Paint Ideas · Glossary

Glossary

Not sure what a certain term means? Find it here in our glossary. Simply browse through or navigate by choosing a letter.

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Waferboard - Panel material made from wood wafers bonded with an exterior-grade resin.

Wainscot - Paneling that reaches from the floor to about one third the height of a wall, capped with molding.

Wainscoting - Paneling that extends 36 to 42 inches or so upward from the floor level, over the finished wall surface. It is often finished with a horizontal strip of molding mounted at the proper height and protruding enough to prevent the top of a chair back from touching a wall surface.

Wainscoting cap - Molding used to cover the exposed end grain on solid or paneled wood wainscoting.

Waler - Horizontal lumber pieces used to span or stiffen walls.

Walk-in closet - A closet measuring a minimum of 84-inches wide by 72-inches deep.

Wall cabinet - A cabinet, usually 12-inches deep, that is mounted on the wall a minimum of 12 inches above a countertop.

Wall grazing - An effect that treats the wall itself and its texture as artwork.

Wall rail - The handrail attached to the wall in an enclosed stairwell.

Wall washing - An effect where the entire wall is lit up to bring out the beauty of wallcoverings, scenic murals or painted effects, grouped artwork or books.

Wallboard - Also known as gypsum board, drywall and plasterboard; a paper-covered sandwich of gypsum plaster used as the primary wall covering in almost all homes.

Wane - A lumber defect that leaves wood missing from the edge of a piece.

Warm colors - On a color wheel, the range of reds, yellows, oranges and red-purples. Warm colors, especially when saturated, tend to advance.

Warp - Uneven shrinkage in wood causing bending or twisting.

Wash - A thinned-out latex or acrylic paint.

Washability - Ease with which washing will remove dirt from the paint's surface without causing damage.

Washcoat - Application of a wood conditioner, thinned linseed oil or thinned shellac to wood prior to staining. You would apply a washcoat to wood that might blotch when stained with a liquid stain.

Water resistance - The ability of a coating to remain a solid, protective film after exposure to water.

Water spotting - Spots left behind when water evaporates. Most likely white or brown in color. Caused by dissolved minerals remaining on the surface.

Water white - As colorless as water.

Water-based polyurethane - A sealer made from polyurethane resins that is water- rather than oil-soluble.

Wax stick - A colored wax crayon that hides small defects in finished wood.

Weather resistance - The ability of a coating to remain intact and attractive after prolonged exposure to weather, e.g., extreme temperatures, temperature changes, UV radiation, rain, moisture, etc.

Weathering - Behavior of paint films when exposed to natural weather or accelerated weathering equipment, characterized by changes in color, texture, strength, chemical composition or other properties.

Weatherometer - A laboratory device used to estimate the life of coatings by subjection to ultraviolet light, water, etc.

Weight solids - The percentage by weight of non-evaporating material in a coating.

Weighted cloth - A polishing cloth that is applied to the end of a mop handle or other device designed to add pressure during buffing.

Welt - A cord, often covered by fabric, that is used as an elegant trim on cushions, slipcovers, etc.

Wet edge - A margin of wet paint or glaze. Leaving a wet edge creates a seamless blend between sections.

Wet film thickness - Thickness of film in millimeters or microns while coating is still wet.

Wet sanding - In drywall installation, the use of a damp sponge to reduce and smoothen the surface of hardened joint compound.

Wet-or-dry sandpaper - A type of abrasive paper that can be used with lubrication. The grit is of silicon carbide, and the paper and glue are waterproof. Lubrication may be water or mineral spirits.

White rust - White corrosion products (zinc hydroxide and zinc oxide) on zinc-coated articles. They form when the parts are stores so close together that condensed moisture is entrapped between them and the air circulation is inadequate to assist drying.

White shellac - Clear shellac that has been subjected to bleaching.

White wire - White insulated wire that forms a circuit with a power wire.

Whitewash - Cheap type of flat water paint based on lime or whiting lossely bound with glue, size casein or like water-dispersible binders.

Whiting - An inert, white, crystalline pigment composed principally of calcium carbonate.

Winder - An L-shaped staircase that uses wedge-shaped treads to make a sweeping 90-degree turn.

Window stool - Molding that connects the window with the interior of a room, often referred to as the window sill.

Wiping stains - Those stains, usually pigmented, which are applied and wiped with a cloth to remove the excess stain.

Wire brush - (1) A hand cleaning tool comprised of bundles of wires. (2)The act of cleaning a surface with a wire brush including wire power brushes.

Wire picket fencing - Rolls of factory-painted or vinyl-coated welded-wire fencing that come in heights of 12 to 18 inches. Used as a temporary or decorative border around planting beds and walks.

Wood filler - A pasty material used for filling and coloring the pores of wood. It is usually thinned, applied to the surface, and then wiped off across the grain of the wood, allowing it to remain only in the pores.

Wood finishing - The planing, sanding, and subsequent staining, varnishing, waxing, or painting of a wood surface.

Wood graining - A painting technique that seeks to resemble wood by imitating the lines found in cut lumber (which are the tree's growth rings).

Wood preservative - Liquid chemical applied to wood to prevent decay and insect attacks.

Wood putty - Any of various paste- or dough-like materials used to fill holes and other defects in wood.

Wood screws - Screws that are tapered so the threads bite into the wood, which makes a stronger bond than nails.

Wood stain - A translucent combination of solvent (either water- or alkyd-based) and pigment, usually in colors imitating natural wood, which allows some of the wood's natural color and its grain to show through.

Wood-and-wire fence - Welded or woven-wire mesh that is attached to a wood frame to make a lightweight, economical fence.

Work triangle - The area bounded by the lines that connect the sink, range and refrigerator.

Wrapping/Wrap Around - In electrostatic spraying, electrically charged paint droplets curve around to the rear side of the object being painted.

Wrinkle finish - A varnish or enamel film which exhibits a novelty effect very similar to fine wrinkles or irregular ridges.

Wrinkling - A paint defect in which the film surface skins over and then absorbs liquid within the film. The absorption results in swelling of the surface skin with the formation of a wrinkled texture.

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