Unsure about a technical term, looking for a solution for a common finishing problem or easy-to-follow instructions on techniques? Our troubleshooting guide is here for you!
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| S |
S
|
| Sags | Areas of uneven coating produced by flow of excessively thick layers of wet material. |
| Sandability | The ease at which a coating can be sanded without dragging or gumming the sanding medium. |
| Saturation | The percentage of reflected light which is colored. |
| Sealer | A coating which slightly raises the wood grain fiber and seals the wood grain fiber and seals the wood. Upon sanding it leaves a smooth surface and provides build. |
| Secondary Colors | Orange, green and violet. Mixtures of primary colors. |
| Shade | A color toned with black or with a complementary color having some degree of dulling effect. |
| Shelf Life | The period of time during which a material may be stored and remain suitable for use. |
| Shellac | Orange colored resin which is the secretion of the Lac beetle found in greater quantities in India and Indochina. Shellac is ordinarily dissolved in denatured ethyl alcohol. |
| Shrinkage | Usually associated with extensively crosslinked films, visible by the amount of curling induced on the substrate. |
| Slip | The degree to which tactile friction is absent from a film. |
| Solubility Parameter | A measure of solvency whose major usefulness is in predicting whether a particular solvent will dissolve a particular resin. Based on heat of vaporization of the solvent. Stronger solvents generally have higher solubility parameter values. |
| Solvent | A liquid, usually volatile, which is used in the manufacture of coatings, to dissolve or disperse the film-forming constituents and which evaporate during drying (does not become part of the dried film). Solvents are used to control the viscosity and application properties of the finished material. |
| Solvent (Active) | A solvent which by itself will dissolve a resin. |
| Solvent Power | A general term denoting the ability of a solvent to dissolve a resin or binder and hold it in solution. Also known as solvency. |
| Spatter (Flyspeck) | Small specks of color lightly splattered onto a surface to add aesthetics. |
| Spectrum | The bands of color seen when white light, especially light from the sun, is broken up by refraction, as in a rainbow or prism. |
| Sprayability | The degree to which a coating can be finely atomized at the tip of a spray gun. |
| Stain | A pigmented material which can be sprayed or wiped onto wood to accent the grain patterns. |
Our extensive wood coatings expertise covers all technologies. From pre-catalyzed to waterborne, nitrocellulose to polyurethane, we deliver a wide range of top-performing products for your business.
Need help? Contact our team of wood coating experts.