Paints, Coatings, & Wallcoverings
Questions and Answers
Primers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>the performance-improving base coat, holds finish coats to the surface,
prevents finish coats from sinking into the surface, helps achieve a consistent gloss level, creates a good
bond b/w the substrate and the paint
Two Types of Primers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>sealers and underbodies
Sealers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>hold back anything that might bleed through the finish coats
Underbodies -CORRECT ANSWER ->>conceal minor imperfections, sometimes called block fillers
Oil Based Primers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>oil based means alkyd, petroleum based, not allowable on
wood substrates
Water-Based Primers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>can be latex or acrylic, latex is more flexible, both cause
grain raising on bare wood
Water-modified Alkyd -CORRECT ANSWER ->>hybrid- uses plant-based oil vs. petroleum
Primers on different surfaces -CORRECT ANSWER ->>require specific primers
Shellac -CORRECT ANSWER ->>used to seal resinous wood to prevent pitch or resin from affecting end
result
Paint -CORRECT ANSWER ->>the topcoat, performance + decorative, high-impact for (relatively) low cost
Oil-Based Paints -CORRECT ANSWER ->>increasingly illegal for walls and trim, metal still requires oil-
based, on floor (epoxy), dried harder than water-based (called "surface tack", more toxic than water-
based
, Water-Based Paints -CORRECT ANSWER ->>easier to use (doesn't require constant stirring), cleans up
with water, lower-VOCs, dries faster, less toxic than oil-based
Grades of Paint -CORRECT ANSWER ->>contractor grade and specification grade
Contractor Grade -CORRECT ANSWER ->>lowest price, lower sheen levels than same sheen level
designation, lower resin content, less cleanable
When should you use Contractor Grade? -CORRECT ANSWER ->>when the budget is stringent, client
prefers to touch up rather than wash, high-turnover situations
Specification Grade -CORRECT ANSWER ->>more expensive, higher sheen levels, higher resin content,
easier to clean
When should you use Specification Grade? -CORRECT ANSWER ->>when budget isn't such an issue,
when cleanability is desired, when sheen matters
Paint Sheen Types -CORRECT ANSWER ->>high gloss, gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, matte, flat
High Gloss Sheen -CORRECT ANSWER ->>every imperfection will be super obvious, must be applied
expertly, massive presswork, easy to clean, ultra* shiny!!!
Gloss Sheen -CORRECT ANSWER ->>Imperfections will be visible, expert prep required, good in utility
spaces, (cleanability more important than perfection)
Semi-Gloss Sheen -CORRECT ANSWER ->>a little less shiny, a little less washable, less need to a perfect
surface, specified more often than high gloss or gloss, often used on millwork trim and corridors
Satin -CORRECT ANSWER ->>soft sheen, can be cleaned gently, good in offices, living rooms, bedrooms,
etc.
Questions and Answers
Primers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>the performance-improving base coat, holds finish coats to the surface,
prevents finish coats from sinking into the surface, helps achieve a consistent gloss level, creates a good
bond b/w the substrate and the paint
Two Types of Primers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>sealers and underbodies
Sealers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>hold back anything that might bleed through the finish coats
Underbodies -CORRECT ANSWER ->>conceal minor imperfections, sometimes called block fillers
Oil Based Primers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>oil based means alkyd, petroleum based, not allowable on
wood substrates
Water-Based Primers -CORRECT ANSWER ->>can be latex or acrylic, latex is more flexible, both cause
grain raising on bare wood
Water-modified Alkyd -CORRECT ANSWER ->>hybrid- uses plant-based oil vs. petroleum
Primers on different surfaces -CORRECT ANSWER ->>require specific primers
Shellac -CORRECT ANSWER ->>used to seal resinous wood to prevent pitch or resin from affecting end
result
Paint -CORRECT ANSWER ->>the topcoat, performance + decorative, high-impact for (relatively) low cost
Oil-Based Paints -CORRECT ANSWER ->>increasingly illegal for walls and trim, metal still requires oil-
based, on floor (epoxy), dried harder than water-based (called "surface tack", more toxic than water-
based
, Water-Based Paints -CORRECT ANSWER ->>easier to use (doesn't require constant stirring), cleans up
with water, lower-VOCs, dries faster, less toxic than oil-based
Grades of Paint -CORRECT ANSWER ->>contractor grade and specification grade
Contractor Grade -CORRECT ANSWER ->>lowest price, lower sheen levels than same sheen level
designation, lower resin content, less cleanable
When should you use Contractor Grade? -CORRECT ANSWER ->>when the budget is stringent, client
prefers to touch up rather than wash, high-turnover situations
Specification Grade -CORRECT ANSWER ->>more expensive, higher sheen levels, higher resin content,
easier to clean
When should you use Specification Grade? -CORRECT ANSWER ->>when budget isn't such an issue,
when cleanability is desired, when sheen matters
Paint Sheen Types -CORRECT ANSWER ->>high gloss, gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, matte, flat
High Gloss Sheen -CORRECT ANSWER ->>every imperfection will be super obvious, must be applied
expertly, massive presswork, easy to clean, ultra* shiny!!!
Gloss Sheen -CORRECT ANSWER ->>Imperfections will be visible, expert prep required, good in utility
spaces, (cleanability more important than perfection)
Semi-Gloss Sheen -CORRECT ANSWER ->>a little less shiny, a little less washable, less need to a perfect
surface, specified more often than high gloss or gloss, often used on millwork trim and corridors
Satin -CORRECT ANSWER ->>soft sheen, can be cleaned gently, good in offices, living rooms, bedrooms,
etc.
