The turf industry has chosen to define
color enhancement products as
paints or
pigments.
In these six straight-forward questions and answers, learn more about:
Turf color enhancement: Paints or pigments
Keith Eubanks,
Geoponics Territory Manager, shares the difference between paints and pigments while offering tips on when and how to use each
turf color enhancement option.
Eubanks is a native of Southern Illinois and a Naples, Florida transplant with decades of experience in turf and landscape management, including serving as golf course superintendent for many years. He is sought after by professionals in the field for his expertise in
turf colorants.
Q. What is paint and what is pigment?
A. In a general sense they are the same thing. They are both
colorants. Paints and pigments are both designed to change the overall appearance of the turf canvas.
Pigments are used to color a material. In other words, it is the pigment that is the color in both “pigments” and “paints,” as defined by the turf industry. When applying to turf, rates aside, it is the binder that is the critical element. In general, pigments do not require as much binder as do the paints.
Want an even more in depth look at the difference between colorants, paints, dyes and pigments? Check out this blog with definitions provided by turf colorant earth chemists:
Paint, colorant, dye or pigment: Turf colorant varieties explained.
Q. What’s the difference?
A. The difference lies in three main areas: the concentrations of pigments and binders, usage rates and dormancy of the turf.
Q. What is Endurant TE Pigment
[caption id="attachment_505" align="alignleft" width="239"]
Endurant TE (turf enhancer) is considered a pigment versus a paint. It is often used on actively growing grass to enhance existing color.[/caption]
A. Pigments are usually short term, applied more frequently and are typically utilized to enhance the chlorophyll already in the plant, such as with
Endurant TE (Turf Enhancer). As such, pigments are designed to be applied to actively growing turf and their longevity is directly related to the vertical growth and frequency of mowing. Therefore, these colorants contain a high concentration of the pigment, allowing for very low application rates of ounces per acre, but they also contain low amounts of binder. These can be used easily in foliar programs that are applied on a regular basis or they can be used as a standalone application.
Click here to read a PDF with more information about Endurant TE, a turf enhancer pigment.
Q. What are the Endurant paints?
A. Endurant FW, Endurant PR and Endurant Premium are turf paints.
[caption id="attachment_504" align="alignleft" width="243"]
Endurant Paints include Endurant FW (fairways), Endurant PR (Perennial Rye) and Endurant Premium, among others. Endurant paints are often used when grass is in a stage of dormancy.[/caption]
Paints are considered to be long term, are employed primarily for the coverage of completely dormant turf and require higher usage rates than the pigments.
When using paint, the
application rates are generally between 3-6 gallons per acre. This is generally due to the lower concentration of the pigment and a higher concentration of the binder, but also dormant turf requires more of the product to cover the leaf blade.
When painting, it is critical to get the amount of binder and spray water volume correct. With the
Endurant paint colorants, I recommend a 15:1 (water to paint) ratio. It is this ratio that has a direct bearing on the longevity of the application.
How to Paint Grass: Learn more about painting turf in this blog on grass painting for home lawns and turf colorant applications for professionals.
Q. Which one, when and why?
A. This is a very difficult question to answer. There are far too many factors involved to just say pigment or paint. These factors include chlorophyll content, time of year, temperature, growth rate, mowing frequency, and the desired outcome of the customer.
Generally,
Endurant TE is a pigment used on grass that is actively growing while the
Endurant paint colorants are used when grass is in a stage of dormancy.
[caption id="attachment_108" align="alignleft" width="660"]
Endurant colorant varieties. Check out the full line at
TurfPaint.net[/caption]
Q. How do you use paints and pigments?
A. Depending upon the size of the area to be sprayed, hand pump sprayers or tractor-pulled boom sprayers can be used. What’s important here is coverage. Whether using a hand wand with an adjustable pattern or a dual flat fan nozzle set on 10-inch spacing, the amount of product required to cover the leaf will be different for all situations.
Check out these blogs for more about turf color enhancement
How to use Endurant turf colorants: Guides for home users and professionals.
Check out these other websites on how to paint grass:
