Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Paint
open-in-new
<p>Paint is a material or mixture that, when applied to a solid material and allowed to dry, adds a film-like layer. As art, this is used to create an image or images known as a <a href="/facts/Painting/ygQ47K3b">painting</a>. Paint can be made in many colors and types. Most paints are either oil-based or water-based, and each has distinct characteristics. </p><p>Primitive forms of paint were used tens of thousands of years ago in <a href="/facts/Cave_painting/yv2BehGH">cave paintings</a>. </p><p>Clean-up solvents are also different for water-based paint than oil-based paint. Water-based paints and oil-based paints will cure differently based on the outside ambient temperature of the object being painted (such as a house). </p>