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
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.