---
title: "Paint versus varnish"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 9
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:paint-vs-varnish"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/paint-vs-varnish
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Paint versus varnish

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 9: Paint and Varnishes

- Asked in: 2081 Kartik (new course), 1.5 marks; 2080 Bhadra, 2 marks; 2076 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2071 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2069 Chaitra, 2 marks (asked 5 times)
- Video: [PAINT vs. VARNISH || BMC || DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PAINT AND VARNISH](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nByupAk1yXA) — 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐤𝐚
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/paint-vs-varnish
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-9

## Question

Differentiate between paint and varnish.

## Short answer

Paint is an opaque coloured coating of pigment, base, vehicle, drier and thinner. Varnish is a transparent solution of resin in oil or spirit, applied to protect and show the natural grain.

## Answer

**Paint** is a mixture of pigment, base, vehicle (oil), drier and thinner, applied as a coloured opaque coating. **Varnish** is a solution of resin in oil, turpentine or spirit, applied as a transparent coating.

| Point | Paint | Varnish |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Base, pigment, vehicle, drier, thinner | Resin, solvent (turpentine/spirit), drier |
| Appearance | Opaque, coloured film | Transparent or lightly tinted film |
| Purpose | Protect and decorate; hide the surface | Protect and show the natural grain and colour |
| Used on | Wood, metal, plaster, walls | Mostly wood, also painted surfaces and paintings |
| Pigment | Present | Absent (except in coloured varnish) |
| Coats | Priming, undercoat, finishing coat | Usually 2–3 coats, no primer |
| Durability | Generally longer lasting in weather | Less durable outdoors; fades in sun |
| Cost | Usually cheaper per area | Usually costlier |

## Check yourself

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

1. Paint differs from varnish in composition because paint contains:
   A. Resin and spirit only
   B. Base, pigment, vehicle, drier and thinner, while varnish is resin in a solvent
   C. No vehicle
   D. Only water
   Answer: B. Varnish is resin in oil, turpentine or spirit, without pigment. (Key point: Composition)

2. Which gives a transparent film that shows wood grain?
   A. Paint
   B. Varnish
   C. Distemper
   D. Primer
   Answer: B. Varnish is transparent; paint is opaque and coloured. (Key point: Appearance)

3. Outdoors, which is generally more durable?
   A. Varnish, which never fades
   B. Paint; varnish fades in sun
   C. Both identical
   D. Neither
   Answer: B. Paint lasts longer in weather; varnish is less durable outdoors. (Key point: Durability)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Paint, varnish and their purpose](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Apaint-varnish-purpose) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 9