Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Sammamish.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
An Adhesion Primer is a coating that helps paint bond to smooth, glossy, or hard-to-coat surfaces. The primer creates a surface that new paint can grip, which helps reduce peeling and poor coverage. It is useful on areas such as previously painted trim, laminate, metal, and other surfaces where standard paint may not bond well.
Also called: Bonding primer
An airless sprayer is a powered painting tool that forces liquid coating through a small tip at high pressure. The spray breaks into fine droplets and covers broad surfaces quickly. Painters use airless sprayers for exterior siding, fences, decks, and other areas where an even coat matters.
Also called: Airless paint sprayer
Back rolling is a paint application method that follows spraying with a roller. The roller presses wet paint into the siding surface and spreads the coating across small texture changes. This process helps the paint form a more even film and reach shallow grooves that a spray pass may not cover fully.
Also called: Backroll application
Caulk is a flexible material that seals narrow gaps and joints where building surfaces meet. It blocks drafts, moisture, dust, and light while allowing small amounts of movement. Painters often apply caulk around trim, molding, baseboards, windows, and doors before painting to create a cleaner, more finished edge.
Also called: Painter's caulk
Chalking is the release of loose powder from an exterior paint film as the coating breaks down from weather exposure. The powder often appears on your hand or a cloth after you touch the surface. Light chalking may need cleaning and primer, while heavy chalking can signal broader coating failure.
Also called: Paint chalking
Color Matching is the process of finding or mixing paint that closely matches an existing color. Painters compare a sample, paint chip, or cabinet surface with a color formula. The match also considers lighting, surface condition, and paint sheen, since these factors can change how the finished color appears.
Also called: Paint color matching
Cure Time is the period a coating needs to harden through chemical drying and bonding. The term applies after application and differs from dry-to-touch time. A surface may feel firm while the coating underneath continues to strengthen. Cure time guides when the floor can handle foot traffic, stored items, or vehicles.
Also called: Curing time
Deck Board is a horizontal piece of wood or composite material that forms a deck’s walking surface. Deck boards attach across the supporting frame and create the floor underfoot. They may be painted, stained, or left with a factory finish. Common options include pressure-treated wood, cedar, and composite decking.
Also called: Decking board
Drywall Joint Compound is a spreadable material that fills seams, screw holes, and surface gaps in drywall. It creates a smooth, even surface after application, drying, and sanding. Painters and drywall installers use it to hide panel joints before primer and paint. The material may come premixed or as a powder.
Also called: Drywall mud, Joint compound
Efflorescence is a white, powdery salt deposit that forms on masonry when moisture carries dissolved minerals to the surface. As the water evaporates, the minerals remain behind. The deposit often appears on brick, concrete, or mortar and can affect paint adhesion if the moisture source continues.
Also called: Salt deposits
An Elastomeric Coating is a flexible exterior coating that stretches and contracts with a building surface. It forms a thicker, rubber-like film that helps cover small surface cracks and sheds water. This coating is made for masonry, stucco, and some siding surfaces when the substrate is clean, sound, and properly prepared.
Also called: Elastomeric paint
An Epoxy Primer is a bonding base coat that helps epoxy flooring adhere to a prepared surface. It seals porous concrete, improves coating grip, and creates a more even foundation for later epoxy layers. Epoxy primer does not serve as the finished floor coating. It supports the coating system beneath the visible surface.
Also called: Epoxy-based primer
A fascia board is a long, straight board attached along a roof edge. It covers the ends of roof rafters, supports the lower edge of some gutter systems, and creates a finished transition between the roof and exterior wall. Fascia boards may be made from wood, composite material, or engineered trim.
Also called: Fascia
Feathering is a drywall finishing method that spreads joint compound beyond a repair or seam. The compound becomes thinner toward the surrounding surface, which softens the edge and reduces visible ridges. Painters and drywall finishers use feathering to create a smoother transition before sanding, priming, texturing, or painting.
Also called: Feather edge
Film Thickness is the depth of a coating layer after application or drying. Painters measure it to check whether the coating covers the surface as designed. In mass-timber intumescent work, film thickness helps confirm that the protective coating forms an even layer across exposed wood members.
Also called: Coating thickness
An HVLP Sprayer is a paint application tool that uses a high volume of air at low pressure to create a fine spray. The sprayer sends coating through a nozzle and breaks it into small droplets. This method gives painters control over coverage and helps produce a smooth finish on detailed surfaces.
Also called: HVLP paint sprayer
Intumescent Coating is a fire-protective coating that expands when exposed to high heat. The expanded layer forms an insulating char around the coated material. This slows heat transfer and helps protect structural elements during a fire. The coating must match the substrate, required protection level, and approved application system.
Also called: Fire-resistant coating
Lead-Safe Work Practices are methods that limit the spread of lead dust and paint chips during surface preparation and painting. These methods include planning the work area, controlling dust, protecting nearby surfaces, collecting debris, and cleaning the space. The goal is to keep lead-based paint in place and reduce exposure during the project.
Also called: Lead-safe renovation practices
Mildew-Resistant Paint is a coating made with additives that help slow mildew growth on painted surfaces. It works best in damp rooms when the surface is clean, dry, and properly prepared. This paint can help keep walls looking cleaner, but it cannot correct leaks, poor ventilation, or ongoing moisture problems.
Also called: Mildew-proof paint
Paint Adhesion is the bond that keeps a paint film attached to a surface. Good adhesion helps paint resist peeling, lifting, and flaking during normal use. The bond depends on a clean surface, suitable coating, and proper drying. Poor adhesion often starts when dust, grease, moisture, or loose paint remains underneath.
Also called: Coating adhesion
Paint Sheen is the level of gloss or shine on a dried paint film. It affects how much light the surface reflects and how the finish looks from different angles. Common sheen choices range from flat and matte to satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. Each choice suits different surfaces and cleaning needs.
Also called: Paint finish
Peeling paint is a coating failure in which paint lifts, cracks, curls, or separates from the surface below. The problem often starts when moisture enters through damaged areas or when the surface was dirty, damp, glossy, or poorly prepared. Exterior peeling can expose wood, siding, or other building materials to weather.
Also called: Flaking paint
A penetrating stain is a wood coating that soaks into the surface instead of forming a thick film on top. The stain adds color while allowing the wood grain to remain visible. It is commonly used on decks, fences, and other exterior wood that needs color and water resistance.
Also called: Penetrating wood stain
Pigment is the finely ground color material in paint and coatings. It gives a product its visible color and can affect hiding power, sheen, and resistance to fading. Pigment stays suspended in the coating until application, then becomes part of the dried paint film on a prepared surface.
Also called: Colorant
Pressure Washing is a surface-cleaning method that directs pressurized water at dirt, algae, mildew, and loose material. The water stream removes buildup from wood, concrete, siding, and other surfaces. On a fence, pressure washing prepares the wood by clearing surface grime before staining, while preserving sound fibers when handled with care.
Also called: Power washing
Primer is a preparatory coating applied before paint to condition a surface. It helps paint bond, creates a more even base, and can block stains or color bleed. Primer is chosen based on the surface, existing coating, and paint system. It may be used on drywall, wood, patched areas, or other interior surfaces.
Also called: Undercoat
Recoat Time is the waiting period before a new coat of paint or stain can be applied over an earlier coat. The surface may feel dry before the coating is ready for another layer. Following the product directions helps the new coat bond well and prevents sticking, wrinkling, or uneven coverage.
Also called: Recoat window
A sanding sponge is a flexible abrasive block used to smooth wood, drywall compound, and painted surfaces. Its foam core helps the abrasive follow edges, corners, and light curves. Painters use sanding sponges during surface preparation to remove rough spots, soften filler edges, and create a cleaner surface before primer or paint.
Also called: Sanding block
Spackle is a lightweight patching compound that fills small holes, dents, and surface cracks in drywall before painting. The paste spreads easily, dries firm, and can be sanded smooth. Painters use it for minor repairs, but larger gaps or damaged seams usually need drywall joint compound or replacement material.
Also called: Patching compound
Surface Preparation is the cleaning, repair, and conditioning of a surface before paint or coating is applied. The work may include removing loose paint, washing away dirt, sanding rough areas, filling small defects, and allowing the surface to dry. Proper preparation gives the new coating a cleaner base and helps it bond evenly.
Also called: Surface prep
A Tack Cloth is a sticky, lint-free wiping material that removes fine dust from a prepared surface before painting. The cloth leaves little residue when used lightly. Painters use it after sanding to collect loose particles that could create bumps, rough spots, or visible flaws in a smooth finish.
Also called: Tack rag
Tannin Bleed is a brown, yellow, or reddish stain that moves from wood into a paint or stain film. The stain comes from natural compounds called tannins, which are common in cedar, redwood, and other woods. Moisture can draw tannins toward the surface and leave discolored marks through a new coating.
Also called: Tannin staining
Texture Matching is the process of reproducing an existing wall or ceiling surface pattern on a repaired area. The goal is to make new drywall texture blend with the surrounding surface in shape, depth, and direction. Painters inspect the texture, prepare the patch, apply a similar material, and adjust it before painting.
Also called: Wall texture matching
VOC Paint is interior or exterior paint made with volatile organic compounds that can evaporate into the air as the coating dries. VOC levels vary by product, so the label helps identify the paint’s emissions category. Lower-VOC formulas release fewer of these compounds during drying and are common choices for occupied interiors.
Also called: Low-VOC paint
Wood Filler is a repair compound that fills small holes, cracks, dents, and gaps in wood surfaces. It creates a smoother area for sanding and painting. Wood filler may contain wood fibers or other solid materials, and it comes in types suited to interior trim, doors, cabinets, furniture, and other wood parts.
Also called: Wood putty
