Glossary of Painting Terms

Silicone
A resin used in the binders of coatings. Also used as an additive to provide specific properties. Paints containing silicone are very slick and resist dirt, graffiti, and bacterial growth, and are stable in high heat.

Solvent
Any liquid which can dissolve a resin. Generally refers to the liquid portion of paints and coatings that evaporates as the coating dries.

Substrate
Any surface to which a coating is applied.

Titanium Dioxide
White pigment in virtually all white paints.

Turpentine
Distilled pine oil, used as a cleaner, solvent or thinner for oil-based and alkyd coatings.

Urethane
An important resin in the coatings industry. A true urethane coating is a two-component product that cures when an isocyanate (the catalyst) prompts a chemical reaction that unites the components.

Vehicle
Portion of a coating that includes all liquids and the binder. The vehicle and the pigment are the two basic components of paint.

Vinyl
See Polyvinyl Chloride.

Viscosity
The property of a fluid whereby it tends to resist relative motion within itself.

VOC
See Volatile Organic Compound.

Volatility
The defining quality of a liquid that evaporates quickly when exposed to air.

Volatile Organic Compound
Organic chemicals and petrochemicals that emit vapors while evaporating. In paints, VOC generally refers to the solvent portion of the paint which, when it evaporates, results in the formation of paint film on the substrate to which it was applied.

Volume Solids
Solid ingredients as a percentage of total ingredients. The volume of pigment plus binder divided by the total volume, expressed as a percent. High-volume solids mean a thicker dry film with improved durability.

Water-based
Coatings in which the majority of the liquid content is water.

If you found this glossary to be helpful,
please link to this page.

 

Pacific-Coast Property Services
818-991-5200