AAA Painters
Glossary of Painting Terms
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AAA Painters
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The glossary of paint terms provides a quick reference to terms commonly used in painting applications.
CALCIUM CARBONATE
A mined material (chalk) that is used as an extender or filler for paint and caulk.
CAULK
A generic term for a compound used to fill cracks, gaps, seams and joints.
CHALKING
Deterioration of the surface of an exterior paint upon weathering into a faded, powdery substance. Chalking occurs when the paint’s binder is degraded by harsh environmental conditions. Chalk should be removed prior to repainting.
CHECKING
Patterns of short, narrow breaks in the top layer of paint. Checking occurs when the paint loses its elasticity.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
The ability of a coating to resist damage by chemicals.
CHIME
The lip around the opening of a paint can into which the lid is placed.
CHROMA
Chromatic purity: freedom from dilution with white and hence vividness of hue. The aspect of color in the Munsell color system by which a sample appears to differ from a gray of the same lightness or brightness and that corresponds to saturation of the perceived color.
CLAY
A white, mined mineral used as an extender - mostly in interior paints.
COALESCENT
An organic solvent used in 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.
COATING
A paint, stain, varnish, lacquer, or other finish that provides a protective and/or decorative layer over a substrate.
COLOR RETENTION
The ability of a paint to keep its original color and resist fading. This term is generally applied to exterior paints.
COLOR WHEEL
A circular chart with wedge-shaped segments of different specific colors. Used in color decorating.
COLORANT
A concentrated liquid or dry color that is added to a paint to obtain a chosen color.
COLORFAST
The ability to maintain color and not fade excessively under normal conditions.
COMBUSTIBLE
Refers to any liquid with a flash point at or above 100 degrees F (37.5 degrees C).
COMPATIBILITY
Ability to mix with or adhere properly to other components or substances.
COMPLEMENTARY COLORS
Two colors directly opposite one another on the color wheel.
CONSISTENCY
The thickness or brushability of a paint.
CONTRASTING COLORS
Colors separated by at least three others on the color wheel.
CORROSION
Deterioration of metal by oxidation and rusting.
CORROSION INHIBITOR
Any material used to prevent the oxidation (rusting) of metals. May be a paint undercoat, 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.
COUNTER-SINK
A process whereby nails are pounded or screws are tightened so that they sink just below the surface.
COVERAGE
The spread rate of a paint or coating, usually expressed in sq. ft./gal. or m 2 /l (sq. meter/liter). With pigmented coatings, it can refer to applied hiding power.
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.
CRATERING
The formation of bowl shaped depressions in a paint or varnish.
CRYSTALLINE SILICA
See Silica.
CURTAINS
Long horizontal runs in a coating film that occur on vertical surface when a coating is applied too heavily.
CUSTOM COLOR
Special colors that are made by adding colorant to paint or by intermixing paints of different colors. Permits the preparation of a selected color paint at the point of sale.
CUTTING IN
To carefully paint a clean edge, usually a straight line, which is parallel to an adjacent surface. For example, painting the frame of a window but not the glass.
