---
title: "Characteristics of a good paint"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 9
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:characteristics-good-paint"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/characteristics-good-paint
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Characteristics of a good paint

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 9: Paint and Varnishes

- Asked in: 2081 Chaitra (new course), 1 marks
- Video: [Ideal Paint in Construction | Properties & Requirements | Construction Materials | Civil Engineering](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhhdrqSArjc) — Polytechnic Class (READBY) 
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/characteristics-good-paint
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-9

## Question

Explain a few characteristics of a good paint.

## Short answer

A good paint spreads uniformly, dries quickly to a hard, smooth film, adheres firmly, and resists weather and fading. It should be durable, cheap, safe, and not settle or crack.

## Answer

A good paint should:

- Spread easily and uniformly, and have good covering power.
- Dry within a reasonable time to a hard, smooth, glossy film.
- Stick firmly to the surface without cracking, blistering or peeling.
- Resist weather, sunlight, moisture and chemicals.
- Keep its colour without fading.
- Be cheap, durable and easy to clean.
- Contain no harmful substances and have no bad odour.
- Not settle or form a skin in the container during storage.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which describes the film a good paint should form on drying?
   A. Soft, matt and slightly tacky
   B. Hard, smooth and glossy
   C. Thick and rubbery
   D. Porous and chalky
   Answer: B. A good paint dries in reasonable time to a hard, smooth, glossy film. (Key point: Film quality)

2. Which defect must a good paint NOT show after sticking to a surface?
   A. Cracking, blistering or peeling
   B. Good covering power
   C. Easy spreading
   D. Colour retention
   Answer: A. It should stick firmly without cracking, blistering or peeling. (Key point: Adhesion)

3. What should a good paint not do inside its container during storage?
   A. Smell mild
   B. Stay liquid
   C. Settle or form a skin
   D. Keep its colour
   Answer: C. A good paint must not settle or form a skin in the container. (Key point: Storage stability)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Characteristics of good building stones](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acharacteristics-good-building-stones) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 2, asked 9×
- [Characteristics of good bricks](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acharacteristics-good-bricks) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 3, asked 4×
- [Characteristics of good timber](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acharacteristics-good-timber) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 7, asked 3×
- [Characteristics of good brick earth](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acharacteristics-good-brick-earth) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 3
- [Characteristics of good varnishes](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acharacteristics-good-varnish) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 9

## Related in other subjects

- [Good paint characteristics; painting galvanized iron](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Apaint-galvanized) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [Paint and requisites of a good paint](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Apaint-requisites-short) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [Characteristics of good paints](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Apaint-characteristics) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [Leadership and characteristics of a good leader](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aleadership-characteristics-good-leader) — Construction Management, chapter 10, asked 2×