[jimmo]

G'day everybody,

I'm currently working as an automotive painter and have found a passion for working with chemicals in it. I am interested in learning the chemistry behind it and want to start reading up and possibly taking courses to build on it and maybe lead to something else in the future. I am wondering if theirs a specific type of chemistry I should be focusing on or whether its just all related. At present my only education on the subject is high school. Thanks for your assistance!

[nj_bartel]

 http://www.amazon.com/Color-Chemistry-3rd-Heinrich-Zollinger/dp/3906390233/ref=sip_rech_dp_10

I haven't read it, but I'd say you'd at least need an organic chem course to be able to make sense of it.

[7453K]

i would also liek to know what major to take in college, because i like makign inks, and the whole chemistry behind it.

[nj_bartel]

I'd say ACS chem major would without a doubt be the best option.

Edit: Unless there's some school that actually has a dyes major... Would kind of doubt it though.

[7453K]

whats ACS stand for?

[nj_bartel]

 http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/American+Chemical+Society

[P]

i would also liek to know what major to take in college, because i like makign inks, and the whole chemistry behind it.

There is a mixture of chamistries involved in ink/paint manufacture. Surface chemistry is important.  -  you'll mainly have a bit of Organic (for the binders), Physical (for the surface chemistry), Inorganic (for the colours and pigments).