A paint is designed to coat a surface and have the ability to protect and, or decorate it. A surface is vulnerable to damage through the natural elements or daily wear and tear, metals corrode, wood rots, daily wear and tear can cause scratches, dents, spills and abrasions. Damages to the objects at the surface can be minimized by giving the object a coating. Coatings can also be used to decorate the object; to give colour, to smooth, to disguise any irregularities made by the manufacturing process.

Therefore a paint has two purposes, to protect and to decorate