Glossary Of Terms

Acrylic
A type of synthetic polymer used as the binder for high quality water based paints and caulking.

Adhesion
The ability of a dry paint film or caulk to remain attached to the surface. Adhesion is probably the single most important property of paint.

Bleaching
Loss of color, usually caused by exposure to sunlight.

Bleeding
This usually happens when sap from knots in wood seeps through and discolors the paint.

Blistering
Tiny bubbles forming on top of the paint

Block Filler
A thick, paint-like material used to smooth out very rough masonry surfaces like cinder block

Custom Color
Special colors that are made by adding colorant to paint or by intermixing paints of different colors

Dry To Touch
Drying stage of a coating at which it has hardened enough that it may be touched lightly without any of it adhering to the finger

Drywall Compound
A highly extended paste used to make a continuous seam between pieces of drywall (Sheetrock); also used to repair cracks, holes and other defects. It is sanded smooth before painting.

Epoxy
A tough, water-resistant and chemical-resistant polymer or coating, adhesive or patching material made with this type polymer; usually made with two components blended at time of application

Latex Paint
Water-based paint made with a synthetic binder (latex), such as acrylic, vinyl acrylic, or styrene acrylic latex.

Lead
A soft, malleable heavy metal. In the past, compounds of lead were used as a white pigment, and were used in primers to prevent tannin bleed-through.

Nap
The fibers on a paint roller cover.

Mildew
A black, gray or brown fungus that can grow on the surface of a paint or caulk. It forms most often on areas that tend to be damp and receive little or no sunlight.

Mildew Resistance
The ability of a paint or caulk to resist mildew growth on its surface.

Mineral Spirits
A hydrocarbon solvent distilled from petroleum; paint thinner may be mostly or all mineral spirits.

Oil-based Paint:
Paints made with a drying oil, such as linseed, soya or tung oil, as the vehicle and binder, and mineral spirits or paint thinner as the thinning agent. They generally dry very hard, but take longer to dry than latex paints and require more time to recoat.

Primer:
The first complete coat of paint applied in a painting system. Many primers are designed to provide adequate adhesion between the surface and subsequent topcoats. Most primers contain some pigment, some lend uniformity to the topcoat, some inhibit corrosion of the substrate, and some stop the discoloration of the topcoat.
Primer-Sealer:
A priming system that minimizes or prevents the penetration of the topcoat into the substrate

Paint:
An opaque coating generally made with a binder, liquids, additives, and pigments. Applied in liquid form, it dries to form a continuous film that protects and improves the appearance of the substrate.
Peeling:
The detachment of paint from the surface in ribbons or sheets. Like flaking, it is the result of loss of adhesion and film integrity..

Semi gloss Finish:
paint with a gloss level between high gloss and eggshell/satin.
Semi-transparent Stain:
Stain that alters the natural color of the wood, yet allows the grain and texture to show through. The term is generally applied to exterior products, but technically applies also to interior wiping stains used for trim, furniture and floors.
Sheen:
A moderately low degree of gloss; gloss with poor distinctness-of-image reflectance. Characteristic where a coating appears to be flat when viewed near to the perpendicular, but appears to be glossy when viewed from a low or grazing angle

Spatter:
Droplets of paint that spin or mist off the roller as paint is being applied
Spread Rate:
The volume of a coating that can cover a given area. The recommended spread rate is usually indicated on the paint can, e.g., 450 sq. ft./gallon.

Thinner:
A liquid that, along with the binder, forms the paint's vehicle. The thinner evaporates after the paint is applied. Water is the thinner used in latex paint, while turpentine, mineral spirits and denatured alcohol are thinners associated with different solvent-based coatings; the liquid used to thin the coating.

Tung Oil:
A fast-drying oil obtained from the nut of the tung tree; also known as china wood oil. Generally used in fine wood finishing and in spar varnishes.
Turpentine:
A colorless, volatile oil distilled from pine. Used as a thinner and cleaning solvent in the past, it has since been replaced by mineral spirits or white spirits.

Topcoat:
The coating intended to be the last coat applied in a coating system. Usually applied over a primer, undercoated, or surfacer.

Varnish Stain:
A varnish that has a transparent color added. It usually has less penetrating power than a true stain.

VOC:
Volatile Organic Compound. Any carbon compound that evaporates under standard test conditions. Essentially, all paint and caulk solvents except water are classified as VOCs. Some government agencies are limiting the amount of volatile organic compounds permitted in paint because of concerns about environmental and health effects.

Wood Filler:
Heavily pigmented product used to fill the grain of wood before undercoats or finishes are applied. Used on open-grain hardwoods such as oak, ash, walnut and chestnut. Used for furniture and trim.

Water Repellents:
Exterior clear finishes that are specially formulated to cause water to bead up on the surface and minimize penetration of water into the substrate.

Water-based Paint:
Paint made with acrylic, vinyl or other latex resin types, and thinned with water. It dries more quickly than oil-based paint, has relatively low odor, some water vapor permeability, and cleans up easily. The liquid component is predominantly water.