Glossary of painting terms
A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W
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).