Pigment is a component of paint. It is a coloring material usually a finely ground powder which does not dissolve. It is suspended in a liquid solvent vehicle to become the coloring material in paint.
There are two types of pigments used in paint formulation, Prime Pigments and Extender Pigments.
Prime Pigments
These pigments are what provide the primary coloration of the paint whether white or a color shade. Quality primary pigments are usually expensive.
Extender Pigments (also "extenders")
These pigments are the filler used in paint pigment. They do not hide as well as primary pigments and have a significant impact on the overall characteristics and performance of a paint, including hiding, durability, scrubbability and retention of color.
Extender pigments have historically been made from clay, silica, talc, chalk, and to assist in mildew prevention, zinc oxide.
A newer type of paint called Ceramic Paint uses microspheric ceramic beads in place of traditional extender pigments.
