Alkyd coatings are used for such diverse applications as air-drying water emulsion wall paints and baked

enamels for automobiles and appliances. The properties of oil-modified alkyd coatings depend upon the specific oil used as well as the percentage of oil in the composition. In general, they are comparatively low-cost and have excellent color retention, durability, and flexibility, but only fair drying speed, chemical resistance, heat resistance, and salt spray resistance. The oil-modified alkyds can be further modified with other resins to produce resin-modified alkyds. The resin is sometimes added during manufacture of the alkyd and becomes an integral part of the alkyd, or the modifying resin is blended with the alkyd when the paint is formulated. When mixed with urea formaldehyde or melamine resin, harder and more resistant baked enamels are produced. Alkyds blended with ethyl cellulose are used as tough flexible coatings for electric cable. Other resins blended with alkyds to produce special or improved properties include phenolic, rosin, vinyl, and silicone.