Abstract: Coating formulations which behave as elastic solids having reversible stress-induced fluidity are prepared by creating a fluid having distributed therein effective amounts of ionic charge sites and countercharge sites. For instance, elastic solids having reversible stress-induced fluidity are prepared by combining liquid formulations with a dispersion of a small, but effective, amount of at least one crystalline mixed metal hydroxide conforming substantially to the formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+n.multidot.a) (A.sup.n).sub.a .multidot.xH.sub.2 Owhere m is zero to one, D is a divalent metal, d is from zero to 4, T is a trivalent metal, A represents at least one anion or negative-valence radical of valence n and a is the amount of A, where n is 1 or more, (m+2d+3+n.multidot.a) is equal to or greater than 3, (m+d) is greater than zero, and xH.sub.2 O represents excess waters of hydration, if any.