Glossary

F

Fading
Loss of gloss or sheen.

Fan Pattern
The geometry of a spray pattern.

Feather Edge
Reduced film thickness at the edge of a topping in order to produce a smooth, continuous appearance. It is recommended to key in edges of floor toppings.

Ferrous
An iron containing metal.

Filler
A compound used to extend or bulk a coating to provide extra body or hiding power.

Film
A layer of coating or paint.

Film Build
The dry film thickness characteristics of a coat.

Film Integrity
The continuity of a coating free of defects.

Film Thickness Gauge
A device for measuring wet or dry film thickness.

Fineness of Grind
The degree of dispersion of particles within a liquid.

Fingering
A broken spray pattern delivering heavier paint to one area than another.

Flammable
Any substance easily ignited in the presence of a flame; any liquid having a flash point below 100 F (37.8 C).

Flash Point
The lowest temperature of a liquid at which sufficient vapor is provided to form an ignitable mixture when mixed with air.

Flash-Off-Time
Time which must be allowed for any solvent to be released after the application of a coating to prevent bubbling in subsequent coats.

Flexibility
The degree at which a coating is able to conform to movement or deformation of its supporting surface without cracking or flaking.

Floating (Flooding)
A concentration of one of the ingredients of the pigmented portion of a coating its surface giving rise to a color change.

Flow
The degree to which a wet coating can level out after application so as to eliminate brush marks and produce a smooth uniform finish.

Fluid Tip
The orifice in a spray gun to which the needle is seated.

Fluorescent
A class of pigments which, when exposed to visible light, emit light of a different wavelength producing a bright appearance.

Force Drying
The acceleration of drying by increasing the ambient temperature.

Foreign Thinner
Any thinner not recommended on the label or in published literature of the manufacturer, which can affect the coatings performance.

Fouling
Marine growth such as weeds or barnacles adhering to the surface.

Friable
Easily crumbled or pulverized, usually in reference to surface integrity.

Fungicide
A substance poisonous to fungi which retards or kills mold and mildew growth.