GLOSSARY 

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H 

HALF-SHEET SANDER

A power tool with a flat, rectangular pad to which a half sheet of sandpaper is clamped. Half-sheet sanders work well on large, flat surfaces. 

HARDENER

Additive (cross-linking agent, resin, or other modifier) used to promote or control the hardening or curing reaction of a coating or resin system. 

HAZARD

A danger that may result in personal injury or death when a substance or object is used in a particular quantity or manner or a procedure is done without regard for safe working practices. Hazards present in painting operations include toxic substances, materials that can ignite and/or explode, electrocution, falls, confined spaces, hand- and power-operated equipment, lead paint removal, etc. 

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE

A substance that, by reason of being explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, or otherwise harmful, is likely to cause death or injury when misused. 

HEAT AGING

The deterioration of a coating, wallcovering, or other material as a result of exposure to elevated temperatures. 

HEAT GUN

A tool used to blow very hot air onto a painted surface to soften the paint film for easy removal with a scraper. A heat gun should be used with care; it can be a fire hazard when used improperly. 

HEAT RESISTANCE

The ability of a coating to resist deterioration when exposed continuously or periodically to high temperatures at or below a given level, which depends on the binder type and other coating ingredients. 

HEAT STRIPPING

Use of a heat gun to soften existing paint film for removal by scraping. 

HEATER

A heater is used to control the viscosity of coating materials for plural-component, airless, and sometimes air spraying systems. Heaters can be placed in the supply container, in the supply hose (in-line), or both. 

HEAVY-CENTERED SPRAY PATTERN

An uneven spray pattern having more coating in the centre and less at the edges. 

HEPA FILTER

An air filter that removes 99.97 percent of all particles larger than 0.3 micron. 

HEPA VACUUM

High-efficiency particulate air-filtered vacuum designed to remove lead- contaminated dust. 

HIDING PIGMENT

Pigment with a high refractive index to give a coating the most hiding power. Rutile titanium dioxide, anatase titanium dioxide, zinc sulphide, and zinc oxide are materials with high refractive indices. 

HIDING POWER

The ability of a coat of paint, which has been properly applied, to hide a surface or a previous coating on that surface. 

HIGH BUILD COATING

A coating designed to be applied thicker (usually 5 mils or more) than most paint films and thinner (about 30 mils or less) than most trowel-applied coatings. 

HIGH EFFICIENCY PARTICULATE AIR (HEPA) FILTER

An air filter that removes 99.97 percent of all particles larger than 0.3 micron. 

HIGH FLASH (HI-FLASH) NAPHTHA

A hydrocarbon solvent mixture composed primarily of aromatic compounds and having a flash point above 113 degrees F. 

HIGH GLOSS

The sheen on dry finish that is full gloss. 

HIGH SOLIDS COATING

A coating with considerably higher none volatile matter (NVM) than conventional. 

HIGH VOLUME-LOW PRESSURE SPRAYING

HVLP spraying uses a high volume of air delivered at a low pressure to atomise paint into a lower velocity stream than conventional air spraying. The resulting "soft" spray does not bounce off the substrate or blow by it as readily as conventional air spray does. 

HOLIDAY

A spot on a painted surface that was missed and not covered by one or more coats of paint. 

HOLIDAY DETECTOR

An instrument using electric current (low voltage, high voltage or AC electrostatic) to detect nicks, scrapes, pinholes, or weak spots in a protective coating film. 

HOT MELT APPLICATION

The application of a coating that has been heated to reduce its viscosity. Hot melts can be applied by mop or swab, by brush, roller, or by flow coating. 

HOT SPOT

A spot in plaster that results from improper mixing. If paint is applied over a hot spot, a chemical reaction causes "burning," which damages the paint film. Hot spots must be coated with primer before painting. 

HOT SPRAYING

The spray application of a coating that has been heated to reduce its viscosity. 

HUE

The name of a colour, such as red, blue, or orange. 

HUMP JOINT

Raised joint caused by excessive application of joint compound by hand or machine. 

HVLP SPRAYING

HVLP (high volume-low pressure) spraying uses a high volume of air delivered at a low pressure to atomise paint into a lower velocity stream than conventional air spraying. 

HYDRAULIC SPRAYING

A coating application system that uses hydraulic pressure instead of air to atomise the paint. Atomisation is achieved by forcing the paint at high pressure (2,000 to 3,000 p.s.i.) through a spray nozzle with a small orifice (opening). 

HYDROBLASTING

Directing jets of pressurized water against a surface to remove paint and debris. Water jetting is typically classified as either high-pressure (10,000 to 25,000 p.s.i.) or ultra high-pressure (25,000 p.s.i. or greater). 
 

HYDROCARBON SOLVENT

Aliphatic, aromatic, or cyclic (cycloparaffinic, naphthenic) solvent consisting only of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Sometimes the term hydrocarbon is used loosely (but incorrectly) to refer to any organic compound. 

HYDROLYSIS

The process of curing by reacting with water either directly applied or obtained as vapour from the atmosphere.