Carroll Dunham
Used urethane paint with synthetic polymer paint on linen, alongside a broader practice spanning abstraction and figuration.
Paint Type
Polyurethane Paint
Polyurethane paint is a resin-based coating that forms a tough and durable finish. Formulas range from clear wood finishes to pigmented industrial coatings.
Polyurethane paint compatibility
Polyurethane paint gives wood and prepared concrete a durable finish. Metal and fiberglass require coating systems designed specifically for those materials.
| Surface | Compatibility | Preparation | Primer | Finish | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Excellent with a wood polyurethane or approved coating system | Remove wax, grease, and loose finish; sand as directed and remove all dust. | Clear wood polyurethane may be applied to bare or stained wood; pigmented systems are product-specific. | Smooth, durable clear or colored finish available in multiple sheens. | — |
| Concrete | Excellent with a concrete or floor-rated urethane system | Allow new concrete to cure, test moisture, and remove laitance, curing compounds, grease, and loose coating. | Use the specified concrete primer or base coat. | Hard-wearing finish with resistance determined by the complete system. | — |
| Steel and metal | Excellent with an industrial or direct-to-metal urethane | Remove rust, mill scale, grease, and loose coating, then create the required surface profile. | Use the specified corrosion-resistant primer unless direct-to-metal application is approved. | Durable topcoat with good color and gloss retention in suitable systems. | — |
| Aluminum | Good when the system expressly approves aluminum | Remove oxidation, clean and degrease, then abrade or pretreat as specified. | Use an aluminum-compatible primer unless the coating is approved for direct application. | Protective finish for interior or exterior exposure as rated. | — |
| Fiberglass | Good with a compatible industrial, marine, or specialty system | Remove wax and contamination, sand as directed, and eliminate all dust before coating. | Use the system's fiberglass-compatible primer when required. | Durable finish whose flexibility and exposure rating depend on the selected formula. | — |
| Stainless Steel | Good as part of an approved metal system | Clean and prepare the stainless steel to the coating manufacturer's specified standard. | Usually applied over a compatible primer rather than directly to smooth stainless steel. | Choose a finish rated for the expected wear, chemicals, weather, and cleaning. | — |
| Galvanized Steel | Good as part of an approved metal system | Clean and prepare the galvanizing to the coating manufacturer's specified standard. | Apply over the compatible primer or intermediate coat required by the system. | Choose a finish rated for the expected wear, chemicals, and weather. | — |
| Drywall | Limited to specialty systems that approve prepared drywall | Repair defects, sand smooth, remove dust, and ensure the wall is clean and dry. | Use the exact primer required by the specialty coating. | Primarily for demanding commercial or industrial environments rather than ordinary walls. | — |
Sources: Sherwin-Williams polyurethane floor coatings, Sherwin-Williams VOC Aliphatic Polyurethane, Rust-Oleum 5800 Water-Based Urethane, PPG AQUATAFLEX 506, Behr Water-Based Polyurethane, and Sherwin-Williams Macropoxy EG-1 VHS N.
Painters who used polyurethane paint
Explore painters in the PaintZeal reference who incorporated urethane coatings into their work.
Frank Stella
Combined urethane enamel with synthetic polymer paint, oil, fluorescent alkyd, and industrial materials in large painted constructions.
Tom Holland
Tom Holland is an American painter and sculptor known for brightly colored works that combine painting with shaped aluminum or fiberglass, often finished with lustrous epoxy paint.
Polyurethane paint articles
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