Painting Contractors Industry Terminology

Abrasive blasting

Surface preparation method propelling abrasive media to remove contaminants and create a measurable surface profile for coating adhesion, often specified by SSPC/AMPP standards.

-Spec requires near-white metal, SSPC-SP 10, with a 2–3 mil profile -Schedule blasting before the zinc-rich primer -Humidity’s rising—pause blasting to prevent flash rust.

Adhesion test

On-site test of coating bond to substrate or between coats, commonly ASTM D3359 cross-hatch tape or ASTM D4541 pull-off.

-Run a D3359 adhesion test on the primer -Pull-off results must exceed 300 psi -Adhesion failed—surface was still chalky.

Airless sprayer

High-pressure pump that atomizes coatings without compressed air; boosts production but requires correct tip size and pressure to control overspray and WFT.

-Use a 517 tip on the block walls -Drop to 2000 psi to cut overspray -Back-roll right after spraying.

Alkyd

Oil-based resin system with strong adhesion and leveling, longer dry times, potential yellowing; solvent cleanup.

-Switching from alkyd to waterborne enamel for low-VOC -Alkyd can yellow—use acrylic if that’s a concern -Prime stained wood with an alkyd bonding primer.

Back-rolling

Rolling over freshly sprayed paint to work it into the substrate, even out texture, and improve hide/coverage.

-Spray and back-roll the stucco per the TDS -Skip back-rolling on the ceilings to avoid stipple -Add a helper to maintain a wet edge.

Bid bond

Surety guaranteeing the bidder will enter the contract and provide performance/payment bonds if awarded.

-ITB requires a 10% bid bond -Broker can issue the bid bond by Friday -Without the bond our bid is nonresponsive.

Bleed-through

Discoloration from stains or tannins migrating into topcoats; prevented with stain-blocking primers and proper cleaning.

-Nicotine bleed is showing through -Use shellac primer on cedar to stop tannins -Degrease to prevent bleed-through.

Caulk

Sealant for joints/gaps; select paintable acrylic/urethane; avoid non-paintable silicones unless specified.

-ASTM C920 urethane at the perimeter joints -Tool the caulk before it skins -Don’t caulk bottom laps—allow drainage.

Change order

Formal modification to contract scope, price, or time due to added work or unexpected conditions.

-Submit a CO for the extra accent walls -Proceed on T&M until the change order’s approved -CO #5 adds two days.

Chalking

Powdery residue from binder breakdown on weathered coatings; must be removed for adhesion.

-Heavy chalk—pressure wash and tape test -Prime chalky stucco with an acrylic sealer -Chalking caused adhesion failure.

Cure time

Time for a coating to reach full hardness/chemical resistance beyond dry-to-touch; affects tape, recoat, and return-to-service.

-Epoxy needs 7 days before traffic -Don’t mask until full cure -Respect the recoat window.

Cut-in

Brushing clean lines along edges and trim where rollers/sprayers don’t reach.

-Cut in ceilings before rolling -Use an angled sash brush -Blue tape helps maintain crisp cut lines.

Dew point

Temperature at which moisture condenses; surfaces should be 3–5°F (2–3°C) above dew point before coating.

-Surface is only 2°F above—delay painting -Use a hygrometer to check dew point -Blisters came from painting below dew point.

DFT (Dry Film Thickness)

Thickness of the cured coating measured in mils; verify with magnetic/electronic gauges to meet spec.

-Spec requires 6–8 mils DFT -Check DFT over edges and welds -Our WFT target yields 4 mils DFT per coat.

DTM (Direct-to-Metal)

Coatings formulated to adhere directly to metal, often rust-inhibitive, sometimes eliminating a separate primer.

-Use a DTM acrylic on railings -Not approved over galvanized—use wash primer first -DTM saves a step on interior steel.

Elastomeric coating

High-build flexible acrylic for masonry/stucco that bridges hairline cracks and resists wind-driven rain.

-Apply 12–15 mils DFT for elastomeric -Back-roll to fill pores on CMU -Not recommended on wood siding.

EPA RRP Rule

Federal lead-safe renovation rule for pre-1978 housing/child-occupied facilities; requires certified firm/renovator, containment, HEPA cleanup, and records.

-Need an EPA-certified renovator on site -HEPA sanding per RRP required -Keep RRP paperwork for 3 years.

Epoxy

Two-component coating with excellent adhesion, chemical and abrasion resistance; often needs UV-stable urethane topcoat.

-Induct epoxy 15 minutes before spraying -Topcoat epoxy with aliphatic urethane -Short pot life—mix smaller batches.

Finish schedule

Project document listing finishes by area, substrate, color, and sheen; critical for estimating and execution.

-Check Rev 3 of the finish schedule -Walls changed from eggshell to satin -Match color codes to manufacturer SKUs.

Gloss level

Surface sheen category (flat to high gloss) measured by gloss meters; affects appearance, hiding, and cleanability.

-Owner wants low-sheen to hide defects -Semi-gloss on doors for durability -Different gloss can make touch-ups flash.

HEPA vacuum

Vacuum with 99.97% filtration at 0.3 microns; required for lead dust containment and cleanup.

-Use HEPA with the drywall sander -Replace clogged HEPA filters -No shop vacs—HEPA only.

Holidays

Missed or thin spots in a coating system; found by visual inspection or detectors on high-build linings.

-Holidays along beam edges—apply another coat -Better lighting reduces holidays -Mark and repair holidays before punch.

HVLP sprayer

High Volume Low Pressure spray system improving transfer efficiency and finish quality, especially on trim/doors.

-Switch to HVLP for the doors -Thin per TDS for HVLP viscosity -HVLP minimizes overspray in occupied areas.

JHA/JSA

Job Hazard/Safety Analysis—pre-task planning to identify hazards and controls before work begins.

-Complete a JHA before scaffold work -Add lead exposure controls to the JSA -Supervisor signs the JHA daily.

Lap marks

Lines where wet and dry paint overlap; prevented by maintaining a wet edge and consistent application.

-Work from wet to dry to avoid lap marks -Use extender to increase open time -Back-roll to blend laps.

Lead-safe work practices

Procedures to minimize lead exposure—containment, wet methods, HEPA cleanup, and verification per regulations.

-Install plastic containment and zippers -Mist surfaces while scraping -Perform cleaning verification per RRP.

LEED

Green building rating system; low-emitting materials credits require compliant VOC/emissions for paints and coatings.

-Provide LEED submittals for coatings -Select LEED v4-compliant primers -Track EQ credit for low-emitting materials.

Masking

Protecting adjacent surfaces with tape, paper, and plastic to prevent overspray and achieve clean lines.

-Mask windows and fixtures before spraying -Use delicate-surface tape on fresh paint -Pull tape while paint is tacky.

Moisture meter

Device for measuring moisture in wood, drywall, or concrete to ensure conditions are suitable for painting.

-Wood must be under 15% MC -Concrete RH is 80%—OK for coating -High moisture caused blistering.

Nap (roller nap)

Pile thickness of a roller cover; chosen to match substrate texture and finish quality.

-3/8-inch nap for smooth drywall -3/4-inch for rough stucco -Use shed-resistant nap for fine finishes.

Orange peel

Dimpled spray texture from inadequate atomization, high viscosity, or improper technique.

-Add reducer to eliminate orange peel -Increase pressure and overlap more -Sand and recoat to correct.

OSHA

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations for construction (29 CFR 1926)—fall protection, ladders, respirators, silica, etc.

-100% tie-off per OSHA -Annual respirator fit tests required -Document ladder inspections.

Pot life

Usable time after mixing multi-component coatings; shortens with temperature and batch size.

-Pot life is 45 minutes at 77°F -Don’t re-thin after pot life -Mix smaller batches to reduce waste.

Primer

Undercoat to promote adhesion, seal porous/chalky surfaces, or block stains; selected by substrate and issue.

-PVA primer on new drywall -Rust-inhibitive primer on steel -Shellac primer to block water stains.

Punch list

List of incomplete/deficient items identified at closeout; must be corrected for final acceptance and payment.

-Walk the punch with the GC Friday -Touch-ups and caulk cracks are on the punch -Get sign-off before demobilizing.

Quantity takeoff

Measuring areas, lengths, and counts from plans to quantify materials and labor; often done digitally.

-Complete the takeoff in Bluebeam -Verify LF of base to paint -Update quantities after addendum.

RFI (Request for Information)

Formal question to clarify plans/specs; resolves conflicts or missing details prior to work.

-Submit an RFI on exposed ceiling color -RFI response changed sheen to satin -Track RFIs in Procore.

Retainage

Percentage of payment withheld until substantial/final completion to ensure performance.

-Contract retainage is 10% -Retainage releases at substantial completion -Bill retainage on the final pay app.

SDS (Safety Data Sheet)

Manufacturer document with hazard, PPE, handling, and first-aid info; must be accessible on site.

-Keep SDS in the job trailer -Review SDS before using solvent -Update SDS when products change.

Spray tip size

Number indicating orifice and fan width (e.g., 517 = ~10-inch fan, 0.017-inch orifice); critical for material and substrate.

-Use a 415 for doors -Switch to a 521 for block fill -Replace worn tips to reduce waste.

SSPC-SP Surface Preparation Standards

Industry standards (now AMPP) defining surface cleanliness and prep methods (e.g., SP-1 solvent clean, SP-2 hand tool, SP-10 near-white blast).

-Spec calls SP-6 commercial blast -SP-3 power tool clean the rails -Record SP compliance on QC forms.

Surface profile

Micro-roughness (anchor pattern) from prep, measured in mils or ICRI CSP; critical for coating adhesion.

-Need 2–3 mil profile for zinc primer -ICRI CSP 3 for the floor system -Profile too high—DFT won’t cover.

T&M (Time and Materials)

Billing method based on actual labor hours and materials plus markup when scope is uncertain.

-Proceed on T&M until the CO is approved -Have the GC sign daily T&M tickets -Rate sheet attached to the T&M agreement.

Touch-up

Small repairs to restore uniform appearance; match batch, application method, and sheen to avoid flashing.

-Keep touch-up kits for turnover -Feather edges to blend -Document touch-ups on the punch list.

Urethane

Durable, often two-component polyurethane topcoat with excellent UV and gloss retention and chemical resistance.

-Apply urethane over epoxy -Use aliphatic urethane outdoors -Watch isocyanate hazards—proper PPE.

Viscosity

Coating’s resistance to flow; affects leveling, sagging, and sprayability; measured in KU or seconds (Zahn/Ford).

-Viscosity’s high—add reducer per TDS -Warm paint to improve flow and leveling -Low viscosity caused runs.

VOC

Volatile Organic Compounds in coatings, measured in g/L; regulated and often capped on projects.

-Project caps VOC at 50 g/L for flats -Submit VOC data in submittals -Use waterborne DTM to meet limits.

WFT (Wet Film Thickness)

Thickness of the freshly applied coating measured with a wet mil gauge; used to achieve target DFT based on solids by volume.

-Target 8–10 mils WFT on the first coat -Adjust speed to hit WFT -High WFT can cause sags.

Wet edge

Maintaining a still-wet boundary so new paint flows into it, preventing lap marks and flashing.

-Work in sections to keep a wet edge -Use extender to increase open time -Two-person team maintains wet edge on ceilings.

Zinc-rich primer

Primer loaded with zinc dust providing cathodic protection on steel; available as inorganic or organic systems.

-Prime structural steel at 3 mils DFT -Verify topcoat compatibility over zinc -Touch up welds with zinc-rich primer.