Like many careers, industries, and fields of interest, the painting industry has its terminology. If you have worked with commercial painters before, you may have heard them peppering their conversations with slang and lingos you’re not familiar with.

To outsiders, it might sound like the painters working at your house or commercial property speak a different language when they talk about the paint products they use or the paint techniques they apply. This article features some essential painting industry terms you might want to learn before hiring contractors before hiring them again to paint your home or business.

Painting industry terminology from A to Z

A

• Abrasive: Material used to smooth surfaces or remove old paint, such as sandpaper.
• Accent walls: A wall painted in a different color to stand out and create a focal point.
• Acrylic: Water-based paint made with acrylic resins, known for durability and versatility.
• Adhesion: The ability of paint to stick to a surface.
• Alkyd: Oil-based paint known for its smooth finish and durability.

B

• Back-brushing: Brushing paint after it is sprayed or rolled to ensure even coverage.
• Back-rolling: Rolling paint over a sprayed surface to improve adhesion and uniformity.
• Basecoat: The initial layer of paint applied to a surface.
• Binders: Ingredients in paint that hold the pigment and form a film on the surface.
• Bleeding: Discoloration from underlying stains or substances showing through paint.
• Blistering: Bubbles forming under paint due to trapped moisture or improper adhesion.
• Brush: A hand-held tool with bristles used for applying paint.
• Bump it: A term for touching up minor imperfections in a painted surface.

C

• Caulking: A sealing material used to fill gaps and prevent moisture.
• Clear coat: A transparent finish is applied over the paint for protection.
• Coating: Any layer of paint or protective substance applied to a surface.
• Color blocking: Using contrasting paint colors to create visual interest.
• Coverage: The area a given amount of paint can cover.
• Curing: The process of paint completely drying and reaching maximum durability.
• Custom color: A paint color mixed with a specific shade chosen by the customer.
• Cutting in: Painting the edges or corners of a room with a brush before using a roller.

D

• Drop cloths: Protective fabric used to cover floors or furniture while painting.
• Durability: The ability of paint or a coating to withstand wear, weather, and cleaning without deteriorating.

E

• Eggshell finish: A low-sheen paint finish with a slight luster, like an eggshell.
• Elasticity: The ability of paint to expand and contract without cracking.
• Elastomeric paint: Flexible paint that resists cracking, often used on exterior surfaces.
• Emulsion paint: Water-based paint with good durability and ease of application.
• Enamel: Hard, glossy paint often used for surfaces that require durability.
• Epoxy coating: A highly durable paint made with epoxy resins, often for industrial use.
• Exterior paint: Paint formulated to withstand outdoor conditions.

F

• Faux finishes: Decorative painting techniques to mimic textures like marble or wood.
• Film: The dried layer of paint on a surface.
• Finish: The appearance of paint when dry, such as matte, satin, or gloss.
• Flashing: Uneven sheen or color caused by improper application or drying.
• Flat paint: Paint with no sheen, often used on walls and ceilings.
• Flow: The ability of paint to spread smoothly during application.

G

• Gloss: A shiny paint finish reflecting high light.

I

• Industrial painting: Paint jobs for facilities like factories, focusing on durability.
• Interior painting: Painting done inside buildings or homes.

L

• Lap marks: Streaks caused by uneven paint layers, often from overlapping strokes.
• Latex: Water-based paint with flexibility and easy cleanup.
• Leveling: The ability of paint to dry into a smooth, even surface.
• Low-VOC paint: Paint with reduced volatile organic compounds for healthier air quality.

M

• Masking: Covering areas to protect them from paint, usually with tape or paper.
• Matte paint: A flat finish with no sheen, ideal for hiding imperfections.
• Milling: The process of grinding pigments and resins to make paint smooth.
• Mineral spirits: A solvent used for thinning oil-based paints and cleaning brushes.

N

• Nap: A roller cover’s thickness, determining texture and paint capacity.

O

• Orange peel: A bumpy paint texture resembling orange skin caused by improper application.

P

• Paint lifespan: How long paint retains its quality on a surface.
• Pigments: The color particles in paint.
• Pressure washing: High-pressure water cleaning to prepare surfaces for painting.
• Primer: A preparatory coat to improve paint adhesion and coverage.

R

• Re-coat intervals: The time required between applying paint coats.
• Rollers: Tools with a cylindrical cover for applying paint evenly over large areas.

S

• Sags: Paint drips are caused by applying too much paint at once.
• Sanding: Smoothing a surface before or between paint coats.
• Satin finish: A low-luster finish, smoother than eggshell but less glossy than semi-gloss.
• Semi-gloss: A slightly shiny finish, often used for trim and doors.
• Sheen: The level of shine in a paint finish.
• Shellac: A resin-based primer or sealer for wood and stains.
• Size line: The paint’s ability to maintain uniform thickness across a surface.
• Square footage coverage: The area a specific amount of paint can cover.
• Strip: Removing old paint or finish from a surface.
• Surface etching: Creating a rough texture to help the paint adhere better.
• Surface preparation: Cleaning and repairing a surface before painting.

T

• Top coat: The final coat of paint applied for finish and protection.
• Touch up: Fixing small areas of damage or unevenness in paint.
• Undercoat: A preparatory layer is applied beneath the final paint.

W

• Withering: Fading or deterioration of paint due to exposure over time.

Y

• Yellowing: The discoloration of white or light-colored paint over time.

Z

• Zinc oxide: A compound used in paint to prevent mildew and enhance durability.

Benefits of learning painting industry terminology

You may wonder whether learning painting industry terminology might benefit you. The answer is yes – in many ways! Learning a commercial painter’s terminology as a client is highly beneficial for several reasons, especially when planning or executing a painting project. Here’s an in-depth discussion of its advantages:

1. Improved Communication

• Understanding terms like sheen, primer, cutting in, and back-rolling lets you have clear and precise conversations with the painter.
• Misunderstandings about the project scope, materials, or techniques are minimized when both parties speak the same language.

2. Informed Decision-Making

• Familiarity with terms like low-VOC, epoxy paint, elastomeric coating, and other terms help you ask informed questions and select the best materials for your needs.
• Knowing the differences between semi-gloss and matte finishes, for example, can help you make better choices for specific spaces.

3. Better Project Oversight

• You can follow along with the painter’s plan and progress when terms like base coat, topcoat, or surface preparation are used.
• It’s easier to spot potential issues or ensure work is being done to standard when you understand the process.

4. Cost Control

• Knowing the terminology helps you interpret estimates, invoices, and contracts accurately.
• You’ll understand why specific tasks or materials are recommended and whether they align with your budget and goals.

5. Enhanced Collaboration

• Sharing ideas effectively becomes easier when you know what terms like color blocking, faux finishes, or accent walls mean.
• Painters are more likely to respect your input if you demonstrate knowledge of the craft.

6. Avoiding Unnecessary Expenses

• Recognizing terms like surface etching or paint curing helps you know when extra work or time is genuinely required versus unnecessary upselling.

7. Confidence in Quality

• When painters discuss techniques such as spray application versus brush and roller, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how these impact the finish and durability of the paint.
• You’ll feel reassured knowing what to expect at each project stage.

8. Long-Term Maintenance Knowledge

• Understanding terms like paint lifespan, touch-ups, or re-coat intervals equips you to maintain your painted surfaces more effectively after the project completion.

Conclusion

Hopefully, these painting industry terms can help make you understand what your commercial painter tells you when they work on your residential or commercial property in Pleasantville or surrounding areas. Remembering a handful of terms during the project can help you communicate with your painter better and understand their terminology.

If you still don’t understand some terms, don’t hesitate to approach Custom Painting, Inc.’s professional crew. They will be happy to explain everything you need to know about commercial painting.

Ready to hire painting contractors to tackle your painting project? Call us at 925-686-0903 or use our contact form to request a free estimate.