abrasion resistance Resistance to being worn away by rubbing or friction. Abrasion resistance is a matter of toughness, rather than hardness. It is a necessary quality for floor finishes, enamels and varnishes.
acrylic A synthetic resin widely used as a latex to produce paints with good color and color retention. Acrylic latex paints may be thinned and cleaned up with water. Breeze interior and exterior latex paints in flat, eggshell and semi-gloss are all based on pure acrylic emulsions.
adhesion The degree of attachment between a coating film and the underlying paint or other material.
aerosol Use of compressed gas to spray the product from its container.
alkali A substance such as lye, soda or lime that can be highly destructive to paint films.
alkyd A synthetic resin widely used in the manufacture of paints and varnishes. Alkyd paint must be thinned and cleaned up with solvent or paint thinner. The terms alkyd paint and oil-based paint are generally used interchangeably.
alligatoring Paint film cracking that makes the surface look like alligator skin.
aluminum paint A paint that includes aluminum particles and gives a metallic finish when dried.
back priming Applying a coat of paint to the back of woodwork or exterior siding to prevent moisture from entering the wood and causing the grain to swell.
base Tint base.
binder Film-forming ingredient that binds the particles together in a paint.
blistering The forming of bubbles or pimples on the painted surface. Blistering is caused by moisture in the wood, by paint having been applied before the previous coat was dry, and by excessive heat during or after application.
blushing A gloss film turning flat or a clear lacquer turning white. Blushing is usually caused by moisture condensation during the drying process.
body The thickness or thinness of a liquid paint.
boxing Mixing paint by pouring from one container to another several times to ensure thorough mixing.
breathe Permit the passage of moisture vapor through a paint film without causing blistering, cracking or peeling.
bristle brush A paint brush with filaments made up of animal hair strands usually hog hair. Bristle brushes are used for alkyd paint. build Thickness or depth of paint film when dried.
catalyst An ingredient that speeds up a chemical reaction. Catalysts are sometimes used in two-component epoxy systems.
caulk A flexible (semi-drying or slow-drying) mastic compound used to seal joints or fill crevices around windows, chimneys, etc., prior to or after painting.
caulking gun A tool for expelling caulk from a tube. It enables a "bead" of material to be applied to cracks and seams.
chalking Loose powder forming on the surface of a paint after exposure to the elements.
checking A kind of paint failure in which many small cracks appear in the surface of the paint.
coalescing The flowing or melding together of emulsion particles when a latex paint dries.
coating A general term referring to any type of paint, stain, etc.
coating system Paint products used together to cover the same surface. The film may be the result of primer, undercoat and topcoat (also called finish coat).
cohesion The ability of a coating to hold together (the attraction of molecules within the coating).
color chip A color sample usually consisting of a paint applied to a small piece of card (a chip).
colorant Colored pigment added in small proportions to prepared paints to tint them.
combustible Able to burn.
consistency Viscosity.
coverage The area over which a given amount of paint will spread and completely hide the surface. Coverage, also known as spreading rate, is normally expressed in square feet per gallon or in square metres per litre.
cracking Breaks in the paint film wide enough to expose the underlying surface.
crazing Small interlacing cracks in the paint film.
cut-in trim guide A tool to protect adjacent surfaces when painting up against them.
cutting-in The brushing technique that is used when a clean, sharp edge is needed. Cutting-in is needed, for example, for a window sash (using a sash brush), the top of a wall where it meets the ceiling, and in areas that are hard to reach (especially when using a roller).
dispersion Suspension of minute particles in a suitable medium.
drier A paint ingredient that aids the drying or hardening of the film.
drop-sheet A sheet of cloth or plastic used to protect surfaces during painting of nearby areas.
dry dust free The stage of drying when particles of dust that settle on the surface do not stick to the paint film.
dry tack free The stage of drying when the paint no longer feels sticky or tacky when touched.
dry to handle The stage of drying when a paint film has hardened enough that the painted surface may be used without becoming marred.
dry to recoat The stage of drying when the next coat can be applied.
drying time The period from the time a coating is applied until the time when it attains a specified state of tackiness or hardness.
drywall Any substitute for plaster such as wallboard, plasterboard, gyproc or sheetrock. Drywall typically consists of several thicknesses of fibre board or paper that have been bonded to a hardened core of gypsum.
efflorescence A deposit of salts that remains on the surface of masonry, brick or plaster when water has evaporated.
eggshell A gloss range between flat and semi-gloss. The sheen closely resembles the lustre of an eggshell. Note that eggshell is a degree of gloss, not a color.
enamel A paint that forms an especially smooth, hard film. Enamels may be obtained in a full range of glosses and can be either latex or alkyd (oil). Consumers, however, often associate the term with alkyd (oil-based) products.
epoxy Products made from synthetic resin derived from petroleum. Epoxies, which are generally cured by catalysts, are perhaps the most durable of all coatings.
erosion The wearing away of a paint film as a result of exposure to the weather.
etch Prepare the surface by chemical means to improve the adhesion of coatings.
fabric roller An application tool made from a high nap fabric and designed to apply paint by saturating with paint and rolling across the surface.
feather sanding Sanding to taper the edge of dried paint film.
ferrule The metal band that connects the handle and stock of a paint brush.
filaments The part of a synthetic paint brush that holds and applies the paint. In a natural bristle brush, the filaments are often referred to as bristles.
filler A composition used for filling fine cracks and pores to make the surface smooth before paint is applied.
film A layer or coat of paint or other material applied to the surface. The layer remaining after the paint has dried is often called the dried film.
finish coat Topcoat.
flaking Small pieces of paint surface coming off. Cracking or blistering usually occurs before flaking.
flammable Easily set on fire.
flash point The temperature at which a coating or solvent produces vapors that are capable of being ignited when exposed to a spark or flame.
flat Practically no gloss even when the surface is viewed from an angle. A flat finish has even less gloss than an eggshell finish. Flat paint is less durable than higher gloss paint.
flexibility The ability of a coating to expand and contract during temperature changes.
flow The ability of a coating to level out and spread into a smooth film. Paints that have good flow usually level out uniformly with few brush or roller marks.
foam roller A tool that is similar to a fabric roller but made from synthetic foam rubber. It is designed for clear, fine finishes.
frieze A horizontal band of decoration around a room, building, mantle, etc.
fungicide An agent that helps prevent mold or mildew growth on paint.
galvanized Protected from rust by a thin coat of zinc (on iron or steel).
gloss meter An instrument using a standard scale to measure the amount of light reflected by paint.
gloss The ability of the finished surface to reflect light in a mirrorlike manner. The higher the gloss, the more scrubbable and durable the finish. Degrees of gloss include flat, velvet, eggshell, low lustre, semi-gloss and high gloss.
grain raising Swelling and standing up of the wood grain caused by absorbed water or solvents.
graining Simulating the grain of wood by means of specially prepared colors or stains and the use of graining tools or special brushing techniques.
ground coat The base coat in an antiquing system. It is applied before the graining colors, glazing or other finish coat.
hardboard Reconstituted natural wood that is fabricated by reducing natural wood to fibres and then pressing the fibres together into panels of various thicknesses.
hiding power The ability of a coating to obliterate the surface below it.
hold-out The ability of a paint film to dry to its normal finish on a somewhat absorptive surface.
holidays Voids in the dried paint film.
hot spots Incompletely cured lime spots that bleed through the coating on a plastered wall.
industrial paint Paint that would normally be used to paint industrial items such as structural steel, chemical plants, and pulp and paper mills. It usually has greater chemical resistance and a faster drying time than regular house paint.
inhibitor Primer or other material used to retard rusting or corrosion.
intercoat adhesion The adhesion between two coats of paint.
joint cement Cement used in dry wall construction as a bedding compound for joint tape and as a filler for nail holes.
joint tape Special paper tape or paper-faced cotton tape used over joints between panels of wallboard to conceal the joint and provide a smooth surface for painting.
lacquer A clear or pigmented coating that dries quickly by evaporation of solvent.
lacquer thinner Solvent such as ethyl alcohol, ethyl acetate and toluene that is used for thinning or cleaning up lacquer.
latex A water-thinned paint such as polyvinyl acetate, styrene butadiene or acrylic.
leveling Ability of a film to flow out free from ripples, pockmarks and brush marks after application.
lifting Raising and lifting of the surface as a result of the softening and penetration of a previous film by solvents in the paint being applied over it.
linseed oil A drying oil used in paint, varnish and lacquer.
lint-free roller A fabric roller, designed not to "shed" lint, that is suitable for fine finishes and/or alkyd paint.
litre A metric volume measurement equal to a little less than one imperial quart.
marine varnish Varnish that is specially designed for immersion in water and exposure to the elements, including the marine atmosphere. It is often called spar varnish.
masking paper A kraft paper that is held in position by a strip of masking tape and used to temporarily protect surfaces adjacent to those being painted.
masking tape Easily removable tape used to temporarily cover bands or small areas next to the area to be painted. It is important to remove masking tape promptly, because it is likely to dry out and leave a troublesome residue if left for more than two days or exposed to sunlight and heat.
masking Temporary covering of areas not to be painted.
mastic A heavy-bodied pastelike coating of high build. Mastic is often applied with a trowel.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) A document that lists hazardous ingredients and safety information related to products used in the workplace.
metallics Paints that include metal flakes.
mildew resistance The ability of a coating to resist the growth of molds and mildew. Mildew is particularly prevalent in warm, humid climates.
mildewcide An agent that helps prevent mold or mildew growth on paint.
mineral spirits Petroleum solvent for paint thinning and clean-up.
nailhead rusting Rust from iron nails that bleeds through the coating and stains the surrounding area.
nap The length of fibres in a paint roller cover.
nonvolatile A paint's solids content the solids left over after the solvent evaporates.
oil paint Oil-based paint that contains oil as the basic vehicle ingredient. Oil paint can be designed for interior or exterior use. It must be thinned and cleaned up with solvent. Pure oil-based paints have largely been replaced by alkyd paints.
opacity The ability of a paint to hide the previous surface.
opaque coating A coating that hides the previous surface.
orange peel Film having the roughness of an orange due to poor roller or spray application.
paint A pigmented liquid that dries to form an opaque, solid film and provide decoration and protection.
paint remover A compound that softens old paint or varnish, permitting loosened material to be scraped off.
paint thinner Thinner.
peeling Detaching of a dried paint film in large pieces. Peeling is usually caused by moisture or grease under the painted surface.
pigments Paint ingredients that are used mainly to provide color and opacity.
pinhole Very small holes in paint film, usually not deep enough to show the undercoat.
polyurethane Coatings ranging from hard glossy enamels to soft, flexible coatings. With thorough surface preparation, polyurethanes provide good to very good adhesion, hardness, flexibility and resistance.
polyvinyl acetate (PVA) A synthetic resin largely used as a vehicle for many latex paints.
pot life The period during which a two-part paint can be applied after it has been mixed.
prime coat Primer.
primer The base coat, or first complete coat, of a paint system that is applied to an uncoated surface. Primer can be latex or alkyd (oil) paint.
propellant The gas used to expel materials from an aerosol container.
putty knife A flat-bladed tool for filling cracks and holes with spackling compound.
recoat time The period that must elapse between applications of coats of paint.
resin A natural or synthetic material that is the main ingredient of paint. It binds the ingredients together and improves the coat's adhesion to the surface.
roller A paint application tool consisting of a revolving cylinder covered with fabric, polyester foam, lamb's wool, etc.
ropiness A stringy look to the paint film. Ropiness is a result of the paint not flowing evenly onto the surface.
runs Blemishes on the film that are caused by excessive flow of the coating.
rust preventive paint or primer The first coat of paint applied directly to iron or steel structures to slow down or prevent rust.
sags Runs or sags in paint film that flows too much during application. Sags are usually caused by applying too heavy a coat of paint or thinning the paint too much.
sandpaper A sheet of abrasive-coated paper that is used for smoothing rough surfaces.
sash brush An angled brush used for cutting-in.
satin finish Semi-gloss finish.
scrubbability The ability of a paint film to withstand scrubbing and cleaning with water, soap, and other household cleaning agents.
sealer A coating used to prevent excessive absorption of subsequent coats into a porous surface.
seeds Small undesirable particles or granules other than dust that are found in a paint, varnish or lacquer.
semi-gloss A degree of gloss that is glossier than low lustre but not as glossy as high gloss.
semi-transparent A degree of ability to hide the underlying surface greater than transparent but less than opaque or solid color.
set up The quality of a film that has dried until it is a film. The film is said to have "set up".
settling Paint separation in which pigments and other solids accumulate at the bottom of the container.
sheen Gloss.
sheen uniformity The even distribution of luster over a dried paint film.
shellac A natural resin, usually in the form of thin flakes, that is derived from a resinous substance called lac. Shellac is used to seal and finish floors, seal knots, etc.
skin A tough covering that forms on paint when the container is not tightly sealed.
solids The solids content of a paint that is left over after the solvent evaporates. (Same as nonvolatile.)
solvent The volatile part of oil-based paints that evaporates during drying. Solvent-based thinners are used for thinning and cleaning up oil-based paints. In latex paints, water performs similar functions.
spackling compound A material used as a crack filler for preparing surfaces before painting.
spar varnish Marine varnish.
spatter Small particles or drips of paint that occur during the application of paint.
spot priming Application of primer to spots that require additional protection because the old paint has been removed.
spraying A method of application in which the paint is broken up into a fine mist that is directed onto the surface.
spreading rate Coverage.
stain A solution designed to color a surface without hiding it. Solid color and latex stains are available. Stains may be latex or oil-based.
stippling A finish made by using a stippling brush or roller stippler on a newly painted surface before the paint is dry.
streaking The irregular occurrence of lines or streaks of various lengths and colors in an applied film. Streaking is usually caused by some form of contamination.
strip To remove old finishes with paint remover.
stucco A masonry finish that is usually applied to the exterior surfaces of buildings in place of siding or other materials.
substrate The surface that is being painted.
synthetic brush A paint brush with filaments that are made from a non-absorbent plastic material such as polyester or nylon, rather than animal hair. Synthetic brushes are usually used for latex paint.
tack rag A loosely woven woolen cloth that is treated (dipped into a varnish oil and wrung out) to remain tacky. It picks up dust when it is used to wipe a surface.
tackiness Slight stickiness of the surface of an incompletely dried film when pressed with the finger.
tacky The sticky condition of coating during drying at a stage between the wet and dry-to-touch stages.
tannin blocking The process of making tannin stains insoluble so they cannot stain the topcoat; e.g., by means of a primer before the topcoat on cedar siding.
tannin Soluble natural stain in woods such as cedar.
texture The roughness or irregularity of a surface.
thickener A substance added to a liquid to increase its viscosity.
thinner Volatile liquid used to adjust consistency or to modify other properties of paint, varnish and lacquer. Thinner is used to thin and clean up paint.
thixotropy The property of a material that causes it to change from a thick, pasty consistency to a fluid consistency upon agitation, brushing or rolling.
tint base In a custom color system, the basic paint to which colorants are added; i.e., white or accent base.
tinting The final adjusting of a color of paint to the exact shade required. Tinting is achieved by adding small portions of colorant to a tint base of prepared paint.
topcoat A coat designed to provide a "finish" capable of providing protection and color. (Previous coats are referred to as primers and undercoats.)
touch-up Improving imperfect spots in a paint job.
TSP Tri-sodium phosphate, a cleaning agent. After the TSP has been dissolved in water, the solution is used in surface preparation. (After cleaning with TSP, the surface should be rinsed.)
TSP substitute A biodegradable cleaning agent that can be used instead of TSP.
turpentine A paint thinner (now replaced by mineral spirits) obtained by distilling pine tree secretions.
undercoat For unpainted surfaces, the coat between the primer and the topcoat. For previously coated surfaces, the undercoat is applied directly to the old paint.
urethane A product resulting in a tough, chemical-resistant finish. Urethane requires mineral spirits for thinning and cleaning up.
urethane Polyurethane.
varnish A liquid composition that dries to form a transparent or translucent finish.
varnish stain Varnish that is colored with a dye. It does not have the same power of penetration as a true stain, and it leaves a colored coating on the surface.
vehicle The liquid portion of a paint. The vehicle is composed mainly of solvents, resins and oils.
velvet A gloss range between flat and eggshell.
vinyl A resin with poor adhesion but good hardness, flexibility and resistance. Vinyl is used in plastics, wallcoverings, wood adhesives, swimming pools, tank linings and marine equipment.
viscosity The fluid thickness of a product. Viscosity is often referred to as consistency. The higher the viscosity, the thicker the fluid.
volatile matter The portion of a coating that evaporates after application.
washability The ability of a paint to be easily cleaned without wearing away.
water spotting Defective appearance of the paint surface that is caused by water droplets.
water-based paint Latex paint.
weathering Paint film deterioration as a result of exposure to the weather.
wet edge The length of time during which a paint can be brushed before it becomes too dry to flow out and blend together.
wrinkling Ridges and furrows that develop in a paint film when the paint dries.