Glossary.

abatement	Involves either removal of the painted surface, covering the painted surface with an impermeable surface, or covering surface with heavy-duty coating (encapsulant).
abrasive	Substance or material such as sandpaper, pumice or emery, used for cleaning, smoothing or polishing.
abrasion resistance	Resistance to being worn away by rubbing or friction.   Abrasion resistance is a matter of toughness, rather than hardness.   A necessary quality for floor finishes, enamels and varnishes.
acoustic paint	A specially prepared coating with non-bridging characteristics, used on walls etc. of acoustical material.
acrylic	A synthetic polymer used as the binder for high-performance water-based paints and caulks.
Adam, Robert	1728 - 1792, Scottish architect and furniture designer.   Assisted by his brother, James, 1730 - 1794, he emulated the harmony of classical and Italian Renaissance architecture.
advancing colours	Colours that give an illusion of coming forward, such as warm hues in which red-orange predominates.   They give a stimulating sensation to the eye.
adhesion	The ability of a dry paint film to remain attached to the surface.   Probably the single most important property of a paint.  See also: chemical adhesion & mechanical adhesion.
aerosol	A container of coating material that is pressurized for spray (atomised) applications.
agglomeration	The condition in which particles (of pigments) collects in groups forming larger particles.
air dry	To dry an applied coating at ordinary room temperature, i.e., 60 degrees to 80 degrees F. and 40% to 60% relative humidity.
aliphatic	The name usually applied to petroleum products derived from a paraffin base crude oil, and sometimes called "straight chain hydrocarbons".   i.e. gasoline, mineral spirits, naphtha, and kerosene.
alkali	An alkaline or basic chemical substance such as lime or lye.   Generally present in fresh cement, concrete & plaster.
alkali burn	A condition that occurs when the alkalinity in fresh masonry causes the breakdown of a paint's binder, resulting in colour loss and overall deterioration of the paint film.
alkyd	A synthetic resin used in oil-based paints.   An alkyd resin is made by reacting a drying oil with a hard, synthetic material.
alligatoring	A scaly pattern that appears on paint due to the inability of the paint to bond to a glossy coating beneath it. It can also be due to the application of a hard coating over a soft primer, or (with oil-based paint) because the wood was recoated before the undercoat was dry.
aluminium paint	A paint that contains aluminium particles and gives a metallic finish when dried.
anti-corrosive paint	A paint designed to minimize rust or corrosion when applied directly to metal.
anti-fouling paint	Specially formulated paint for surfaces such as boat hulls and piers.   It discourages attachment and growth of marine plants and animals.
applied hiding	Refers not only to the opacity of the paint film, but also to how it hides, depending on its thickness and how smoothly it flows out, taking into account how the paint is applied (brush, roller, spray, etc.).
Art Deco	A style of interior decoration, architecture etc. at it's height in the 1930's and characterized by geometrical shapes, stylised natural forms, and symmetrical utilitarian designs adapted to mass production.
Art Nouveau	Style of art and architecture of the 1890's, characterized by swelling sinuous outlines and stylised natural forms such as flowers and leaves.
backer rod	An extruded foam rod that is typically placed in joints that are deeper than 1/2" (12.5 mm) to fill in some of the space before the sealant is applied.
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.
bactericide	Any substance, which is used to kill or permanently destroy bacteria.
bagging	A decorative paint-effect created by dabbing wet glaze with a bag or piece of cellophane.
base	(or tint base)   The basic paint to which colorants are added.   (i.e., white or accent base).
batch	The unit or quantity of production in one complete operation in making a paint product or wallpaper.
binder	A component of paint that "binds" the pigment particles into a uniform, continuous paint film, and makes the paint adhere to the surface.   The nature and amount of binder has a marked affect on the paint's performance properties - washability, toughness, adhesion, colour retention, and durability.
biocide	A biologically active paint additive designed to keep bacteria from spoiling the paint during storage; or to keep mildew from growing on the applied paint.
bleaching	Loss of colour, usually caused by exposure to sunlight.
bleaching agent	Any material that makes the colour of an object, usually wood, permanently lighter.
bleeding	The migration of material from the substrate, causing discoloration of the paint.
blistering	The forming of bubbles or pimples on a painted surface.   Caused by moisture in the wood, by paint having been applied before the previous coat was dry or by excessive heat during or after application.
block filler	A thick, paint-like material used to smooth out very rough masonry surfaces like cinder block.
block resistance	The capability of a coating to resist sticking to itself when used on two surfaces that come into contact with each other   e.g. door and frame.
bloom blooming	A fine whitish coating on the surface of a paint, lacquer or varnish film usually caused by too low a temperature during application and/or the drying period.
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.  Referring to consistency or viscosity.
boxing	Mixing paint by pouring from one container to another several times to ensure thorough mixing.
boiled oil	A vegetable oil, usually linseed oil, which is heat-treated until it is partly oxidized and thereby dries faster than the raw or untreated oil.   Today, chemical agents are added instead to speed up the drying process.
boiled linseed oil	As above.
boxing	A method of mixing paint in which the liquid is repeatedly poured from one container to another.   It is a standard method to insure uniformity prior to application or analysis.
breathe	Permit the passage of moisture vapour through a paint film without causing it to blister, crack or peel.
bridging	The ability of a paint or enamel to cover a crack, void or other small gap.
bristle brush	A paintbrush 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.
brittleness	The tendency to crack or flake when bent or stretched.
brushability	The ability or ease with which a material can be brushed under practical conditions.
bubbling	Formation of bubbles in a drying film or coating.   Usually caused by vigorous stirring prior to application or excess brushing.   Subsequently, they either break to form pinholes or remain to damage appearance.
build	The thickness that a paint tends to be applied in, using the normal application technique for that paint.
burnishing	The formation of shiny areas on a painted surface, as a result of rubbing or washing.
calcimine	A white or tinted wash for walls.   Also known as kalsomine.
calcium carbonate	A mined material (chalk) that is used as an extender or filler for paint and caulk.
catalyst	An ingredient that speeds up a chemical reaction.  (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	Formation of a powder on the surface of a paint film caused by disintegration of the binder during weathering.   Can be affected by the choice of pigment or binder.
checking	Small cracks appearing in the top layer of paint, which occurs when the paint loses its elasticity.
check roller	A graining tool used to create the pore marks commonly found in oak.
chemical adhesion	A chemical reaction of two materials that bonds the two together.
chemical pigments	Pigments deliberately produced by man in the Chemical Industry, as distinguished from Natural Pigments.
chemical resistance	The ability of a coating to resist damage by chemicals.
chime	The lip around the opening of a paint tin into which the lid is placed.
chipping	Characterized by the separation of the paint from the underlying substrate in flakes or chips.
classical	Of, relating to, or characteristic of the ancient Greeks and Romans esp. in the period of their ascendancy.
classicism	A style based on the study of Greek and Roman models, characterised by emotional restraint and regularity of form, associated esp. with the 18th century in Europe.   Compare: neoclassicism.
clay	A white, mined mineral used as an extender - mostly in interior paints.
clouding	Various additive and subtractive techniques employed to produce cloudy effects.
cloudy	A condition of a dried varnish or enamel or wet varnish appearing as a haze.
coagulation	An undesirable changing of resin particles in latex paints into a rubber like mass.   This can usually be caused either by freezing or sometimes, by heat, chemical, or catalytic agents.
coalescent	An organic solvent used in vinyl (latex) paints that acts as a temporary plasticizer, to aid in film formation.   It helps the binder form a continuous film when applied, particularly at the low end of the application temperature range recommended for the coating.
coalescing	The flowing or melding together of emulsion particles when a vinyl (latex) paint dries.
coating	A paint, stain, varnish or other finish that provides a protective and/or decorative layer over a substrate
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).
colophony	A translucent brittle amber substance produced in the distillation of crude turpentine oleoresin and used for making varnish and sealing wax.   Also known as: rosin.
colorant	Concentrated colour (dyes or pigments) that can be added to paints to make specific colours.
colour chip	A colour sample usually consisting of a paint applied to a small piece of card (a chip).
colourfast	The ability to maintain colour and not fade excessively under normal conditions.
colour retention	The ability of a paint to keep its original colour and resist fading.   (Generally applied to exterior paints)
colourwash	(or colourwashing)   A decorative paint-effect created by smoothing out wet glaze with a brush or mitt.
colour wheel	A circular chart with wedge-shaped segments of different specific colours.   Used as an illustration of how all colours can be made from the three primary colours: red, blue and yellow.
combustible	Capable of igniting and burning.
compatibility	The ability of two or more materials to mix with each other without separation or reaction.   Also, types of paints that may be applied over each other successfully are termed "compatible".
complementary colours	Two colours directly opposite one another on the colour wheel.
consistency	Viscosity.   The thickness or brushability of a paint.
contrasting colours	Colours separated by at least three others on the colour wheel.
contrast ratio	A term used in hiding power determinations, meaning the brightness of a coating over a black surface area divided by the brightness of the coating over a white area.
cool colours	Any of the hues in which blue predominates are said to be cool or receding colours.   The term "cool" is applied to these colours because of their association with water, ice, etc.   Compare: warm colours.
copolymerisation	A term applied when two or more substances polymerise at the same time to yield a product, which is not a mixture of separate polymers but a complex having properties different from either polymer.
copper stains	The yellowish or brownish discoloration or stain caused when copper corrodes, and the compounds are permitted to flow over or deposit on a painted surface.
corrosion	A process in which a solid, esp. a metal, is eaten away and changed by a chemical action.
corrosion inhibitor	Any material used to prevent the oxidation (rusting) of metals.   May be a primer, an additive, a pigment, or a coating applied to the surface.
corrosion resistant	Ability of a substance to resist deterioration due to a chemical reaction with its environment.   Coatings that do this usually contain a corrosion inhibitor.
COSHH.	Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health   A document that lists hazardous ingredients and safety information related to products used in the workplace.
coverage	The spread rate of a paint or coating, usually expressed in sq. fthttp://www.painting-effects.co.uk/gal. or m2/l.   With pigmented coatings, it can refer to applied hiding power.   Also known as Spreading rate.
covering power	The expression, in square feet per gallon, of the ability of a coating to cover a surface.
cracking	The splitting of a dry paint or varnish film, usually a result of aging or movement of the substrate.   Different forms are hairline cracking, checking, crazing, grain cracking, or alligatoring.
crawling	The tendency of a liquid to draw up into drops or globules as a result of an abnormally high degree of surface tension and/or - as a result of - a vary hard, slick, or greasy surface.
crazing	Small interlacing cracks in the paint film.
crocking	Removal of colour by abrasion or rubbing.   The term is applied to flat finish paints, such as contract emulsion, when colour comes off on a sponge or rag during washing.
crystalline silica	See Silica.
cure, curing	The process whereby a liquid coating becomes a hard film.
curtains	Curtain-like downward movement of a paint or varnish film; due to the application of too much coating or the collection of excess quantities of paint at irregularities in the surface (cracks, holes etc.)
custom colour	Special colours that are made by adding colorant to paint or by intermixing paints of different colours.   Permits the preparation of a selected colour paint at the point of sale.
cut-in trim guide	A tool to protect adjacent surfaces when painting up against them.
cutting-in	The painting of a surface adjacent to another surface that must not be painted.   For example, painting the frame of a window but not the glass.
dead flat	Having no sheen or gloss.
deglosser	A liquid preparation used to remove the sheen of a painted surface, to etch, roughen or give "tooth" to the substrate.   This lends improved adhesion to the coating being applied.
degreaser	Solvent or compounded material used for removing oils, fats, or grease from a substrate.
depth of finish	A desirable visual impression, which is usually gained by viewing a thick film of varnish or enamel of excellent smoothness or evenness.
dew point	The temperature at which water vapour in the air begins to condense.
diluent	A component of paint that acts as a solvent or thinners for the binder.   Diluent can be added to a substrate to reduce its viscosity.
dispersion	Suspension of minute particles in a suitable medium.
distemper	1) Painting technique in which pigments are mixed with water, glue, size etc., used for poster, mural & scene painting.   2) The paint used in this technique or any of various water-based paints, including. whitewash.
dragging	A decorative paint-effect created by dragging the bristles of a brush through wet glaze.
drier	A component of paint that aids the drying or hardening of the film.
drop-sheet	A sheet of cloth or plastic used to protect surfaces during painting of nearby areas.
dry	The process by which a liquid coating is converted into a solid surface.   Drying may take place by evaporation of a solvent, as in lacquers, by oxidation or polymerisation of an unsaturated compound, as in oils & varnishes, or by catalytic reaction, as with epoxy resins.
dry dust free	The stage of drying when particles of dust that settle on the surface do not stick to the paint film.
dry film thickness	The thickness of a paint film left after the evaporation of solvent and other drying reactions.
drying oil	One of a number of animal or vegetable oils, such as linseed oil, that hardens by oxidation on exposure to air:   used as a base for some paints and varnishes.
drying time	The period from the time a coating is applied until the time when it attains a specified state of tackiness or hardness.
dry tack free	The stage of drying when the paint no longer feels sticky or tacky when touched.
dry to handle	The stage of drying when a paint film has hardened enough that the painted surface may be used without becoming marred.
dry to recoat	The stage of drying when the next coat can be applied.
drywall	Any substitute for plaster such as wallboard, plasterboard, gyproc or sheetrock.   Used to create studded (dry-lined) walls.
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.
durability	The degree to which a coating can withstand the destructive effects of the environment, abrasion etc.
dust-sheet	A sheet of cloth or plastic used to protect surfaces during painting of nearby areas.
earth colours or earth pigments	Pigments that are mined directly from the earth. e.g. iron oxide, yellow ochre, raw sienna, raw umber etc   These pigments are quite stable, being unaffected by alkalis, heat, light and moisture, but they do not have the exact colour consistency from one batch to another as do chemically produced pigments.
Edwardian	The style of architecture etc. current in Britain during the reign of Edward VII.
efflorescence	Whitish powder (salt deposits) that sometimes appears on new plaster and masonry surfaces; it is carried to the surface by moisture during evaporation.
eggshell finish	A degree of sheen between flat and gloss resembling the lustre of an eggshell.   Mid-sheen, semi-gloss, satin finish.
elasticity	The ability of paint to expand and contract with the substrate without suffering damage.
electrostatic spray	An application process in which an electric charge is applied to the coating as it leaves the gun, and the opposite charge applied to the object to be coated, reducing over spray and providing uniform coverage.
emulsion	A mixture (usually milky-white) in which a solid, e.g. resin, is dispersed (but not dissolved) in another.   Although technically incorrect: A vinyl (latex) paint is generally referred to as an emulsion.
enamel	A paint that forms an especially smooth, hard film.  Enamels may be obtained in a full range of glosses and can be either water-based or oil-based, but are generally associated with alkyd (oil) products.
epoxy	Products made from synthetic resin derived from petroleum and are usually made with two components that are blended together at the time of application.   Epoxies, which are generally cured by catalysts, are perhaps the most durable of all coatings.
erosion	The wearing away of a paint film as a result of exposure to the weather.
etch	Prepare the surface by chemical means to improve the adhesion of coatings.
exposure tests	An exposure test is a preliminary and practical method of testing and evaluating a protective coating under conditions similar to those to which the film ultimately will be subjected.
extender	1)  An inexpensive material used to give bulk to the paint such as clay, calcium carbonate and silica.  2)  Any additive designed to extend the “open time” of a paint such as linseed oil and glycerine.
epoxy	Extremely tough and durable synthetic resin used in some coatings.   Epoxy coatings are extremely tough, durable and highly resistant to chemicals, abrasion, moisture and alcohol.
fabric roller	An application tool made from a high nap fabric and designed to apply paint by saturating with paint and rolling across the surface.
fading	Lightening of the paint's colour, usually caused by exposure to light, heat or the weather.
feathering	A process used to blend a component into its surroundings such as shading one colour into another.
feather sanding	Sanding to taper the edge of dried paint film.
ferrous	A metal that contains iron, such as steel.   Ferrous metals are subject to rusting.
ferrule	The metal band that connects the handle and stock of a paintbrush.
filaments	The part of a synthetic paintbrush that holds and applies the paint.   In a natural bristle brush, the filaments are generally referred to as bristles.
filler	A composition used for filling cracks and pores to make the surface smooth before paint is applied.
film	A layer or coat of paint or other material applied to the surface.   The layer remaining after the paint has dried is often called the dried film.
film thickness	The thickness of an applied coating.   Usually expressed in mils (thousandths of an inch).   See: dry film thickness and wet film thickness.
fineness of grind	The degree of dispersion of a pigment in a coating system.   Usually expressed in arbitrary terms for 0 (very coarse) to 8 (perfect dispersion) and measured with a "fineness Gauge".
finish coat	Topcoat.
fire retardant paint	A coating that will (1) reduce flame spread, (2) resist ignition when exposed to high temperature or (3) insulate the substrate and delay damage to the substrate.
flaking	The detachment of pieces of paint from the substrate, caused by a loss of adhesion and/or elasticity, which is usually preceded by cracking or blistering.
flammable	Liable to catch fire; readily combustible; inflammable.
flash	Uneven sheen or colour resulting from an unsealed substrate or excessively high or low temperatures during drying.
flash point	The temperature at which a coating or solvent produces vapour that is capable of being ignited when exposed to a spark or flame.
flat	Practically no gloss even when the surface is viewed from an angle.   A flat finish has even less gloss than an eggshell finish.   Flat paint is less durable than higher gloss paint.
flexibility	Degree to which a coating is able to conform to the movement of its substrate without damage.
floating	The process of "flooding" in which the final colour is not uniform, i.e. it may be streaked, spotty or otherwise not uniform.   This happens when two or more coloured pigments are used together and one has a tendency to float to the surface.
flocculation	The process of agglomeration by which dispersed particles come together and either settle out or form a gel.
flow	The ability of a coating to level out and spread into a smooth film.   Paints that have good flow usually level out uniformly with few brush or roller marks.
foam roller	A tool that is similar to a fabric roller but made from synthetic foam rubber. It is designed for clear, fine finishes.
forced drying	Drying at temperatures above room temperature but below 150º F.
frieze	A horizontal band of decoration around a room, building, mantle, etc.
frosting	A condition that manifests itself as a semi-opaque or translucent coating such as in a crystalline structure.
frottage	(or fratting)   A decorative paint-effect created by removing wet glaze with a piece of paper.
fungicide	An ingredient used in some coatings to prevent mildew and other fungi from growing on the surface.
fungus	Any of the group of thallophytic plants comprising moulds, mildew, smuts etc., which produce undesirable dark spots or a coating on a paint. In many cases, fungus has the appearance of dirt or soot.   Fungus may just attach itself to a paint film or actually feed upon the paint film.
galvanized	Protected from rust by a thin coat of zinc (on iron or steel).
gilding	The act or art of applying gilt to a surface.
gilt	Gold or a substance simulating it, applied in gilding.   See: gold leaf.
glaze	Generally accepted to mean: A semitransparent film of paint or the medium used to create such a film.
glazing	1) The process of applying glaze       2) Glass fitted, or to be fitted, in a door, window etc.
glazing compound	A caulk, sealant, or putty that is used to seal a glass pane into its frame.
gloss	1) A type of paint that produces a hard, shiny and usually durable finish.   2) Lustre or sheen.
gloss meter	An instrument using a standard scale to measure the amount of light reflected by paint.
gloss retention	The ability of a coating to maintain its lustre or sheen - particularly exterior coatings.
gold leaf	Very thin gold sheet with a thickness between about 0.076 and 0.127 micrometer, produced by rolling or hammering gold and used for gilding woodwork etc.
Gothic	In the style of architecture that was used in Western Europe from the 12th to the 16th centuries, characterized by the lancet arch, the ribbed vault, and the flying buttress.
Gothic Revival	Gothic style of architecture etc., popular between the late 18th and late 19th centuries, exemplified by the Houses of Parliament in London.   Also known as neogothic.
grain	The direction, size, arrangement or appearance of the fibres in wood or veneer.
grain cracking	Cracking of a coating, parallel to the grain of the timber surface beneath.  Also known as: grain checking.
graining	Simulating the grain of wood by means of specially prepared colours or stains and the use of graining tools or special brushing techniques.
graininess	The objectionable appearance of a pimply film due to aggregations of pigments, which can usually be detected with the microscope.
grain raising	The swelling and standing up of short, broken fibres of wood caused by absorption of a liquid.
ground coat	The basecoat (applied before the graining colours, glazing or other finish coat).
gypsum	Natural crystalline calcium sulphate used as an extender pigment in paint, and in the manufacture of gypsum wallboard and plaster of Paris.
hairline cracks	Very fine cracks in plaster.
hair lines	Fine lines in the paint film (a form of checking), caused by sudden temperature changes or by weathering.
hardener	Curing agent for epoxies or fibreglass.
hardboard	Reconstituted timber, fabricated by reducing natural wood to fibres, then pressing the fibres together into panels.
hardness	The ability of a surface to resist penetration or scratching.
hardwood	Trees that have broad leaves such as oak, maple, ash, beech, walnut, and hickory.   The term has no reference to the actual hardness of the wood.
heat-resistant	Designed to show little or no deterioration on continuous or intermittent exposure to high temperatures.
HEPA Vacuum	A high-efficiency particulate air-filtered vacuum designed to remove lead-contaminated dust.
hiding power	The ability of a coating to obliterate the surface below it.
hold-out	The ability of a primer to seal a porous surface thereby preventing uneven gloss or colour in topcoats due to unequal absorption of the top coat.
holidays	A term often used to indicate a skipped or missed portion unintentionally left uncoated with paint.
hot spots	Incompletely cured lime spots that bleed through the coating on a plastered wall.
hue	The basis of a colour. e.g. whether it is a red or green.   Lighter or darker variations are still the same hue. Thus, a light red and a deep red are of the same hue.
incompatible	Used to indicate that a material cannot be mixed with another material like oil and water.   Also refers to types of paint that cannot be applied one over the other-such as catalysed epoxies with alkyds.
industrial paint	Paint that would normally be used to paint industrial items such as structural steel, chemical plants etc.   It usually has greater chemical resistance and a faster drying time than regular house paint.
inert	Chemically inactive.   Resistant to corrosion.
inert	Various extender pigments such as barytes, silica, calcium sulphate, mica, talc etc, which have poor hiding power, but are inert from both a chemical and physical standpoint.   Primarily added to cheapen paint.
inhibitor	Primer or other material used to retard rusting or corrosion.
inorganic	Matter other than that of animal or vegetable origin.   For example, minerals and simple salts are inorganic materials.
insoluble	The inability to be dissolved.
intercoat	A layer of paint that is "sandwiched" between two others.   Also refers to something occurring between coats, as in "intercoat adhesion."
intercoat adhesion	The adhesion between two coats of paint.
intumescence	A mechanism whereby fire-retardant paints protect the substrates to which they are applied.  Intumescent paint puffs up when exposed to high temperatures, forming an insulating layer over the substrate.
Jacobean	In the style of architecture used in England during the reign of James I (1603 - 1626), characterized by a combination of late gothic and Palladian motifs, and of furniture current at this time characterized by the use of dark brown carved oak.
Jacobson, Arnie	1902 - 1971, Danish architect and designer.   His buildings include the Town Hall at Rodovre (1955).
jamb	A vertical side member of a doorframe, window frame or lining.
jamb duster	U.S. term for a dusting or duster brush.
japan	1) A glossy durable black lacquer originally from the Orient.   2) Work decorated and varnished with japan or in the Japanese manner.   3) A liquid used as a paint drier.
Jacob's ladder	A ladder made of wooden or metal steps supported by ropes or chains.   Also known as a: jack ladder.
joint	The gap or space created when two building materials come together, such as where two pieces of plasterboard or moulding join.
joint cement	Cement used in studded wall construction as a bedding compound for joint tape & as a filler.
joint tape	Special paper tape or paper-faced cotton tape used over joints between panels of plasterboard to conceal the joint and provide a smooth surface for painting.
Jones, Inigo	1573 - 1652, English architect and theatrical designer, who introduced Palladianism to England.   His buildings include the Banqueting Hall of Whitehall.   He also designed the settings for court masques, being the first to use the proscenium arch and movable scenery in England.
Kahn, Louis	1901 - 1974, U.S. architect, noted for his art museums at Yale (1951 - 1953), Fort Worth (1966 - 1972), and New Haven (1969 - 1974).
kalsomine	A white or tinted wash for walls.   Also known as calcimine.
key or key in	The roughening of a surface, or the application of a rough coat, to provide a bond for a subsequent finish.
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.
lap	Area where a coat of paint or other coating extends over an adjacent fresh coat.   The painter's objective is to make this juncture without visible lap marks.
latex	Fine particles of a solid resin in a water-based medium.   Also used to describe water-based paints.
latex paint	Water-based paint made with a synthetic binder (latex), such as acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acrylic, styrene butadiene 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 (red-lead & white-lead) to prevent tannin bleed-through.
leafing	The ability of an aluminium or gold bronze paint to exhibit a brilliant or silvery appearance.   Good leafing is caused by using treated or coated pigments along with suitable bronzing liquids.
levelling	Ability of a film to flow out free from ripples, pockmarks and brush marks after application.
light reflectance value (LRV)	The amount of light reflected from a painted surface.
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 ,obtained from flaxseed, used in paint, varnish and lacquer.
lint-free roller	A fabric roller, designed not to "shed" lint, which is suitable for fine finishes and/or alkyd paint.
litre	A metric volume measurement equal to a little less than one imperial quart.
livering	An increase in the consistency of a paint or enamel resulting in a rubbery or coagulated mass; caused partly by a reaction between an acid vehicle and a reactive pigment, which produces a soap formation.
lustre	Having the appearance of depth.   The term is also used as a synonym for gloss.
Mackintosh, Charles Rennie	1868 - 1928, Scottish architect and artist, exponent of the Art Nouveau style; designer of the Glasgow School of Art.
marble	A hard crystalline metamorphic rock resulting from the re-crystallizing of limestone.
marbling	A decorative painting technique that imitates the colour and figure of a particular marble.
marbleizing or marbleising	A decorative painting technique that imitates the general figure of marble, but is not intended to represent any particular marble.   Also known as "fantasy marble".
marine varnish	Varnish that is specially designed for immersion in water and exposure to the elements, including the marine atmosphere.   Also known as "spar varnish".
masking	Temporary covering of areas that are not to be painted.
masking paper	A craft paper that is held in position by a strip of masking tape and used to temporarily protect surfaces adjacent to those being painted.
masking tape	Adhesive tape used to temporarily cover bands or small areas next to the area to be painted.   It is important to remove masking tape promptly to avoid troublesome residue.
masonry	Mineral-based building material such as cement, mortar, stone, brick, and stucco.
mastic	A heavy-bodied paste-like coating of high build resin.
mechanical adhesion	An interlocking of two materials because of shape, texture, etc. causing the two materials to remain affixed one to the other. Also known as tooth.
metallics	Paints that include metal flakes.
micrometer	The micrometer represents a method of physical measurement. We use the micrometer to measure thickness of paint films.   Measurements are in millimetres - 1/1000 of an inch.
mid-sheen	A degree of  "sheen" or "lustre" that is higher than matt but not as high as silk or gloss.
mildew	A black, grey or brown fungus that usually grows in damp areas that receive little or no sunlight.
mildewcide	A chemical agent, often included in exterior paints, that helps to prevent mould or mildew growth.
mildew resistance	The ability of a coating to resist the growth of moulds and mildew.
mileage	A term used to indicate the square foot coverage over which a given amount of paint can be spread.
mills	Any of various machines, which produce paints by intimately mixing pigments and vehicles.
mill scale	A term that refers to the combination of dirt, rust, and general grime that forms on a ferrous metal surface.
mill white	White enamel paints for use on interior surfaces of industrial plants, office and school buildings, etc.
mineral colours or mineral pigments	Pigments that are mined directly from the earth. e.g. iron oxide, yellow ochre, raw sienna, raw umber etc   These pigments are quite stable, being unaffected by alkalis, heat, light and moisture, but they do not have the exact colour consistency from one batch to another as do chemically produced pigments.
mineral spirits	A hydrocarbon solvent distilled from petroleum; paint thinner may be mostly or all mineral spirits.
mist coat	A very thin coat of paint , usually the 1st coat, and often applied by spray.
moisture resistance	The ability of a coating to resist swelling, blistering or other damage caused by moisture.
monochromatic	A colour scheme containing different values (shades or tones) of a single colour.
mottling	A decorative paint-effect created by dragging a mottling brush through wet glaze.
mud cracking	A paint failure that looks like cracked mud.   It occurs when a coating is applied too thickly.
multi-colour finishes	Paint coatings, which contain particles of different coloured materials, which retain their identity on drying, so that the film shows small areas of different colours.
mural	A large painting or picture on a wall.     See: muralsplus.com
nail-head rusting	Rust from iron nails that bleeds through the coating and stains the surrounding area.
nap	The length of fibres in a paint roller cover.
naphtha	A petroleum distillate (of coal tar) solvent used mainly to thin oil-based coatings and for cleaning.
natural colours or natural pigments	Pigments that are mined directly from the earth. e.g. iron oxide, yellow ochre, raw sienna, raw umber etc   These pigments are quite stable, being unaffected by alkalis, heat, light and moisture, but they do not have the exact colour consistency from one batch to another as do chemically produced pigments.
neoclassicism	A late 18th- and early 19th- century style in architecture, decorative art, and fine art, based on the imitation of surviving classical models and types.
neogothic	Gothic style of architecture etc., popular between the late 18th and late 19th centuries, exemplified by the Houses of Parliament in London.   Also known as Gothic Revival.
neutral colours	White, off-white, light beige and grey - colours that generally go well with all other colours.
nitrocellulose	The major constituent of most lacquers, made by reacting nitric and sulphuric acids with cotton.
non-volatile	The solid portion of a coating, which is left after the solvent evaporates, consisting of pigment and binder.
ochres	Earthy iron oxides ranging in colour from yellow to brown, and to red.   e.g. yellow ochre.
oil 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 solvent.
oleoresin	A natural plant product that contains oil and resins.   Turpentine is an example.
opacity	The ability to keep light from passing through.   A paint with a high opacity will hide the substrate well.
opaque	Opposite of transparent.   The quality of not permitting light to pass through, or that which one cannot see through.   For instance, titanium dioxide and carbon black are opaque pigments as they possess opacity.
orange peel	A paint film having the pitted texture of an orange due to poor roller or spray application.
overspray	Coating material which does not strike the surface to be sprayed but is wasted.
oxidation	Chemical reaction upon exposure to oxygen.   Some coatings cure by oxidation, when oxygen enters the liquid coating and cross-links the resin molecules.   This film-forming method is also called "Air Cure" and "Air Dry".   (Oxidation also causes rust on bare metals.)
paint	An opaque coating generally made with a binder, liquids, pigments, and additives.   Applied in liquid form, it dries to form a continuous film that protects and improves the appearance of the substrate.
paint remover	A compound that softens old paint or varnish, permitting loosened material to be scraped off.
paint stripper	A compound that softens old paint or varnish, permitting loosened material to be scraped off.
paint thinner	Volatile liquid used to adjust consistency or to modify other properties of paint, varnish and lacquer.   Paint thinners are used to thin and clean up paint.
Palladian	The style of architecture created by Andrea Palladio.
Palladio, Andrea	1508 - 1580, Italian architect who revived and developed the classical architecture, esp. the ancient Roman ideals of symmetrical planning and harmonic proportions.
patina	1) A film of oxide formed on the surface of a metal, esp the green oxidation of copper, bronze & brass. 2) The imitation of the above using paints.     See also: verdigris.
peeling	Detaching of a dried paint film in large pieces as a result of loss of adhesion and film integrity usually caused by moisture or grease under the painted surface.
penetrating finish	A coating that is absorbed into the substrate, rather than forming a film on its surface.
permeable	Capable of allowing something (such as water vapour) to pass through without harm.
petroleum distillate	Liquid hydrocarbon solvents (such as mineral spirits) that are isolated or made from petroleum.
pigment	A component of paint that provides whiteness or colour, hiding power, and bulk.
piling	The defect of a wet coating film in which the coating does not level out smoothly.   It is due to the application of too much coating in one spot.
pinhole	A paint condition characterized by the presence of tiny holes in the paint film.
pitting	A condition in which the film is marked by fine holes that do not go through to the substrate.
plasticiser or plasticizer	Various paint additives designed to improve the elongation, elasticity or flexibility and for preventing dried paint coatings from becoming too brittle.
polymer	A plastic-like material produced from chemical "monomers" which in turn have been produced from alcohols and petrochemicals.   Certain polymers are used as binders in latex emulsion paint.
polymerisation or polymerization	The interlocking of molecules by chemical reaction to produce very large molecules.   The process of making polymers and copolymers for plastics and plastic-based resins.
polyurethane	Coatings ranging from hard glossy enamels to soft, flexible coatings.   With thorough surface preparation, polyurethanes provide good adhesion, hardness, flexibility and resistance.
polyvinyl acetate	(PVA)  A synthetic resin largely used as a vehicle for many latex paints.
polyvinyl chloride	A synthetic resin used in the binders of coatings.   It has a tendency to discolour under exposure to ultraviolet radiation.   Also known as: vinyl.
porosity	The property of a substrate or paint film, which permits the passage of liquids or vapours.
pot life	The period during which a two-part paint can be applied after it has been mixed.
pressure washer	Cleaning equipment that uses water under high pressure.
preservative	A substance used to prevent the growth of microorganisms in or on an organic base.
primary colours	The basic colours used to make all other colours, and which cannot, themselves, be produced by mixing any other colours:   Red, Yellow and Blue
prime coat	Primer.
primer	The first complete coat of a paint system that is applied to an uncoated surface.   Many primers contain ingredients designed to inhibit mildew, rust etc.
propellant	The gas used to expel materials from an aerosol container.
putty	A dough-like mixture of pigment and oil which is used to set glass in window frames and to fill holes.   Unlike caulking compounds, it sets to a hard mass on aging.
putty knife	A flat-bladed tool designed for the application of putty in glazing.
PVA.	Polyvinyl acetate (vinyl acrylic).   A binder used in water-based paints.
quart	Unit of liquid measure equal to a quarter of a gallon, or two pints.   U.S. quart (0.946 litre) is equal to 0.8326 U.K. quart.
quartered	A log sawn into 4 equal parts along 2 diameters at right angles to each other; quartersawn.
quercinerare	Of or relating to the oak.
quick drying	A material with a drying time of about four hours or less.   Usually refers to water-based products.
rain spots	Defects on paint film caused by raindrops, which contain small amounts of mineral substances.   Also: flat spots or a discoloration in a dried film resulting from newly applied paint being rained on before it has set.
rag-rolling	The term "rag-rolling" is used loosely to describe three main effects created using a rag or cloth:   ragging, ragging-on & ragging-off.
receding colours	Colours that give an illusion of withdrawing into distance such as cool colours in which blue predominates.
recoat time	The period that must elapse between applications of coats of paint.
reduce	To decrease or lower the viscosity or consistency of a product by the addition of a solvent or thinner.
reducer	Material that lowers a paint's viscosity but is not necessarily a solvent.
reflectance	The ratio of the light that radiates onto a surface to the amount that is reflected back.
related colours	Colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel.
relative humidity	The scientific method for expressing the amount of moisture in air.   It is expressed as a percentage and is an indication of the proportional amount of moisture that could be absorbed or held at that temperature.
resin	A natural or synthetic material used as the binder for a paint.   It binds the ingredients together and improves the coat's adhesion to the surface.
respirator	A mask worn over the nose and mouth to prevent the inhalation of toxic pigment particles etc.
rich	Usually used in connection with deep, dark or warm colours such as reds and browns.
roller	A paint application tool consisting of a revolving cylinder covered with fabric, polyester foam, lamb's wool etc.
ropiness	A stringy look to the paint film due to the paint not flowing evenly onto the surface.
rosin	A translucent brittle amber substance produced in the distillation of crude turpentine oleoresin and used for making varnish and sealing wax.   Also known as: colophony.
rosin oil	A yellowish fluorescent oily liquid obtained from certain resins, used in the manufacture of carbon black, varnishes and lacquers.
runs	Sagging of the paint film caused by applying too heavy a coat of paint or thinning the paint too much.
rust	The reddish, brittle oxide formed on metals as a result of exposure to air and humidity or chemicals.
rust preventive	A primer designed to inhibit rust.
sag	Curtain-like downward movement of a paint or varnish film; due to the application of too much coating or the collection of excess quantities of paint at irregularities in the surface (cracks, holes etc.)
sandblasting	A process for cleaning a surface by air- or water-borne sand, prior to painting.
sand finish	Rough finished plaster wall etc. or a paint that has been textured with sand or similar material.
sandpaper	A sheet of abrasive-coated paper that is used for smoothing rough surfaces.
saponification	Chemical decomposition of a paint's binder by alkali and moisture from a substrate (e.g. new concrete or fresh plaster).   Saponified paint may deteriorate, lose its adhesion, and become discoloured.
sash brush	An angled brush used for cutting-in.
satin finish	Semi-gloss finish.
scrubbability	The ability of a paint film to withstand scrubbing and cleaning with water, soap, and other household cleaning agents.
sealant	A flexible compound such as mastic, silicone, caulk etc. used to seal cracks gaps, seams and joints.
sealer	A coating designed to prevent excessive absorption of subsequent coats into a porous surface.
secondary colours	Colours formed by mixing together two primary colours.   (orange, green and purple)
seeding	The undesirable formation of relatively large particles in a coating, due to agglomeration of the pigment or gelation of the vehicle.
seeds	Small undesirable particles or granules other than dust that are found in a paint, varnish or lacquer.
self-cleaning	Certain exterior paints that are designed to chalk quite quickly to maintain a clean, white appearance.
semi-gloss	A degree of  "sheen" or "lustre" that is higher than matt but not as high as silk or gloss.
semi-transparent	Degree to which a coating hides the underlying surface.  Greater than transparent but less than opaque.
settling	Paint separation in which pigments and other solids accumulate at the bottom of the container.
shade	The amount of black in a colour.   A colour becomes a darker shade when black is added.
shelf life	The period of time for which a packaged coating material may be stored and still remain suitable for use.
sheen	Gleaming or glistening brightness;   lustre.
sheen uniformity	The even distribution of lustre over a dried paint film.
shellac	Alcohol-soluble, clear to orange-coloured resin derived from lac.   Shellac is used to seal and finish timber (french polishing), seal knots etc.
sienna	An earth pigment of a brownish-yellow colour when raw, and an orange-red or reddish-brown when burnt.   The colour comes from the oxides of iron and manganese.
silica	A pigment made from quartz sand that has been crushed or ground.   A reinforcing filler for paints; it imparts burnish resistance, sheen uniformity and good flatting.
silicone	Compound used in the manufacture of binders, having outstanding heat, chemical and water resistance.
silicone resins	A resin used in the binders of coatings or as an additive to provide specific properties e.g., de-foamer.   Paints containing silicone resist dirt, graffiti and bacterial growth, and are stable in high heat.
size	A gelatinous mixture, made from glue, clay or wax, used as a sealer on porous surfaces (plaster etc.).
skin	The film that forms on the surface of a stored paint, due to exposure to air.
softwood	The group of trees (fir, pine, spruce etc) characterized by its needles and usually being evergreen.   The term does not refer to the hardness of the wood.
solids	The solids content of a paint that is left over after the solvent evaporates. (non-volatile.)
soluble	The ability of a material to be dissolved in a liquid.
solvent	A usually volatile liquid, in which a paint's film-forming particles are dissolved or dispersed, which evaporates during drying.   Solvent-based thinners are used for thinning and cleaning up oil-based paints.
spackling compound	An American term for filler. i.e. A composition used for filling cracks and pores to make the surface smooth before paint is applied.
spar varnish	Marine varnish.   Named for its original use on the spars of ships.
spatter	Small particles or drips of paint that occur during application (usually by roller).
specifications	1) A penetrating composition that changes the colour of a surface, usually transparent and leaving practically no surface film.   2) A discoloration of a coating produced by outside agencies.
sponging	A paint effect in which a natural sea sponge is used to apply or partially remove a "glaze coat" of paint.
spot priming	Application of primer to spots that require additional protection where the old paint has been removed.
spray or spraying	A method of application in which the paint is broken up into a fine mist that is directed onto the surface.   Specific types of spray equipment are: aerosol, airless, and air assisted.
spreading rate	The spread rate of a paint or coating, usually expressed in sq. fthttp://www.painting-effects.co.uk/gal. or m2/l.   With pigmented coatings, it can refer to applied hiding power.   Also know as: Coverage.
stain	A semi-transparent coating that can colour wood without obscuring the grain and/or the texture.   Also refers to materials that soil the surface of a coating.
stain resistance	The ability of a coating to resist soiling.
stain varnish	Varnish that is coloured with a dye.   It has less power of penetration than a true stain, and it leaves a coloured coating on the surface.
stencilling	A method of applying a design by brushing or sponging paint through a cutout overlay placed on the surface.
stippling	A decorative paint-effect created by dabbing wet paint or glaze with stippling brush.
streaking	The irregular occurrence of lines or streaks of various lengths and colours in an applied film.   Streaking is usually caused by some form of contamination.
strip or stripping	Removing old paint, varnish, etc., by using paint remover, sandpaper, heat gun or scraping tools.   Also, the removal of wallpaper.
stucco	A masonry finish, usually applied to the exterior surfaces of buildings in place of siding or other materials.
substrate	Any surface to which a coating is applied.
surface preparation	A general term referring to the preparation which must be given a surface, whether wood, metal, or other material, before coating is applied.
synthetic brush	A paintbrush with filaments that are made from a non-absorbent plastic material such as polyester or nylon, rather than animal hair.   Synthetic brushes are usually used for water-based paints.
synthetic resins	Complex organic substances produced by chemical reaction, which approximate the natural resins in appearance, but usually have properties superior to those of natural resins for paint manufacture.
tack cloth or tack rag	A loosely woven woollen cloth, impregnated with varnish oil, which is used to remove dust from a surface after sanding or rubbing down, and prior to further painting.
tackiness	Slight stickiness of the surface of an incompletely dried film when pressed with the finger.
tacky	The stage in the drying process of paint, at which the film is sticky when lightly touched.
talc	Magnesium silicate; a white extender pigment used in paint.   The base for talcum powder.
tannin blocking	The process of making tannin stains insoluble so they cannot stain the topcoat.   e.g. by means of a primer before the topcoat.
tannin	Soluble natural stain in woods such as cedar.
tensile strength	The ability or resistance of a film to withstand pulling stresses.
texture	The roughness or irregularity of a surface.
thermoplastic	The term applied to materials, which become hard after heating, and which cannot be re-softened.
thickener	A substance added to a liquid to increase its viscosity.
thinner	Volatile liquid used to adjust consistency or to modify other properties of paint, varnish and lacquer.   Thinner is used to thin and clean up paint.
thixotropic	Paints that have a reduced viscosity when stress is applied.  (i.e. when stirred).
tint	1) A tint is created when white is added to a colour.   2) To add colorant to a liquid paint.
tint base	The basic paint to which colorants are added.   (i.e., white or accent base).
tinting	Adjusting the colour of paint to the exact shade required by adding small portions of colorant.
tinting strength	The colouring power of a given quantity of a paint or pigment.
titanium dioxide (TiO2)	An expensive, high opacity, bright white pigment used as a prime pigment in both water-based and solvent-based paints.
toluene or toluol	A colourless, volatile, flammable liquid with an odour resembling that of benzene, obtained from petroleum & coal tar and used as a solvent and in the manufacture of many organic chemicals.
tone	A tone is created when grey is added to a colour.
tooth	A fine texture imparted by a relatively coarse pigment, or by the abrasives used in sanding.   This texture improves the burnish properties & provides a good base for the adhesion of a subsequent coat of paint.
topcoat	The coating intended to be the last coat applied in a coating system.   Usually applied over an undercoat or basecoat.   Also known as the "Finish coat".
total solids	The solid portion of a coating, which is left after the solvent evaporates, consisting of pigment and binder.
touch-up	Application of paint on small areas of painted surfaces to repair misses, mars, scratches and places where the coating has deteriorated, in order to restore the finish.
toughness	The ability of a hard finish to resist bending, impacts or distortion without cracking.   Opposite: brittleness.
toxic	Harmful or poisonous.
traffic paint	A paint, usually white or yellow, used to designate traffic lanes, safety zones and junctions.   It is highly reflective, dries very quickly, and has excellent weathering qualities and high resistance to abrasion.
transparent	Clear.   Having the property of allowing light to permeate without diffusion or scattering.
triadic colour scheme	A colour scheme using three colours that are equidistant on the colour wheel.
TSP	Tri-sodium phosphate, a cleaning agent. After the TSP has been dissolved in water, the solution is used in surface preparation. (After cleaning with TSP, the surface should be rinsed.)
TSP substitute	A biodegradable cleaning agent that can be used instead of TSP.
tung oil	A fast-drying oil obtained from the nut of the tung tree.   Generally used in fine wood finishing and in marine varnishes.   Also known as chinawood oil
turpentine	A colourless, volatile oil distilled from pine.   Used as a thinner and cleaning solvent for oil-based and alkyd coatings in the past, it has since been replaced by mineral spirits or white spirits.
ultraviolet absorber	A substance used in some exterior coatings that absorbs UV. radiation and reduces or delays damaging UV. effects from sunshine to the coating or substrate.
ultraviolet light	Energy of shorter wavelength than visible light.   Ultraviolet light from the sun is responsible for much paint film deterioration on exterior exposure.   It also activates fluorescent paints.
ultraviolet radiation (UV)	The portion of the radiant energy of the sun's spectrum that causes damage to coatings and to the surface of unprotected wood.
ultraviolet resistance	The ability of a coating to remain undamaged when subjected to UV radiation, as from direct sunlight.
raw umber burnt umber	Used exclusively as a brown pigment.   It is a hydrated iron manganese ore running from olive shades in the raw condition and dark rich brown shades in the burnt stage.
undercoat	The coat of paint that precedes the topcoat.
undertone	A subtle or subdued colour of limited intensity that lends character to the dominant colour of a coating.
urethane	A type of binder used in paints; giving excellent flexibility and chemical resistance.   See: Polyurethane.   A true urethane coating is a two-component product that cures when an isocyanate (the catalyst) prompts a chemical reaction that unites the components.
urethane-modified alkyd	An alkyd that has been chemically modified for improved flexibility and chemical resistance.   A binder used in "polyurethane" varnishes.
value	The lightness or darkness of a colour.   i.e. light blue, medium blue and dark blue have different values.
varnish	A liquid composition that dries to form a transparent or translucent finish.
varnish stain	Varnish that is coloured with a dye.   It has less power of penetration than a true stain, and it leaves a coloured coating on the surface.
vegetable oil	Oil obtained from the seeds or nuts of vegetable growth.   Some of these are "drying oils" such as linseed, soya, tung and oiticica, which are used as binders for oil-based paints and varnishes.
vehicle	The liquid portion of paint, in which the pigment is dispersed.   It is composed of thinner and binder.
velvet	A gloss range between flat and eggshell.
verdigris	1) A green crystallized substance (rust), formed on copper or brass by the action of acetic acid. 2) The imitation of the above using paints.     Also known as patina.
Victorian	The style of architecture etc. used in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, characterised by massive construction and elaborate ornamentation
vinyl	A clear, synthetic resin with poor adhesion but good hardness, flexibility and resistance.   Vinyl is used in plastics, wall-coverings, wood adhesives, swimming pools, tank linings, marine equipment and some water-based paints.
viscosity	The fluid thickness of a product.   Viscosity is often referred to as "consistency".   The higher the viscosity, the thicker the fluid.
volatile	A material that evaporates.   This term is used to indicate the relative rapidity of evaporation of a solvent.
volatile matter	The portion of a coating that evaporates after application.
volatile organic compound (VOC)	Any carbon compound that evaporates under standard test conditions.   Essentially, all paint solvents except water are classified as VOCs.
volume solids	The volume of the solid components (pigment plus binder) of a paint, divided by its total volume, expressed as a percentage.   High-volume solids mean a thicker dry film with improved durability.
warm colours	Any colour in which red-orange predominates.   The term "Warm" is applied to these colours because of their association with heat, sunshine, and fire.   Opposed to cool colours in which blue predominates.
wash	An highly diluted, semitransparent film of paint, or the medium used to create such a film.
washability	Ease with which washing will remove dirt from the surface of the paint without causing damage.
washing	A type of film failure, where the surface can be subbed off when wet, forming a soapy emulsion.
W.M.H.	Waste Management Hierarchy.   In descending order:   1) Source reduction   2) Reuse   3) Recycling   4) Reclamation   5) Treatment   6) Disposal.
water-based paint	Paint made with acrylic, vinyl or latex resin & thinned with water.   It dries more quickly than oil-based paint, has relatively low odour, some water vapour permeability, and cleans up easily.
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-reducible	The ability to be diluted with water or a water/co-solvent mixture.
water spotting	Defective appearance of the paint surface that is caused by water droplets.   See: rain spots.
weathered	1) Affected by exposure to the action of the weather.   2) Artificially stained to appear weather-beaten.
weather etch	Method of improving the adhesion to a metal substrate by allowing it to weather naturally before painting.
weathering	Paint film deterioration as a result of exposure to the weather.
weather resistance	The ability of a coating to withstand the effects of wind, rain, sun and temperature fluctuation, and retain its appearance and integrity.
wet edge	The length of time during which a paint can be brushed before it becomes too dry to flow out and blend together.
wet film thickness	The original thickness of a coating, as applied, before evaporation of the solvent.
wetting agent	Substances, which lower the surface tension of water to help dispersions.
whiting	An inert, white amorphous pigment composed principally of calcium carbonate.   Used extensively for making putty, and as an extender in paints.
wire brushing	Cleaning a surface with a wire brush, or wire power brush.
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.
wood-graining	Simulating the grain of wood by means of specially prepared colours or stains and the use of graining tools or special brushing techniques.
wrinkling	Ridges and furrows that develop in a paint film when the paint dries.
xylene	A strong aromatic solvent sometimes used as a component of paint remover and lacquer thinner.   Also known as xylol.
yellow iron oxide	A generally durable earth tone yellow pigment that may be natural (mined) or synthetic.
zinc oxide	A white pigment used in primers to impart corrosion resistance and resistance to stain bleed-through.   Also used in exterior paints to inhibit mildew growth on the surface of the paint.