Glossary

a

Acrylic Paint

A fast-drying paint made from pigment mixed with an acrylic polymer medium.

Additive

Chemical introduced to paint to change or add properties.

Adhesion

How well dry paint stays attached to the surface.

Air Dry

Allowing paint to dry at room temperature. Air drying paints are designed for this.

Alkyd

A synthetic material added to oil-based paints that can modify other properties.

Ambient Temperature

The temperature of the air in the immediate vicinity of a project area.

Angled Brush

A brush with bristles that come to a point at the top, used for painting corners and edges.

Anti-Condensation Paint

Paint that will minimize the effects of moisture.

Anti-Corrosive Paint

Paint designed to prevent corrosion on steel.

Application

The process of applying a coating to a surface.

b

Backrolling

The process of rolling over a freshly sprayed coating to ensure even distribution.

Bare Substrate

A surface without a coat of paint.

Base

The initial layer in a multiple-part paint application.

Baseboards

Protective and decorative trim at the bottom edge of a wall.

Basecoat

High color paint that requires a clear finish.

Binder

Component in the paint that holds it together and allows adhesion.

Bleed-Through

When stains or colors from the underlying surface come through a newly painted surface.

Bleeding

Discoloration in a new coat of paint when the old application shows through.

Blending

Merging two colors, so the difference is indiscernible. Also called feathering.

Blistering

Bubbles under the surface of a paint coat.

Breathe

Allowing moisture from the surface through the paint.

Bridging

When the base does not fill in a flaw or scratch.

Brittle

Dry paint coat lacking in flexibility.

Brush

A tool used for applying paint, typically made of bristles.

Brushability

Ease of applying a coat with a paintbrush. Also called consistency.

c

Cast

A shade of a color.

Catalyst

Additive that speeds drying time and improves other elements. Also called an activator, accelerator, or curing agent.

Checking

Small cracks marring the paint surface. Also called crow's feet or crazing.

Chipping

Removing paint and particles with a sharpened implement.

Cissing

Retraction of paint into indents which causes the surface to show through. Cissing is caused by surface contamination. Wax, grease or even just poorly prepared surfaces will prevent paint adhering to the surface.

Coat

A single application of paint.

Color Match

Two colors with no visible difference.

Color Wheel

List of colors that helps in choosing paint.

Colorant

Pigment used to create the color in paint.

Concentration

Ratio of elements that cause the sheen of the paint.

Contrast Ratio

Ability of paint to hide the previous coat.

Corrosion

Corruption of metal by other elements and materials.

Coverage

How well a paint spreads over the surface.

Crocodiling

When wide, crossing cracks form in paint layers.

Crown Molding

Molding that gracefully flares at the top edge of a wall.

Cure

Process of paint drying.

d

Delamination

Peeling of paint. Also called flake-off.

Depth

Comparative lightness or darkness between shades of color.

Durability

How well paint holds up to the elements.

e

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

United States Federal Government agency in charge of environmental regulations.

Epoxy

A stain-resistant coat that fills some flaws.

f

Fading

Loss of color and/or gloss over time.

Filler

Substance used to fill in dents and damage and smooth masonry.

Flex Agent

Additive that decreases brittleness.

g

Gloss

Amount that paint reflects light.

Gloss Retention

The ability of a hobem paint to maintain its shine over time.

Grinding

Removal of flaws by mechanical sanding.

h

Hardness

A paints resistance to damage.

Hold-Out

The ability for a given paint to resist the next coat soaking into it.

Hue

The primary color or shade of paint.

Humidity

A measure of the amount of moisture in the air.

i

Innercoat Adhesion

The ability of one coat of paint to stick to another coat.

j

Jelled

Thickening of paint to an unusable form due to drying or curing, before being used.

k

Kickboard

The recessed panel that sits beneath base cabinets.

l

Lacquer

A clear coat of paint that dries quickly.

Lap

Section where an application extends over another coat. Lap marks in paint appear as a deeper color or an increased gloss where wet and dry layers overlap during paint application. Keeping a “wet edge” is the key to avoiding lapping paint. While painting, you need to move quickly enough so, the paint being applied can seamlessly flow into the just-applied paint.

Lead Paint

Lead paint or lead-based paint is paint containing lead. In the past, lead was added to paint to accelerate drying, increase durability, maintain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion.

Lifting

When moisture reaches and swells an undercoat, wrinkling the topcoat.

m

Masking

Masking is the act of covering areas of a wall, ceiling, or floor to prevent paint from being applied to these areas. Common materials used for masking are tape, paper, and plastic.

Masonry

A wall, structure, or fascia built from brick, concrete, or stone.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

A document that lists information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of various substances and products.

Mildew

A form of fungus that can grow on walls and painted surfaces, often the result of a room or space with high humidity or moisture, like a bathroom.

n

Nap

Paint roller fibers.

o

Overspray

Sprayed paint that does not hit the surface.

p

Peeling

Curling and detaching of paint from loss of adhesion.

Pigment

Part of the paint that provides the color.

Primer

Paint designed to prepare a surface for other coats, and it often protects the surface too.

Putty

Substance for filling imperfections.

q

Quick Dry Caulk

An advanced-grade siliconized acrylic latex caulk that is paint-ready in as little as 30 minutes

r

Recoat Time

Time necessary before a second application.

Resin

Binding agents in paint.

Runs

Thin, downward ribbons of paint - also called Sags.

s

Sealer

Paint that prevents interactions between coats before and after it.

Sheen

Gloss level of paint.

Siding

Material used to create a home's exterior, usually wood, aluminum, or vinyl.

Spot Priming

Applying primer to small areas where the surface has become exposed.

Substrate

Surface which will be painted.

t

Touch Dry

When paint no longer feels tacky to the touch.

Trim

Finishing or decorative molding.

u

Ultra Violet Light

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum which can cause fading of paint. Located just beyond the visible part of spectrum.

Undertone

An undertone color can be seen through another layer of color on top of it.

v

VOC

Volatile Organic Compounds are components in paint regulated by the E.P.A.

w

Wainscoting

Decorative wood panelling along the lower wall to protect the wall from scuffs.

Wallpaper

Decorative designs printed on an adhesive-backed roll of paper that are stuck to your wall for visual appeal.

x

X-Ray

A rendering or image of the internal composition of something, produced by using high-energy electromagnetic waves called X-Rays to pass through an object. X-rays are sometimes used to inspect walls to see the underlaying structure, wiring, and plumbing.

y

Yellowing

Development of a yellow color or cast in white, a pastel, colored or clear finishes.

z

Zinc Chromate

Rust-inhibiting pigment, greenish-yellow in color that is used with a high-hiding pigment.

Zinc Oxide

Substance used as a white pigment for high-hiding power hardness and gloss. Reduces yellowing, increases drying; provides resistance to sulfur fumes and mildew. Used with linseed oil for self-cleaning exterior paints.