with paint that simply gets the job done. It may coat the surface you desire, but the results are a bit lackluster. It doesn’t last more than a few years in most cases before the surface needs to be recoated, and the original finish itself isn’t as brilliant.

With paints that originated in The Netherlands, you see only the highest-quality resins and finely ground pigments in large concentrations throughout the paint gallon. There are also never any inexpensive fillers used. This makes for richer colors, a better overall appearance of the painted surface, and increased durability and longevity of that painted surface. High-quality paint means much more time between needed touchups and a longer duration of the brilliant finish.

How Long Do Fine Paints of Europe Products Last on a Surface?

If the proper preparation is done by a certified Fine Paints of Europe professional,  you can expect your painted surface to maintain its look for eight to 10 years. After that, it will still look more than presentable, but to restore it to its original luster, you may need to add one coat of paint.

Why Are Fine Paints of Europe Products More Expensive?

You’ll find that Fine Paints of Europe is more expensive than traditional paints you may find in a big box home-improvement store. They’re even to the tune of about $100 more per gallon than the standard paint. However, it’s all about quality, and you get what you pay for.

If you look at paint manufactured here in the United States, manufacturers use the duration of time the average family stays in their home or current location to calculate the cost formula for paint production. That duration is about 47 months. This can vary dramatically, but nevertheless, these manufacturers embrace as many inexpensive ingredients as possible.

If you compare that to Europe, where people view painted surfaces as a long-lasting investment, it becomes evident that American-produced paints just won’t do. In Europe, the average residency in a single area jumps to about 16 years. People want paint that will last during that time so they don’t have to repaint or touch up every couple of years.

No matter how long people stay in their homes, their paint should last. If Europe can demand such quality, so can we here in the United States, and that’s where Fine Paints of Europe comes in.

Is Fine Paints of Europe Paint Environmentally Friendly?

The simple answer is yes. As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council®, Fine Paints of Europe strives to ensure it follows the guidelines and requirements to reduce the level of unpleasant odors or other potentially harmful or irritating contaminants paint may contain.

The Eurolux™ line from Fine Paints of Europe as well as the ECO™ waterborne alkyds are certified to hold the Green Windmill insignia, which indicates low odor, low contaminant emission and formulas that are Earth-friendly.

What Colors Are Available in the Paint Line?

As with any paint line, there are a variety of colors and shades to suit any project you’re looking to complete. Specifically, there are two categories of color ranges:

• Gallery colors. This option of color variations focuses heavily on the ability to create an ambiance. The color selection is based off the colors Frank Lloyd Wright chose for the Guggenheim Museum. Wall color says a lot about time, place and culture, but yet it can’t clash with famous pieces of art or the furniture in your home. This wall color can influence how a person feels and views a work of art when he or she enters a room, and the same is true when walking into your home.

The Gallery colors set includes a variety of soothing, gentle hues designed to give visitors an appreciation of everything in the room, and not just the walls.

• Classical colors. This set was inspired by the Guggenheim Museum’s collection of art masterpieces themselves. This line includes many more vibrant colors, including those found in the works of Vincent van Gogh, Robert Delaunay and Paul Cé The colors that were chosen were examined by exhibit designers to ensure the colors’ compatibility with a wide array of architectural uses.

Fine Paints of Europe painstakingly matched each color in the final formulas so that the rich, vibrant shades exactly matched the painting the color was inspired by.

What Types of Surfaces Can Be Painted With Fine Paints of Europe Paint?

Just like with traditional paint, Fine Paints of Europe is exceedingly versatile. It can be used on interior and exterior areas like floors, ceilings, cabinets, doors, shutters or even the house itself. Doors are a common area that people tackle to dress up and update the exterior of their house. Fine Paints of Europe is ideal for that task because of its color variety, quality ingredients and longevity; it can take a beating, as most front doors do, and still stay beautiful. Just make sure you follow the proper procedure to get the most out of your paint.

Fine Paints of Europe paint can also be just as useful and beautiful inside, especially since the paint’s odor emission is lower than many other paint types. Use it to paint a floor, a wall, a ceiling or maybe even a mural anywhere in the house.

Do You Need a Professional to Paint With Fine Paints of Europe?

Yes, when hiring a certified professional the results will be much better than if you were to attempt to do on your own.

The certification process includes:

• The contractor is nominated by an independent retailer and demonstrates a proven track record in the completion of high-quality results time and time again.
• Attendance at a weeklong program in Woodstock, Vt. that highlights the paint itself as well as proper application techniques in an array of settings.
• The contractor consistently provides the best quality service for Fine Paints of Europe customers at competitive prices even after certification.

Why Choose Shoreline Painting?

Shoreline Painting & Drywall, Inc. has been in business for more than 35 years, consistently providing clients in Fairfield & Westchester Counties with high-quality services and superior results.  We have the largest painting crew in the tri-state area surpassing every other painting business which equates to the most expedited paint job for our clients.  Every team member on our crew is a qualified professional and must undergo a high level of technical training and evaluation to ensure they are the best of the best so that any project achieves the superior quality, finish and durability our company is known for.

When we’re on a project, we handle all components from top to bottom. A general manager and site manager are assigned and oversee the entire project from start to finish. They are supervised by the director of operations to ensure your requests are being met and carried out. Whether you’re looking for an Old Italian look or a metallic finish, we can provide the look you want on any interior or exterior project.

Our tools, materials, management and team of talented painters combine to provide you with the highest-quality results you deserve. For more information on Fine Paints of Europe paint and our services, contact us today and let us help you achieve a beautiful, completed project you’ll enjoy for years to come.