ACRYLIC

ADHESION

AEROSOL

ALLIGATORING

YELLOWING

ACRYLIC

A synthetic resin used in some latex paints.

ADHESION

A feature of paint that enables it to stick to the surface.

AEROSOL

Products that use compressed gases to propel paint

onto a surface. The container is always under pressure

and should be handled as per the instructions on the

side panel.

ALLIGATORING

Cracked paint surface caused by a hard paint film being

applied over a soft film.

ANTI-FOULING PAINT

The final coat of paint applied to the hull of a ship

below the water line. Its purpose is to prevent the

growth of marine life, such as barnacles, which greatly

retard the speed of a ship.

BINDER

The ingredient in paint that links the pigment particles

together.

BLEEDING

The migration of dye/stain from lower layers to surface

film causing stains.

BLISTERING

The formation of bubbles or bumps on the painted

surface caused by moisture in wood, painting a second

coat before the first has properly dried, or excessive

heat or grease under the paint.

BLUSHING

Cloudiness in lacquer film caused by moisture of too

rapid evaporation of solvents.

BODY

The viscosity of a paint, varnish, or enamel.

BRISTLE BRUSH

Refers to paint brush fibers that are natural in their

origin, like hog bristle. Suited to oil-based paints but

not suggested for latex paints.

BURNISHING

Shiny spots on the paint surface that are apparent after

rubbing the paint surface.

CHALKING

A loose powder that appears on the surface of the

paint after being exposed to the elements.

CHECKING

Paint failure that appears as many small cracks in the

surface of the paint.

COAT

One application of paint, varnish, etc.

COLORANT

Concentrated pigment that can be added to paint to

make specific colors via a designed formula.

COVERAGE

A measurement of a paint's ability to spread over or

hide the previous surface. (Expressed as square feet.)

CURE

Chemical or physical change necessary for a paint film

to become hard and dry.

CUTTING IN

Careful painting along a borderline such as a wall where

it meets the ceiling or at the edge of woodwork where

it meets the wall.

CRAWLING

Paint which runs together into little drops and does not

wet surface properly.

DRAG

Describes a material that is difficult to apply by

brushing.

DRIERS

Compounds of certain metals used to speed up the

drying of a paint film.

DRY

The effect of solidification or hardening of a paint film.

DRY ADHESION

How well the paint sticks to the wall when it is dry.

DULL

To reduce the gloss or sheen of a finish by using

sandpaper.

EFFLORESCENCE

Covering of salt particles or fine powder.

EGGSHELL

Little or no gloss.

FEATHER

A technique of brushing paint.

FLASHING

Surface where there are spots that are different in color

or gloss.

FILM

A layer or coat of material applied to a surface.

FLOW

The ability of the paint to level out and spread into a

smooth film after application.

FUNGICIDE

An agent that helps prevent mold/mildew growth on

paint surfaces.

GLOSS

The apparent shininess of the paint after drying. The

higher the gloss the more glass-like the paint appears.

HOLDOUT

Sealing of a surface so the next coat will have a uniform

sheen.

LAP

Point where a newly painted area joins a previously

painted area.

LEVELING

The ability of a film to be free of application marks.

LIFTING

The wrinkling of a finish coat.

MASKING TAPE

Paper or cloth tapes that are easily removed and used

to cover areas temporarily that are to be painted.

ORANGE PEEL

A texture seen in dried paint film that is not unlike that

seen in an orange's peel. Usually occurs as a result of

rolling paint when it has partially dried or using too high

a pile in the roller.

PEARL

A sheen level that is quite low, but not as low as flat.

PEELING

Separation of a paint film from the surface caused by

paint being applied to a dirty, greasy or damp surface.

POWDER

Excessive chalking of a paint film.

PIGMENTS

Paint ingredients used to impart color and increase

hiding power.

PILE

Refers to the length or height of the material on a paint

roller sleeve. High pile rollers have longer fibers holding

more paint and can create some texture in the paint

finish.

POROSITY

The rate of absorbency of a surface. Unpainted drywall

is considered to have high porosity because it has a

tendency to heavily absorb paint.

PRIMER

The first coat or the undercoat.

PUNKY

Rooted wood which has become soft to touch.

SAG

Excessive flow that causes runs in paint during

application. The cause is usually as a result of applying

too much paint or thinning the paint too much.

SAND

To remove the gloss from an old finish, using an

abrasive material such as sandpaper, or to smooth a

surface.

SCRUBBABILITY

The ability of paint to withstand hard washing with

soap, water and other household cleaners without

apparent surface deterioration.

SEALER

Used to cover porous surfaces so that a topcoat may

adhere to them.

SET-UP

A paint film that has dried permanently.

SHADE

The act of darkening a color.

SHADOW

When preceding paint films show through the last coat

applied.

SHEEN

Similar to gloss. The degree of shine of the dried paint

surface.

SHEEN UNIFORMITY

The even distribution of the gloss level over the entire

paint surface.

SHOP COAT

A primer applied at the time of manufacture.

SHINER

A spot that is glossier than the surrounding areas.

SILK

A sheen level between Semi-Gloss and Pearl. Usually

used on kitchen and bathroom walls.

SKIN

A layer of semi-hard paint or varnish in a can caused

by exposure to air in a partially used container.

SPAR

A varnish designed for exterior use only.

SPATTER

Small drips of paint thrown off the roller while applying

the paint. Moving the roller too quickly can cause

spatter.

SPOT PRIMING

Applying primer only to areas requiring additional

protection due to rusting or peeling or over bare spots.

TACK CLOTH

A piece of cheesecloth saturated with a tacky varnish.

Used for wiping up dust and other loose particles.

TACK FREE

A paint film that is not sticky to touch, but is not cured

hard dry.

THINNER

Volatile liquids used to lower and/or regulate the

consistency of paint.

TINT BASE

A can of paint not intended for use without adding

additional colorant to create specific color.

UNDERCOAT

A primer.

VEHICLE

The liquid portion of paint.

WET ADHESION

Refers to how well the paint sticks to the wall when it

gets washed.

YELLOWING

A yellow color or cast that develops over white or light