Painter’s Glossary

Acrylic: The most common resin or binder for water- based paints. Acrylics are superior in regard to color and gloss retention, adhesion, chalk and mildew resistence, and overall film durability.

Acrylic Resin: Resins which have established a pre-eminent position among coating formulators, having shown superiority in such respects as color and gloss retention, alkali and oxidation (chalk) resistance, hardness, adhesive and cohesive strength, and overall film durability. Generically, resins resulting from the polymerization of derivatives of acrylicacids, including esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and their copolymers. Also known as acrylate resins.

Airless Spraying: Process of atomization of paint by forcing it through an orifice at high pressure.

Alkali burn: A condition that occurs when the alkalinity in fresh masonry causes the breakdown of a paint's binder, resulting in color loss and overall deterioration of the paint film. Most likely to occur with vinyl-acrylic latex and oil-based paints applied to masonry surfaces that are less than a year old. Also referred to as saponification.

Alkyd: The most common resin used in oil base paints. It is a synthetic alteration of linseed oil (by reacting it with alcohol and acid). The result is a more durable, faster-drying, more mildew-resistant film than unreacted linseed oil.

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.

Aluminum Oxide:

Analine dye: These are dyes originally derived from coal-tar and are available in water or alcohol soluble powders. They are soluble colorants used for staining wood. The alcohol dyes can be added to shellac for use as a toner. Developed in Germany in 1856.

Analogous color:

Anti-fouling paint: Paints formulated especially for boat decks and hulls, docks and other below-water-line surfaces and structures to prevent the growth of barnacles and other organisms on ships' bottoms,

Antique oil finish: So-called by Minwax - A penetrating drying oil wood finish (a Danish oil). Easy application, low-build, low protection. I regard Danish oils as "the blue jeans of wood finishes".

Baker staging: A generic term referring to a scaffold system on wheels, which offers multiple height options for a movable plank. The name refers to a cooling rack used by bakers into which pans are placed upon removal from the oven.

Barrier coat: When glazing or wood graining techniques utilize more than one coat, a barrier coat is often applied between glaze coats. If the glazes are oil base, the barrier coat is generally a one-pound cut ( a very thin mix) of dewaxed shellac. If the glazes are water base, the barrir coat is generally a thinned-down acrylic urethane. The barrier coat isolates, or "secures" the substrate color so as to prevent it from becoming "muddied" when the the subsequent glaze coat is applied.

BIN: A pigmented shellac (alcohol based) primer sealer (made by Zinnser Co.) Quick-drying with very good stain sealing qualities (e.g. knots, water-stains, smoke damage). Shellac is water soluble, so it is not a good product for exteriors.

Binder: The resin of a paint or coating. It is that which does not evaporate, but rather dries to a film. It is transparent, and in a varnish,remains so. In a paint the binder supports the pigment, which causes it to be opaque.

Blistering: Paint failure where air pockets form under paint film. Generally caused by applying paint in the sun, or on an otherwise too hot surface.

Bonding agent: An applied material to increase the bonding ability of a subsequent coating. A deglosser is a typical bonding agent for paint. Also common are agents for plaster, such as Weld-O-Bond, which is essentially Elmer's glue that has been formulated to re-emulsify once (when plaster is applied).

Box, or boxing: The mixing of individual cans of paint into one batch, producing enough volume for complete job, the purpose of which is to insure color consistency.

Box coating: A spraying technique where wet-on-wet perpendicular passes are made over the surface.

Buttonlac: The least refined grade of shellac.

Calcimine: Essentially, chalk and glue ready to mix with water. Used as a decoration for interior surfaces. It will not withstand washing. In Britain, it is referred to as powdered distemper. (More to come)

Cal recoater: A flat oil base paint which affords one the best chance for a successful recoating of a surface under which calcimine is present.

Casein: A water-based painting medium. It used to be made from milk protein, now made from soya protein.

Catalyzed lacquer: A general term for crosslinked spray finishes

Caulk: The "stuff" that comes in the tube. Generally various fillers and adhesives.

Chalking: Formation of a friable powder on the surface of a paint film caused by the disintegration of the binding medium due to disruptive factors during weathering. The chalking of a paint film can be considerably affected by the choice and concentration of the pigment. It can also be affected by the choice of the binding medium.

Checking: Patterns of short, narrow breaks in the top layer of paint. Checking occurs when the paint loses its elasticity.

Cissing: A decorative painting technique where an

Color wheel: The visible spectrum arranged in a wheel.

Complimentary color:

Conditioner: A paint additive for the purpose of retarding set-up time. Popular brands are Penetrol (for oil base) and Floetrol, and Open Time for water base.

Conversion varnish:

Corrosion Inhibitive: A type of metal paint or primer that prevents rust by preventing moisture from reaching the metal. Zinc phosphate, barium metaborate and strontium chromate (all pigments) are common ingredients in corrosion-inhibitive coatings. These pigments absorb any moisture that enters the paint film.

Cracking: The splitting of a dry paint or varnish film, usually a result of aging or movement of the substrate. Different forms are hair-line cracking, checking, crazing, grain cracking, or alligatoring.

Crackle Glaze:

Crosshatch: A "two-pass" decorative painting technique where a coat of glaze is dragged either horizontally or vertically and allowed to dry. A second coat is then applied over the first --perpendicular to it. (Often, a barrier coat is applied between glaze coats). Colors of substrate and top glazes can vary, or not. Also, weight of "stripes" can be varied.

Cross-linked finishes:

Cutting In: The brushed application of paint to the perimeter of a broad surface. (e.g. walls and ceilings). Also , the accurate brushed application of paint onto a surface while keeping an adjacent surface paint-free. (e.g. window sash)

Danish Oil: A wipe-on (or brush-on /wipe-off) drying oil finish that is a blend of linseed oil, driers and alkyd resin. Among brands of Danish oil are are Watco, and Minwax Antique Oil Finish.

Deglosser: A solvent designed to promote adhesion (a bonding agent) prior to paint application. This is accomplished by softening an existing paint surface. Generally, one floods the surface by rag application, allows to activate on surface for about 15 minutes, and then applies paint within a two-hour window, (after which time the solvent has evaporated and is no longer effective).Often referred to as a sanding substitute, or liquid sander, its best usage is on intricate surfaces that are difficult to affect a thorough sanding such as a Corinthian capital, ornate baluster profiles etc. Subsequent paint application must be oil base.

Denatured Alcohlol Alcohol that has been made unfit for drinking. (You see, painters have this reputation ...). Used as the solvent for shellac.

Distress Various decorative painting techniques to make new wood look old.

Double cut A wallpapering term referring to a method of producing a seam where two strips are overlapped, then cut through both sheets. The excess, or waste is pulled away and a tight seam results.

Drag A decorative painting technique where a brush or a rag is dragged through a glaze to produce a linear pattern.

Earth Pigments: Those pigments that are obtained from the earth, including barytes, ocher, chalk and graphite.

Efflourescing: An encrustation of soluble salts, commonly white, deposited on the surface of coatings, stone, brick, plaster, or mortar; usually caused by salts or free alkalies leached from mortar or adjacent concrete as moisture moves through it.

Eggshell: It's a sheen, not a color! A step above flat, a step below satin.

Elasticity: The ability of paint to expand and contract with the substrate without suffering damage or changes in its appearance. Expansion and contraction are usually caused by temperature and humidity fluctuations. Some substrates such as yellow pine expand at different rates depending on the type of their grain. Elasticity is a key to durability. Acrylic binders are noted for their elasticity.

Emulsion: A mixture (usually milky-white) in which one liquid is dispersed (but not dissolved) in another. A latex paint or caulk binder is often referred to as an emulsion, even though it is a dispersion of solid polymer particles in a liquid (water). In Europe, latex paints are often referred to as "emulsion paints."

Enamel: An over-generalized categorization of paints that implies durability. Technically, an enamel is a colored varnish, or high-gloss paint. Generally, the term is used for high quality, dirt-resistant paints (generally for interior use) that may have a sheen level from satin to glossy. These coatings are used for more demanding applications as in kitchens, bathrooms, etc

Enamel underbody: A high-solids primer that provides a good foundation over which to apply a finish paint.

Epoxy: Extremely tough and durable synthetic resin used in some coatings and as a filler compound. Epoxy coatings are extremely tough, durable and highly resistant to chemicals, abrasion, moisture and alcohol. Epoxy fillers are flexible enough to accomodate the expansion and contraction of wood and thus make for a highly effective repair system.

Fast & Final: A light-weight water base filler. Virtually no shrinkage; Good for deep fills; convenient for last-minute small fills just prior to painting (dries fairly quickly) OK for exterior except horizontal surface

Faux: French term which loosely translated means "fake". Faux bois is a decorative painting term that means simulated wood. Faux marbe is simulated marble.

Flattening paste: A paint additive designed to reduce the sheen of a paint. Oil base only.

Flogger: A long-bristled brush used for wood graining/faux bois techniques. When the brush is held parallel to a glaze-coated work surface and then flogged against the surface, the result can look like the linear open-pore characteristics of woods like mahogany and walnut.

French polish:



Galvanizing: Process in which a thin coating of zinc is applied to iron or steel to prevent rust.

Garnet: The aggregate , or sand of "the orange sandpaper". The grains break as the paper is used, resulting in renewed sharp edges. This paper is the best choice for sanding bare wood.

Garnet shellac:

Glaze: A paint coating (usually of thin viscosity) which allows a substrate color to pass through it

Glazing compound: The putty used for glazing window pains in place

Gloss: The luster or shininess of paints and coatings. Different types of gloss are frequently arbitrarily differentiated, such as sheen, distinctness-of-image gloss, etc. Trade practice recognizes the following gloss levels in increasing order of gloss: flat (or matte)-- practically free from sheen, even when viewed from oblique angles (usually less than 15 on 60-degree meter); eggshell-- usually 20-35 on 60-degree meter; semi-gloss--usually 35-70 on 60-degree meter; full-gloss--smooth and almost mirror-like surface when viewed from all angles, usually above 70 on 60-degree meter.

Glycol: A co-solvent, combined with water in aqueous (latex) systems to form the total thinner. Various glycols perform various functions, however, they are generally valuable as brushing agents and for temperature stability (ethylene glycol is the chief ingredient in anti-freeze). General term for dihydric alcohols; ethylene glycol is the most simple of the glycols.

Hand-rubbed finish: A finish that incorporates an abrading process, so as to increase the smoothness of an applied, cured finish. Can also be utilized to adjust sheen of a finish.

Hawk: A drywall tool. A square metal plate (about 15") with a handle attached to one side. Used a to hold resovoir of joint compound for taping or skimming walls.

Holiday: An area that is inadvertently skipped during the application of a coating.

Isolation coat: See Barrier coat.

Japan paints: Solvent-based Paints (which contain no linseed oil) with pigments disbursed in driers and flat varnish, useful for tinting decorative glazes.

Japan drier:

Joint compound:

Kilz: A fast-drying oil base primer-sealer with good stain sealing properties (though not nearly as good as a pigmented shellac). Not recommended for exterior applications.

Lacquer: Any film-forming finish that dries only by solvent evaporation.

Ladder brackets: Brackets, usually made of aluminum, that easily attach to an extension ladder for the purpose of supporting a plank

Latex: The common generic term referring to water based paints. More accurately it is an obscure resin that was used in used in

Lap: Area where a coat of paint or other coating extends over an adjacent freshly applied coat. The painter's objective is to make this juncture without visible lap marks.

Leveling: The ability of a coating to level itself and dry free from brush marks, "orange peel" or other texture

Linseed oil: Common resin used in oil base paints & varnishes. Extracted from the flax seed.

Long oil: A classification of a varnish. Varnishes are a blend of "unreacted" and "reacted" linseed oil, the latter more commonly known as alkyd resin. A long oil varnish has a higher percentage of "unreacted" or natural oil. The characteristics of a long oil varnish are typified by a softer, more flexible film, such as spar varnish.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) : Information sheet that lists any hazardous substance that comprises one percent or more of the product's total volume. Also lists procedures to follow in the event of fire, explosion, leak or exposure to hazardous substance by inhalation, ingestion or contact with skin or eyes. Coatings manufacturers are required to provide retailers with an MSDS for every product they sell to the retailer. Sales clerks should make MSDSs available to retail customers.

Monomer: Substance composed of low molecular weight molecules capable of reacting with like or unlike molecules to form a polymer.

Methylene Chloride:

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

Muntin: a strip of wood or metal separating and holding panes of glass in a window

Mutton: meat from a mature domestic sheep

Mullion: non-structural vertical strip between casement or panes fo a window

Naptha: A fast-evaporating solvent, thinner. Useful in spraying of oil base paints.

NMP: Abbreviation for N Methyl Perilydone, a solvent-based active ingredient used in so-called "safe" paint strippers. Among these are Back-To-Nature Products and Peel-Away 7. Generally effective but slow-acting.

Non-penetrating stain: A heavy-bodied interior stain designed to be applied over a sealed or finished surface. Also known as glazing stain or highlighting stain.

Oleoresin: A natural plant product that contains oil and resins. Turpentine is an example

One-Time: A light-weight filler (by Red Devil). See Fast & Final - virtually the same.

One pound cut: A mix or strength of shellac. One pound of shellac flakes dissolved in one gallon of alcohol. Useful as wash coat sealer or barrier coat.

Open Time: The length of time a coating remains wet enough to allow for brushing-in at the laps.

Orange peel: The term referring to the texture produced when paint is applied by roller, or when poorly sprayed.

Organic: Refers to a substance derived from living matter; the molecular structure contains carbon

Oxalic Acid:

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.)

Painters' poles: A staging system whereby a plank-supporting jack is positioned on a vertical pole by rope (vs. a pump jack)

Paper tiger: A curious-looking, handy tool used to perforate coated wallpaper so as to enable penetration of stripper solution prior to stripping wallpaper . Available at better paint stores.

Paste wood filler:

patching plaster:

Percentage of solids:

Pickling stains: White or pastel stains for wood.

Pigment: Finely ground, natural or synthetic, inorganic or organic, insoluble dispersed particles (powder) which, when dispersed in a liquid vehicle to make paint, may provide, in addition to color, many of the essential properties of the paint: opacity, hardness, durability, and corrosion resistance. The term is used to include extenders, as well as white or color pigments. The distinction between powders which are pigments and those which are dyes is generally considered to be on the basis of solubility. Pigments being insoluble and dispersed in the material, dyes being soluble or in solution when used.

plaster of paris:

Polymer: A plastic-like material produced from chemical "monomers" which in turn have been produced from alcohols and petrochemicals. Certain polymers are used as latex paint and caulk binders. The binder's polymer particles are small and carried in water. The molecules consist of one or more structural units repeated any number of times; vinyl resins are examples of true polymers.

Polymerization: The interlocking of molecules by chemical reaction to produce very large molecules. The process of making plastics and plastic-based resins.

Polyshades: Minwax's stain & polyurethane combo in one application. If this were a bottle of wine, it would have a screw-off cap, but it would far exceed expectations. Multiple coats can produce deep, semi-opaque finish. Also useful as a toner.

Polyurethane:

Polyvinyl Chloride: A synthetic resin used in the binders of coatings. Tends to discolor under exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Commonly called "vinyl."

Primer Sealer: A paint coating designed to equalize the porosity of a surface.

Push points Metal fasteners to secure window pane within muntin. Designed so as to allow installation by pushing into wood surface with a putty knife.

Putty:

PVC (Pigment Volume Concentration): The ratio of the volume of pigment to the volume of total nonvolatile material (i.e., pigment and binder) present in a coating. The figure is usually expressed as a percentage.

Ragging or Rag: A decorative painting technique where a glaze is tooled or manipulated with a rag.

Resin: Synthetic or natural material used as the binder in coatings. Can be translucent or transparent, solid or semi-solid. Examples: acrylic, alkyd, copal ester, epoxy, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, silicone.

Roll & tip: a techique combination that utilizes the efficiency of roller application, then the paint is brushed out (tipped) to produce a brushed finish vs. the texture that would otherwise result from roll-only.

Rope: Refers to the texture of a brushed finish where the paint did not level well. The extreme "brushiness" of a paint finish.

Rule 66:

Sheen: A measurement (in percentage) and categorization of the extent of reflection of light off of a surface.

Shellac: A traditional finish made from a resin produced by the secretions of an insect known as the "lac bug" (Laccifer Lacca), indigionous to India and Thailand. The secretions are deposited on tree branches by cocoon- producing females. The branches are harvested, the resin extracted by heat, and refined to varying degrees of clarity. The extracted resin forms a taffy-like consistency and, traditionally, was shaped and allowed to dry in the form of a "shell". Modern techniques roll the resin and allow it to dry in the form of a thin sheet. The sheet is then broken up into flakes. The flakes are dissolved in alcohol to produce shellac finish. Some of the finest museum-quality finishes are produced from shellac, using a technique known as French polish.

Scumble: A decorative paint term referring to a non-translucent film that gives effect of opacity. Like a glaze, but opaque.

Silicate: Any one of a "family" of substances used as an ingredient in paint. Generally used as an extender pigment in conjunction with titanium dioxide (primary pigment). When used in moderation, these silicates (magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, etc.) are valuable in helping control gloss, aid brushability, and increase hold-out properties and overall exterior durability.

Sizing

Strie' A decorative painting technique where a glaze is dragged vertically in an uninterrupted flow, producing a fine striped effect.

Substrate: Any surface to which a coating is applied.

Scuff: A minimal sanding of a surface so as to promote adhesion of a coating.

Short oil: see Long oil

Solids:

Spot-prime: The application of a primer to a limited area of a surface to be painted. e.g. priming the bare wood on an exterior paint job; or priming the patched areas of a wall prior to full painting

Swedish Putty : An oil base filler with minute solid particles. Produces a glass-like smooth surface when applied properly - it can fill a pin scratch because the solids are so fine. Best for shallow fills, ie resurfacing the top of a desk or table. Also well-suited for skimming walls if you want to produce a knockout smooth substrate over which to paint. Not necessary to prime, but recommended to apply over a primed surface. STORY: I used this to resurface the front door at the Salem This Old House project (1995). Soon after the door was finished, a member of the Salem Historical Commission "came knocking upon it" to complain to the homeowner for having installed a forbidden metal door in the Historical district. So much for the historical propriety of 'the look", but the application transformed the door from one that had been "demo-ed" by a crazy person with a rotary disc sander into one that looked brand new! Available through Fine Paints of Europe. (see Links page)

Sash: The movable parts of a window

Streamliner: Tool name given to Embee's 3/4" putty knife. So handy!

Skippo: Same as a holiday.

Silicon carbide:

Softener:

Stain killer:

Spar varnish: Exterior varnish with good water resistance and the capability to resist weathering. Named for its original use on the spars of ships. It is a "long-oil varnish" that offers flexibility vs. film hardness.

Tack rag, or Tack cloth: A cheesecloth fabric impregnated with a tacky resin. It is used to remove dust from a surface after sanding or rubbing down, and prior to subsequent coating application.

Tipping off After a brush load of paint is applied, then "worked" or evenly distributed, it is "tipped-off" -- the final stroke through the paint before moving on to the next. Always done working back to "wet edge" with light pressure on the brush.

Titanium Dioxide, Anatase (TiO2): A high opacity, bright white pigment of the chalking type, used as a prime pigment in paints, rubber, plastics. Prepared from the mineral ilmenite, or rutile ore.

Toluol, Toluene : An aromatic solvent used in the manufacture of some paints and lacquers; also used as a "reducer," particularly in lacquers.

Tri Sodium Phosphate : see TSP

Toner:

Tooth: Texture given to a surface by abrading it so a subsequent coat will bond to it. Also referred to as "key", or mechanical anchorage.

Trompe l'oeil: A French term that translates as " fool the eye". A decorative painting technique that creates illusion of depth by emphasizing shadows and highlights, as if an element is seen under a defined light source.

TSP: Trisodium Phosphate: A cleaning compound based on an alkaline material.

Tung oil: A fast-drying oil obtained from the nut of the tung tree; also known as chinawood oil. Generally used in fine wood finishing and in spar varnishes

Two-pound cut: A mix of two pounds shellac flakes in one gallon of alcohol. A versatile mix suitable for finishing coats or reducible for sealer or wash-coats.

Tannin stain: Staining that occurs on surface of woods which are high in tannic acid content i.e. cedar or redwood.

Urethane: An important resin in the coatings industry. A true urethane coating is a two-component product that cures when an isocyanate (the catalyst) prompts a chemical reaction that unites the components.

Vehicle: The liquid part of a paint or coating which evaporates as the paint dries. It "carries" the binder and pigments and renders them workable to apply to a surface.

Vinyl: (1) The unsaturated, univalent radical CH2: CH -- derived from ethylene. (2) Any of the various compounds containing this group, typically highly reactive, easily polymerized and used as a basic material for coatings and plastics. (3) Any of the various plastics, typically tough and flexible.

Volatile Organic Compound: Organic chemicals and petrochemicals that emit vapors while evaporating. In paints, VOC generally refers to the solvent portion of the paint which, when it evaporates, results in the formation of paint film on the substrate to which it was applied. It is any carbon compound that evaporates under standard test conditions. Essentially, all paint solvents except water are VOCs. Federal and state governments have legislated to limit the amount of volatile organics found in paint because of concerns about possible environmental and health effects. (see Rule 66)

Volume solids: The volume of the solid components (pigment plus binder) of a paint or caulk, divided by its total volume, expressed as a percentage. High volume solids provide a thicker dry film, resulting in improved hiding and high durability. A top quality oil-based paint will typically have volume solids of 45% - 65%, while quality latex paints are generally in the 35% - 45% range. A top quality acrylic sealant will have volume solids of 70% - 80%.

VOC: see Volatile Organic Compound

Weld-O-Bond: A bonding agent for plaster and other water base fillers. Think of Elmer's glue that's designed to re-emulsify once -- when you apply the plaster coat.

Wet-sand A fine-sanding technique utilizing waterproof sandpaper. Can be used with water or oil which lubricates paper, preventing it from clogging. Wet-sanding can be used to grind an underbody level, or as the initial step of a hand-rubbed finish.

Wet Edge: Edge of a wet painted area which remains workable prior to setting-up. When painting or glazing large surfaces, it is generally necessary to join up to the edge of a paint film which has been left for an appreciable time. When this can be done by blending this edge with free working paint without any lap showing, the film is said to present a wet edge.

Whiting: Finely ground calcium carbonate. Used as an extender in paints, and as a conditioner for linseed oil putty to thicken it to a less-sticky, workable consistency

Zinc Chromate: Bright yellow pigment which chemically is substantially zinc chromate, although its precise composition is rather complex. Its chief use is in anti-corrosive paints and primers for steel.

Zinc Oxide: A fine particle, white pigment used in rubber, paint, and plastic industries for mildew resistance and film reinforcing properties.

Zinc Rich Primer: Anti-corrosive primer for iron and steel incorporating zinc dust in a concentration sufficient to give electrical conductivity in the dried film, thus enabling the zinc metal to corrode preferentially to the substrate, i.e., to give cathodic protection.