Which of the following components is NOT part of paint composition?

The correct answer is that an adhesive is not a component of paint composition. Paint generally consists of three primary components: pigments, solvents, and binders.

Pigments provide color and opacity to the paint. They can be organic or inorganic substances that give paint its visual properties. Solvents are the liquids that dissolve the binder and may help in applying the paint; they also affect the paint's viscosity and drying time. Binders are crucial as they hold the pigment particles together and ensure that the paint adheres to surfaces once it dries.

An adhesive, while it may have some similarities with binders in that it promotes adhesion, serves a different purpose and is not considered a standard component of paint. While some adhesives may be used in specialty paints or coatings, they are not a fundamental part of traditional paint formulations. Hence, the inclusion of adhesive is not necessary for the basic structure of paint, making it the correct choice in this context.