Fig. 1

SEM images. a–d Show the new paint on glass surface at different magnifications. a, b Are collected from the bulk paint surface and c, d from the branched paint surface. e–h Show the new paint (left-bottom part) on gyprock surface. i, j Are collected from the surface of a ~ 5-year-old paint peeled off from wood surface. k, l Are collected from the surface of a ~ 20-year-old paint peeled off from gyprock surface