Ambering – The tendency of a clear protective finish to take on a warm, yellow appearance as it ages.
Brush marks – Parallel ridges left by a brush in a brushed-on coating..
Gloss – A surface finish or sheen, exterior choices are satin to semi-gloss to high gloss.
Hardwood – Wood that comes from broad-leafed trees, such as oak, walnut and maple.
Knot – The hard cross-grained mass of wood that forms where a tree branch meets the trunk. In a sawn board, it is darker and harder and will not take stain color.
Lacquer – An interior hard, fast-drying, clear protective coating, that dries by evaporation, forming a solid film.
Leveling – The “smoothing out” of an applied finish, where brush marks disappear.
Mineral Spirits – A petroleum based solvents used in solvent based coatings.
Oil-Based – A stain or clear finish comprised of a solvent material cleaned with mineral spirits.
Overspray – Small droplets that miss the intended area and hits an area outside the target.
Polyurethane – A resin used to create durable varnishes.
Softwood – Wood that comes from trees that bear needles such as pine and fir.
Solvent – A liquid used to soften oil-based substances when wet.
Spar Urethane – A durable varnish formulated for exterior use; it remains slightly softer and more flexible than interior varnish allowing it to expand and contract with changing weather conditions.
Stain – A semi-transparent liquid applied to wood to give a color.
Stripper – A removal product using chemicals or solvents to soften an old finish for removal.
Topcoat – A “clear” protective finish, such as spar urethane applied over bare or stained wood.
Varnish – A transparent finish coating for wood surfaces, consisting of resins dissolved in oil, denatured alcohol or water.
Water-Based – A stain or clear protective finish comprised of resins in water.
Wood Conditioner – A liquid applied to soft woods before staining to obtain even stain penetration and uniform color.
