a substance used to wear away a surface by friction
adhesion
the force that makes two materials stick together. When paint bonds with paint, it is called intercoat adhesion; epoxies have great adhesion to most surfaces.
back mask
technique of reverse rolling the tape or masking paper to prevent a hard line in any refinished operation
base coat
a colour coat applied over primer surfacer or sealer or existing finishes; must be protected by a clear coat
blending
a) the stepping out of each coat of colour resulting in a gradual transition from the applied coat to the original coat b) the technique of chemically transitioning an applied clear coat into an existing clear coat
chroma
the strength or intensity of a colour
clear coat
coat that provides gloss and protectant for the base coat
contaminants
foreign substances on the surface to be painted (in the paint or air-borne) that would adversely affect the finish
coverage
a) the area a given amount of paint will cover b) the point at which the freshly applied paint fully hides the substrate
cure
the process of evaporation, oxidation and polymerization. These processes can be sped up with the use of heat and fast moving air
de-nibbing
removing nibs (small high spots caused by embedded contaminants) on a paint surface
drop/orientation coat
method of application to assist the orientation of metallics and pearls; also called effect coat or control coat
dry spray
the result of product being applied in a manner that does not allow it to wet out or flow. Dry spray appears as a rough texture on the substrate
drying time
the time it takes for an applied product to reach a specific point in the curing process, for example flash time, tack free time, dust free time and handling time
epoxy
a class of resins characterized by good chemical resistance; a film made from epoxy resins is extremely durable and solvent resistant
finish
the appearance and quality of the dry final coat
fish-eyes
blemishes in the finish coat usually of a circular or crater-like and opalescent character caused by contamination
flash-off time
the first stage of drying where some of the solvents evaporate
guide coat
applied coat of contrasting colour to identify surface imperfections when sanding
hue
the name of a colour; the property of a colour by which it can be distinguished; red, blue, yellow, etc.
let-down panel
panel created to determine different shades of the same colour
lustre
the appearance of depth as obtained by multiple coats
masking
using tape, paper and plastic to protect an area that will not be painted or sanded
media blasting
removal of topcoat using various materials such as sand, soda and plastic beads
melting in
blending technique used to achieve a uniform transition
metallic
aluminium flakes that have light reflective properties
metamerism
a term used to describe a colour shift when viewed under different light sources
mil thickness
the thickness of a coating measured in mils
mottling
irregular grouping of metallic particles in a topcoat
nanotechnology
the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale; used in the fabrication of macro scale products
orange peel
a film that has the physical appearance of an orange peel, caused by improper spray application
overspray
paint that falls on the area next to the one being painted
pearl/mica
coloured mineral or glass flakes that have iridescent properties
primer
an undercoat applied to surface to promote adhesion of the primer surfacer or sealer to substrate and to prevent corrosion
primer surfacer
a high-solids primer that fills small imperfections in the substrate and usually must be sanded
respirator
a device worn to filter contaminated air; positive pressure fresh air respirators deliver breathable air
reverse blending
blending technique done from the outside in, used to control overspray
runs
a blemish due to excessive paint flow usually caused by improper consistency of paint or heavy application
sags
state of applied paint before running
sealer
a coating which improves adhesion and colour uniformity of the topcoat
solvent
the component of a solution which dissolves other components and facilitates the drying process
spectrophotometer
an electronic device used for recording and measuring colour
spray gun
a tool that uses air pressure to atomize liquids and transfer them uniformly to a surface
substrate
the surface that is to be finished; it can be anything from an old finish or primer to an unpainted surface
tack cloth
a cloth that is tacky, used to pick up dust and lint from the surface to be painted
technical data sheet (TDS)
written instructions on details of paint applications, types of products to be used, areas to be painted and painting procedure
three-stage (tri-coat)
paint application that consists of distinct paint layers that produces a pearlescent appearance: a base coat, a tinted midcoat and clear coat.
tint
to adjust by adding colour to another colour
topcoat
the last coat of colour, sealer or clear coat
two-stage
consists of two distinct layers of paint: base coat and clear coat
undercoat
a first coat: primer, primer surfacer or sealer
value
the lightness/darkness of a colour, referencing the greyscale
viscosity
a liquid’s ability to resist flow
viscosity cup
a device to measure the viscosity of a liquid by determining the time it takes to flow through the opening of the cup
volatile
capable of evaporating easily
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)
carbon-containing gases and vapors having direct toxic effects on humans, ranging from carcinogenesis to neurotoxicity, and on the environment
waterborne paint
a type of paint in which a special de-ionized, purified water is used as the carrier instead of a reducer solvent