Question 1

Alkyd Paint

Accepted Answer

A type of paint made from alkyd resins, known for its durability and glossy finish.

Question 2

Efflorescence

Accepted Answer

Crystalline deposit of salts often seen on the surface of concrete, brick, stucco, or natural stone surfaces.

Question 3

Lacquer

Accepted Answer

A clear or colored wood finish that dries by solvent evaporation and often a curing process as well.

Question 4

Tack Cloth

Accepted Answer

A sticky material used for removing dust and fine particles from surfaces before painting or staining.

Question 5

VOC

Accepted Answer

Volatile Organic Compounds, harmful chemicals released by some paints as they dry.

Question 6

Primers

Accepted Answer

A preparatory coating put on materials before painting to ensure better adhesion of paint to the surface.

Question 7

Cutting In

Accepted Answer

Painting technique where a brush is used to paint areas that are too tight for rollers.

Question 8

Caulking

Accepted Answer

Material used to seal joints or seams against leakage in various structures and piping.

Question 9

Chalking

Accepted Answer

Powdery residue on the surface of a paint or coating, caused by weathering or oxidation.

Question 10

Scumbling

Accepted Answer

Technique used to create soft and blurry transitions between two colors.

Question 11

Glazing

Accepted Answer

Application of a transparent layer of paint to affect the color and build up a rich, glowing effect.

Question 12

Distressing

Accepted Answer

A technique used to give painted surfaces a worn or aged look.

Question 13

Solvent

Accepted Answer

Substance, usually liquid, that dissolves a solute to form a solution, often used in paint thinners.

Question 14

Peeling

Accepted Answer

Paint defect where paint or coating detaches from the underlying surface in strips or flakes.

Question 15

Blistering

Accepted Answer

Bubbling effect on the surface of paint, typically caused by heat or moisture.

Question 16

Faux Finishing

Accepted Answer

Decorative paint finishes that replicate the appearance of materials such as marble, wood or stone.

Question 17

Enamel Paint

Accepted Answer

Paint that dries to an especially hard, usually glossy, finish.

Question 18

Gesso

Accepted Answer

A white paint mixture used as a ground for acrylic painting and oils.

Question 19

Stenciling

Accepted Answer

Technique used to apply a design or pattern by applying paint over a cut-out material.

Question 20

Sponging

Accepted Answer

Decorative effect achieved by applying a glaze or paint with a sponge.

Question 21

Mottling

Accepted Answer

A paint effect that creates a textured, speckled or soft-focus finish.

Question 22

Varnish

Accepted Answer

Transparent, hard, protective finish or film primarily used in wood finishing.

Question 23

Grain Filling

Accepted Answer

The process of filling the pores of coarse grained woods before applying finish.

Question 24

Latex Paint

Accepted Answer

Water-based paint with a binder that is latex and is typically used for painting homes and other buildings.

Question 25

Brush Marks

Accepted Answer

Marks left from the paint brush that are visible after the paint dries.

Question 26

Tinting

Accepted Answer

Process of adding colorants to a base paint to achieve desired color.

Question 27

Striping

Accepted Answer

Technique used to create thin lines or stripes on a surface.

Question 28

Dry Brushing

Accepted Answer

Painting technique typically used to give a piece a worn, textured effect.

Question 29

Dragging

Accepted Answer

Decorative paint technique involving dragging a dry brush through a glaze to produce a streaked effect.

Question 30

Paint Conditioner

Accepted Answer

Additive mixed into paint to improve its workability and flow, helping to eliminate brush and roller marks.

Question 31

Color Washing

Accepted Answer

Decorative paint technique that creates a subtle color variation on a wall or furniture piece.

Question 32

Opacity

Accepted Answer

Measure of a paint’s ability to prevent light from passing through, and thus hide the underlying surface.

Question 33

Undercoat

Accepted Answer

A coating applied prior to the finishing or top coats of a paint job.

Question 34

Water Spotting

Accepted Answer

Marks left on a paint surface due to exposure to water.

Question 35

Flashing

Accepted Answer

Uneven gloss levels on a painted surface, often due to variations in porosity or application technique.

Question 36

Sagging

Accepted Answer

Defect in which paint drips downward on a vertical surface, resulting in an uneven coat.

Question 37

Spattering

Accepted Answer

Unwanted specks of paint that land on surfaces not intended to be painted.

Question 38

Yellowing

Accepted Answer

A defect where clear or white paint develops a yellow cast over time; often caused by reaction to heat, light, or certain chemicals.

Question 39

Wrinkling

Accepted Answer

Paint defect in which the surface of the paint wrinkles or shrivels, often due to applying too thick of a coat or poor drying conditions.

Question 40

Alligatoring

Accepted Answer

Paint defect where the surface develops a cracked pattern with deep relief, resembling an alligator’s skin.

Question 41

Burnishing

Accepted Answer

Increase in gloss or sheen of paint due to rubbing or scrubbing.

Question 42

Leveling

Accepted Answer

The ability of a paint to form a smooth surface without brush marks.

Question 43

Mildew Resistance

Accepted Answer

The ability of paint to resist the growth of mildew, a type of fungus.

Question 44

Bleeding

Accepted Answer

The migration of a discoloration from the substrate through the topcoat.

Question 45

Cratering

Accepted Answer

Formation of small depressions in the finish, often caused by contamination on the substrate.

Question 46

Sealer

Accepted Answer

A liquid applied to a surface to prevent excessive absorption of subsequent layers of paint or the development of stains.

Question 47

Stain Blocking

Accepted Answer

The ability of a paint or primer to prevent stains from showing through the finish coat.

Red Seal Exam: Painter and Decorator Flashcards