This report presents the results of a study to develop criteria for the characterization of paint through solubility testing. Experiments were conducted with common solvents to classify chemical reactivity with automobile and household paints. Seven categories of reactivity are defined, which form the basis for specifying the extent of solubility of paints in various reagents under controlled conditions of time and temperature. The report also describes a novel solubility test procedure by which acrylic lacquers, organic-dispersed enamels, and water-based enamels can be distinguished through sequential testing, a characterization not previously accomplished with solubility testing. -- CAL