GLOSSARY 

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R 

RAILROADING

The application of wallcovering strips in a horizontal plane. 

REACTIVE DILUENT

A coating viscosity reducer that has low volatility and becomes a permanent part of the coating through chemical reaction, usually under ambient conditions. 

RECOAT TIME

Time interval required between applications of successive coats.  

REDUCER

A volatile liquid added to a coating, varnish, resin, latex, or emulsion for the purpose of lowering its viscosity and/or none volatile content (percent solids). 

REFLECTANCE

The ability of a coating film to reflect or return the light that falls upon its surface. 

RELIEF

A type of decoration in which a design is made prominent by raising it or by cutting away the surface or background of the material. High relief means greatly raised design; low relief means a slightly raised one. Shadow is often used to create relief effect in wallcovering. 

REPEAT

The distance from the centre of one motif or pattern of a wallcovering to the centre of the next. 

REPLICA TAPE

A specially constructed tape used to measure surface profile. The tape is pressed against the surface, after which the impression created by the profile in the tape is measured with a micrometer. 

RESIN

General term applied to a wide variety of more or less transparent and fusible products, which are of natural or synthetic origin. They vary widely in colour. 

RESPIRATOR

A mask covering the user’s breathing zone that either supplies breathable air or filters impurities from the ambient air. 

RESPIRATOR FIT TEST

Tests undertaken to assure that a respirator properly fits an employee. Qualitative fit tests are used for half-mask respirators. Quantitative fit tests are required for negative pressure respirators. 

RETARDER

A component added to a coating to slow down a particular chemical or physical change. For example, a slowly evaporating solvent may be added to a paint to delay the setting of the coating film after application. 

RETREATING COLOUR

Colour such as blue or green that sometimes give the appearance of retreating from the viewer. 

RIDGING

See BEADING. 
 

RIGGING

The process of selecting and setting up supports, cables and ropes, and scaffolding systems to provide safe access to elevated work areas. 

ROLLING SCAFFOLD

Type of scaffold. 

ROOF COATING

An asphalt material designed for application to asphalt roofs. 

ROPE GRAB

A metal device that attaches to one end of a lanyard and fits onto a lifeline. It is designed not to move when pulled downward so that it will prevent a worker who falls from an elevated work site from sliding down the lifeline. 

ROPEY

Quality of paint that does not flow out evenly and dries with slight ridges. This effect also can be the result of poor workmanship when a coating is applied too thick in one spot and too thin in an adjacent spot. 

ROSIN

Natural resin obtained from living pine trees or from dead tree stumps and knots. 

ROTARY PEENER

A rotary impact power tool that uses rotating action to impact different shapes of heavy-duty steel cutters against a steel or concrete surface to remove heavy coatings and contaminants. 

ROTTENSTONE

A brown siliceous stone used as an abrasive; similar in nature to pumice stone, though softer in texture. 

RUBBING VARNISH

A varnish formulated to provide high gloss and good rubbing and polishing characteristics. It produces a hard, brittle, clear film that has little exterior durability or water resistance. 

RUN (sag, sagging)

Irregularity of a coating surface due to the application of paint that is too thick (heavy). When excessive paint flows out unevenly, runs are produced. 

RUST

Reddish, brittle material, primarily hydrated iron oxide, that forms on iron and ferrous metals as a result of exposure to humid atmosphere or chemical attack. 
 

RUST GRADE

The initial condition of unpainted steel before surface preparation. 

  • RUST GRADE A - The steel surface is completely covered with adherent mill scale; little or no rust is visible. 
  • RUST GRADE B - The steel surface is covered with both mill scale and rust.
  • RUST GRADE C - The steel surface is completely covered with rust; little or no pitting is visible.
  • RUST GRADE D - The steel surface is completely covered with rust and pitting is visible.