Technical data

INTERCOAT — A layer of paint that is “sandwiched”
between two others. Also refers to something occurring
between coats, as in “intercoat adhesion”.
L
LATEX — A water suspension of fine particles of rubber or
rubber-like materials.
LEVELING — The degree to which a film will smooth out
after application is its leveling ability. Improper solvent or
driers may prevent proper leveling.
LEAFING — The ability of an aluminum or gold bronze
paint to exhibit a brilliant or silvery appearance. This occurs
when the flat pigment particles align themselves parallel
with the coated surface so as to give the appearance of a
solid sheet of metal.
LIFTING — Separation of a coating film from a surface
when solvents from a topcoat penetrate an existing coating
which has not dried sufficiently to permit proper adhesion.
In all instances where one finish is applied over another it is
important that the undercoat be sufficiently dry; otherwise,
poor adhesion will result.
LIVERING — Gelling of a paint that occurs when the pH
of a paint is lowered, such as when acid-producing reactions
occur in the material. In many cases, this difficulty can be
remedied by slowly stirring into the livered material a very
slow evaporating paint reducer.
M
MIL — A unit of measurement for the thickness of a
coating film. One mil equals 1/1000 (0.001) inch.
N
NAPHTHA — The product of the distillation of the solvent
fractions obtained from the thermal decomposition (crack-
ing) of coal or petroleum. A volatile, flammable fluid
consisting chiefly of mixed hydrocarbons. It can be aromatic
with a benzene ring structure or aliphatic with a linear
structure.
NITROCELLULOSE — A binder used in most lacquers;
principally air drying. It may be modified with resins and
plasticizers for improved gloss, adhesion and flexibility. An
ester of nitric acid and cellulose produced by the action of
nitric acid upon wood, cotton, or some other form of
cellulose in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid.
NON-FERROUS — A description of metals other than
iron.
NON-VOLATILE VEHICLE — The liquid portion of a
paint, enamel, varnish, or related products not including the
volatile thinners and water.
O
ORANGE PEEL — Pebble effect appearance caused by
too high an air pressure during spraying, the spray gun being
held too close to the surface, or using a highly volatile
thinner which prevents the normal flow of lacquer solids.
ORGANIC — Chemical compounds chiefly composed of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a multitude of molecular
arrangements. The term organic was established when it
was thought that organic compounds could be produced
only by living organisms. Many organic compounds are
produced synthetically today. However, even these are
derived from former living plants and animals (coal and oil
are the chief sources of raw materials for organic chemi-
cals). Examples of organic compounds: gasoline, alcohol,
sugar, fish oil, glycerin.
ORGANIC COATING — A finish/paint system such as a
lacquer or an enamel that cures/dries by solvent or volatile
component evaporation only and not by chemical reaction.
ORGANISOL — Finely divided or colloided dispersion of
a resin in a plasticizer with solvents or other materials.
OXIDATION — A chemical reaction involving the reac-
tion of a substance with oxygen. Iron rusts by oxidation.
Oil-containing coatings dry or cure by oxidation.
P
PERMEABILITY — The extent to which a coating or
other film will allow air or water to pass through it.
pH — A term used to indicate acidity or alkalinity. The pH
scale runs from 0 to 14; pH 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acid,
7 to 14 is alkaline. The further the rating is from seven, the
greater the acidity or alkalinity.
PIGMENT — The solid particles used in the preparation of
paints, lacquers and enamels which are substantially in-
soluble in the vehicle and provide color, under film protec-
tion and special effects.
PITTING — A condition which occurs when a lacquer is
sprayed at high pressures and at temperatures below 65° F.
It will occur if a lacquer used in spraying has been stored in
a cool place and has not been allowed to attain room
temperature.
PLASTICIZER — Substances added to soften or other-
wise modify the properties of a finished resin without
excessive sacrifice of strength and rigidity.
PLASTISOL — Colloidal dispersion of a resin in a plasti-
cizer without solvent.
POCK MARKS — Marks caused by bursting of trapped air
bubbles in a porous film. Too high an air pressure or too
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Glossary 4