TM 43-0139
Paint - Paint is composed of a pigment and a vehicle. The pigment, or solid component, is dispersed in a paint, provides
color to the paint, and enables it to form a film on the painted surface. T he vehicle is the liquid portion of a paint, which
includes components that serve as binders, as well as volatile components known as thinners. The binder portion of the
vehicle, like the pigment, is film forming. After evaporation of the volatile content, drying is by oxidation.
Paint system - The protective paint barrier that covers a painted object, and may consist of a pretreatment coat, primer
coats, intermediate coats, and/or finish or top coats. Also referred to as a finish system.
Peeling - A more aggravated form of scaling, usually due to the presence of moisture when the paint was applied or to
faulty application of the priming coat.
Pigment - The fine, solid particles used in the preparation of paint, substantially insoluble in the vehicle. Pigments provide
coloration, corrosion resistance, strength, hardness, increased durability, and control of gloss.
Polymerization - The reaction, usually at elevated temperatures, in which two or more components of the substance
combine to form a more complex molecular structure, which has the property of curing or solidifying with or without the
absorption of oxygen.
Pretreatment coat - The wash primer or preprimer paint film that is applied under the regular primer paint coat and is
used for better bonding and corrosion control.
Primer - A paint which is intended for use as the initial covering for a surface and is usually followed by other coats, often
of a different type of paint. Primers are also called undercoats, and usually contain corrosion resistant properties.
Respiratory protection, approved - Approved respiratory protection equipment is that equipment tested and listed as
satisfactory according to standards established by a competent authority, such as the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH), or the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), to provide respiratory protection
against the hazard for which it is designed. The specific approval authority may be specified by law for particular hazards.
Runs - Sags - Irregularities of the paint film due to uneven flow of the paint.
Scaling - Flaking of the paint film in an aggravated form in which the paint coating falls off in large sections.
Solvent - A volatile thinner, particularly for varnishes and lacquers.
Spotting - The appearance of discolored spots on a painted or varnished surface.
Spray coat - A spray coat consists of one or more coats, depending on the paint, and should be considered as that
amount of paint applied at one time, just short of sagging, running, or wrinkling.
Stripper - Any solution used for paint removal.
Stripping - The process of removing paint from a painted surface by means of a stripper.
Sweating - A term used to describe the reappearance of luster on a varnished surface which has been rubbed to a dull
finish.
Thinner - Thinners make a paint workable, adjusting the consistency for easy application, and producing a uniform film
that will penetrate and adhere to the surface. The thinner, being volatile, evaporates and does not provide part of the dried
surface film.
Toxic - A paint or other product that has poisonous qualities. While some paints and related materials have toxic qualities
with respect to the using personnel, products which are named "toxic paints" are developed for their poisonous qualities
against fungi, teredo, barnacles, etc.
Glossary 3
