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Paint Glossary
ACRYLIC:
A type of synthetic polymer used as the
binder for high-performance water-based
paints
ADHESION:
The ability of a dry paint film to
remain attached to the surface
AEROSOL:
A product that uses compressed gas to
spray the coating from its container
ALKYD:
A synthetic resin used in oil-based
paints
ALUMINUM PAINT:
A paint, usually solvent-based, that
contains aluminum particles and provides
a metallic appearance
BLEACHING:
Loss of color, usually caused by
exposure to sunlight
BLEEDING:
The migration of material from the
substrate, causing discoloration of the
paint
BURNISHING:
The formation of shiny areas on a
painted surface, as a result of rubbing
or washing
CHECKING:
Patterns of short, narrow breaks in the
top layer of paint (checking occurs when
the paint loses its elasticity)
CHIME:
The lip around the opening of a paint
can into which the lid is placed
CLEAR COATING:
A transparent protective and/or
decorative film
COATING:
A paint, varnish, lacquer or other
finish used to create a protective
and/or decorative layer
COLOR
RETENTION: The ability of
paint to keep its original color and
resist fading
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COLOR WHEEL:
A circular diagram in which primary and
intermediate colors are arranged so that
related colors are next to each other
and complementary colors are opposite
COLORANT:
Concentrated color (dyes or pigments)
that can be added to paints to make
specific colors
COLORFAST:
Non-fading in prolonged exposure to
light
COMPLIMENTARY
COLORS: Two colors directly
opposite one another on the color wheel
CONSISTENCY:
The thickness or brushability of paint
CONTRASTING
COLORS: Colors separated by
at least three others on the color wheel
COVERAGE:
The spread rate of a paint or coating,
usually expressed in sq. ft./gal.
CUSTOM COLOR:
Special colors that are made by adding
colorant to paint or by intermixing
paints of different colors
CUTTING IN:
Using a 3" or 4" brush to paint corners
and edges where wall meets wall and wall
meets ceiling and next to the trim
DEAD FLAT:
No gloss or sheen
DILUENT:
A liquid used in coatings to reduce the
consistency and make a coating flow more
easily
DRIERS:
Various compounds added to coatings to
speed the drying
DRY COLORS:
Powder-type colors to be mixed with
water, alcohol or mineral spirits and
resin to form a paint or stain
DRYING TIME:
The interval between the application of
a coating and when it is ready for
service
EGGSHELL:
An interior paint that has a low lustre,
satin-like appearance
ELASTICITY:
The ability of paint to expand
and contract with the substrate without
suffering damage or changes in its
appearance
ENAMEL:
Broad classification of paints that dry
to a hard, usually glossy finish
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FADING:
Lightening of the paint's color, usually
caused by exposure to light, heat or the
weather
FEATHERING:
A series of light strokes with brush or
roller, lifting the applicator lightly
at the end of the stroke to blend in the
paint
FIRE
RESISTANCE: The ability of a
coating to withstand fire or to protect
the substrate to which it is applied
from fire damage
FLAKING:
The detachment of pieces of paint from
the substrate, caused by a loss of
adhesion and/or elasticity
FLASH:
Uneven gloss or color resulting from an
unsealed substrate or excessively high
or low temperatures during drying
FLAT:
A surface that scatters or absorbs
the light falling on it so as to be
substantially free from gloss or sheen
FLAT PAINT:
A paint with little or no sheen – used
mostly on interior walls and ceilings,
and exterior wall areas
FLOW:
The ability of a coating to even out
upon application, so that brush and
roller marks are not visible
GLOSS:
The luster or shininess of paints and
coatings
GLOSS METER:
A device for measuring the light
reflectance of coatings
GLOSS
RETENTION: The ability of a
coating to maintain its gloss - pertains
especially to semi-gloss and gloss
exterior coatings
HUE:
The basis of a color, e.g., whether it
is a red or green (lighter or darker
variations are still the same hue)
LAP:
Area where a coat of paint extends over
an adjacent fresh coat
LATEX-BASED
PAINT: General term used for
water-based emulsion paints made with
synthetic binders such as 100% acrylic,
vinyl acrylic, terpolymer or styrene
acrylic
LEVELING:
The ability of a coating to form a
smooth film without brush marks
LIGHT
REFLECTANCE VALUE (LRV): The
amount of light reflected from a painted
surface
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MARBLING:
A decorative painting technique that
imitates the color and figure of marble
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET (MSDS):
Information sheet that lists any
hazardous substance that comprises one
percent or more of the product's total
volume
MINERAL
SPIRITS: Paint thinner
MUD-CRACKING:
A paint failure that looks like cracked
mud (this occurs when a coating is
applied too thickly, such as with heavy
application in corners)
NAP:
The fibers on a paint roller cover
NEUTRAL COLORS:
White, off-white, light beige and gray -
colors that generally go well with all
other colors
OIL BASED
PAINT: A paint that contains
drying oil, oil varnish or oil-modified
resin as the film-forming ingredient
PAINT:
An opaque coating including resin, a
solvent, additives, pigments and, in
some products, a diluent
PAINT REMOVER:
A chemical that softens old paint or
varnish and permits it to be easily
scraped off
PIGMENT:
A powdery substance that is one of the
basic components of paint
PRIMER:
First complete coat of paint of a
painting system applied to a surface
PRIMER-SEALER:
A priming system that minimizes or
prevents the penetration of the topcoat
into the substrate
RE-COAT TIME:
Interval required between the
applications of successive coats of
paint
RELATED COLORS:
Two colors that are next to each other
on the color wheel
RESIN:
A natural or synthetic material utilized
as the binder for paint
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SAG:
Narrow downward movement of a paint; may
be caused by the application of too much
coating
SAND FINISH:
Rough finish plaster wall, or a paint
that has been texturized with sand
SASH BRUSH:
A 1 1/2" angled brush made for detail
painting of windows and narrow trim
pieces
SECONDARY
COLORS: Colors formed by
mixing together two primary colors
(orange, green, and purple)
SEMI-GLOSS
FINISH: Finish that has a low
luster sheen
SHADE:
A shade is created when black is added
to a color
SHEEN:
A moderately low degree of gloss
SPATTER:
Droplets of paint that spin or mist off
the roller as paint is being applied
SPECULAR GLOSS:
Mirror-like finish
SPOT PRIME:
To apply a primer to those areas where
paint has been removed or stripped to
the original surface
SPREAD RATE:
The volume of a coating that can cover a
given area
STENCILING:
A method of applying a design by
brushing or sponging paint through a
cutout overlay placed on the surface
STRIPPING:
Removing old paint, varnish, etc., by
using paint remover, sandpaper, heat
gun, or scraping tools
SUBSTRATE:
Any surface to which a coating is
applied
TACKY:
The stage in the paint's drying process
at which the film is sticky when lightly
touched
THINNER:
A liquid, such as turpentine, mixed with
paint or varnish to reduce its viscosity
and make it easier to apply
TINT:
A tint is created when white is added to
a color
TONE:
A tone is created when gray is added to
a color
TOPCOAT:
The coating intended to be the last coat
applied in a coating system
TOUCH UP:
Application of paint on small areas of
painted surfaces to repair misses, mars,
and scratches in order to restore the
finish
TRIM BRUSH:
A 2" brush for painting door trim and
other wide moldings
UNDERCOAT:
A coating, generally pigmented, that
provides improved adhesion and/or
maximized gloss and uniformity of a
finish coat
VALUE:
The lightness or darkness of a color
(light blue, medium blue and dark blue
have different values)
VARNISH:
A liquid composition that is converted
to a transparent solid film after being
applied in a thin layer
VISCOSITY:
The fluid thickness of a coating
WASHABILITY:
Ease with which washing will remove dirt
from the surface of the paint without
causing damage
WATER-BASED
PAINT: Paint made with
acrylic, vinyl or other latex resin
types, and thinned with water
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