AAA Painters

Glossary of Painting Terms

AAA Painters

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The  glossary of paint terms provides a quick reference to terms commonly used in painting applications.

FADING

Lightening of the paint’s color, usually caused by exposure to light, heat or the weather.

FEATHERING

A process used to blend a small area into its surroundings after spot-priming, applying a filler, or scraping off an area of old paint.

FERROUS

A metal that contains iron; most ferrous metals are subject to rusting.

FIBER CEMENT SIDING

Siding composed of cement, sand and cellulose fiber that has been cured under pressue to increase its strength and stability. The fiber is added to reinforce the concret and prevent cracking.

FILM FORMATION

The formation of a continuous dry film by a binder, either pigmented or not. In a latex paint this process is the result of the water evaporating and the subsequent fusion of the binder particles.

FLAKING

The detachment of pieces of paint from the substrate, caused by a loss of adhesion and/or elasticity.

FLAMMABILITY

The ability of a substance to ignite, having a flash point under 100 degrees F (37.5 degrees C).

FLASH

Uneven gloss or color resulting from an unsealed substrate or excessively high or low temperatures during drying.

FLASH POINT

The lowest temperature at which the vapors of a liquid can catch fire.

FLAT PAINT

A paint with little or no sheen. Used mostly on interior walls and ceilings, and exterior wall areas.

FLEXIBILITY

Degree to which a coating or sealant, after drying, is able to conform to the movement of its substrate without damage.

FLOW

The ability of a coating to even out upon application, so that brush and roller marks are not visible.

FOAMING

Formation of bubbles (foaming) and resulting small, round concave depressions (cratering) when bubbles break in a paint film, during paint application and drying.

FROSTING

Frosting appears as white, salt-like substance on the paint surface. Although frosting can appear on any color, it is most visible on darker colors. When it occurs on masonry it is sometimes mistaken for efflorescence.

FUNGICIDE

An ingredient used in some coatings and sealants to help keep mildew and other fungi from growing on the surface.