GLOSSARY 

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F 

FABRIC

A general term to describe woven material (usually cotton) used as a backing for vinyl wallcoverings. 

FACE LAYER

Exposed layer of gypsum wallboard in multiply construction. 

FADING

Lightening of the colour of a pigmented paint following exposure to the effects of light, heat, time, temperature, chemicals, etc. 

FAN PATTERN

Shape of area where atomised paint is deposited during air or airless spray application. 

FAST DRYING

A paint that is ready for recoating in less than 24 hours. 

FAST SOLVENT

Solvent that evaporates rapidly under the application conditions (ambient temperature). 
 

FAUX FINISHING

A technique for finishing a surface to look like another material. Faux finishing can make the plain look fancy, metal look like wood, pine look like oak. It can simulate the appearance of marble, leather, and parchment, as well as stone finishes, gems, and fibres. 

FEATHERING

Reducing the thickness of the edge of dry paint film (e.g., the edge of a damaged area) prior to repainting. 

FIELD PAINTING

Surface preparation and/or application of paint to structural steel or other materials at a project site rather than in a shop. 

FILLER

A thick, pigmented composition for filling the pores or irregularities in a surface prior to application of other finishes; used to fill open-pore woods such as oak or walnut before applying paint or varnish. 

FILM

A layer or coat of material applied to a surface. 

FILM BUILD

The flow properties of a liquid coating that determine the film thickness achievable in a single coat without producing runs, sags, or other film defects. 

FILM FORMATION MECHANISM

The nature of the binder and its method of drying or curing determines the mechanism of film formation. The most common mechanisms for coatings are oxidation, solvent evaporation, and polymerisation. 

FILM FORMER

A material capable of being applied to form a continuous dry film. 

FILM INTEGRITY

Degree of continuity of coating film. Coatings with no or very few defects have a high degree of film integrity. 

FILM THICKNESS

The wet or dry thickness of a coating on a substrate. 

FILM THICKNESS GAUGE

A tool used to measure the wet or dry film thickness of a coating. 

FINISH COAT

The last coat applied in a painting operation. A finish coat is formulated specifically for environmental resistance and appearance. 

FIRE-RETARDANT (FIRE-RESISTANT) COATING

A coating that will do one or more of the following:

1. Reduce the flame spread on the substrate over which the coating is  applied;

2. Resist ignition of the substrate when exposed to high temperature; or

3. Insulate the substrate and thereby prolong the time required to reach its  ignition, melting, or structural-weakening temperature. 

FIRST LAYER

Base layer of gypsum wallboard attached to framing members in multiply construction. 

FISH EYE

A defect that forms small dimples resembling fish eyes in a coating film. 

FLAKING

Detachment of pieces of coating film, either from the substrate or from the previously applied coating. 

FLAME SPRAYING

The spray application of a coating whereby metal wire, metallic powder, or thermoplastic powder is melted using a spray gun with a torch-like flame and then sprayed with compressed air. 

FLAMMABILITY

Measure of the ease of catching fire and the capability of burning. This word is preferred to the word "inflammability," which is sometimes interpreted as not flammable. 

FLASHING

The non-uniform appearance of walls or other surfaces on which a coating dries with spotty differences in colour or gloss, usually due to improper sealing of porous areas.

FLASH POINT

The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapor to form an ignitable mixture with the air near the surface of the liquid or within the container. 

FLASH RUSTING

Rusting that occurs on metal within minutes to a few hours after exposure to moisture. 

FLAT APPLICATOR

A rectangular-shaped flat pad with an attached handle that is used to paint shingles, shakes, and other surfaces.

FLAT PAINT

A type of paint having no lustre or gloss in the dried film. 

FLAT VARNISH

Varnish made with reduced gloss by the addition of finely divided silica or other pigments. Alternately, a glossy varnished surface can be dulled by rubbing with fine sandpaper, pumice, or stone. 

FLEXIBILITY

The ability of a cured coating to conform to the movement or deformation of its supporting surface without cracking or flaking. 

FLOATING

The separation of pigments and/or colorants on a coating’s surface. 

FLOATING BUTT JOINT

Placing gypsum drywall panels so that butt joints occur between framing members. 

FLOOR AND DECK ENAMEL

An enamel designed for excellent abrasion resistance and smooth surfaces. Because it is rarely applied to vertical surfaces, it is made with maximum flow to insure good levelling. 

FLOOR TOPPING

A special coating applied to a concrete floor to protect it from harsh chemicals, abrasive and mechanical wear, and other detrimental conditions. 

FLORAL STRIPE

Striped wallcovering pattern in which flower motifs are introduced. 

FLORAL

Wallcovering whose designs feature flowers and foliage, usually in natural colours and not conventionalised. 

FLOW AGENT

Compound added to a paint to improve the flow properties of the coating after application. 

FLOW COATING

A coating of paint that is poured or flowed over an object. Any excess is allowed to drain off and may be reusable. This procedure is used to coat the interiors of pipes and small vessels and the exteriors of surfaces inaccessible by other application methods. 
 

FLOWING VARNISH

A varnish designed to produce a smooth, lustrous surface without rubbing or polishing. 

FLOW-OUT

The degree to which a wet paint film can flow (level) after application so as to eliminate brush or roller marks, orange peel from spraying, or other film irregularities and produce a uniform coating surface on drying. 

FLUID TIP

The orifice end of a spray gun in which the needle is seated. [Master Painter’s Glossary.] 

FOIL

Thin, flexible sheets of wallcovering adhered to a paper or fabric back. Can be printed with clear or opaque materials to resemble various finishes. 

FORCED DRY

Baking the paint between room temperature and 150ø F to speed the drying process. 

FOREIGN MATTER

Insoluble foreign particles such as sand, lint, dust, and dirt that get mixed with the coating material before, during, or after application, causing the formation of raised specks in the dried film. 

FORM RELEASE AGENT

Compound such as petroleum oil, wax, or silicone that is applied to concrete forms to allow easy removal from poured concrete after it has cured. 

FRACTURE

A break in the face paper of gypsum wallboard that requires identical treatment as joints. 

FULL COAT

Application of a coating at the full specified film thickness designed to achieve a desired effect. 

FUNGICIDE

An additive used to enhance a coating’s ability to resist fungus growth that can cause discolouration and ultimately decompose the binding medium.