NAICS 325510

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for categorizing business establishments to support collection, analysis, and publication of U.S. economic statistics. Developed under the Office of Management and Budget with Canada and Mexico, NAICS replaced the SIC in 1997 to improve cross-country comparability; the Census Bureau currently publishes statistics on the 2022 NAICS vintage. ¹

NAICS 325510 covers establishments primarily engaged in formulating paints and other coatings by mixing pigments, solvents, and binders, and in making allied paint products such as putties, paint and varnish removers, brush cleaners, and frit. The definition explicitly includes coatings such as stains, varnishes, lacquers, enamels, shellacs, and water-repellent coatings for concrete and masonry. Official cross-references distinguish this industry from adhesives (NAICS 325520), artists’ paints (NAICS 339942), and certain chemical manufacturing such as turpentine (NAICS 325191). ³

What this NAICS covers

• Formulation of paints and coatings by mixing pigments, solvents, and binders. ³
• Production of stains, varnishes, lacquers, enamels, and shellacs. ³
• Manufacture of water-repellent coatings for concrete and masonry. ³
• Manufacture of allied paint products (e.g., putties, paint and varnish removers). ³
• Production of paint brush cleaners and related allied products. ³
• Manufacture of frit as an allied paint product. ³

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	325520	Adhesive Manufacturing (includes caulking compounds and sealants; excluded from 325510). 3
NAICS	325191	Gum and Wood Chemical Manufacturing (e.g., turpentine; excluded from 325510). 3
PSC	8010	Paints, dopes, varnishes, and related products. 4
PSC	8030	Preservative and sealing compounds. 4

Cross-references and exclusions (official)

• Creosote manufacturing is classified in NAICS 32519, not in NAICS 325510. ³
• Caulking compounds and sealants are classified in NAICS 325520. ³
• Artists’ paints are classified in NAICS 339942. ³
• Turpentine manufacturing is classified in NAICS 325191. ³

Frequently asked questions

• What activities fall under NAICS 325510?

  Establishments that mix pigments, solvents, and binders to make paints and coatings (e.g., stains, varnishes, lacquers, enamels, shellacs) and those that produce allied products like putties, removers, brush cleaners, and frit are included in this industry. ³

• What is specifically excluded from NAICS 325510?

  Caulking compounds and sealants (NAICS 325520), artists’ paints (NAICS 339942), creosote (NAICS 32519), and turpentine (NAICS 325191) fall outside this industry. ³

• How does NAICS 325510 differ from NAICS 325520?

  325510 focuses on paints, coatings, and allied paint products, while 325520 covers adhesives, glues, and caulking compounds. Sealants and caulking are explicitly cross-classified to 325520, not to 325510. ³

• Which PSCs are commonly associated with paint and coating buys?

  Common product PSCs include 8010 (paints, varnishes, etc.) and 8030 (preservative and sealing compounds). These align with the federal Product and Service Code Manual used across agencies. ⁴

• Were there NAICS 2022 changes called out for NAICS 325510?

  Not specified by official sources. The Census Bureau notes that 2022 Economic Census statistics are published on the 2022 NAICS vintage but does not enumerate 325510-specific changes on its public guidance page. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 325510 overview
• Census NAICS 325510 industry description (paints, coatings, allied products). ³
• 2022 Economic Census guidance — NAICS codes and current 2022 vintage. ²
• Historical industry report: EC02-31I-325510 (Paint and Coating Manufacturing). ⁵

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — Introduction to NAICS (NAICS overview and 1997 adoption). https://www.census.gov/naics/?details=1997&input=1997&year=2007
2. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (confirms 2022 NAICS vintage). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Sector 31–33 archive page with 325510 definition and cross-references. https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
4. General Services Administration — Product and Service Code Manual (master listing). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
5. U.S. Census Bureau — 2002 Manufacturing (NAICS 31–33) reports (EC02-31I-325510). https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2002/econ/census/manufacturing-reports.html