Glossary

abrasive

a substance used to wear away a surface by friction.

adhesion

the force that makes two materials stick together. When paint bonds with paint, it is called intercoat adhesion. Epoxies have great adhesion to most surfaces.

back mask

masking of an opening of vehicle from the inside.

basecoat/clearcoat

a high-lustre, two-layer paint system, which, unlike conventional lacquer or enamel, has the pigment in the basecoat with a clearcoat as the finish coat to protect the basecoat and produce a deep high-lustre appearance and provide UV protection.

blending

gradual transition from the applied coat to the original coat.

Block A Occupational Skills

repetitive general skills for many tasks performed by an automotive painter.

Block B Vehicle Preparation

knowledge and skills required by an automotive painter to prepare a vehicle for refinishing.

Block C Refinishing

knowledge and skills required by an automotive painter to apply various types of topcoat to a vehicle.

Block D Pre-Delivery

knowledge and skills required by an automotive painter to prepare the vehicle for delivery.

chroma

the strength or intensity of a colour.

colour

the visual appearance of a material: red, blue, green, and so on. Colours are seen differently by different people.

compatibility

the ability of materials to be used together without separation or reaction.

contaminants

foreign substances on the surface to be painted (or in the paint) that would adversely affect the finish.

coverage

the area a given amount of paint will cover.

cure

the process of drying or hardening of a paint film or to harden a coating film by applied heat or catalyst.

degreaser

combination of solvents for the purpose of removing grease and oil from the surface in preparation for painting.

dry spray

an imperfect coat, usually caused by spraying too far from the surface being painted or on a too hot surface.

drying time

the expected time for a paint film to harden. Varying by product, temperature and atmospheric conditions, drying time is usually expressed as dust-free and completely dry, or dry for recoat.

epoxy

a class of resins characterized by good chemical resistance. A film made from epoxy resins is extremely durable and solvent resistant. Pure epoxies require strong solvents and a catalyst.

filler

a heavy-bodied plastic material that cures very hard and is used to fill small dents in metal.

film thickness

the thickness of a coating measured in mils.

finish

the topcoat that protects the substrate, usually containing a pigment.

fish-eyes

blemishes in the finish coat usually of a circular and opalescent character.

flash-off time

the first stage of drying where some of the solvents evaporate.

grit

a measure of the size of particles on sandpaper or discs.

guide coat

applied coat of contrasting colour to identify surface imperfections when sanding.

hue

the name of a colour. The property of a colour by which it can be distinguished. Red, blue, yellow, etc.

HVLP

High Volume Low Pressure

lustre

the appearance of depth as obtained by multiple coats.

masking

using tape and paper to protect an area that will not be painted.

media blasting

removal of topcoat using various materials such as sand, soda and plastic beads.

metal flake

most generally, aluminium flakes that have iridescent and light reflective properties.

metamerism

a term used to describe a colour shift when viewed under different light sources.

mottling

irregular grouping of metallic particles in a topcoat.

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer

orange peel

a film that has the physical appearance of an orange peel, caused by improper spray application.

overspray

paint that falls on the area next to the one being painted.

primer

an undercoat applied to bare metal to promote adhesion of the topcoat to substrate.

primer surfacer

a high-solids primer that fills small imperfections in the substrate and usually must be sanded.

putty

a material made for filling small holes or sand scratches.

respirator

a device worn over the mouth and nose that delivers breathable air.

runs

usually caused by improper consistency of paint or applying too heavily.

sags

state of applied paint before running.

sealer

a coating which improves adhesion and colour uniformity of the topcoat.

solids

the pigment and non-volatile vehicle components of paint. Material which remains on surface.

solvent

the component of a solution which dissolves other components.

specifications

written instructions on details of paint applications, types of products to be used, areas to be painted and painting procedure.

spectrophotometer

an electronic device used for recording and measuring colour.

spray gun

a tool powered by air pressure that atomizes liquids.

substrate

the surface that is to be finished. It can be anything from an old finish or primer to an unpainted surface.

tack cloth

a cheesecloth that has been treated to make it tacky. Used to pick up dust and lint from the surface to be painted.

three-stage (tri-colour)

paint application that consists of distinct paint layers that produces a pearlescent appearance: a basecoat, a tinted midcoat and clearcoat.

tint

to add colour to another colour or to white.

topcoat

the last or final colour clearcoat.

two-stage

consists of two distinct layers of paint: basecoat and clearcoat.

undercoat

a first coat: primer, primer surfacers or sealer.

value

the lightness/darkness of a colour.

vehicle identification number (VIN)

the number assigned to each vehicle by its manufacturer, primarily for registration and identification purposes.

viscosity

consistency or body of a liquid.

viscosity cup

a device to measure the viscosity of a liquid by determining the time it takes to flow through the opening of the cup.

volatile

capable of evaporating easily.

water-borne paint

an OEM paint process in which a special de-ionized, purified water is substituted as the solvent carrier instead of enamel reducer.

Abbreviations