H-19330 - Gloss (Du Pont)

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ChromaSystem Technical Manual
Glossary
Abrasion: Wearing away of paint film by some external force, such as sanding.
Abrasive: Substance used to wear away or smooth a surface by friction.
Absorb: The penetration of a solid substance by a liquid as by capillary, osmotic, solvent, or chemical action.
Accelerate: To speed up a process.
Accelerator: A substance that when added to a paint will speed up the rate of cure. (See Catalyst, Hardener)
Acetone: A very fast evaporating solvent with high solvency for certain types of compounds and resins. Has a
characteristic ether-like odor.
ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists): Establishes recommended exposure limits
for chemical substances. Publishes Threshold Limit Values (TLV).
Acid: An inorganic or organic compound that (1) reacts with metals to yield hydrogen; (2) reacts with a base to form a
salt; (3) dissociates in water to yield hydrogen or hydronium ions; (4) has a pH of less than 7.0. They are corrosive to human
tissue and should be handled with care. Examples are hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid.
Acid Rain: Forms when pollution is combined with water in the atmosphere. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix
with water molecules, they form weak sulfuric and nitric acids. As the water evaporates the acids gain strength and can etch
the finish of any vehicle upon which they have been deposited.
Acrylic: A coating based on a polymer containing short chain esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid. Acrylics were once
widely used as automotive topcoats. An example is Lucite® acrylic lacquer.
Acrylic Urethane: A coating based on urethane chemistry which also includes acrylic chemistry as part of the
cross-linked polymer backbone. (See Urethane.)
Action Level: The exposure level (concentration of the material in air) at which OSHA regulations to protect employees
take effect; e.g., workplace air analysis, employee training, medical monitoring, and recordkeeping. Exposure at or above
the action level is termed occupational exposure.
activator = hardener Activator: A necessary component used to provide a chemical reaction to cure paint. (See Hardener.)
Acute Health Effect: Adverse effect on a human or animal that has severe symptoms developing rapidly, and quickly
coming to a crisis.
Additives: Chemical substances added to a finish in relatively small amounts to impart or improve desirable properties.
Examples are UV screeners, flow agents, defoamers, fish eye eliminators, etc.
Adhesion: The phenomenon by which one material is attached to another by means of surface attraction.
Agglomerate: Clumps of pigment particles which have formed loose clusters. Usually undesirable in paint, since
agglomerates tend to settle out and exhibit seed or poor color.
Agitator: A paint mixer.
DuPont Performance Coatings 1

Copyright © 2007. E.I du Pont de Nemours and Company. All Rights Reserved
® and TM are registered trademarks/trademarks of E.I du Pont de Nemours and Company.
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Glossary
Agitator Cup: Paint cup used with high metallics and pearls to keep the pigment particles in suspension by continually
mixing the paint. This ensures better color uniformity.
Air Cap: The front of a spray gun nozzle that directs compressed air against the paint to form and shape an atomized cloud
of droplets.
Air Dry: The ability of a coating to dry or cure to its ultimate hardness under normal atmospheric conditions, without bake.
Measurement of time required must state conditions such as temperature and humidity.
Air Spray: A system of applying paint in the form of tiny droplets. The paint is broken into droplets (atomized) by a spray
gun as a result of being forced into a high velocity air stream. The shape and paint density of the resulting droplet cloud can
be controlled by air pressure, paint viscosity and gun tip geometry.
Airless Spray: A system of applying paint in which the paint, under high pressure, is passed through a nozzle and broken
into droplets (atomized) when it enters the lower pressure region outside the gun tip.
Alcohol: A class of chemical compounds used as solvents, diluents, or cosolvents. Examples are methanol, isopropanol,
and ethanol.
Aliphatic Solvent: A type of solvent comprised mainly of straight-chain hydrocarbons. Examples are gasoline, kerosene,
hexane, and naphtha.
Alkali: Broadly, any compound having highly basic properties; i.e., one that readily ionizes in aqueous solution to yield OH
anion, with a pH above 7, and turns litmus paper blue. Alkalies are caustic. Common commercial examples are sodium
carbonate, lye, potash, caustic soda, and bicarbonate of soda.
Alkyd: A coating based on a polyester binder. Such polyesters are chemical combinations of molecules that contain more
than one acid or alcohol group. An example is Dulux® paint enamel.
Aluminum: Metal used as a substrate or a pigment.
Aluminum Oxide: Sharp and hard abrasive.
Ambient: Usual or surrounding conditions.
Ambient Temperature: Temperature of the air surrounding an object.
Anhydrous: Without water.
Anionic Electrodeposition: One of the electrocoating (E-coat) methods in which the body is charged positively and the
paint negatively. Frequently used for OEM primer application.
Anodizing: An electrolic surface treatment for aluminum which builds up an aluminum oxide coating, to provide better
adhesion.
ANSI (American National Standards Institute): A privately funded, voluntary membership organization that identifies
industrial and public need for national consensus standards and coordinates their development. Many ANSI standards
relate to safe design/performance of equipment and safe practices or procedures.
Anticorrosive: Protective coating applied on metal surfaces to retard or prevent corrosion (rusting).
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Glossary
Antifoulant: A paint which contains substances to inhibit the growth of certain organisms on ship bottoms.
Anti-skinning Agents: Chemicals added to a paint to help prevent the formation of a surface film.
Applied Solids: Solids that remain on the substrate being coated or painted.
Aqueous: Describes a water-based solution or suspension.
Aromatics: A type of solvent based on benzene ring molecules. Aromatics are often used as diluents. Examples are
benzene, xylene and toluene.
Aspiration Hazard: The danger of drawing material into the lungs, leading to an inflammatory response.
ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials.
霧化 Atomization: The formation of tiny droplets of liquid as in the paint spraying process. Atomization is usually caused by
turbulence in an air stream, or a sudden drop in pressure.
Attainment Area: An area considered to have air quality as good as or better than the national ambient air quality
standards, as defined by Section 107 of the Clean Air Act. It may be an attainment area for one pollutant and a
nonattainment area for others.
Back Sanding: Technique of sanding a surface to taper the paint film away from the metal repaired area.
Backing: The base material (paper, cloth) of sandpaper onto which abrasive grains are coated. For masking tape, the
backing is the paper section without the adhesive.
BACT (Best Available Control Technology): An emission limitation based on the maximum degree of emission reduction
that (considering energy, environmental, economic impacts and other costs) is achievable through application of production
processes and available methods, systems and techniques.
Baffle: A part used in a spray gun to direct the air stream.
Baking: Application of heat to cure and dry a coating. In automotive refinishing, baking is used to speed up the drying of
air-drying finishes and is sometimes called force drying. The metal temperature in refinish baking usually does not exceed
180°F.
Balancer: Additive used to balance color formula in proportion to size and pigment-to-binder ratio.
Base: Bases react with acids to form salts and water. Bases have a pH greater than 7 and turn litmus paper blue. They
may be corrosive to human tissue and are to be handled with care.
Basecoat: A color coat requiring a clearcoat. The basecoat provides color effects and appearance, while the clearcoat
provides gloss as well as UV and chemical resistance.
Binder: The paint material that forms the film. So-called because it binds the pigment and any additives present into a solid
durable film.

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Glossary
Biodegradable: An organic material’s capacity for decomposition as a result of attack by microorganisms. Sewage-
treatment routines are based on this property. Phosphates and chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT) are not biodegradable.
Bleeding: A defect in which pigment from a lower coat of paint diffuses into an upper coat and discolors the latter. A
nonbleeding color is one that is not soluble in materials used over it and consequently does not work up into succeeding
layers. Body filler will also cause bleeding.
Blending: The mixing together of two or more materials; or the gradual shading of paint from one panel to adjacent areas
to assure color consistency.
Blistering: The development of hollow bubbles or water droplets in a paint film. Blistering is usually caused by the
expansion of air or moisture trapped beneath the film. It can occur rapidly or over a long period of time after application.
Blistering may also occur from the presence of unreacted acid within the paint film.
Block Painting (Blending): Repainting of an entire single component, such as a door or fender, with the boundary area
shaded for matching.
Blooming: A powder-like deposit which sometimes forms on the surface of a paint. It is often the result of a solvent
component partly dissolving the pigment(s) and then depositing them on the surface below the dew point.
Blushing: The appearance of whitish or “cloudy” areas in a paint film, caused by absorption and retention of moisture in a
drying paint film.
Body Filler (Bondo): A heavy-bodied plastic filler material which cures very hard and is used to fill small dents in metal.
Bodying: Thickening in the package, usually due to evaporation of solvents or volatile material because of exposure to
heat or air.
Boiling Point (BP): The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid is equal to the surrounding atmospheric
pressure so that the liquid becomes a vapor; i.e., the temperature at which the upward pressure of the molecules escaping
from the surface equals the downward pressure of the atmosphere. Flammable materials with low boiling points can
generally present special fire hazards.
Bridging: A characteristic of undercoat performance that occurs when a scratch or surface imperfection is not completely
filled. It’s caused by under-reducing the primer or using too fast a solvent and can lead to the appearance of sandscratches
in the finished repair.
Brittleness: Lack of flexibility, usually combined with a lack of toughness.
Bronzing: The formation of a metallic-appearing haze on a paint film.
BTU (British Thermal Unit): The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1°F at 39.2°F, its
temperature density.
Buffing: A technique used to polish an area to remove sanding marks or surface imperfections.
Buffing Compound: A soft paste containing fine abrasive in a neutral medium, used to eliminate fine scratches and polish
the topcoat.
Build: The amount of paint film deposited on a substrate (the depth or thickness of which is measured in mils).
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Glossary
Bulls-eye: Edge of a repaired area of a paint film that shows up after a surface has been repainted.
Butanol: Another name for butyl alcohol. A solvent, co-solvent or diluent for paint. It has a medium evaporation rate.
Butyl Acetate: A medium-evaporating solvent used in paint.
°C (Degrees Centigrade): A scale for measurement of temperature; typically used in scientific experimentation rather than
the Fahrenheit scale. 0Þ (32°F) equals the freezing point of water. 100°C (212°F) equals the boiling point
of water.
CAA (Clean Air Act): Effective Dec. 31, 1970, and significantly amended several times. The regulatory vehicle that sets
and monitors airborne pollution hazardous to public health or natural resources. The EPA sets national ambient
air-quality standards. Enforcement and issuance of discharge permits are carried out by the states and are called state
implementation plans.
Cadmium: A metal used to manufacture durable but expensive red and yellow pigments.
Calcium: A metal component of driers and pigments.
Calcium Carbonate: An extender pigment, also known as “Whiting.” Limestone is chiefly calcium carbonate.
Carbitol: A slow lacquer solvent of the ether-alcohol type.
Carbon Black: A black pigment manufactured by collecting the carbon resulting from incomplete combustion of natural
gas.
Carcinogen: A material that has either been found to cause cancer in humans or to cause cancer in animals and therefore
is considered capable of causing cancer in humans. Findings are based on the feeding of large quantities of a material to
test animals or by the application of concentrated solutions to the animals’ skin. A material is considered to be a carcinogen
if (1) it has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and found to be a carcinogen or
potential carcinogen; (2) it is listed as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen in the Annual Report on Carcinogens, published
by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) latest edition; (3) it is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen; or (4) if one positive
study is published.
CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service): An organization that indexes information published in Chemical Abstracts by the
American Chemical Society and provides index guides by which information about particular substances may be located in
the abstracts.
CAS Registration Number: An assigned number used to identify a material. CAS assigns sequential numbers to identify
specific chemicals. The CAS numbers have no chemical significance. The CAS number is useful in identifying all abstracts
concerning that specific chemical. catalyst vs curing agent:
catalyst (consumed); curing agent (not consumed)
觸媒 Catalyst: A substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction when it is mixed with another substance and that does
not change or react itself. A catalyst differs from a curing agent in that the catalyst is not itself chemically consumed in the
curing agent 固/硬化劑
reaction while a curing agent is consumed. Technically, catalysts that increase reaction rates are called accelerators; those
accelerator 促進劑
which decrease reaction rates are called inhibitors or retarders.
retarder 阻滯劑
inhibitor 抑制劑
Cathodic Protection: The prevention of corrosion of a metal by electrically connecting it to a sacrificial anode. The anode
is itself decomposed and the object of interest is protected. The sacrificial anode must be replaced periodically.
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Glossary
Cationic Electrodeposition: One of the electrocoating (E-coat) methods in which the body is charged negatively and the
paint positively. The cationic method is superior to the anionic method in terms of corrosion. Frequently used for OEM
primer application.
Caulking: Sealing used in joints to prevent the passage of fluid (commonly moisture) or gas.
Centimeter: A unit of distance measurement. One centimeter (cm) = 1/100 of a meter. One meter = 39 inches.
Centipoise: A unit for the measurement of viscosity.
Chalking: The degradation of a paint film by gradual erosion of the binder, typically due to weathering. It is characterized
by loose pigment particles on the surface of the paint.
Checking: A type of failure of paint film in which cracks in the film begin at the surface and progress downward. The result
is usually a straight v-shaped crack which is narrower at the bottom than the top.
Chemical Cartridge Respirator: A respirator which uses a cartridge containing various chemical substances to purify
inhaled air of certain gases and vapors. Also known as a Vapor/Particulate Respirator.
Chemical Staining: Spotty discoloration of the topcoat sometimes caused by environmental conditions (acid rain, tree sap,
etc.). It also can be caused by improper activation of body filler which leads to staining of subsequent layers of topcoat.
Chipping: Small flakes of a finish losing adhesion from the substrate. Usually caused by the impact of stones or hard
objects.
Chroma: The level of saturation or intensity and richness of a color. Desaturated or “dirty” colors have less chroma,
saturated or “clean” colors have more chroma.
Chromate: A heavy metal used to provide corrosion protection to metal.
Chromate Rinse: The use of a chromic acid solution after zinc or iron phosphating to passivate the metal at the base of
cracks and pinholes in the phosphate. Chromate rinsing will greatly increase corrosion resistance.
Chrome Yellow: Widely used yellow pigment. It is alkali-sensitive but shows good durability and relatively good hiding
power.
Chronic Effect: An adverse effect on a human or animal, with symptoms that develop slowly, over a long period of time, or
that recur frequently.
Cleaner: Material used to clean a substrate.
Clearcoat: A paint containing no pigment or only transparent pigment, which provides gloss and durability when used as
protection over a basecoat.
Clogging: Condition where sandpaper becomes clogged by the abraded surface coating.
Clouding: The formation or presence of a haze in a liquid or in a film.
Coalescence: The fusing or flowing of liquid particles. The term is frequently applied to waterborne coatings, which require
coalescence to form a continuous film.
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Glossary
Coating: The act of applying paint or the actual film left on the substrate by a paint. A single coat is produced by two
passes of a spray gun, one overlapping the other in half steps. A double coat is two single coats with little or no flash time
between them.
Cobwebbing: The tendency of sprayed paint to form strings or strands rather than droplets as it leaves the gun. May be
caused by too fast or improper solvent, or too much air pressure.
Cold Cracking: Cracking of a paint film resulting from a sudden drop in temperature, or repeated cycling from high to low
to high temperatures.
Color: The visual appearance of an object that can be described in terms of hue, value, and chroma. Colors are seen
differently by different people and under different light conditions. (See Metamerism.)
Color Coat: The single-stage or basecoat that provides the visible color of a coating system.
Color Match: Achieved when the applied color duplicates all aspects of the original color’s appearance in hue, value and
chroma.
Color Retention: The ability of a paint to maintain color under exposure to light, heat, moisture or other
conditions of use.
Color Sanding: The sanding of a paint film to prepare for buffing or recoating.
Compatibility: The ability of two or more materials to mix together and to form a homogeneous blend. Ability of a coating
to bond to another; for example, primer to topcoat.
Compliance Coating: A coating whose volatile organic compound (VOC) content does not exceed that allowed by
regulation. Compliance coatings may be waterborne, low solvent (higher solids) or powder.
Compounding: Use of an abrasive material, either by hand or by machine, to smooth and bring out the gloss of the
applied topcoat.
Concentration: The amount of any substance in a solution.
Condensation: A change from a vapor to a liquid on a cold surface (commonly moisture).
Contaminants: Any polish, wax, tree sap, tar, oil or the like that would damage the paint film or spoil the adhesion of a new
paint film.
Conversion Coating: Part of a metal pretreatment system that modifies a metal substrate for improved paint adhesion and
corrosion protection.
Converter: An additive used to provide a chemical reaction to cure paint. (See Catalyst, Hardener.)
Copper: A difficult metal substrate to paint. Also used in the manufacture of pigments and driers.
Corrosion: The decomposition of a metal in contact with its environment — a chemical reaction of oxygen and moisture or
corrosive materials on a metal surface. Also called rusting or oxidation.

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Glossary
Coverage: The amount of area a volume of paint will cover at a certain thickness. Theoretical coverage is described as the
number of square feet a coating will cover at 1 mil film thickness.
Cracking: Splitting of a paint film. Cracking usually occurs as straight lines which penetrate the entire film thickness and
can be caused by over-baking or by application of excessive film builds.
Cratering: Small round depressions in a paint film which may or may not expose the underlying surface. Frequently
caused by contamination of the substrate. (See Fish Eyes.)
Crawling: The tendency of a wet paint film to recede from certain areas of a painted surface. Often caused by the
presence of contaminants on the surface.
Crazing: The formation of surface cracks, often as a fine network, which do not penetrate to the underlying surface of a
paint film. Crazing is sometimes caused by the softening effect of solvents from excessive paint coats as in lacquer repair
operations.
Cross-coat: A method of paint application often used with high solids paint. The technique involves a side-to-side
application followed by a top-to-bottom application with very little flash time.
Cross-draft Booth: A spray booth in which air movement is horizontal from end to end.
Crystallinity: The extent to which the polymer molecules of a paint or other polymer are arranged in a highly ordered
pattern. Highly crystalline paint films are usually brittle and are not commonly used.
固化 Cure: The process, usually a chemical change, by which paint is converted from the liquid to the solid state.
Curtain Painting: A method of applying paint by passing a substrate through a curtain of paint.
Custom Painting: Unique painting, frequently with special effects or designs, normally designed by owner of vehicle or
individual painting the vehicle.
Cut: Refers to both the dissolving of solid material in a solvent and the reducing of the viscosity of a liquid by the addition of
a thinner. Can also refer to sanding down a film, as in “cut and polish.”
Cut-through: The result of sanding or buffing through one layer of paint and into the substrate below. A cut-through is
common from clearcoat to basecoat or from primer to “metal.”
DA (Dual Action): Refers to a power tool used for sanding substrates.
Degradation: The gradual or rapid disintegration of a paint film, normally due to weathering.
Degreasing: Cleaning a substrate (usually metallic) by removing greases, oils and other surface contaminants.
Dehydration: The removal of water.
Deionized Water: Water which contains no ions. Usually produced through the use of ion exchange resins and used for
rinsing parts after wet sanding or electrodeposition. Can be used as a reducer for certain waterborne coatings.
Delamination: The loss of adhesion between two layers of paint, causing material to separate from the painted surface or
substrate.
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Glossary
Density: An expression of the mass of a substance per a given volume: e.g., pounds per cubic foot or
kilogram per liter.
Dew Point: The temperature at which water vapor condenses from the air. The dew point varies with the
relative humidity.
Diacetone Alcohol: A slow-evaporating solvent for paint.
Dieback: A condition in which the topcoat appears to “sink” into the primer coat causing a loss of gloss. Also, a loss of
gloss due to improper solvent selection.
Diluent: A liquid which increases the capacity of a solvent for the binder. Diluents cannot dissolve the binder themselves.
They are usually used to control viscosity or flash time.
Dipping: To apply paint to an article by immersing the article in a container of the paint and then withdrawing the article
and allowing the excess paint to drain from the part.
Dirt Nibs: Small specks of foreign material in a dried paint film. They can be removed by scuff sanding and polishing.
Disk Sander: Power sanding tool used for grinding, sanding and polishing repaired metal areas.
Dispersion Coatings: A type of paint in which the binder molecules are present as colloidal particles. Characterized by a
higher percent sprayable solids than is possible with solution-based paints.
Dissolution: Metallic particles from the basecoat surface in the clearcoat. If severe, the effect can alter the tone and
exaggerate the metallic appearance.
DOI (Distinctness of Image): A measurement of the accuracy of a reflection in a paint film.
DOT Identification Number: Four digit number, preceded by UN (United Nations) or NA (North America), that is used to
identify particular materials for regulation of their transportation.
Downdraft Booth: A spray booth in which the air movement is from the ceiling through the floor.
Drier: A salt of certain metals or metallo–organic compounds, which when added to an enamel, paint, varnish or oil
hastens the drying or hardening of the film through evaporation.
Dry: The change from a liquid to a solid which takes place after a paint is deposited on a surface. This involves both the
evaporation of the solvents and any chemical changes that occur.
Dry Coat: A paint having a very low solvent content which produces a gritty film appearance. (See Dry Spray.)
Dry Film Thickness (DFT): The resultant film thickness of a coating after it has reached its final state of dry or cure. (See
Coverage, Hiding.)
Dry Sanding: A method of abrading the surface by hand or machine without the aid of any lubricant (water).
Dry Spray: Sprayed paint which loses so much solvent in the air that it becomes too dry to flow out over the surface. This
normally occurs when the chosen reducer is too fast for the atmospheric conditions. Dry spray has a lower gloss than the
normally sprayed surface. (See Dry Coat.)
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Glossary
Drying Oil: A liquid (commonly vegetable oil) that will change to a solid under normal atmospheric conditions when spread
out in a thin film.
Durability: Refers to the retention of gloss and performance properties in a paint film during use or exposure to sunlight.
Dust Contamination: Contamination due to visible dust particles of various sizes and forms which are embedded or form
raised spots in the coating.
Dust Free: Condition when a paint film has dried enough that it will no longer allow dust to penetrate and stick to the finish.
Electrocoating: The process by which electrically charged paint is plated on conductive surfaces of the opposite charge.
Electrodeposition: A method by which paint is applied electrically by immersing electrodes and the work to be painted in a
water base paint and applying direct current electricity to them. Frequently used for OEM primer application. (See Cathodic
Protection and Anionic Electrodeposition.)
Electrostatic Spraying: A system of applying paint in which the paint droplets from an air or airless gun are given an
electrical surface charge which results in their attraction to an electrically-grounded part. Electrostatic paint guns usually
operate at 50,000 to 150,000 volts and can be automated. Advantages are better paint utilization, and the ability to “wrap-
around” and paint the back side of many objects more efficiently.
Elpo Priming: (See Electrodeposition.)
Emulsion: A suspension of fine particles in a liquid (usually water). The dispersed particles may be binder, pigments or
other ingredients. Emulsions are usually unstable and will separate into their components unless a stabilizing agent is
present.
Enamel: A term with several meanings: (1) a paint which forms a film by chemical union of its component molecules during
cure; (2) a paint having a highly glossy, finished appearance; (3) in shop terminology, any paint which is not lacquer.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, USA): A federal agency with environmental protection, regulatory and
enforcement authority.
Epoxy: A type of paint, adhesive or plastic noted for high mechanical strength, good adhesion and chemical resistance.
Ester: A type of organic compound used as active solvents. Examples are butyl acetate and diethylene glycol diacetate.
Ester-alcohols: A type of solvent in which molecules contain both ether and alcohol groups. An example is diethylene
glycol.
Etching: The use of a chemical solution to prepare a surface for painting or bonding by removing a layer of the base metal.
Ethers: A class of organic compound, some of which may be used as solvents.
Ethyl Acetate: A fast evaporating ester solvent.
Ethyl Alcohol: An inexpensive, fast evaporating solvent, cosolvent or diluent.
Evaporation: The change from liquid to a gas. When solvents leave a wet paint film, they usually do so by evaporation.

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Glossary
Evaporation Rate: The speed with which any liquid evaporates.
Exempt Solvent: Solvents that do not react with sunlight to form precursors to smog, so their use is thus free of legislative
control. Water, acetone, and a few chlorinated compounds are now considered exempt.
Exposure Limits: The concentration of a chemical in the air of the workplace that is thought to be safe.
Extender Pigment: An inert, usually colorless and semi-transparent pigment used in paints to fortify and lower the price of
pigment systems.
Exterior: The outside. Usually refers to an area not protected from the weather or not in an enclosed area such
as a building.
°F (Degrees Fahrenheit): 32° F (0° C) equals the freezing point of water. 212° F (100° C) equals the boiling point of
water.
Fading: The gradual loss of color of a paint film due to a chemical or physical change. Usually due to pigment degradation
by the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.
Fan: The spray pattern of a gun.
Featheredge Splitting: Fractures or cracks along the featheredge which occur during drying or shortly after the topcoat
has been applied over primer surfacer. This problem occurs due to poor preparation, use of too fast solvents in primer,
improper flash times and/or too aggressive solvents in topcoat.
Featheredging: Tapering a paint edge from substrate to topcoat or between layers of material by sanding.
Ferrous: Describes any metal composed of or containing iron.
Fiberglass: Very fine staple fibers of glass that are spun together; it is used as insulation, and for parts and repairs on
automobile and truck bodies.
Filiform Corrosion: Lifting and penetration at the paint film-to-substrate border from defects (rock chips or scratches) in
the paint film. This is of special concern to the aircraft industry as filiform corrosion can be especially destructive around
rivet heads.
Filler: Commonly, a heavily pigmented paint used to fill imperfections and pores in a substrate.
Film: A very thin continuous sheet of material. Paint forms a film on the surface to which it is applied.
Film Thickness: The thickness of a dry paint is important. Thin films may appear to be the wrong color and may have
durability issues. Thick films are likely to crack in use. The thickness of paint films on iron or steel surfaces is easily
determined with a magnetic gauge. Non-metallic surfaces can be checked by electronic gauge. (See mil.)
Film Thickness Gauge: A device used to measure the coating thickness (film build) on a substrate. Magnetic units are
used to measure the thickness of ferrous metals; electronic units are used on non-ferrous substrates.
Finish: A protective coating of paint; to apply a paint or paint system.

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Glossary
Fish Eyes: A surface depression or crater in the wet paint film. Fish eyes are caused by repulsion of the wet paint by a
surface contaminant such as oil or silicone. The depression may or may not reveal the surface under the paint.
Fish Eye Eliminator: Additive used in paint to prevent the occurrence of fish eyes in a freshly painted surface.
Flake: A pigment consisting of flat particles. Usually aluminum or metallic, providing special color effects to the final paint
job.
Flake Orientation: The appearance of the metallic particles in a paint film during and after dry or cure. Selection of the
correct aluminum flakes in the color mixing formula, proper application, etc., will lead to good flake orientation and thus to
good color match and appearance.
Flaking: A paint failure characterized by paint film falling off the substrate.
Flammable Limits (Explosive Limits): The minimum and maximum concentrations of a flammable gas or vapor between
which ignition can occur.
Flammable Liquid: A liquid that gives off vapors that can be readily ignited at room temperature. Defined by the NFPA and
DOT as a liquid with a flash point below 100ÞF (38ÞC).
Flash: The first stage of drying where some of the solvent evaporates. This dulls the surface from an exceedingly high
gloss to a normal gloss or flat appearance.
Flash Point: The temperature at which the vapor of a liquid will ignite when a spark is struck.
Flash Rusting: A surface rust occurring from improper cleaning or exposing bare metal to the air and moisture for too long
of a period.
Flash Time: The time between paint application and consecutive coats, and/or force dry.
Flat: Lacking in gloss.
Flattener: An additive used to lower the gloss of topcoat, single-stage colors and clears.
Flex Additive: A substance added to paint to improve its performance characteristics such as impact resistance, flexibility
and elongation over plastic or flexible substrates.
Flexibility: The ability of a paint film to withstand dimensional changes.
Floating: The tendency of pigment particles in a wet paint film to separate from one another and concentrate in particular
areas. (See Flooding.)
Flocculation: Clumping together of pigment particles within the wet paint.
Flooding: The tendency of a pigment particle to rise to the surface during cure and produce a changed color at the surface
and a lack of uniformity in the color appearance through the film.
Flop: The change in value, hue and chroma of a metallic or pearl car finish when it is viewed from different angles.
Flop Control Agent: An additive to adjust and/or control flop variations that occur with metallic and pearl colors.
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Glossary
Flow: The leveling characteristics of a wet paint film. Also, the ability of a liquid to run evenly from a surface and to leave a
smooth film behind.
Fluid Needle: Part in a spray gun that opens and closes fluid passages.
Fluid Tip: Part of a spray gun that meters and directs the fluid stream.
Force Dry: A method of accelerating the drying of paint by using heat. (See Baking.)
Front-end Solvent: A fast-evaporating solvent that leaves the paint very soon after application.
Fungicide: An additive for paint used to prevent the growth of mold or fungus in the container, or on dry paint.
Galvanized: Refers to steel treated with a zinc coating.
Gel: A soft semi-solid structure caused by loose association of pigment, binder or other particles in a fluid. More technically
defined as a semi-solid colloidal dispersion in which a liquid phase is dispersed in a solid phase.
Gelation: The development of insoluble polymers in resins, paints or other polymer solutions. Characterized by a
jelly-like appearance, normally irreversible. Cross-linking usually results in gelation of a resin solution.
Gloss: The ability of a surface to reflect light. Measured by determining the percentage of light reflected from a surface at
certain angles.
Gloss Meter: An apparatus for measuring the gloss of paint film.
Gravelometer: A device that propels rocks at a painted substrate to measure the resistance the finish has to
rock chips.
Gravity-feed Gun: A paint gun with the paint reservoir on the top of the gun, which allows the paint to flow into the spray
area by gravity.
Grinding: Preparing the metal for repair in the body shop business.
Grit: Refers to the abrasive size used in sandpaper.
Gritty: A product is said to be gritty when it contains large particles, from insufficient dispersion (also called seed), or when
it contains large hard particles of foreign materials.
Grounding: A safety practice where two objects are interconnected with clamps and bare wire. This equalizes the
electrical potential between the objects and helps prevent static sparks that could ignite flammable materials. Also called
bonding.
Guide Coat: A reference coat. For example: a thin coat of dark or tinted color applied over a primer to provide a visual
check for smoothness when sanded.
Gun Body: Part of the spray gun to which all required parts are bolted or attached.
HAP (Hazardous Air Pollutant): Chemicals listed in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 that require a stringent level
of control because of their toxicity.
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Glossary
Hardener: A necessary component specifically designed to ensure cure of an enamel finish. Another name for
an activator.
Hardness, Brittleness and Strength: These terms describe important qualities of a dry paint film which gives the film
resistance to surface damage or deformation. They are difficult to separate from such other properties as adhesion,
toughness, mar resistance, etc. They depend upon how effectively the binder molecules and additives attract to one
another. When there is high attraction between components of the paint, the film will be strong and hard. But such strong
hard films may not be able to bend or stretch and recover under ordinary use conditions. The paint must have some
resiliency because of substrate shrinking and expanding due to the temperature changes in the surrounding atmosphere.
Brittleness is a tendency to crack under impact. Paint is brittle when it cannot deform in response to a mechanical stress.
This inability to deform results from excessively high attractions between the paint components.
Hatch Marks: A defect of electrocoat finishes resembling a series of parallel ripples across the surface. Caused by the
alternate rising and falling of the liquid paint on the part by ripples in the paint surface as the part enters the tank with power
on.
Haze: The development of a cloudy area in the paint film or in a clear liquid.
Head-on: Viewing the repaired area from an angle that is perpendicular to the car.
Hiding or Hiding Power: The ability of a paint film to mask the color or pattern of a surface. May be measured while the
paint is still wet or after is has dried, and these measurements may differ. Hiding power is measured by determining the
minimum thickness at which a film will completely obscure a black and white pattern. (See Coverage.)
High Boilers: Solvents with boiling points above 100°C (212°F). Often called tail solvents.
High Solids: Paints are described as having high solids when they contain more than 50 - 60% solids (by weight). High
solids paints have lower VOC’s.
HMIS (Hazardous Materials Identification System): Developed By NPCA to provide information on health hazards,
reactivity and flammability that are encountered in the workplace.
Holdout: The ability of a surface to keep the topcoat from sinking in and causing a decrease in appearance or gloss.
Hot Spray: The technique of applying paint at elevated temperatures. The elevated temperature reduces the viscosity so
that higher solids materials can be sprayed, and allows application with less solvent.
Hue: The color we see: red, blue, green, and yellow, and all shades in between.
Humidity: A measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. Absolute humidity reflects the quantity of moisture in the air
compared to the maximum possible moisture content of air at the same temperature. Relative humidity is expressed as a
percentage. Humidity has a great effect on the drying time of paints, in particular waterbornes.
Humidity Testing: Water vapor is one of the most severe agents to which paint film is exposed. The condensing humidity
test is widely used to measure humidity resistance of coatings. The condensed water drips off the panel and is revaporized
by means of an evaporative heater in the bottom of the test chamber. A typical test involves water at 60°C (140°F) for 96
hours. After testing, panels are checked for cracking, blistering, color change and loss of gloss.
HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure): Describes a paint gun that uses a high volume and low pressure of atomizing air to
apply material to a surface. This provides high transfer efficiency and lower overspray.
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Glossary
Hydrocarbon: A compound which contains only carbon and hydrogen, which are distillate byproducts of petroleum, natural
gas and coal. An example is mineral spirits.
Hydrolysis: Reaction with water. Usually refers to a decomposition process leading to paint failure.
Hydroscopic: A paint film that readily absorbs water.
Immiscible: Incapable of mixing in or blending.
Impact Resistance: Resistance to impact damage (chipping and cracking) is an important property for nearly every paint
film. It is difficult to have both high impact resistance and high hardness. This is because impact energy is best absorbed
when the film can deform upon impact. Such films are generally not hard. Hardness is desirable, however, because it
normally means better gloss retention, mar resistance and weatherability. Most paints, therefore, involve a compromise of
hardness and impact resistance. Impact resistance testing usually involves striking a painted panel with a hard object, such
as a steel ball or hammer, and measuring the indentation that results.
Induction Period (Time): An allotted amount of time upon mixing of components for compatibilization. The process is
common among the use of epoxy/polyamide coatings.
Industrial Fallout: Chemical compounds present in the air which are deposited on the horizontal surfaces of vehicles and
which may damage the finish.
Infrared: Light energy used for curing paint. Also known as IR.
Infrared Light: That portion of the spectrum responsible for most of the heating effects of the sun’s light. It is not visible to
the human eye.
Inhibitor: A chemical added to retard some particular reaction. Examples are anti-oxidants and anti-skinning agents.
Initiator: A chemical added to help start a chemical reaction such as polymerization or curing.
Inorganic: Describes a substance not based on carbon. Typical examples are stone, glass, steel or any metal.
Iridescents: All colors that contain aluminum, mica, or other particles that impart a metallic appearance to the color.
Iridescent colors must be matched carefully at all angles in order to achieve an acceptable appearance.
Iron: A metallic substrate which requires painting to prevent corrosion. Also found as a component in driers
and pigments.
Iron Blue: A widely used blue pigment.
Iron Oxide Red: A widely used red pigment.
Isocyanate: A hardening agent used with acrylic urethane and other 2-component reaction type paints. It reacts with
acrylic polymer, etc., to form a very durable coating.
Isopropyl Alcohol: An inexpensive, fast evaporating solvent, cosolvent or diluent. Also called rubbing alcohol.
Ketones: A class of organic liquids which are very useful in the paint industry due to their high solvent power.

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Glossary
Kick-out: The precipitation of dissolved binder or additive from solution as a result of solvent incompatibility.
Lacquers: Paints that dry by evaporative loss of solvent. The film remains susceptible to attack by the same or similar
solvents. Lacquers can be based on nitrocellulose or acrylic resins. Examples are Lucite® and Duco®.
LAER (Lowest Achievable Emission Rate): The rate of emissions based on the following, whichever is most stringent:
(A) The most stringent emission limitation which is contained in the implementation plan of a state for the class or category
of source unless the owner or operator of the proposed source demonstrates that the limitations are not achievable; (B) The
most stringent emission limitation which is achieved in practice by the class or category of source.
Latex: An emulsion; usually a dispersion of a polymer in water.
Lead: A metal commonly used in the manufacture of driers and pigments.
LEL (Lower Explosion Limit): The lowest concentration of vapor that will produce a flash fire when an ignition source
is present.
Let-down Panel: Panel made by a paint technician with different methods of application and amounts of material, resulting
in different shades of the same color.
Leveling: Elongation of paint film occurring from the time the paint particles form a wet film on the surface to the time the
film hardens and dries. Paint is said to have good leveling properties when an orange peel or texture disappears as a result
of elongation.
Lifting: The attack by the solvent in a paint on the substrate which results in distortion or wrinkling of the preceding dried or
partially cured layers.
Lightness: The whiteness of a paint. Measured by the amount of light reflected by a surface. A perfect white is one which
reflects 100% of the light in the visible spectrum.
Line Checking: A paint film failure similar to cracking; lines or cracks are parallel and range from very short up to about 18
inches.
Low Boilers: Solvents with low boiling points, usually less than 50°C (122°F). Also called front end solvents.
Low Film Build: The condition of a paint film when it is too thin to provide protection to the substrate or withstand
environmental conditions.
Lucite®: A DuPont trademark for acrylics.
Luminescence: The phenomenon by which previously absorbed energy is emitted as light by an object. Luminescent
pigments are more correctly called phosphorescent. If there is a time lag of more than a fraction of a second between the
energy absorption and the light emission, the phenomena is called fluorescence.
Luster: Gloss or sheen of a finish.
LVLP: Low Volume, Low Pressure. (See HVLP.)
MACT: Maximum Achievable Control Technology.

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Glossary
Magnesium: A very light, strong metal used mainly by the aircraft industry. It is difficult to paint and requires special
surface preparation.
Makeup Air: A system that brings and heats air from the outside to a desired air flow and temperature.
Masking: Application of paper or other material and tape to cover an object that must be protected from overspray.
Masking Paper: Paper designed to prevent paint from bleeding through.
Matching: In painting, to make colors look the same.
Matte: A surface with minimal reflection. The opposite of gloss.
Melamine: Used as a hardener in OEM finishes: A hard resin used to modify alkyd resins and other films formed used in
baking finishes.
Metal Conditioner: An acid-type cleaner which removes small amounts of rust and corrosion left from mechanical metal
cleaning (blasting or sanding), etches the metal for better adhesion, and forms a film which can inhibit
further corrosion.
Metallic Paint: Paint which contains metallic pigment usually in the form of tiny flakes. Generally these are aluminum or
mica, and are used to increase the eye-appeal of the finish.
Metamerism: A term used to describe colors that match under a specific light source, but do not match under all light
sources. It is primarily caused by the use of different pigments to achieve the colors.
Methacrylate: A class of acrylic polymers.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK): A fast-evaporating solvent.
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK): A solvent used for a variety of resins, which has a medium-fast evaporation rate.
mg/l: Milligrams per liter.
mg/m3: Milligrams per cubic meter concentration.
Mica (Pearl): A pigment used to increase the eye-appeal of the finish.
Micro-checking: A condition which appears as severe dulling of film. When examined through a magnifying glass, the film
contains many small cracks that do not touch.
Middle Solvent: A solvent that evaporates at a medium rate, leaving the paint primarily during flash-off.
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) Welder: Welder designed to provide a strong weld and not damage thinner metals now
on vehicles.
mil: A measure of paint film thickness, equal to one one-thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch).
mil gauge: A device that measures the thickness of paint film applied to surface.

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Glossary
Mildew: Fungus growth which appears on substrates in warm, humid areas. Can severely damage a paint film.
Mill Base: A colored paint containing a very large amount of pigment. Used to tint paint or to make paint; a product of
grinding or dispersion.
Mills: Equipment used to disperse pigments. Ball or pebble mill grinds by the action of large balls or pebbles impacting on
the pigment groups. Roller mill grinds by the shearing action between two counter-rotating steel rolls. Sand mill grinds by
the shearing action developed between moving particles of sand.
Milori Blue: A durable, iron blue pigment.
Miscible: The extent to which liquids or gases can be mixed or blended.
Mist Coating: A light spray coat of high solvent content material for blending and/or gloss enhancement and metallic
control in single-stage color.
Mix Ratio: The proportion of ingredients to be blended together to make a ready-to-spray paint. For example, a clearcoat
with a mix ratio of 4:1 requires the mixing of 4 parts of the clearcoat with 1 part activator. Mix ratios are normally done by
volume.
Mixer: Any container containing an agitator of some type.
Mixing Stick: Instrument used to gauge the correct ratio of paint material being mixed for ready-to-spray configuration.
Mold Release Agents: Chemical compounds which must be removed by a pretreatment prior to refinishing plastic parts to
insure adhesion. Internal mold release agents are processing aids needed in the manufacturing of the plastic part. External
mold release agents are substrate components at or near the surface which can interfere with paint performance.
Molecule: The smallest possible unit or amount of any substance which retains the characteristics of that substance.
Monastral: Trade name for blue, green or red pigments which are very durable, light fast and alkali resistant.
Monomer: A chemical compound or resin “building block,” capable of reacting with itself or other monomers to form
polymers.
Mottling: A film defect appearing as blotches or surface imperfections, normally due to metallic or pearl not being properly
oriented in the paint film.
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheets.
Near-specular: Describes an angle of less that 45 degrees; used to evaluate color match of a repaired area.
NESHAP: National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health): NIOSH evaluates medical, biological, engineering,
chemical, trade and other information relevant to hazards and recommends preventative measures to reduce or eliminate
adverse health and safety effects from these hazards.
Non-attainment Area: An area, as defined under Section 107 of the Clean Air Act, that is in violation of one or more of the
national ambient air quality standards.
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Glossary
Non-ferrous: Describes metals which contain no iron.
Non-sparking Tools: Tools which are made from beryllium-copper, aluminum or bronze greatly reduce the possibility of
igniting dusts, gases or flammable liquid vapors. These tools emit some sparks, but the low heat content of the sparks
greatly reduces the probability of ignitions.
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer.
Oil: A relatively viscous liquid which has an oily or slippery feel; frequently obtained from various natural sources. Oils can
be used as modifiers for alkyd resins, as paint vehicles, as varnish constituents, as plasticizers, etc.
Oil Base Paints: Paints which form solid films by the air-induced crosslinking of certain plant oils known as
drying oils.
Olefins: A class of unsaturated, aliphatic hydrocarbons having one or more double bonds. The double bonds make these
compounds highly chemically reactive and useful as starting materials for the manufacture of other compounds. Examples
are ethylene and propylene.
Opaque: Impervious to light or not transparent.
Open Coat: A type of sandpaper coating in which abrasive particles are scattered in a low density to prevent it from
clogging up.
Orange Peel: An irregularity in the surface of a paint film resulting from the inability of the wet film to “level out” after being
applied. Orange peel appears as a characteristically uneven or dimpled surface to the eye, but usually feels smooth to the
touch.
Orbital Sander: Type of sander that uses a circular (orbit) motion to accomplish the sanding of different materials.
Organic Materials: Compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and other elements with chain or ring structures.
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Agency.
Outdoor Exposure: Outdoor exposure is perhaps the most realistic way to measure the behavior of a paint film.
Traditional exposure tests have one major drawback: they are slow. For this reason, Florida black box testing or other
accelerated techniques are frequently used.
Oven: A piece of equipment used to bake finishes. Typically used at OEM manufacturers, whose applied finishes may
require high temperatures (180°F) to cure.
Overall Painting: A type of refinish in which the entire car is completely repainted.
Overbake: The result of curing paint film at too high a combination of time and temperature. The film often becomes too
hard and may embrittle. Sometimes gloss is adversely affected.
Overlap: That specific area of coverage in which one spray pattern application is extended over and partly covered by the
next application.
Over-reduce: To add more thinner or reducer to a paint than is normally necessary for application. This is sometimes done
in order to lower the paint viscosity, to aid in blending, or to achieve a special color effect.
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Glossary
Overspray: An overlap of dry spray particles on areas that were not meant to be painted, or on previously painted areas
where they do not melt in. (See Dry Spray.)
Oxidation: The chemical combination of oxygen and the vehicle of a paint which leads to drying; the destructive
combination of oxygen with a dry paint film leading to degradation or the destructive combination of oxygen and a metal (for
example, rust).
Oxygenated Solvent: An organic solvent containing oxygen as part of the molecular structure. Alcohols and ketones are
oxygenated compounds often used as paint solvents.
Ozone: A triatomic form of oxygen that is formed naturally in the upper atmosphere by a photochemical reaction with solar
ultraviolet radiation. Use of chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs) plus some organic solvents can cause a reaction in the
atmosphere which reduces the protective ozone layer.
Paint: A material which, when applied as a liquid to a surface, forms a solid film for the purpose of decoration and/or
protection. Generally a paint contains a binder, solvent and pigment. Often other materials are present to give special
properties to a paint film. Examples of such additives are accelerators, UV screeners, flow agents, etc.
Paint Remover: A chemical that breaks down an old finish by liquefying it.
Paint Strainer: A filter used to clean paint as it is poured into the gun cup.
Panel Repair: A type of refinish repair job in which a complete section (door, hood, rear deck, etc.) is repainted.
Particle Size: The size of the pigment particle in a dispersion.
parts per million (ppm): A unit for measuring the concentration of a gas vapor in air. Also used to indicate the
concentration of a particular substance in a liquid or solid.
Passivation: The conversion of a metal surface to a less reactive state. A process used to reduce the corrosion rate of a
metal surface.
Pastel: A light color; one containing a lot of white.
P/B (Pigment-to-Binder ratio): The ratio of the weight of pigment to the weight of binder in a paint.
PDS (Product Data Sheet): Technical information sheets on a specific product; description, mixing, application, safety
and handling.
Pearls: Finishes which include mica flakes in addition to the pigment and binder.
Pearlescent: Color likened to a pearl in beauty, having a pearly (lustrous, variously colored effect) gloss or shine.
Peeling: The failure of paint film to adhere to its substrate. Peeling results when contaminated surfaces are painted, when
there is an excessive difference between paint and surface polarity or thermal expansion, or when there is solvent
incompatibility.
PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit): Occupational exposure limit established by OSHA. Time weighted average limit or
maximum concentration exposure limit.

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Glossary
pH: A measure of the acidity or basicity of a substance in aqueous solution. 7 is neutral. Below 7 is acid and above 7 is
basic. The scale is from 0 (strong acid) to 14 (strong base).
Phosphating: The formation of a layer of zinc, iron or manganese phosphate crystals on the surface of the part to be
painted. Phosphate coatings are used to increase corrosion resistance and improve paint adhesion.
Phosphoric Acid: An acid commonly used as a catalyst to speed up the cure of some baking finishes, usually
alkyd/nitrogen resin combinations. Also a cleaner for ferrous metals.
Photochemical Oxidant: Ozone and smaller amouts of other irritating chemicals, such as peroxyacetyl nitrate, which are
products of atmospheric reactions of volatile organic compounds, NOx and sunlight. Photochemical oxidants are a major
portion of the air pollution commonly known as ”smog.“
Photochemically Reactive: Measure of the rate at which an organic compound reacts in the presence of ultraviolet
radiation to form photochemical oxidants.
Pickling: The use of a chemical solution to prepare a surface for painting or bonding by dissolving away surface oxides
and other impurities. A certain amount of base metal may also be removed.
Pigment: Small particles added to paint to influence properties such as color, corrosion resistance, mechanical strength,
etc. Pigments may be colored, semitransparent, black, white or colorless. They must be incorporated into a paint system by
some dispersion process.
Pigment Volume Concentration (PVC): The percent by volume of a pigment in the total volume of solid material
in a paint.
Pinholing: A defect consisting of tiny holes in the paint. Defects such as pinholing, popping, bubbling and cratering are
caused by solvent vapors forming from the substrate or the paint and rising to the surface.
Pitting: The appearance of hole or pits in a paint film while it is wet. Related to crawling and poor wetting.
Plastic Filler: A compound of resin and fiberglass used to fill dents on car bodies.
Plastic Substrate Identifiers: Common abbreviations for automotive plastics.

ABS: (CYCOLAC; LUSTRAN; CADON) Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (Rigid)
PBT: Polybutylene terephthalate plastics
PC: (XENOY) Polycarbonate plastics (Rigid)
PC + PBT: (XENOY) Polycarbonate + Polybutylene Terephthalate (Rigid)
PE: Polyethelene (Flexible)
PP: Polypropylene plastics
PPE: Polyphenylene plastics
PUR: (RIM; RRIM) Polyurethane, thermoset (unsaturated) plastics (Flexible)
RIM: (PUR) Reaction Injected Molded (Flexible)
RRIM: (PUR) Reinforced Reaction Injection Molded (Flexible)
TPUR: (TPU; RTPU) Polyurethane plastics (Flexible)
TPO: (TEO; E/P) Polyolefinic plastics (Flexible)
UP: (SMC) Polyester thermoset, unsaturated (Rigid)
Plasticizer: A low molecular weight substance added to polymeric materials such as paints to improve
their flexibility.
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Glossary
Poise: A measure of viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter.
Polishing: The use of polishes, either by hand or machine, to level and provide more gloss to a finish.
Polishing Compound: A material applied to a vehicle’s surface which removes minor imperfections with minimal cutting
action. Buffing restores film to a high gloss appearance.
Poly: A prefix meaning many.
Polyester: A polymer formed from a reaction between many pairs of polycarboxylic acid and alcohol molecules.
Polyester Putty: A plastic filler material used to fill imperfections prior to painting.
Polyethylene: A common thermoplastic polymer.
Polymers: Very large molecules built up by the combination of many small molecules through a chemical process called
polymerization. They often consist of many thousands of atoms, usually in chains or networks of repeating units.
Polymerization: The formation of a polymer from monomers by chemical reaction. There are several types of
polymerization processes.
Polyolefin: A class of plastic materials used to make flexible bumper covers, etc.
Polypropylene: One of the more common polyolefin thermoplastics.
Polyurethane: A chemical linkage in finishes that is characterized by durability and high gloss. Also used for some plastic
and flexible parts.
Popping: A paint defect characterized by raised bumps in the surface caused by solvent vapor forming within the paint
after it has begun to “skin over.”
Pot Life: The useful sprayable life of a paint after mixing. Usually refers to paints which are mixed with a curing agent just
before application. Pot life may vary from minutes to hours, depending on the chemicals involved and the ambient
temperature.
Powder Coatings: Any coating which is applied to the surface as a dry, finely ground powder and then heated above its
melting point so that the powder particles flow together to form a film.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Devices or clothing worn to help isolate a worker from direct exposure to
hazardous materials.
Precoat: This is a coating category that exists in many automobile refinishing regulations. It typically refers to a coating that
is applied directly to bare metal to deactivate the metal surface prior to the application of a waterborne or low VOC primer.
The purpose of the precoat in a coating system is to improve the adhesion and corrosion performance of the undercoat
system.
Pressure-feed Gun: A spray gun equipped with a separate paint container that is pressurized and connected to the spray
gun by means of hoses.

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Glossary
Pretreatment: This is a coating category that exists in all automobile refinishing regulations. It refers to a coating that is
applied directly to bare metal and that contains a specific amount of acid, typically 0.5% by weight, to provide surface
etching. The purpose of a pretreatment in a coating system is to provide corrosion resistance and adhesion. In some VOC
regulations a pretreatment is referred to as a PRETREATMENT WASH PRIMER.
Primer: The first coat of paint applied to a substrate, designed to provide adhesion and corrosion resistance.
Primer-sealer: An undercoat which improves adhesion of the topcoat, and which seals old painted surfaces that have been
sanded; usually does not require sanding.
Primer-surfacer: An undercoat which fills small imperfections in the substrate and which usually must be sanded.
PSI: Pounds per Square Inch.
Putty: A high viscosity, heavily pigmented material used to fill holes or to smooth out a rough surface.
PVA: Polyvinyl Acetate.
Quarter Panel: Side panel which is generally a quarter of the total length of the vehicle and extends from the rear door to
the end of the car.
Ready-To-Spray (RTS): Describes paint which has been properly mixed with all necessary components and is ready to
apply to the substrate.
Recoating: The application of fresh paint material over a recently painted material.
Reduce: To lower the viscosity of a paint by the addition of solvent or thinner.
Reducer: A solvent used to reduce or thin enamels to sprayable viscosity. (See Thinner.)
Refinish: Repair of an OEM or previously painted substrate.
Relative Humidity: The content of water vapor in the atmosphere at a given temperature.
Resin: A solid or semisolid material, usually polymeric, which deposits a film and is the actual film forming ingredient in
paint. Solutions of polymers are often called resins, but the term actually applies only to the film forming solids, not to the
solution.
Respirator: A device worn over the face to filter particles and fumes out of the air being breathed. (See Chemical Cartridge
Respirator and Supplied Air Respirator.)
Retarder: A slow-evaporating solvent added to a paint to prolong the drying time. Typically used to reduce orange peel or
blushing.
RPM: Revolutions per minute.
Rubbing Compound: An abrasive that smoothes and polishes the paint film. Also polishing compound. (See Polishing
Compound.)
Runs and Sags: A heavy application of sprayed material that causes the film to slide or droop under its own weight.
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Glossary
Rust: The corrosion product which forms on iron or steel when it is exposed to oxygen and water. Also
called oxidation.
Sagging: Excessive flow on a vertical surface resulting in drips and other imperfections on the painted surface. Occurs not
only when the paint is wet, but also during baking in certain types of paints.
Salt Spray Testing: The use of salt solution spray testing of paint films in an attempt to accelerate the corrosion process
and cause early paint failure. Panels are usually exposed for up to 14 days to a mist of 5% sodium chloride solution. The
panels are evaluated for two types of rusting: (1) face rusting – the percentage of the surface which has visible rust through
the paint;
(2) scratch/creepback rusting – the distance that has rusted away from a line scratched through the film of the metal.
Sand: To smooth a surface with an abrasive paper or cloth.
Sandblasting: A method of cleaning metal, usually steel, by applying an abrasive with pressurized air.
Sander (Polisher): A power tool used with abrasives to sand or polish surfaces quickly.
Sanding Block: A hard, flexible block to provide a smooth, consistent backing for hand sanding.
Sandscratch Swelling: Exaggerated distortion of sanding marks in the underlying surface, usually caused by solvents in
the topcoat attacking the substrate.
Sandscratches: Tracking in the topcoat of sanding marks in the substrate.
SARA (Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act): Certain chemicals defined as toxic are reported under
various SARA Titles during each year.
Saturation: A term referring to a color’s purity or richness. The more chroma in a color, the more saturated that color is.
Scratch Rusting: Rusting which occurs along a line which has been scratched through a painted surface to the base
metal. Such rust is a severe test of a paint’s ability to adhere to a surface adjacent to a scratch or chip. Also called
“creepback rusting.”
Scuff Pad: An abrasive pad used to lightly sand a surface.
Sealer: An undercoat that enhances adhesion. Provides uniform color holdout and an even, level surface for topcoat
application.
Seeding: The development of tiny insoluble particles in paint which results in a rough or gritty film.
Semi-gloss: An intermediate gloss level between high and low gloss.
Sensitization: Development of an allergic reaction when exposed to an irritant or other substance.
Sensitizer: A substance which on exposure can cause an allergic reaction.
Settling: Gravity separation of one or more components from a paint and the resulting layer of material on the bottom
of a container.

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Glossary
Shade: Variation of a color. A color that is basically blue can have a red shade or yellow shade as well as being blue.
Shade is also called tone or undertone, since it describes the subtle tone of a color.
Sheen: The gloss or flatness of a film when viewed at a low angle.
Shrinkage: Loss of solvent during the drying/curing process of a paint film.
Sidedraft Booth: A spray booth in which air movement is from the front to back.
Side-tone: Viewing the repaired area from an angle just past the reflection of the light source.
Silicone Oils: Oil liquids containing polymers of alternating silicone and oxygen atoms. They have a surface tension
lowering effect when mixed with paints. Often used to control foaming. Silicone oils can cause fish eyes if they remain on
surfaces prior to painting.
Sink-in: Term applied when one coat of paint is partially absorbed by the previous one.
Siphon-feed Gun: A spray gun that has the paint container connected directly below it. Air flowing across the feed creates
a vacuum and draws the paint from the container. (See Suction-feed Gun.)
Skinning: The formation of a thin, tough film on the surface of a liquid paint film, usually due to oxidation, hardening or
drying of the paint.
SMC (Sheet Molded Compound): Fiber plastic material molded to a certain form and used as an outer panel on
a vehicle.
Solids: The part of the paint that does not evaporate but stays on the surface to form a film. Usually measured on a weight
or volume basis.
Solution: Homogeneous liquid or mixture of two or more chemical substances.
Solvation: The phenomenon in which the molecules of a solvent surround and are attached to a particle of the material
dissolved.
Solvency: The ability of a liquid to dissolve a solid. Measured by the viscosity of a solution at a certain concentration of
solid resin. The same solvent may have different solvency for different resins.
Solvent: A liquid which will dissolve something, usually resins or other binder components. Commonly an
organic liquid.
Solvent Blend: The particular mixture of liquids that gives a paint the desired flow or evaporation properties.
Solvent Density: The weight per unit volume of a solvent or solvent mixture.
Solvent Popping: Bumps or small craters that form on the paint film, which are caused by trapped solvent.
Solventborne: Describes a paint which contains organic solvents rather than water as its primary liquid component.
Specific Gravity: An expression of the density (or heaviness) of a material. Ratio of the mass of a body to the mass of an
equal volume of water at 4ÞC or other specified temperature.
™
Glossary
Spot Repair: A type of refinish repair job in which a section of the car smaller than a panel is refinished (often called “ding”
or “dent” work). The paint is usually blended into the surrounding area.
paint is atomized Spray: Paint is atomized in a spray gun and the stream of atomized paint is directed at the part to be painted. Atomization
may be by high pressure air, by high pressure stream, by high fluid pressure, or by electrical means in an electrostatic
process.
Spray Booth: An enclosure used to paint a vehicle. It has controlled air flow and occasionally temperature control or
baking capability.
Spray Gun: A device that mixes paint and compressed air to atomize and control the spray pattern as the paint leaves the
fluid needle and cap.
Spreader Adjusting Valve: The adjustment valve on a compressed air spray gun which directs an air stream against the
sides of an atomized paint cloud to adjust the spray pattern.
Squeegee: A rubber block used to wipe off wet sanded areas and to apply filler or putty.
Stabilizer: Something added to paint to prevent degradation.
Staining: (See Chemical Staining.)
Steel: A ferrous metal commonly used as a substrate for paint, which must be painted to prevent corrosion.
STEL: Short-term Exposure Limit.
Straight Line Sander: Sander that uses a back-and-forth movement to sand a surface using sandpaper on its shoe.
Strength: The opacity and/or tinting power of the pigment. The measure of the ability of a pigment to hide or color. (See
Tinting Strength.)
Strippable Coating: Also called booth coating. A coating which is easily peeled from booth walls, floors or other areas
needing protection from overspray. When the coating becomes sufficiently covered, it is peeled or scraped away and
replaced by a new layer of strippable material.
Styrene: A low cost, colorless monomer which polymerizes readily. Widely used to make plastic articles and polyester
finishes.
Substrate: The object or material to be painted. It may be bare metal or an old finish.
Suction-feed Gun: A spray gun that has the paint container connected directly below it. Air flowing across the feed creates
a vacuum and, thus, draws the paint from the container. (See Siphon-feed Gun.)
Supplied Air Respirator: A respirator that provides safe breathing air to a painter while working with paints. The air supply
provides not only breathing air but positive pressure on the edges of the mask to eliminate any contaminants from the
outside air.
Surfacer: A heavily-pigmented paint designed to be applied to a substrate for the purpose of smoothing or uniforming the
surface for subsequent coats of paint. Usually sanding is required. (See Primer.)

™
Glossary
Synthetic Resin: Any resin not produce by nature; manmade.
Tack: The stickiness of a paint film or an adhesive. The time it takes for an air drying paint to reach a tack-free
Tack Cloth or Rag: A cloth coated with a sticky substance used to remove dirt and lint prior to painting.
Tack Coat: The first enamel coat, applied full and allowed to flash only until it is quite sticky.
Tack-free Time: An indicator of a coating’s hardness development. The surface of the film will not finger print, yet the film
is not dry and hard throughout.
Tail Solvent: A slow-evaporating solvent that leaves the paint at a slow rate and allows the film to continue to flow and
level.
Talc: An extender pigment – magnesium silicate.
Tape Tracking: Markings left behind on a paint film when material was taped before it was hard enough to resist pressure
marks.
Tempering: Baking of plastic parts (typically at 140 °F) to drive off internal mold release agents prior to painting. Removal
of mold release agents through proper preparation is critical to obtaining good adhesion of the paint to the plastic part.
Theoretical Coverage: Describes a paint’s film thickness or hiding power. Defined as the number of square feet a coating
will cover at 1 mil film thickness. (See coverage, Hiding.)
Thermal Cycling: Alternately heating and cooling a painted object to determine what effect this variation has on the paint’s
properties. The temperature may range from about 93° C (200° G) to well below -18° C (0° F)
Thermoplastic: A type of polymer paint or plastic which softens and melts when heated and then resolidifies upon cooling.
An example is acrylic lacquer paint.
Thermosetting: A type of polymer, paint or plastic which once formed is permanently set, and does not dissolve or heat
soften. Since it does not melt, such a materials is said to be thermosetting. Thermosetting paints can be heated to speed
up the crosslinking reaction. The solvent is driven off during the heating process and the paint reacts to form a permanent
film. Enamels and alkyd baking primers are examples.
Thinner: Solvent added to a lacquer to reduce its viscosity to sprayable consistency. (See Reducer.)
Thixotropy: The tendency for the viscosity of a liquid to be shear-rate-dependent. When the liquid is rapidly shaken,
brushed or otherwise mechanically disturbed, the viscosity decreases rapidly. Thixotropic behavior is the result of
molecules or particles in the liquid forming weakly associated structures which break apart upon agitation.
Through Cure: The completion of the curing process point at which no further chemical reaction can occur to aid in film
formation.
Tint: An individual pigment from a family of pigments used on a mixing machine to produce a color match to the vehicle to
be painted. Sometimes called tinting base or base.
Tinting Strength: the ability of a pigment to change the color of a paint to which it is added. Some pigments have high
tinting strength and only a small amount is necessary to make a large change in color. Others have low tinting strength.
™
Glossary
Titanium Dioxide: A non-toxic, non-reactive, white pigment. Has the greatest hiding power of all white pigments.
TLEV (Threshold Limit Exposure Value): Airborne concentration to which nearly all persons can be exposed day after
day without adverse effects. Time-weighted average limit.
Toluene: A widely used solvent or diluent or a cosolvent. A fast-evaporating, high solvency, aromatic hydrocarbon. Toluol
is a common name.
Topcoat: The final layer of paint applied to a substrate. Several coats of topcoat may be applied in some cases.
Touch up: A method of repainting performed on a new or used vehicle for any reason. Also refers to correcting minor
scratches by a brush, etc.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethante): Plastic that can be softened by applying heat, reshaped and welded.
Transfer Efficiency: The measure of materials applied vs. amount of material originally sprayed.
Transparent: Allowing light to pass through; not opaque.
Tri-coat: A basecoat followed by a transparent midcoat followed by clearcoat, to provide a special color effect on the
vehicle.
Trichlorethylene: A solvent used to degrease and clean metal substrate for painting.
TWA (Time Weighted Average): The average allowed exposure (airborne concentration) weighted over an eight-hour
work shift.
Two-component System: Materials such as some paints, fillers and adhesives which require the addition of a hardener or
activator to accomplish a chemical reaction, causing them to cure. Also described as “2K”.
Two-tone: Two different colors on a single paint job.
Ultraviolet Light: That portion of the spectrum which is largely responsible for the degradation of paints. It is invisible to
the eye and is also called “black light.” It also can be used to cure some paints.
UN Number: See DOT Identification Number
Underbake: The result of curing a paint film at too low a combination of time and temperature. The film may be too soft for
good durability.
Undercoat: A first coat; primer, sealer or surfacer applied to the substrate. Frequently used to provide corrosion protection
and adhesion.
Urethane: A type of paint or polymer which results from the reaction of an isocyanate with a hydroxyl containing
component. Urethanes are noted for their toughness and abrasion resistance. (See Polyurethane.)
UV Stabilizers: Chemicals added to paint to absorb the ultraviolet radiation present in sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation
decomposes the polymer molecules in a paint film and thus UV stabilizers are used to prolong paint life.

™
Glossary
Value: The degree of darkness or lightness of a color.
ValueShade®: A patented DuPont system designed to improve color matching based on the application of color over a
predetermined shade of gray, ranging from ValueShade® 1 (White) to ValueShade® 7 (Dark Gray). This system utilizes
primers, sealers and groundcoat colors.
Vapor Density: The weight of a vapor or gas compared to the weight of an equal volume of air; an expression of the
density of the vapor or gas calculated as the average molecular weight of the gas to the average molecular weight of air,
which is 29. The mw of gas/29 = vapor density. Materials lighter than air have vapor densities of less than 1.0. Materials
heavier than air have vapor densities greater than 1.0.
Vapor Particulate Respirator: See Chemical Cartridge Respirator.
Vapor Pressure: The pressure exerted by a saturated vapor above its won liquid in a closed cup container. Vapor
pressure reported on MSDS’s are in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) at 68° F (20° C), unless stated otherwise.
Vehicle: All of a paint except the pigment. This includes solvents, diluents, resins, gums, driers, etc. The liquid portion of a
paint.
Veiling: The formation of a web or strings in a paint as it emerges from a spray gun.
Velometer: A device that measures air flow.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): Assigned to each automobile by its manufacturer to identify the model, year,
production sequence and other vehicle specific information.
Vinyl: A class of monomers which can be combined to form vinyl polymers. Widely used to make chemical resistant
finishes, tough plastic articles, phonogram records and floor tiles.
Viscosity: The flow rate of a liquid. Solvents affect the fluidity or flowability of the paint. Paint viscosity must allow proper
atomization and flow-out. Viscosity can be determined by measuring the time ti takes for a given amount of liquid to flow
through a set orifice.
VOC Content: The measure of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) in solventborne paints. Usually stated as the weight in
pounds of non-exempt solvent per gallon of paint.
Volatility: The tendency of a liquid to evaporate, Liquids with high boiling points have low volatility and vise versa.
Volatility affects flash-off time and fire hazard consideration.
Volume Solids: The percent, on a volume basis, of the non-volatile material in a paint.
Wash Primer: A primer that forms an anti-corrosive chemical film when applied on a sheet of metal. Also called an etching
primer.
Water Spotting: A condition caused by water evaporating on a finish before it has thoroughly dried or cured, which results
in a dulling of the gloss in spots.
Waterborne: A type of paint which uses water as its primary carrier rather than typical organic solvents.
Weathering: The change in a paint film by exposure to natural forces, such as sunlight, rain, dust, wind.
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Glossary
Weatherometer: A machine designed to simulate the effects of weathering.
Weight Solids: The percent on a weight basis, of non-volatile material in a paint.
Wet Film Gauge: A device used to determine wet film thickness of paint after application.
Wet-on-Wet Application: A painting method by which a second coat of paint is applied over the first before it hardens and
dries.
Wet Sand: A technique involving the sanding of a surface while it is being flushed with water. This permits smoothing
surface defects before subsequent coats are applied.
Wet Spots: Discoloration caused where the paint fails to dry and adhere uniformly (usually caused by grease or finger
marks).
Wetting: The process by which a liquid forms intimate contact with the substrate to which it is applied.
Wrap Around: The phenomenon by which electrically charged paint droplets curve around to the rear side of the object
being painted.
Wrinkling: Surface distortion (shriveling or skinning) that occurs in a thick coat of enamel due to uneven cure or recoating
an uncured paint film.
Xylene: A high solvency, medium evaporating, aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. Also called xylol.
Yellowing: A yellow discoloration to the paint color. Commonly caused by smoke, grease, certain gases, and also
exposure to sunlight.
Zahn Cup: A devise to measure viscosity. Calibrated in different sizes (numbers) for different liquids.
Zinc: A difficult metal substrate to paint due to its reactivity. Also, a constituent of a drier or a pigment.
Zinc Chromate: A yellow, corrosion resistant pigment useful on steel.
Zinc Oxide: White pigment, useful to prevent mold or mildew on paint films.
H-19330 03/07
E-R 2960


H-19330 - Gloss (Du Pont)

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ChromaSystem Technical Manual

Abrasive: Substance used to wear away or smooth a surface by friction.

Accelerate: To speed up a process.

Agitator: A paint mixer.

DuPont Performance Coatings 1

Aluminum: Metal used as a substrate or a pigment.

Aluminum Oxide: Sharp and hard abrasive.

Ambient: Usual or surrounding conditions.

Ambient Temperature: Temperature of the air surrounding an object.

Anhydrous: Without water.

Aqueous: Describes a water-based solution or suspension.

ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials.

Baffle: A part used in a spray gun to direct the air stream.

DuPont Performance Coatings 3

Brittleness: Lack of flexibility, usually combined with a lack of toughness.

Bronzing: The formation of a metallic-appearing haze on a paint film.

Butyl Acetate: A medium-evaporating solvent used in paint.

Calcium: A metal component of driers and pigments.

Carbitol: A slow lacquer solvent of the ether-alcohol type.

Centipoise: A unit for the measurement of viscosity.

Chromate: A heavy metal used to provide corrosion protection to metal.

Cleaner: Material used to clean a substrate.

Clouding: The formation or presence of a haze in a liquid or in a film.

Concentration: The amount of any substance in a solution.

Condensation: A change from a vapor to a liquid on a cold surface (commonly moisture).

DuPont Performance Coatings 7

DA (Dual Action): Refers to a power tool used for sanding substrates.

Dehydration: The removal of water.

Diacetone Alcohol: A slow-evaporating solvent for paint.

DOI (Distinctness of Image): A measurement of the accuracy of a reflection in a paint film.

Elpo Priming: (See Electrodeposition.)

Ethers: A class of organic compound, some of which may be used as solvents.

Ethyl Acetate: A fast evaporating ester solvent.

Ethyl Alcohol: An inexpensive, fast evaporating solvent, cosolvent or diluent.

DuPont Performance Coatings 10

Fan: The spray pattern of a gun.

Ferrous: Describes any metal composed of or containing iron.

Finish: A protective coating of paint; to apply a paint or paint system.

DuPont Performance Coatings 11

Flat: Lacking in gloss.

Flexibility: The ability of a paint film to withstand dimensional changes.

Flocculation: Clumping together of pigment particles within the wet paint.

Galvanized: Refers to steel treated with a zinc coating.

Gloss Meter: An apparatus for measuring the gloss of paint film.

Grit: Refers to the abrasive size used in sandpaper.

Hydroscopic: A paint film that readily absorbs water.

Immiscible: Incapable of mixing in or blending.

Iron Blue: A widely used blue pigment.

Iron Oxide Red: A widely used red pigment.

DuPont Performance Coatings 15

Latex: An emulsion; usually a dispersion of a polymer in water.

Lead: A metal commonly used in the manufacture of driers and pigments.

Lucite®: A DuPont trademark for acrylics.

Luster: Gloss or sheen of a finish.

LVLP: Low Volume, Low Pressure. (See HVLP.)

MACT: Maximum Achievable Control Technology.

DuPont Performance Coatings 16

Masking Paper: Paper designed to prevent paint from bleeding through.

Matching: In painting, to make colors look the same.

Matte: A surface with minimal reflection. The opposite of gloss.

Methacrylate: A class of acrylic polymers.

Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK): A fast-evaporating solvent.