Would a solid-core wire covered in paint, such as spray paint, be insulated. i.e. if the wire was in water or in contact with another metal, would it short circuit ?

Most people at some time have had a really vicious static shock from a car. The car was (presumably) covered in paint spray, so the paint was sufficiently conductive to allow a current to flow. As coats of paint are really quite thin (0.01mm?), they will be virtually useless as resistors.

You didn't state what the voltage was that you had in mind. If it's household voltage, I think you had better be prepared to meet your maker!

it is nichrome high resistance wire and would carry a maximum voltage of 100v, reducing to 0v exponentially in about 2 seconds. can anyone suggest a suitable 'school lab solution' that would provide decent insulation. this is part of a theoretical experiment toward my physics A-level. the insulation must also conduct heat very efficiently to reduce thermal inertia

The fact that you get static shocks from a car is nothing to do with whether the paint conducts electricity or not. Static electricity sits on the outside of the charged body, in this case the car, and you can get shocks from rubber which is a very good insulator.

My feeling is that paint is a reasonably good insulator. As long as every bit of the wire is coated with paint, it should be possible to immerse it in water without any leakage. I would not recommend touching the wire with your hand despite this, as it is always better to be safe.

Jam, haven't heard anything yet, but we still have some time. I also want to
point out that my answer of yes, meant paint would not be a suitable insulator
and could be dangerous. After all these years in this industry, I have received
my fair share of shocks. From minor ones, to an imprint and burn on my palm.
Check out the following website:
http://www.standardhorizon.com/
The majority of people in this business consider Standard Horizon to have the
best radios on the market. I know I do. Other manufacturers advertise they have
watertight or waterproof products. Most of Standard's are submersible, which is
quite different from watertight or waterproof. Not many can claim that. The US
and Canadian Military, Coast Guard and Search and Rescue use the top-of-the-line
unit, which is expensive, but tells you how superior it is.
The Standard Horizon site will give you some info, specs, phone contacts and
e-mail contacts. They are in California, so remember the time change. While I'm
waiting to hear from my tech, you can send an e-mail to Standard right now,
outlining your questions and the fact you have a time limit. They should get
back to you by Monday morning their time. You can also looked around the website
and any links which may have some of the information you are looking for while
we wait.

As for the L in Marmalade, around here we are more concerned with the content
of a question, rather than a typo or spelling error.

Sorry Jam, seems is if this is too late, but here it is anyway.

I am in a trivia club, which is why I am trying to find the answer to
this, just in case you were wondering. Thanks again.
%3EIT DEPENDS ON HOW THICK THE PAINT IS AND IF IT HAS ANY METAL IN ITS
INGREDIENTS.
%3E
%3ECHEERS

Jam, I know of paint, that when it dries, it is almost like a plastic or rubber
coating. Can't remember the name of it, but only one store sells it in the area
where I live, and when asked, the guy knew exactly what I was talking about. You
may have the same luck in the area you live.

Thanx Brainy Blonde, both answers are excellent .... however in desperation i searched he net for a material with the exact properties i needed and found a material which FAR FAR exceeds what i had expected to find and is certainly a better solution than paint. I found a product called thermal conductive silicone rubber composite on www.microsi.com. It conducts heat better than copper and is an electrical insulator. Designed for MicroProcessors and such .... thanx again for your efforts, i'll get back to u about how good the final grade for the work is as soon as i know.