Painting Glossary: Key Terms Every Boston Homeowner Should Know

Painting quotes are full of trade terms. Some are simple. Some change your price. This glossary explains the terms you will hear from a painter in Brookline and Greater Boston, in plain language.

If a term on your estimate is not listed here, call us at (978) 886-8854 and we will explain it.

Surface Preparation Terms

The work done before any paint goes on. It includes cleaning, scraping, sanding, patching, caulking, and priming. Prep is where most paint failures start or get prevented.

Scraping removes loose or peeling paint. Sanding smooths rough spots and gives new paint something to grip. Both are standard on older homes.

A flexible sealant used to fill gaps at trim, window frames, and seams. It blocks drafts and water. It also gives trim a clean edge once painted.

Filling nail holes, dents, and small cracks with spackle or joint compound. Patched areas are sanded flush before priming.

Cleaning exterior surfaces with pressurized water to remove dirt, mildew, and loose paint. The surface must dry fully before painting. See our exterior painting services.

A thin layer of joint compound spread over a whole wall or ceiling. It hides texture, tape lines, and surface flaws. A skim coat over the full surface is what defines a Level 5 drywall finish.

The highest of the six finish levels (0 to 5) in the Gypsum Association’s GA-214 standard. It starts with a Level 4 finish and adds a skim coat over the entire surface.

The standard recommends it for critical lighting, such as long walls with side light from windows. It is also recommended under gloss and semi-gloss paint. It is a specification choice, not a building code requirement. Learn more about our Level 5 drywall finishing.

Paint and Product Terms

A base coat applied before paint. It helps paint stick, evens out how much paint the surface absorbs, and can block stains. Bare wood, patched drywall, and glossy surfaces usually need it.

Paint that thins and cleans up with water. Most interior wall paint sold today is water-based. It dries faster and has less odor than oil-based paint.

Paint that uses solvents instead of water. It is sometimes chosen for trim, doors, and high-wear surfaces. It takes longer to dry and has a stronger odor.

How much light a dried paint reflects. Common names, from lowest to highest, are flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Names and exact levels vary by brand.

Higher sheen is easier to wipe clean. It also shows wall flaws more. That is why high-sheen walls often need better prep.

A product that colors wood and lets the grain show. Paint forms a solid film. Stain soaks in. Stain is common on decks, doors, and trim.

A clear or tinted coating that protects a surface from moisture or wear. Sealers are used on wood, masonry, and some floors.

A two-part coating made of a resin and a hardener. It cures into a hard, durable surface. It is used on garage floors and commercial floors. See our epoxy coating services.

A chemical in some paints that evaporates into the air as the paint dries. VOCs cause the strong “fresh paint” smell.

Paints labeled low-VOC and zero-VOC contain much less. A common industry threshold is under 50 grams per liter for low-VOC and under 5 grams per liter for zero-VOC. Tinting can add VOCs back in. Low-VOC paint still needs ventilation.

Painting or coating existing cabinets instead of replacing them. Done well, it includes cleaning, sanding, priming, and a durable topcoat. See our kitchen cabinet refinishing.

Removing cabinet doors or furniture and spraying them in a controlled space instead of in your home. It limits overspray and dust in your living area.

Application Terms

One layer of paint. Most walls get a primer coat and two finish coats. The number of coats depends on the surface, the color change, and the paint.

Using a brush to paint edges, corners, and trim lines before rolling the open wall. It gives sharp lines where a roller cannot reach.

Applying paint with a high-pressure sprayer instead of a roller. It is fast on large surfaces, siding, and ceilings. Surfaces must be masked well.

Rolling or brushing paint right after it is sprayed. It presses the paint into the surface and evens the finish.

Dry time is when paint feels dry to the touch. Cure time is when it reaches full hardness. Cure time is longer and varies by product. Check the manufacturer’s data sheet for the product used.

One thousandth of an inch. Painters use it to describe coating thickness. It comes up most with epoxy and industrial coatings.

Visible streaks where wet paint overlaps paint that has already started to dry. Working in sections and keeping a wet edge reduces them.

Patches that look shinier or duller than the rest of the wall. It can come from uneven prep, uneven coats, or touch-ups.

Paint Problem Terms

Paint lifting off the surface in sheets or flakes. It is often caused by moisture, poor prep, or paint applied over a dirty or glossy surface.

Bubbles under the paint film. Trapped moisture or heat is a common cause.

A powdery residue on exterior paint. It forms as the paint breaks down from sun and weather. Mild chalking is normal on aging paint. It should be cleaned off before repainting.

Cracks in the paint that look like reptile skin. It often points to coats that did not bond or dry properly.

A surface fungus that grows in damp, shaded areas. It needs to be cleaned and treated before painting. Painting over it does not stop it.

White, powdery salt deposits on brick, concrete, or stucco. It comes from moisture moving through the masonry. The moisture source must be addressed first.

Stains from water, smoke, or wood tannins showing through new paint. A stain-blocking primer is the usual fix.

How well paint bonds to the surface. Poor adhesion leads to peeling. Prep and primer decide adhesion more than the topcoat does.

When joints, screw heads, or patches show through finished paint. It is most visible in angled light. A higher drywall finish level reduces it.

Lead Paint and Safety Terms

Paint containing lead. The federal government banned its sale for use in homes in 1978. Many homes built before 1978 still have some. Peeling or disturbed lead paint creates dust, which is hazardous, especially to young children.

An EPA rule for paid work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes and child-occupied buildings built before 1978. Firms must be EPA certified. Workers must be trained in lead-safe work practices. Contractors must give owners and tenants EPA’s lead hazard pamphlet before work starts.

A state law that requires lead hazards to be removed or covered in homes built before 1978 when a child under 6 lives there. It also requires lead disclosures when pre-1978 homes are sold or rented. Owners of older homes in Brookline and Boston should know it applies to them.

Removing or permanently covering lead paint hazards. It is separate from regular painting and is usually done by a licensed deleading contractor.

Coverage for medical costs and lost wages if a worker is hurt on the job. Ask any contractor for proof of coverage before work begins.

Restoration Terms

Painting and repair work that preserves the original look and materials of an older home. It often includes careful paint removal, wood repair, and period-appropriate finishes. Some historic districts have rules about exterior changes. Check with your local historic commission before choosing colors. See our historic home restoration painting service.

Taking old wallpaper and adhesive off the wall before painting. Leftover adhesive must be cleaned off or paint will not bond. See our wallpaper removal service.

Baseboards, casings, crown molding, and similar wood details. Trim often needs more prep than walls and a tougher finish.

Estimate and Project Terms

Scope of Work

The written list of what will be painted, what prep is included, and what is not. A clear scope is the best way to compare quotes.

Change Order

A written agreement to change the scope after work starts, such as adding a room. It should state the added cost before the work is done.

Touch-Up

Small spot repairs after the main job, such as scuffs or missed spots.

Need Help With Your Painting Project?

Gonnella Painting & Restoration is a family-run painting contractor at 1037 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446. We handle interior, exterior, commercial, and restoration painting across Brookline, Boston, Newton, Cambridge, and nearby towns.

Request a free quote or call (978) 886-8854.