A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Additives

Additives are special ingredients added to paint to improve performance such as ease of application, drying speed, mildew resistance and water repellency.

Adhesion

Adhesion is the ability of a substance to attach and remain fixed to the surface.

Alkali

Alkali is a chemical that will neutralize an acid. Oil-based (alkyd) paints can be destroyed by alkalis. Examples of alkalis include lye, soda and lime.

Alkali Resistance

Alkali resistance is the ability of the paint film to resist damage by alkalis. This is important for interior paints that are exposed to chemicals found in cleaning products. This is important for exterior paints used to coat masonry.

Alkyd

Alkyd paint uses synthetic oil as the solvent and is commonly referred to as oil-based paints.

Angle Sash

Angle sash tips are brushes with angular cut ends. They are helpful in painting clean, neat sash or narrow trim work, and for cutting-in.

Application Properties

Application properties determine how well the paint will apply to the surface.

B

Bases

Paint that has no colour added to it. Into each can of base, colorant is added to make tinted paint.

Blister Resistance

Blister resistance is the ability of a painted surface to avoid the formation of bubbles or pimples. Blistering is often caused by moisture in the wood or excessive heat.

Blocking

Blocking occurs when two surfaces that are covered with the same paint stick together. Example: A door sticking to its jamb when they come into contact with each other.

Burnishing

Burnishing is the glossy or shiny spots on a painted surface caused by rubbing, washing, wiping and scrubbing. Flat paints are especially susceptible to burnishing.

C

Colorant

Colorants are the pigments added to a paint base or a stain to create different colours.

Colour Retention

Colour retention is the ability of paint to keep its original colour.

Complementary Colours

Complementary colours are located opposite of each other on the colour wheel.

Core

The core is the plastic or cardboard tube to which the roller nap is attached.

Cover

A cover is the part of the roller that applies the paint to the wall.

Coverage

Coverage is the area over which a given quantity of paint will spread. This is also called "Spread Rate". It is usually expressed in square feet per gallon. Paints with excellent coverage can be applied faster and require fewer coats.

Curing

The process of the paint changing from a liquid to a solid.

Cutting-in

Cutting-in is when you carefully paint an edge or a border, such as where the wall meets the ceiling, or the edge of the woodwork.

D

Dirt Resistance

Dirt resistance is the ability of a painted surface to avoid picking up airborne particles of dirt.

Drop Sheets

Drop sheets are cloths made from canvas, plastic or paper. They are used to cover and protect items from paint drops, splash or spatter.

Drywall Compound

Drywall compound is a paste used to repair plaster and drywall.

Drywall Tape

Drywall tape is a special paper, paper/cotton or fiberglass tape used over joints between wallboard to conceal the joint and provide a smooth surface for painting.

E

F

Fan Deck

A collection of paint chips arranged in a deck. The chips are "fanned" out to select colours.

Ferrules

The ferrule is the metal piece that attaches the bristles to the brush.

Flagged

Flagged refers to bristles which are split on the ends.

Flat Trim Tip

Flat trim tips are brushes with small, flat ends, and are useful for touch-ups and trimming.

Flow

Flow is the ability of a paint or coating to spread into a smooth film. Good flow means the paint will level out uniformly and will not show brush or roller marks.

G

Gables

Gables refer to the triangular upper portion of a wall between the sloping ends of a pitched roof.

H

Hiding Ability

Hiding is the ability of the paint or coating to mask or cover the surface. Paints with excellent hiding ability can be applied faster and require fewer coats.

Hue

Hue is the name for a colour family (eg. Red, Blue and Yellow).

I

Intensity

Intensity is how bright or dull a colour appears.

J

K

L

Laminate

Laminate refers to when the fibres of the applicator (ie. cardboard core of some rollers) begin splitting into layers.

Latex

Latex paint uses water as the solvent and is commonly referred to as water-based paint.

Levelling

Levelling is the ability of a paint or coating to flow and produce a smooth film. Paint with good levelling will not pucker, ripple or show roller or brush marks.

M

Mildew Resistance

Mildew resistance is the ability of a painted surface to resist the growth of mould and mildew, which are caused by improper ventilation. Mould and mildew appear as black or grey spots on the surface.

Moisture Resistance

Moisture resistance is the ability of a painted surface to avoid being damaged by moisture.

Monochromatic

Monochromatic Colour Schemes are colour schemes that use the various intensities of one colour.

Muriatic Acid

Muriatic acid is a diluted form of hydrochloric acid used to clean and etch masonry and metal. Protective covering should be used when applying this poisonous chemical.

N

Nap

The nap is the length of the fibres from which the cover is made.

Neutral

Subtle variations of whites, gray and beige.

Neutral Colours

Neutral colours are specifically black, white, grey and other colours containing large amounts of grey.

O

P

Painted Area

The painted area is the actual square footage of the surface to be painted. In a single room, it would be determined by adding together the total area of the walls, and subtracting the area of surfaces that will not be painted.

Painter's tape

Painter's tape is used to tape off areas that are not being painted, ie. along the ceiling line and along trim. It is similar to masking tape but usually has better adhesion and it is less likely to remove paint when it is removed.

Peeling

Peeling occurs when the paint film peels off in large segments. When a surface is coated with multiple layers, the layers may peel off separately.

Pigment

Pigments are fine powders that impart paint colour, sheen and hiding ability. Additional colour is added to each can in the store to give it the specific colour the customer wants. This additional colour has concentrated pigments and is called colorant.

Pile

The length of the fibres on the roller cover. Also referred to as nap.

Porous

Porous surfaces contain small pores or holes and will readily absorb gases or liquids.

Primary Colours

Primary colours are red, blue and yellow. They are known as the foundation colours because they are pure pigments and used to create all colours except black and white.

Primer

Primer is the first coat or undercoat applied to the surface. It usually contains some pigments.

Q

R

Resin

Resins are the "glue" that holds the paint together. They contribute to the adhesive quality by keeping the paint stuck to the surface.

Related Colours

Related colours are located next to one another on the colour wheel.

Ribbed

A term used to describe baseboards that are not flat. When viewed from the end thay have a raised profile

S

Sagging

Sagging occurs when the paint film "droops" immediately after it is applied. The effect is an uneven finish. Sagging can result from applying too much paint at once, or applying low quality paint that is too thin. Sagging may also be referred to as curtaining.

Sash

The sash is the frame which holds the glass in a window.

Scheme

A scheme is a grouping, of two or more colours, used together to create a pleasing mood or effect.

Scrub Resistance

Scrub resistance is the ability of a paint or coating to maintain its original sheen and colour after being scrubbed or washed with an abrasive soap.

Secondary Colours

Secondary colours are orange, violet and green. They are formed by combining two primary colours.

Shade

Shade is the resulting colour when a hue is darkened with black.

Sheen

Paint sheen refers to how shiny or how dull paint looks after it has dried.

Silver Lid Formula Book

The Silver Lid Formula Book works exclusively for the Premier^® and Mastercraft^® Brand paints and Rez^® stains and is organized in alphabetical order. The alphabetization is based on the organization of the Premier^® Collection display of colour chips.

Solvent

Solvents keep the pigment and resin in a liquid state in the can, allowing it to be applied to a surface and easily spread. Once the paint is applied, the solvent evaporates.

Spatter

Spatter refers to the droplets of paint that spin or mist off the paint applicator as the paint or coating is being applied. High quality paints are less likely to spatter. Low spatter means a smoother, more professional finish and less time spent cleaning up.

Spread Rate

The spread rate is the area that one can of paint will cover. All of our suppliers indicate the spread rate on the cans.

Stain Resistance

Stain resistance is the ability of a paint or coating to withstand exposure to stains without incurring damage.

Stippled

An application technique used to create special visual effects on interior surfaces.

Synthetic

Synthetic is a term used to describe man-made products.

T

Tack Cloth

A tack cloth is a piece of fabric impregnated with varnish, oil or a solvent so that it remains permanently sticky under proper storage and can be used to remove minute dust particles from a surface to be finished.

Tannin

Tannin is a natural component that is found in redwood, cedar and mahogany. When wood contains tannin, water can seep through the paint. This water seepage creates brown or yellow stains on the surface that resemble a tea stain.

Tertiary Colours

Tertiary colours are derived from any mixture of a primary and secondary colour.

Tint

Tint is the resulting colour when a hue is lightened with white.

Tint Bases

Tint bases are different formulations in a line of paints to allow for tinting of darker colours. For example, a white tint base would be used to tint pastel colours while a neutral tint base would be used to tint very dark colours. A tint base is a key ingredient in the colour "recipe". Selecting the proper tint base is essential for achieving the customer's desired colour.

Tint Formulations Book

The Tint Formulations Formula Book is a reference book containing recipes for thousands of colour choices. The book provides you with the correct ingredients to mix the desired paint colour, as chosen by your customer. The Tint Formulations Formula Book presents paint colour formulas for Martha Stewart Everyday Colors^® and Pratt & Lambert^® brands, as well as our line of stains by Minwax^® and Cuprinol^®. The colours in the Tint Formulations Formula Book are outlined in numerical order, except for the Martha Stewart Everyday Colors^® and Minwax^® colours.

Tone

Tone is a colour that is "greyed" by adding black and white.

Trisodium phosphate

TSP stands for trisodium phosphate, an alkaline substance used as a cleaning compound. It was designed for removing tough soil, grease and other surface dirt prior to painting. Environmental laws prohibit its sale in some regions. Read packaging instructions on preparation and always remind customers to rinse thoroughly after using TSP.

TSP

TSP is an abbreviation for trisodium phosphate. Trisodium phosphate, or TSP, is an alkaline substance used as a cleaning compound for walls. It is a degreaser and heavy-duty wall grime cleaner. Environmental laws prohibit its sale in some regions. Because it contains phosphate, a fertilizer, it encourages the growth of mildew and mold. TSP substitutes are now available to consumers.

U

Up-selling

The process of recommending the the best quality product that most suits the customer's needs.

V

Value

Value is how light or dark a colour appears.

W

Wall Tip

Wall tips are brushes with wide, flat ends, and are useful for painting large areas.

Wood Filler

Wood filler is a paste or liquid material used to fill the pores of open-grained woods and new wood substrates. It prevents wood from absorbing paint. It dries to a hard film.

X

Y

Z