Painters glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a painter provider in Bridgeport.

What are paint sheen levels?: Paint sheen levels describe how much light reflects off a finished painted surface, ranked from flat (no shine) to high-gloss (mirror-like), with each level suited to different rooms and uses.
What is a broadcast flake system?: A broadcast flake system applies colored vinyl or acrylic flakes to wet epoxy coating, creating texture and visual depth while concealing surface imperfections on garage floors and concrete.
What is a certificate of insurance?: A certificate of insurance is an official document issued by an insurance company that confirms a painting contractor maintains active general liability coverage, protecting homeowners against property damage and injury claims.
What is a chemical wash?: Chemical wash is a solvent-based process that dissolves and removes old paint, stain, or varnish from wood surfaces, exposing bare wood for refinishing without the dust and wood removal of sanding.
What is a faux finish?: Faux finish is a decorative painting technique using glazes, sponges, and specialty tools to create the visual appearance of materials like marble, wood grain, or weathered plaster on walls and surfaces.
What is a moisture vapor barrier?: A moisture vapor barrier is a layer or sealant applied to concrete that prevents moisture from wicking upward through the slab into flooring materials above.
What is a primer coat?: A primer coat is a preparatory layer of paint applied to a surface before the final topcoat to improve adhesion, seal porous areas, and block stains or discoloration.
What is a VOC in paint?: VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are carbon-containing chemicals in paint that release gases into the air as the paint dries, affecting indoor air quality and requiring adequate ventilation.
What is alligatoring?: Alligatoring is a pattern of interconnected cracks in paint that resemble alligator skin, typically caused by aging oil paint, UV exposure, or applying new paint over incompatible surfaces without proper preparation.
What is an airless sprayer?: An airless sprayer is a paint application tool that forces paint through a small nozzle under high hydraulic pressure, breaking it into a fine mist without requiring compressed air.
What is an HVLP sprayer?: An HVLP (high volume low pressure) sprayer is spray equipment that delivers paint or stain using high air volume at low pressure, producing a fine mist with minimal overspray and waste.
What is back-rolling?: Back-rolling is the practice of rolling over freshly applied spray paint to press it into the surface and level the finish for better adhesion and uniform appearance.
What is cutting in?: Cutting in is the technique of using a brush to paint a careful border along edges, corners, trim, and fixtures before rolling the main wall area.
What is dry film thickness?: Dry film thickness (DFT) is the depth of a cured paint or coating layer, measured in mils (thousandths of an inch), after all solvents have evaporated.
What is efflorescence?: Efflorescence is a white, powdery mineral salt deposit that forms on masonry and stucco when groundwater or moisture carries dissolved salts to the surface and evaporates, leaving the salts behind.
What is elastomeric coating?: Elastomeric coating is a flexible, rubberized exterior paint formulated to expand and contract with building movement, bridging hairline cracks and adhering to porous surfaces like stucco and masonry.
What is EPA RRP lead-safe certification?: EPA RRP lead-safe certification is a federal credential required for contractors who perform renovation, repair, and painting work on pre-1978 homes, certifying they have completed EPA-approved training on lead hazard containment and safety practices.
What is mildewcide?: Mildewcide is a chemical additive mixed into exterior paint that inhibits the growth of mold and mildew on painted surfaces, particularly valuable in damp climates.
What is paint chalking?: Chalking is a powdery coating that forms on aged exterior paint when ultraviolet light breaks down the binder, exposing pigment particles on the surface.
What is skim coating?: Skim coating is the application of a thin layer of joint compound or plaster over drywall to fill imperfections, create an even surface, and prepare walls for painting.
What is soft washing?: Soft washing is a low-pressure cleaning method that uses specialized chemicals and detergents rather than force to safely remove dirt, mold, and algae from delicate surfaces like vinyl siding, wood, and asphalt roof shingles.
What is strippable wallpaper?: Strippable wallpaper is a wall covering that pulls away entirely from the wall surface when dry, leaving no backing residue behind. Peelable wallpaper, by contrast, comes off in layers and leaves adhesive-backed paper on the wall that must be dissolved or steamed away.
What is Venetian plaster?: Venetian plaster is a lime-based decorative finish troweled on in multiple thin layers, then polished to create a smooth, lustrous surface that resembles stone or marble.
What is wallpaper sizing?: Sizing is a primer or sealant coat applied to wall surfaces before wallpaper installation to improve paste adhesion and allow for cleaner removal in the future.