Construction Painting NC II study materials
Construction Painting NC II study resources

Construction Painting NC II key terms

Construction Painting NC II · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The set of wearable items such as respirators, goggles, gloves, coveralls, and safety shoes worn to protect the painter from chemical, physical, and health hazards on the job site.

Related: Respirator Fit Test, Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

A standardized document supplied by the manufacturer that lists a product's hazards, safe handling procedures, required protective equipment, first-aid measures, and spill response instructions.

Related: Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respirator Fit Test

A procedure that checks whether a respirator seals properly against the wearer's face, confirming that airborne paint mist, solvent vapor, or dust will not leak into the mask.

Related: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Spray Booth
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)

Solvent or other organic substance that evaporates readily from paint and contributes to air pollution and health effects; regulations limit the VOC content of coatings.

Related: Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Solvent
Confined Space Entry

Entering an enclosed area such as a tank, pit, or silo with limited openings and poor ventilation, requiring an entry permit, atmospheric testing, a standby attendant, and rescue arrangements.

Related: Ventilation, Hazard Identification
Hazard Identification

The process of recognizing conditions that could cause injury or illness, such as unstable scaffolding, electrical sources, flammable vapors, or sharp edges, before work begins.

Related: Confined Space Entry, Fire Extinguisher Class
Fire Extinguisher Class

A rating that indicates which types of fire an extinguisher can fight, such as Class A for ordinary combustibles, Class B for flammable liquids, and Class C for energized electrical equipment.

Related: Hazard Identification, Solvent
Ventilation

The controlled supply and removal of air in a work area to reduce solvent vapor, paint mist, and dust below harmful and flammable levels during surface preparation and coating application.

Related: Spray Booth, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)
Spray Booth

An enclosed, ventilated room designed for spray painting that captures overspray, filters exhaust air, and protects the surrounding area from contamination and fire.

Related: Ventilation, Overspray
Airless Sprayer

A spray unit that forces coating through a small tip at very high hydraulic pressure without compressed air, giving a fast, high-build application with little overspray.

Related: Spray Tip, Overspray
Conventional Spray Gun

A gun that atomizes coating by mixing a low-pressure fluid stream with compressed air at the nozzle, producing a fine finish that suits thin lacquers and enamels.

Related: Spray Tip, Fluid Viscosity
Spray Tip

The interchangeable nozzle component of an airless sprayer that controls the fan pattern width and coating flow rate, identified by a number and a size code.

Related: Airless Sprayer, Fan Pattern
Fan Pattern

The shape and width of the spray cloud delivered by a gun, which the painter overlaps in consistent passes to lay down an even, uniform coating film.

Related: Spray Tip, Overspray
Overspray

Paint mist that misses the intended surface and settles on surrounding objects, floors, or the painter, causing contamination and waste if not controlled.

Related: Spray Booth, Masking
Brush Ferrule

The metal band that binds the bristles to the handle of a paint brush; a loose or corroded ferrule lets bristles fall out and ruins the finish.

Related: Brush Bristle Type, Brush Cleaning
Brush Bristle Type

The material of a brush's filaments, such as natural hog bristle for solvent coatings or synthetic polyester and nylon for water-based paints, chosen to suit the coating chemistry.

Related: Brush Ferrule, Brush Cleaning
Brush Cleaning

The routine of removing paint from bristles with the correct thinner, washing with soap and water where suitable, combing straight, and storing flat or hanging to keep the shape.

Related: Brush Ferrule, Solvent
Roller Cover Nap

The length of a roller cover's pile, ranging from short for smooth surfaces to long for rough masonry, which controls how much paint the cover holds and releases.

Related: Roller Frame, Drywall Joint Compound
Roller Frame

The cage and handle that holds a roller cover; the cage must spin freely and the handle must stay secure so the cover tracks evenly without skipping.

Related: Roller Cover Nap
Surface Preparation

All cleaning, repairing, sanding, and treating done before coating so that paint bonds firmly and the finished film looks smooth and lasts.

Related: Abrasive Blasting, Sanding Grit
Sanding Grit

The number that rates abrasive particle size on sandpaper or discs; lower numbers cut faster and coarser, higher numbers smooth finer between coats.

Related: Surface Preparation, Feather Edge
Feather Edge

A tapered, gradually thinned edge produced by sanding around a repaired area so the patch blends invisibly into the surrounding surface beneath the new coating.

Related: Drywall Joint Compound, Sanding Grit
Drywall Joint Compound

A gypsum-based paste used to fill seams, corners, and fastener holes in plasterboard; it is sanded smooth and primed before finish paint is applied.

Related: Feather Edge, Primer
Abrasive Blasting

A surface preparation method that propels sand, grit, or other media at high speed to strip rust, scale, and old coatings and to create a profile for adhesion.

Related: Surface Profile, Surface Preparation
Surface Profile

The microscopic roughness or anchor pattern created on a substrate by abrasion or blasting, which gives the coating a mechanical key to grip.

Related: Abrasive Blasting, Adhesion
Efflorescence

A white, powdery salt deposit that appears on masonry and concrete when moisture migrates through the material; it must be removed and the source of damp corrected before painting.

Related: Moisture Meter, Alkali Resistance
Moisture Meter

An instrument that measures the water content of concrete, masonry, or wood so the painter can confirm the substrate is dry enough for coating application.

Related: Efflorescence
Primer

The first coat applied to a prepared surface to seal it, improve adhesion, block stains, and provide a uniform base for the finish coats.

Related: Sealer, Undercoat
Undercoat

A coat applied over the primer and beneath the topcoat to build film thickness, hide the substrate color, and give the finish coat a smooth, even base.

Related: Primer, Topcoat
Topcoat

The final coat of a paint system that provides the visible color, sheen, and weather resistance of the finished surface.

Related: Undercoat, Sheen
Sealer

A coating that penetrates or films a porous surface to reduce absorption, so subsequent coats do not sink in and dry unevenly.

Related: Primer, Alkali Resistance
Fluid Viscosity

A measure of a coating's resistance to flow; it determines whether the paint brushes, rolls, or sprays properly and is adjusted with thinner or water.

Related: Thinner Ratio, Conventional Spray Gun
Thinner Ratio

The proportion of solvent or water added to a coating to reach the working viscosity recommended by the manufacturer, often stated on the product label.

Related: Fluid Viscosity, Pot Life
Pot Life

The usable working time of a mixed coating, especially two-component products, before it thickens or cures beyond the point where it can be applied.

Related: Thinner Ratio, Catalyst
Catalyst

The reactive component added to a two-pack coating that starts the chemical cure; the correct ratio and thorough mixing are essential for proper film performance.

Related: Pot Life
Sheen

The degree of light reflection from a dried coating, ranging from flat and matte to satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss, chosen for appearance and cleanability.

Related: Topcoat, Orange Peel
Orange Peel

A defect in which the dried film has a dimpled, citrus-like texture caused by poor atomization, incorrect viscosity, or too little thinner in spray application.

Related: Sheen, Sagging
Sagging

A defect where excess wet paint runs downward in curtains or drips, usually from over-thick application, too much thinner, or spraying too close to the surface.

Related: Orange Peel, Fluid Viscosity
Masking

Temporarily covering glass, trim, hardware, and adjacent surfaces with tape, paper, or film to protect them from paint and overspray.

Related: Overspray
Cutting In

Brushing a narrow, controlled band of paint along edges, corners, and trim before rolling the open field, so the two areas blend without a visible line.

Related: Masking, Lap Mark
Lap Mark

A visible line left where a wet edge has dried before the next pass of paint overlaps it, caused by painting too slowly or in hot, drying conditions.

Related: Cutting In, Sagging
Faux Finish

A decorative technique such as ragging, sponging, or marbling that imitates natural materials or adds texture, applied over a properly prepared base coat.

Related: Glaze, Base Coat
Glaze

A translucent or semi-transparent coating used in decorative work to create depth, highlights, and blended effects; it stays workable long enough to be manipulated.

Related: Faux Finish
Base Coat

The foundation coat in a decorative or multi-layer system that establishes color and a uniform surface for the glaze or effect applied on top.

Related: Faux Finish, Glaze
Adhesion

The bond between a coating and the substrate or between successive coats; it depends on proper surface preparation, cleanliness, and correct application.

Related: Surface Profile, Surface Preparation
Touch-Up

The localized repair of small damaged, thin, or missed areas using the same coating and technique so the patch blends with the surrounding finish.

Related: Adhesion, Lap Mark
Wet Film Thickness (WFT)

The thickness of a coating measured while still wet, checked with a comb gauge to confirm the correct amount is being applied for the required dry film.

Related: Dry Film Thickness (DFT), Sagging
Dry Film Thickness (DFT)

The thickness of the cured coating film, measured with a magnetic or ultrasonic gauge and compared against the specification to confirm coverage and durability.

Related: Wet Film Thickness (WFT)
Alkali Resistance

The ability of a coating to withstand the alkaline nature of new concrete or masonry without losing color or adhesion; alkali-resistant primers are used for this purpose.

Related: Efflorescence, Primer
Solvent

A liquid that dissolves or thins a coating and evaporates after application; it affects drying time, flow, and the health and fire hazards of the product.

Related: Thinner Ratio, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)
Waste Segregation

The practice of separating hazardous painting waste, such as solvent, leftover paint, and contaminated rags, from ordinary refuse for proper disposal or recycling.

Related: Solvent, Housekeeping
Housekeeping

Keeping the work area clean and orderly by clearing debris, storing materials safely, and cleaning tools, which prevents accidents and protects the quality of the finish.

Related: Waste Segregation, Brush Cleaning
Inspection Checklist

A written list of quality points, such as surface preparation, film thickness, coverage, and defects, used to verify that completed work meets the specification before sign-off.

Related: Dry Film Thickness (DFT), Punch List
Punch List

A compiled record of incomplete or defective items found during final inspection that the crew must correct and close out before the work is accepted.

Related: Inspection Checklist, Touch-Up
Toolbox Meeting

A short, informal briefing held at the start of a shift to review the day's tasks, safety hazards, and coordination among crew members.

Related: Hazard Identification, Work Instruction
Work Instruction

A clear, step-by-step written or verbal direction describing how a task must be carried out, including materials, sequence, and quality requirements.

Related: Toolbox Meeting, Inspection Checklist
Material Take-Off

A calculated list of the quantities of paint, primer, and consumables needed for a job, based on measured areas and the coverage rate of each product.

Related: Coverage Rate, Work Instruction
Coverage Rate

The area that a given volume of coating will cover at the specified film thickness, usually stated in square meters per liter on the product data sheet.

Related: Material Take-Off, Dry Film Thickness (DFT)
Professional Work Ethics

The standards of honesty, reliability, respect, and responsibility a painter shows on site, including punctuality, safe conduct, and reporting defects truthfully.

Related: Toolbox Meeting, Work Instruction