Painting is the application of a coating (paint) that adheres to the surface of an element, creating an outer skin. The paint colour will be somewhat transparent unless a thick coating is applied to ensure the paint is opaque. The advantage of thicker opaque coats (and coatings such as texture coatings) is that it can mask small surface imperfections. Paint generally will last for 10+ years, but is susceptible to wear damage (scuffing). There is an infinite range of colours and colour matching is available.