Painting Glossary

Air Entrapment

Paint defect caused by air bubbles forming on a new paint surface.

Aluminum Paint

A type of paint containing aluminum particles giving it a metallic finish when dried.

Anti-Corrosive Paint

Metal paint designed to prevent corrosion.

Back Priming

The application of paint or stain to the back of siding to prevent moisture from entering.

Blistering

The formation of bubbles or pimples on the painted surface caused by painting before the previous coat has dried thoroughly.

Breathe

The ability of a paint film to permit the passage of moisture vapor without causing blistering, cracking, or peeling.

Brush Marks

Marks of brush that remain in the dried paint film.

Burnishing

Shiny or lustrous spots on a paint surface caused by rubbing.

Chalking

Paint that oxidizes to form a surface powder.

Coverage

The area over which a given amount of paint will spread and hide the previous surface. (Usually expressed in square feet per gallon).

Cracking

Paint defect caused by improper mixture of materials.

Crawling

Uneven texture of a paint surface.

Daub

To paint in course strokes.

Drag

A lack of smooth flow of paint from a brush or roller to a surface.

Drop Cloth

Large piece of cloth, plastic, etc. used for protection against dripping paint.

Emulsion Paint

Paint in which particles are suspended in water or oil with the aid of an emulsifier such as latex paint.

Epoxy Paint

Two-part paint that hardens to a shine.

Flaking

Paint defect characterized by the detachment of small pieces of the film from the surface of previous coat of paint.

Flat Applicator

A rectangular-shaped flat pad with an attached handle that is used to paint shingles, shakes, and other special surfaces.

Flat Paint

Paint that has a high amount of pigment and dries without gloss.

Ghosting

Paint defect characterized by a shadowy appearance on the surface.

Gloss Paint

Paint that dries to a bright shiny finish.

Ground Coat

The first coat of paint.

Guide Coat

A coat of the finish cover, such as paint, which is applied before the final coat.

Intercoat Adhesion

The adhesion between two coats of paint.

Laying Off

Re-brushing a freshly painted surface, with upward strokes to smooth the paint.

Lifting

The softening and penetration of a previous film by solvents in the paint being applied over it, resulting in raising and wrinkling.

Matte

Low sheen paint finish.

Metallic Paint

Metal powder, often bronze or aluminum, added to paint to make it both reflective and increase its protectiveness.

Mildewicide

Chemicals which are poisons, added to coatings such as paint, so that it retards the growth of mildew.

Overcoat

A finish coat of paint.

Padding

Use of a paint pad to apply stain or paint.

Paint Finish

Luster or sheen of paint types. High gloss - Commonly referred to as enamel, it has a high shine. Semi-gloss - Slightly less shiny than high gloss. Satin-flat - Slight sheen. Flat Paint - No sheen or gloss, it is also known as matte.

Peeling

Detachment of a dried paint film in relatively large pieces, usually caused by moisture or grease under the painted surface.

Phenolic

Resin formed from phenol and formaldehyde, which can be used in the making of waterproofing varnish or thermosetting adhesive, the manufacture of wood products or in protective paint.

Pigment

Coloring matter, often in the form of an insoluble powder, which is mixed with oil, water, etc. to make paint.

Pinholing

Paint defect caused by air bubbles, which pits the painted surface, most commonly when paint is sprayed.

Polyurethane

Polymer plastic most often found in paint, varnish, and insulating foam.

Primer

Initial coat of paint or sealant applied to a surface in preparation for painting. The primer seals the surface and provides a good base for additional coats of paint or other material.

Puddling

Paint defect where paint is applied too thickly and looks wet.

Removers

Substances used to soften old paint so they may be removed easily.

Ropey

A defective paint finish where the dried surfaces shows ridges, brush marks, or similar imperfections.

Sags

Excessive flow, causing runs or sagging in paint film during application.

Spatter

Small particles or drips of liquid paint thrown or expelled when applying paint.

Splatter Paint

Paint, which gives a bumpy finish or mottled appearance, by being applied in droplets to a dry base coat.

Splitting

When a second coat of paint is applied over a not yet dry base coat, the top coat cracks and splits.

Spreading Rate

The area to which a paint can be spread; usually expressed as square feet per gallon.

Stippling

A finish made by using a stippling brush or roller stippler on a newly painted surface before the paint is dry.

Stress Cracking

Fine cracking which appears in the surface of paint.

Tack Rag

A special cloth used to clean a wood surface before paint is applied.

Thinner

A petroleum-based solvent used for thinning and removing oil-based paint.

Tint

A pigment added to paint.

Tipping Off

Smoothing paint with the tip of a brush.

Top Coat

The final coat of paint applied to a surface.

Undertone

A light paint color.

Wash Coat

Extremely thin coating of paint which seals the surface so that the colors do not bleed through the final coat.

Water Spotting

Paint defect caused by water droplets.

Whitewash

Slaked lime and water solution used as paint.

Wrinkling

Paint defect most often caused by applying paint in direct sunlight.

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