Clear definitions for painting, coating, surface preparation and product terms used by professional painters in Toronto and Ontario. Reference this glossary when reviewing quotes, discussing project scope or selecting paint products.
A synthetic resin-based paint that dries harder than standard latex and was the professional standard for trim and doors before water-based alkyds became available. Traditional oil-based alkyd has high VOC content, slow dry time and requires mineral spirits for cleanup. Modern waterborne alkyd offers similar hardness with water cleanup and lower VOCs.
A primer formulated to adhere to difficult or non-porous surfaces such as glossy paint, glass, tile, metal and laminate that standard primers do not stick to reliably. Bonding primer is used when repainting cabinets, bathroom tiles or any surface where adhesion is a concern.
An older water-based paint made from calcium carbonate or chalk that was commonly applied to ceilings in homes built before the 1940s. Calcimine does not bond with modern latex paint and must be removed or sealed with a shellac-based primer before repainting. Its presence is common in older Toronto homes with original plaster ceilings.
A flexible sealant applied to gaps, joints and transitions between surfaces - such as where trim meets wall, or where siding meets window frames - to prevent air, water and pest infiltration. Proper caulking before exterior painting extends the life of the finish and prevents moisture damage. Paintable latex caulk is the standard for most residential painting applications.
The formation of a white, powdery residue on the surface of exterior paint as it ages and breaks down from UV exposure and weathering. Some chalking is normal and self-cleaning on certain exterior paints, but excessive chalking indicates paint breakdown and should be cleaned and assessed before repainting.
The process of painting a precise edge along trim, ceilings, corners and adjacent surfaces using a brush before rolling the main surface area. Cutting in requires steady hand control and is one of the most skill-dependent parts of interior painting. A clean cut-in line at the ceiling and trim defines the quality of a professional interior finish.
A building panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched between paper sheets, used as the standard interior wall and ceiling surface in homes built after approximately 1960. Also called gyprock, wallboard or sheetrock. Drywall accepts standard latex paint well but requires priming over bare or repaired areas before topcoat application.
A low-sheen interior paint finish that has slightly more gloss than matte but is washable and durable for living areas. Eggshell is one of the most popular interior wall finishes in residential painting because it balances a soft appearance with practical cleanability. Suited to bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and most standard interior spaces.
White, crystalline salt deposits that appear on concrete, brick or masonry surfaces when water moves through the material and deposits minerals on the surface as it evaporates. Efflorescence indicates moisture movement through the substrate and must be addressed before painting masonry. Applying paint over active efflorescence will result in early failure.
A two-part coating system consisting of an epoxy resin and a hardener that chemically react to create an extremely durable, hard, chemical-resistant floor surface. Used on garage floors, warehouse floors, showroom floors, restaurant kitchens, clinic floors and industrial facilities. Concrete preparation - typically grinding or shot blasting - is essential for epoxy adhesion. Moisture in the concrete slab is the most common cause of epoxy failure.
Paint formulated to withstand outdoor exposure including UV radiation, temperature cycling, rain, humidity and fungal growth. Exterior paint contains additives not found in interior paint - UV stabilizers, mildewcides and flexible resins - that allow it to expand and contract with the substrate through seasonal temperature changes. Interior paint should never be substituted for exterior paint on outdoor surfaces.
A technique used during surface preparation and painting to blend the edges of a repaired or newly painted area smoothly into the surrounding surface, eliminating visible edges or lap marks. Feathering is used when spot-priming, patching drywall or touching up an existing paint job to minimize the visibility of the repair.
A paint finish with no sheen that absorbs light rather than reflecting it, making surface imperfections less visible. Flat paint is best suited to low-traffic areas such as formal living rooms, dining rooms and ceilings where washability is less important than hiding surface flaws. Not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms or high-traffic hallways.
A high-sheen paint finish that reflects significant light and is the most durable and washable of standard interior paint sheens. Used on trim, doors, cabinetry, railings and other surfaces subject to heavy contact. Gloss paint highlights surface imperfections, so preparation must be thorough before application.
The ability of a paint to cover and conceal the colour underneath it. High-hide paints require fewer coats to achieve full coverage when changing colour. Hide is determined by pigment type, pigment volume concentration and the quality of the paint formulation. Professional-grade paints typically offer better hide than consumer-grade products.
A visible line or mark left when wet paint overlaps partially dried paint, creating a ridge or colour variation. Lap marks are caused by painting too slowly, working on too large a section at once, or rolling over partially dry paint edges. Maintaining a wet edge throughout the application eliminates lap marks on walls and ceilings.
Water-based paint using synthetic polymer resins as the binder. The standard for most residential and commercial interior and exterior painting applications due to its low VOC content, fast dry time, easy soap-and-water cleanup and durability. Despite the name, modern latex paint contains no natural rubber latex.
Paint containing lead compounds that may remain beneath newer coatings in older homes. Health Canada says homes built before 1960 probably contain lead-based paint, while homes built from 1960 through 1990 may still contain it, especially on exterior surfaces. Sanding or scraping can create hazardous dust, so older paint should be tested and handled with appropriate lead-safe precautions.
Paint formulated specifically for application on concrete, brick, stucco and other masonry surfaces. Good masonry paint is breathable, allowing moisture vapour to escape through the wall while resisting liquid water penetration. Non-breathable coatings applied over masonry can trap moisture and cause spalling, cracking and coating failure.
A unit of measurement equal to one thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch), used to specify paint film thickness. Industrial and commercial coating specifications are often written in mils. A typical interior residential paint coat is approximately 1 to 2 mils dry film thickness. Industrial protective coatings can be specified at 10, 20 or more mils depending on the application.
A chemical additive included in exterior paints and some bathroom interior paints to inhibit the growth of mould, mildew and algae on the painted surface. Exterior paints intended for humid climates or shaded surfaces typically include mildewcides. In persistently damp areas, supplemental mildewcide can sometimes be added to standard paint at the point of tinting.
The thickness of the fabric on a paint roller cover, measured in fractions of an inch. Smooth surfaces use a thin nap (3/16 to 1/4 inch) for a smoother finish. Textured drywall typically uses a 3/8 to 1/2 inch nap. Rough masonry, stucco and exterior surfaces use a thicker nap (3/4 to 1 inch) to push paint into surface texture. Using the wrong nap thickness produces uneven coverage or stippled texture on smooth surfaces.
A textured surface appearance in a paint finish that resembles the skin of an orange, caused by improper spray technique, incorrect paint viscosity, incorrect spray gun settings or applying paint in conditions that are too hot or too cold. Orange peel is common in spray-applied automotive and industrial finishes and can be corrected by wet sanding and buffing.
The failure of a paint film through loss of adhesion, causing it to lift and separate from the surface in strips or flakes. Peeling is caused by painting over a dirty or poorly prepared surface, applying paint in conditions that are too cold or too humid, moisture behind the paint film, or applying a topcoat that is not compatible with the primer or existing paint. Peeled surfaces must be stripped back to a sound substrate before repainting.
A traditional wall and ceiling finish material applied in wet coats directly to a wood lath, metal lath or masonry substrate. Common in homes built before approximately 1960 in Toronto and Ontario. Plaster walls have a different texture and suction level than drywall and require specific surface assessment and priming before painting to achieve a quality result. Hairline cracks in plaster are normal with age and require flexible filler before repainting.
A clear protective coating applied to wood floors, furniture, trim and other wood surfaces to provide durable, water-resistant protection. Available in water-based and oil-based formulations. Water-based polyurethane dries faster and has lower VOCs. Oil-based polyurethane produces a slightly amber tone and is harder when cured. Polyurethane is a coating rather than a paint and requires different application techniques.
A preparatory coating applied to a surface before topcoat paint to improve adhesion, seal porous surfaces, block stains and provide a uniform base for the finish coat. Primer is not a substitute for topcoat paint and should not be left as a finished surface. The type of primer required depends on the substrate and the nature of any stains or adhesion challenges.
A flexible, oil-based filler used traditionally to seal window glass into wood frames. Glazing putty repairs and replacement are a common part of exterior painting preparation on older Toronto homes with original wood-frame single-pane windows. Failed or cracked glazing putty allows water infiltration around the glass, leading to frame rot and glass failure.
An interior paint finish with a moderate sheen level between eggshell and semi-gloss. Satin is durable, washable and suited to kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and children's rooms where frequent cleaning is required. More forgiving than semi-gloss in highlighting surface imperfections while still offering practical durability.
The manual or mechanical removal of loose, peeling, flaking or failed paint from a surface before repainting. Scraping is a critical step in exterior preparation and wherever paint adhesion has failed. Surfaces should be scraped back to a firmly adhered base before priming and topcoating. Scraping older paint that may contain lead should be done only after appropriate testing and with lead-safe precautions.
A paint finish with a noticeably reflective sheen used primarily on trim, doors, window casings, bathrooms and kitchen cabinets. Semi-gloss is highly washable and moisture-resistant, making it practical for surfaces that receive frequent contact or exposure to humidity. Because it reflects light and highlights imperfections, the surface must be well-prepared before semi-gloss is applied.
A fast-drying, shellac-based primer that is the most effective stain blocker available for severe water stains, smoke damage, marker, nicotine, tannin bleed from wood and calcimine-covered ceilings. Zinsser BIN is the most common shellac primer product. It adheres to almost any surface without sanding, dries in minutes and effectively seals stains that latex primers cannot block.
A thin layer of drywall joint compound or plaster applied over an entire wall or ceiling surface to fill texture, smooth imperfections or create a level surface before painting. Skim coating is used on textured walls being converted to a smooth finish and on plaster surfaces with widespread fine cracking. It requires sanding after drying and priming before topcoat.
Application of paint using an airless, HVLP (high volume low pressure) or air-assisted spray gun. Spray application produces a smoother, more uniform finish than brush or roller on flat surfaces and is standard for cabinet painting, trim painting on new construction and large industrial coating projects. Spray painting requires thorough masking of adjacent surfaces and proper ventilation.
A textured exterior wall finish made from Portland cement, sand and water applied over wire mesh or masonry. Common on Ontario homes built from the 1950s through 1970s. Stucco can be painted but requires a masonry-compatible primer and paint. Cracks in stucco must be repaired and sealed before painting to prevent water infiltration.
The migration of natural tannins from wood species such as cedar, redwood and pine through paint or primer, resulting in brown or yellow staining on the finished surface. Tannin bleed is common on bare or newly exposed cedar and redwood exteriors. A shellac-based primer or a stain-blocking primer is required to seal tannins before topcoating.
The process of adding pigment concentrates to a paint base at the point of sale or on site to achieve a specific colour. Professional-grade tinting systems can produce thousands of colour variations from a small number of paint bases. Tinting dark colours into a light base requires more pigment and can affect the paint's performance properties. Deep-base and extra-deep-base formulations are used for saturated or dark colours.
A heavy-duty cleaning agent used to degrease, clean and prepare surfaces for painting. TSP removes grease, wax, nicotine residue, chalk and other contaminants that would prevent paint adhesion. TSP-substitute products are available where phosphates are restricted. Rinsing thoroughly after TSP cleaning is required before painting.
A clear or pigmented topcoat used for floors, trim and high-wear surfaces. Urethane coatings are extremely durable and abrasion-resistant. Waterbased urethane is common for interior floors and cabinets. Industrial urethane coatings are used in manufacturing, food processing and industrial environments where chemical resistance is required alongside mechanical durability.
Organic chemicals that evaporate from paint at room temperature during and after application, contributing to indoor air pollution, odour and, at high concentrations, potential health effects. VOC content in paint is measured in grams per litre (g/L). Low-VOC paints are defined as under 50 g/L and zero-VOC paints as under 5 g/L. Health Canada recommends low- or zero-VOC paints for interior applications, especially in homes with children or people with respiratory conditions.
The still-wet portion of a paint application being extended to avoid lap marks. Maintaining a wet edge means working quickly enough that new paint is always applied into paint that has not yet started to skin over. This is the fundamental technique for producing an even, lap-mark-free finish on large wall and ceiling surfaces.
The mechanical removal of rust, loose scale, old paint and corrosion from metal surfaces using a wire brush, wire wheel or power tool with wire attachment. Wire brushing is used in surface preparation for industrial, structural steel and exterior metal painting. More thorough surface preparation methods - such as abrasive blasting - are used for metal surfaces in corrosive environments.
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