A material used in relatively small amounts to modify a specific property of a coating.

An alkyd with intermediate oil length that balances drying, hardness and application properties.

An alkyd with relatively low oil content, commonly used where harder or faster-curing films are required.

An alkyd modified with styrene to increase drying speed, hardness and resistance.

An acrylic binder made predominantly from acrylic monomers and valued for exterior durability and colour retention.

A copolymer binder combining vinyl and acrylic chemistry, common in architectural coatings.

A thermoplastic chlorinated polymer historically used in fast-drying industrial and pool coatings.

A heavy-duty coating combining epoxy chemistry with coal-tar-derived material for barrier and immersion service.

An epoxy cured with a polyamide-type hardener, often selected for adhesion and flexibility.

An epoxy cured with an amine-type hardener, generally providing strong chemical resistance.

A highly crosslinked epoxy used for demanding chemical and heat-resistant service.

A two-component polyurethane topcoat based on acrylic polyol and isocyanate hardener.

A polyurethane coating that cures by reaction with moisture in the environment.

A coating based on silicone or silicone-modified chemistry, often selected for heat or weather resistance.

A mineral coating based on silicate binder chemistry for compatible mineral substrates.

A very fast-reacting elastomeric coating formed from isocyanate and amine-functional components.

A fast-curing aliphatic coating used where rapid return to service and UV stability are important.

A high-performance fluorinated polymer coating known for exceptional weathering and colour retention.

A coating whose polymer can soften with heat and does not rely on permanent chemical crosslinking.

A coating that develops a permanent crosslinked network during cure.

Film development through a chemical reaction between reactive coating components.

A curing mechanism in which atmospheric or substrate moisture participates in the chemical reaction.

A chemical process in which smaller molecules form larger polymer chains or networks.

The internal strength that holds the coating film together.

Protection in which a more active material such as zinc preferentially corrodes to protect steel.

Corrosion involving anodic and cathodic reactions connected by an electrolyte and electron path.

Localized corrosion in shielded narrow gaps where chemistry differs from the surrounding surface.

Highly localized corrosion that forms small cavities or pits.

Relatively even metal loss across a broad exposed surface.

Corrosion initiated or accelerated by microorganisms and their local chemical effects.

Corrosion that develops beneath a coating after water, salts or oxygen reach the interface.

Thread-like corrosion that spreads beneath a coating.

Sideways spread of corrosion under a coating from a scratch, edge or damaged area.

Steel formed at high temperature and commonly supplied with mill scale.

Steel processed at lower temperature to produce a smoother surface than typical hot-rolled steel.

A steel alloy designed to form a relatively protective rust patina under suitable exposure.

A cast iron substrate whose porosity, oils and corrosion products can affect coating adhesion.

A light metal that rapidly forms an oxide film and requires compatible preparation.

A non-ferrous metal that can develop oxides and salts and may need specialized primers.

A copper-zinc alloy requiring careful cleaning and compatible coating selection.

A porous fired masonry substrate whose suction, salts and moisture affect coatings.

A mineral substrate whose porosity, alkalinity, cure and strength affect paint performance.

A fibre-reinforced polymer substrate that usually requires cleaning and abrasion before coating.

A broad class of polymers whose surface energy and solvent sensitivity strongly affect adhesion.

An existing coating system that must be checked for soundness, cleanliness and compatibility before recoating.

Cleaning with hot water or steam to remove suitable oils, grease and contamination.

Cleaning with a detergent solution to remove dirt, grease and water-compatible contamination.

Cleaning with a compatible solvent to remove oil, grease and soluble organic contamination.

Power-tool cleaning using reciprocating needles to remove rust, scale and brittle coatings.

Mechanical preparation using powered grinders, sanders, wire wheels or similar tools.

Manual preparation using scrapers, wire brushes and similar hand tools.

Abrasive blasting with water to reduce dust and assist cleaning.

Enclosed abrasive blasting that recovers abrasive and debris close to the blast head.

Surface preparation using very high-pressure water without conventional abrasive media.

Mechanical removal of laitance, coatings or irregularities from concrete.

Mechanical preparation of concrete using propelled steel shot to clean and profile the surface.

Oil on a substrate that can prevent wetting and cause adhesion or cratering defects.

Greasy contamination that interferes with cleaning, wetting and adhesion.

A waxy layer that can reduce adhesion and cause wetting problems.

Loose particulate matter that can weaken adhesion and roughen the coating film.

Soluble chlorides that can accelerate corrosion and contribute to osmotic blistering.

A thin reactive primer used to promote adhesion on selected metals.

A conventional primer pigmented with red iron oxide for steel coating systems.

A corrosion-inhibiting primer containing zinc phosphate pigment.

A primer or intermediate coat designed to achieve relatively high dry film thickness per coat.

A primer selected to improve adhesion or control porosity on concrete.

A primer designed for mineral surfaces such as plaster, brick or masonry.

A primer formulated for properly prepared aluminium or aluminium alloys.

A coating formulated for a defined elevated service-temperature range.

A coating designed for marine atmosphere, splash, immersion or vessel service depending on the system.

An internal protective coating selected for stored liquids, immersion conditions and substrate protection.

A coating selected to withstand defined chemical exposure after full cure.

A coating formulated for roofs where UV, weathering and substrate movement matter.

A coating intentionally formulated to produce a textured decorative or protective surface.

Low-volume, low-pressure spray technology designed for lower air demand than many conventional systems.

A mechanized spray arrangement using programmed or fixed equipment.

An automated coating system in which a programmable robot controls the spray path.

The spray-gun component through which liquid coating exits before atomisation.

A tapered valve component that controls liquid flow through the spray-gun fluid tip.

The pressure used to break liquid coating into droplets during spray application.

The pressure used to deliver coating material to a spray gun or tip.

The distance from spray gun to workpiece, affecting atomisation, transfer and film build.

The amount one spray pass overlaps the previous pass to produce a uniform film.

A systematic visual assessment of substrate preparation and applied coating condition.

Testing a non-conductive coating on a conductive substrate to find pinholes or voids.

A quantitative adhesion test using a bonded fixture pulled perpendicular to the coating.

The ability of a coating to resist damage under a defined impact.

Separation of liquid from a structured paint or gel during storage.

Fine shallow cracking of a coating surface.

A network of fine interconnected cracks in the coating film.

An additive used to control unwanted microbial growth in a liquid coating or on a dried coating film, depending on the biocide type.

An additive used to influence the flow and surface appearance of a wet coating.

An additive used to help a wet coating smooth out application marks before the film sets.

An additive used to reduce the settling of pigments and extenders during storage.

An additive used to increase or control coating viscosity and application rheology.

A light-stabilising additive that absorbs damaging ultraviolet radiation and converts it into less harmful energy.

Hindered Amine Light Stabiliser: an additive used to slow photo-oxidative degradation of polymer coatings.

A material or chemical mechanism used to slow corrosion reactions on a metal substrate.

A thin reactive primer designed to improve adhesion to selected metal surfaces after correct preparation.

A hard iron-oxide layer formed on hot-rolled steel during high-temperature manufacturing.

A coating's ability to resist wear caused by rubbing, scraping or traffic.

The tendency of a porous substrate to draw liquid into its surface.

An additive used to increase the rate of cure or chemical reaction in a coating.

Chemical treatment used to clean or roughen mineral or metal surfaces before coating.

A polymer binder based on acrylic chemistry used in many water- and solvent-based coatings.

A coating in which an acrylic polymer forms the main binder.

The ability of a coating to remain attached to the surface beneath it.

A material added to improve bonding between a coating and a difficult substrate.

A drying process that occurs under normal ambient conditions without forced heat.

A spray method that atomises paint by forcing it through a small tip at high pressure without compressed air.

The ability of a coating to resist damage from alkaline substrates or chemicals.

A polyester-type resin modified with oils or fatty acids and widely used in solvent-based paints.

A pigment used to help reduce or slow corrosion of a metal substrate.

An additive used to prevent or reduce foam during manufacture or application.

An additive used in oxidatively drying coatings to reduce skin formation in the container.

The amount of coating applied over a given surface area.

The breakup of liquid paint into fine droplets during spray application.

A coating that protects mainly by physically isolating the substrate from water, oxygen or chemicals.

The colour-producing layer in a basecoat-clearcoat automotive paint system.

A defined quantity of coating manufactured in one production cycle.

The film-forming portion of a paint that binds pigments together and attaches the coating to the surface.

The amount of binder required to adequately wet, bind and support the pigment and extender package.

The formation of bubbles or raised areas in a paint film.

The unwanted sticking together of two painted surfaces when they are pressed into contact.

A hazy or cloudy surface appearance that develops after application.

Visible ridges or lines left by brush application after the coating has dried.

The ease with which a coating can be spread and worked with a brush.

A mineral extender widely used in decorative and industrial coatings.

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the same way as the reactants.

The formation of a loose powdery layer on the surface of an aged coating.

The ability of a cured coating to withstand contact with chemicals without unacceptable damage.

The process by which dispersed polymer particles merge to form a continuous film in many water-based coatings.

A temporary film-forming aid used to help polymer particles fuse during drying of water-based coatings.

The ability of a paint base to accept tinting colourants without causing defects or poor colour development.

The measurable difference between two colours, often expressed numerically using colour-space calculations.

The ability of a coating to maintain its original colour during service.

The area that a given volume of paint can coat at a specified film thickness.

The splitting of a paint film into visible cracks.

Circular depressions that remain in the film where the coating has pulled away locally.

A coating adhesion test in which a lattice pattern is cut through the film and the coating's retention is assessed.

The development of the final chemical or physical properties of a coating after application.

A reactive component that chemically combines with a resin to form a cured coating film.

An additive used to destroy foam that forms during manufacture or application.

Mass per unit volume of a coating or raw material.

The temperature at which moisture begins to condense from air onto a surface.

Dry film thickness: the thickness of a coating after drying or curing.

A liquid used to reduce viscosity or adjust application properties without being the main solvent for the binder.

A coating designed to be applied directly to properly prepared metal without a separate conventional primer in some systems.

An additive that helps wet and stabilise pigments and extenders during dispersion.

The process of separating and distributing pigment or extender particles throughout the liquid phase of a coating.

A rough, powdery spray finish caused when droplets lose too much solvent or water before reaching the surface.

The time required for a coating to reach a defined stage of dryness.

The stage at which a coating can be lightly touched without paint transferring to the finger.

White crystalline salts that appear on masonry or concrete surfaces as moisture carries dissolved salts outward.

A flexible coating designed to accommodate movement and bridge small cracks.

A water-based coating in which the film-forming polymer is dispersed as fine particles in water.

A coating formulated to form a relatively hard, smooth and often higher-sheen finish.

A reactive resin system known for adhesion, chemical resistance and toughness.

A primer based on epoxy chemistry used where strong adhesion, barrier performance or corrosion protection is required.

A mineral or other particulate material added to a coating to modify properties and often reduce cost.

A coating formulated to withstand outdoor weathering, moisture and ultraviolet exposure.

Loss or change of colour during exposure.

A particulate raw material used to add body, fill voids or modify the mechanical and application properties of a coating or repair compound.

The process by which a liquid coating becomes a continuous solid or semi-solid film.

The thickness of a coating layer, measured wet or dry depending on the stage of application.

The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to form an ignitable mixture under defined test conditions.

A waiting period that allows volatile material to leave a coating layer before another coat, bake or processing step.

A low-sheen coating designed to minimise reflected light.

The ability of a coating to bend or move with a substrate without cracking or losing adhesion.

The loose association of pigment particles into clusters after dispersion.

The ability of a wet coating to move and smooth out after application.

Gas bubbles generated in a liquid coating during mixing, pumping or application.

An additive used to help protect a coating or painted surface against fungal growth.

Steel protected by a zinc coating applied by galvanising.

The degree to which a surface reflects light in a specular direction.

The ability of a coating to maintain its sheen during ageing and exposure.

Mechanical processing used to reduce pigment agglomerates and achieve the required dispersion.

The reactive second component in many two-pack coatings.

The resistance of a coating to indentation, scratching or deformation.

The ability of a coating to obscure the colour or contrast of the surface beneath it.

A coating designed to achieve a relatively thick dry film in one or a small number of coats.

A mixer using a high-speed disc to wet out and disperse pigments and extenders.

The ability of a coating to remain at the surface rather than soak excessively into the substrate.

The amount of water vapour present in the air.

A waiting period required after mixing certain multi-component coatings before application.

A primer containing pigments or chemistry intended to slow corrosion reactions at a metal surface.

The bond between one coating layer and the next.

A coating formulated primarily for indoor walls, ceilings or other interior surfaces.