--- title: "Painting dictionary" description: "Glossary of painting terms to help homeowners understand professional painting" url: "https://craftwork.com/resources/dictionary" source: "Craftwork" --- > **About Craftwork:** Craftwork is a professional painting company offering interior painting, exterior painting, and cabinet refinishing for homes and businesses, with free estimates, premium Sherwin-Williams paint, and a 3-year workmanship guarantee. > > **Markets currently served:** Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC. > > **More from this site:** [Index of every page as Markdown](https://craftwork.com/sitemap.md) · [llms.txt](https://craftwork.com/llms.txt) · [Get a free estimate](https://craftwork.com/estimate) # Dictionary ## a ###### Acrylic Paint created from a group of plastics known for its color and gloss. ###### Air Dry Allowing paint to dry at room temperature. Air drying paints are designed for this. ###### Airless Sprayer A tool used to apply paint or stain to cabinetry, offering a smooth, even finish without brush marks. ## b ###### Bare Substrate A surface without a coat of paint. ###### Base The initial layer in a multiple-part paint application. Base is also short for “Baseboard” you’ll hear interior painters say Base a lot. ###### Baseboards Protective and decorative trim at the bottom edge of a wall. ###### Basecoat High color paint that requires a clear finish. ###### Beadboard A type of wood paneling often used in cabinet doors or as a decorative element in cabinetry interiors, consisting of vertical grooves. ###### Blushing A defect where a milky or cloudy appearance develops in the finish, usually due to moisture during the drying process. ###### Breathe Allowing moisture from the surface through the paint. ## c ###### Cast A shade of a color. ###### Caulking A flexible material used to fill gaps between cabinetry joints and the wall, ensuring a smooth, seamless appearance. ###### Chipping Removing paint and particles with a sharpened implement. ###### Clear Coat A transparent protective layer applied over paint or stain to enhance durability and sheen. ###### Color Match Two colors with no visible difference. ###### Concentration Ratio of elements that cause the sheen of the paint. ###### Corrosion Corruption of metal by other elements and materials. ###### 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. ## e ###### Eggshell A type of interior paint finish with a slight sheen, commonly used for walls in living spaces for its durability and subtle gloss. ###### Enamel A type of paint with a hard, glossy finish often used on cabinets for its durability and smooth texture. ###### Epoxy A stain-resistant coat that fills some flaws. ## F ###### Face Frame The front-facing structure of a cabinet that provides a mounting surface for doors and drawers. ###### Fading Loss of color and/or gloss over time. ###### Fascia The horizontal board running along the edge of the roof, often painted as part of exterior maintenance. ###### Flat/Matte A non-reflective paint finish ideal for hiding imperfections on walls and ceilings in interior spaces. ## G ###### Glaze A semi-transparent coating applied over paint or stain to add depth and enhance the cabinet's details. ###### Gloss Amount that paint reflects light. ###### Grain The natural pattern of lines and textures in wood, which can be enhanced or minimized during the finishing process. ## h ###### Hardness A paints resistance to damage. ###### High-Gloss Finish A shiny, reflective paint or varnish applied to cabinets for a polished look, offering high durability and easy cleaning. ###### Hold-Out A paints ability to resist the next coat soaking into it. ###### Hue The primary color of paint. ###### Humidity Amount of moisture in the air. ## l ###### Lacquer A fast-drying finish that provides a hard, durable, and often glossy coating on cabinetry. ###### 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. ###### Lifting When moisture reaches and swells an undercoat, wrinkling the topcoat. ## m ###### Masking Using tape and other coverings to prevent paint from applying to certain areas. ###### Masonry Structures made from minerals. ###### MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) An engineered wood product commonly used in cabinetry for its smooth surface and ease of painting. ## o ###### Overspray Sprayed paint that does not hit the surface. ## p ###### Pigment Part of the paint that provides the color. ###### Pigmented Lacquer A lacquer that has been tinted with color, providing an opaque finish similar to paint but with the durability of lacquer. ###### Peeling Curling and detaching of paint from loss of adhesion. ###### Polyurethane A durable, clear finish often used on cabinets to protect against moisture, scratches, and stains. ###### Primer Paint designed to prepare a surface for other coats. It often protects the surface as well. ## r ###### Resin Binding agents in paint. ## s ###### Sheen Gloss level of paint. ###### Siding Material used to create a home's exterior, usually wood, aluminum, or vinyl. ###### Substrate Surface which will be painted. ## t ###### Touch-Dry When paint no longer feels tacky to the touch. ###### Trim Finishing or decorative molding. ## u ###### Undercoating A primer or base coat applied to cabinetry before the topcoat, ensuring better adhesion and a smoother finish. ## v ###### Veneer A thin layer of wood applied to the surface of cabinetry to give the appearance of solid wood. ###### V.O.C. Volatile Organic Compounds are components in paint regulated by the[E.P.A](https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead). ## w ###### Wainscoting Decorative paneling applied to the lower half of walls or cabinet doors, often used to add texture and interest. ###### Weathering A technique used to give cabinetry an aged or rustic appearance, often through the use of stains, glazes, or distressing methods. [Next](https://craftwork.com/resources/color-library) [Color Library](https://craftwork.com/resources/color-library) ## How to get a free estimate Estimates are free and carry no obligation. To request one, go to [https://craftwork.com/estimate](https://craftwork.com/estimate) and fill out the short form. The form checks that the address is in a market Craftwork serves (currently: Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC). The form walks through five steps: 1. Choose the project type: interior, exterior, or cabinets. 2. Describe the project's size (skipped for cabinets). 3. Pick when you'd like the work to start. 4. Enter the address of the property to be painted. 5. Enter your first name, last name, and phone number, then submit. After submitting, you can pick a time for an estimate visit. To preselect the project type, link with a `projectType` parameter: [https://craftwork.com/estimate?projectType=interior](https://craftwork.com/estimate?projectType=interior), `exterior`, or `cabinets`.