A Tulsa, Oklahoma’s House Painters General Glossary

Adhesion – How well dry paint stays attached to the surface of what is being painted.

Aeration – Bubbles that form in paints during preparation and can affect the application of the painting process.

Atomize – This happens when a paint gun turns paint into particles and/or mist.

Bare Substrate – Any type of surface without a coat of paint on it.

Base – The first layer in a multiple part paint application.

Blast Cleaning – Surface preparation of steel by the use of compression-propelled abrasive materials.

Bleeding – Discoloration in a new coat of paint when the old paint shows through.

Blending – Merging two colors together so the difference is indiscernible to each other.

Blistering – Bubbles under the surface of a coat of paint.

Blushing – Milky look caused by moisture mixing into a drying paint.

Breathe – Allowing moisture from the surface through the paint application.

Bridging – When the base does not fill in a flaw or scratch in a surface.

Brittle – A dry paint coat lacking in flexibility.

Checking – Small cracks that are marring the paint surface.

Chipping – Removing paint and particles with a sharpened tool.

Color Match – Two colors with no visible difference to the eye.

Crocodiling – When wide, crossing cracks form in layers of paint.

Curdling – Partial drying of paint.

Delamination – Peeling of paint, also called flaking.

Grinding – Removal of flaws by sanding.

Hardness – A paints resistance to multiple types of damage.

Hiding Power – Paints ability to cover the surface or layer of paint under it.

Hold-Out – A paints ability to resist the next coat soaking into it.

Jelling – When paint dries before an application.

Lifting – When moisture reaches and swells an undercoat, wrinkling the topcoat.

Masking – Using tape and other coverings to prevent paint from applying to certain areas you don’t want it to.

Nap – Paint roller fibers – the thickness of a roller.

Overspray – Sprayed paint that does not hit a surface.

Peeling – Curling and detaching of paint from a loss of adhesion.

Re-Coat Time – Time necessary before a second application is to be applied.

Runs – Thin, downward ribbons of paint.

Spot Priming – Applying primer to small areas where the surface has become exposed.

Substrate – The surface which will be painted.

Touch-Dry – When paint no longer feels tacky to the human touch.

Water Spotting – Spots created by a reaction of paint to water when it is drying.

Paint Product Glossary – Tulsa, OK

Additive – Chemical introduced to paint to change or add properties to it.

Acrylic – Paint created from a group of plastics, known for its color and gloss.

Air Dry – Allowing paint to dry at a reasonable room temperature.

Anti-Condensation Paint – Paint that will minimize the effects of moisture in the area.

Anti-Corrosive Paint – Paint designed to prevent corrosion on steel.

Basecoat – High color paint that requires a clear finish.

Binder – Component in the paint that holds it together and allows adhesion.

Cast – A shade of a color of paint.

Catalyst – Additive that speeds drying time and improves other elements. Also called activator, accelerator, or curing agent.

Coat – A single application of paint by a painter.

Colorant – A pigment used to create the color in paint.

Color Fast – Color able to retain its cast over time. Also called color retention.

Contrast Ratio – Ability of paint to hide the previous coat.

Coverage – How well a paint spreads over the surface.

Concentration – Ratio of elements that cause the sheen of the paint.

Cure – Process of paint drying.

Durability – How well paint holds up to the elements.

Fading – Loss of color and/or gloss over time.

Filler – Substance used to fill in dents and damage, and smooth masonry.

Flex Agent – Additive that decreases brittleness.

Gloss – Amount that paint reflects light.

Hard Setting – When solid paint collects at the bottom of a container.

Hue – The primary color of a paint.

Lacquer – A clear coat of paint that dries quickly.

Metamerism – When two colors match under one but not all conditions.

Mildew Resistance – A paint’s ability to prevent mildew growth.

Moisture Resistance – A paints ability to withstand moisture and prevent the damage it can cause.

Pigment – The part of the paint that provides the color.

Primer – Paint designed to prepare a surface for other coats to be applied.

Resin – Binding agents in a paint.

Sealer – Paint that prevents interactions between coats before and after it is applied.

Sheen – Gloss level of a paint.

Skinning – When a thick layer forms on the top of paint in a can.