Painted and Plaster Finishes Glossary

Antiquing- To give a surface an worn, aged or distressed finish.

Base Coat- The initial layer(s) of paint or plaster that are applied to a surface, prior to finsh coats.

Burnish- A method that is typically performed on Venetian Plaster using a stainless steel trowel. Burnishing gives a smooth, glass-like finish to the plaster as well it compacts the lime and marble creating the illusion of depth and multiple colors.

Chair Rail- Wall molding applied horizontally at the height of a side chair.

Combing- A decorative paint technique in which a comb (often made of plastic or cardboard or rubber) is pulled through wet paint, glaze or plaster to create a pattern.

Color Wash- A process in which a tinted glaze is applied to blend multiple colors.

Crown Molding- Trim molding that runs along the top of a wall and ceiling.

Crackle Finish- Crackle finishes have an aged, weathered look. They can be used with paint or plaster to revile a base color or the crackle finish can be glazed. Crackle finishes can be controlled to create “fine” porcelain like cracks or large cracks.

Decorative Painting- The process or art of coating a surface with paint / glazes using multiple colors to create depth and the illusion of texture.

Decorative Plaster- Generally a synthetic / water based plaster that is troweled onto a smooth surface such as walls, ceilings, cabinets, mantels etc. This type of material is generally cheaper and easier to apply then authentic lime plasters.

Distressing-To create an aged look. Examples would be, worm holes, scratches, dents, crackle finishes, sanding sharp edges on cabinetry, trim, doors, furniture, walls etc…

Faux- Faux is a French word used to describe something made to resemble something else. The original French word means false, fake, imitation or artificial. In the decorating industry faux finishing is a broadly used term describing technique used to create variety looks that will fit many different design styles.

Gilding- The application of metal in any form (gold or other metallic leaf, metallic foil, metallic paint, metallic powder, etc.)

Glaze – A translucent material that starts out clear. Glaze can be tinted with universal colorant or tint, to any color. Glaze is applied over a base color to create an endless variety of decorative or faux finishes. Glaze is NOT watered down paint! It has an increased open time allowing it to be manipulated until the desired look is achieved. Knock down texture – A texture that is thicker than orange peel texture. It is sprayed and then knocked down to create organic shapes. Generally in the North West this is what you will find on the ceilings in most newer homes.

Lacquer – Lacquer can be solvent based or water based. Generally lacquer is used over the top of stained wood or decorative finishes, when a more durable, washable surface is required. In the past solvent based lacquers are known for their hard, durable finish. However today’s technology in water based lacquers have come a long way. Water based lacquers don’t have the smell and fire danger that is associated with the solvent based version. Also water based lacquers don’t yellow, or turn color over time allowing for touch ups that will match at a later date.

Smooth wall, Level 0 –5

Level 0 – No taping, finishing, or accessories required. Usage: Temporary construction or when final decoration is undetermined.

Level 1 – All joints and interior angles shall have tape set in joint compound. Surface shall be free of excess joint compound. Tool marks and ridges are acceptable. Usage: Above false ceilings or other areas that are out of public view where a degree of fire and noise resistance is required.

Level 2 — All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and wiped with a joint knife leaving a thin coating of joint compound over all joints and interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with a coat of joint compound. Surface shall be free of excess joint compound. Tool marks and ridges are acceptable. Joint compound applied over the body of the tape at the time of tape embedment shall be considered a separate coat of joint compound and shall satisfy the conditions of this level. Usage: As a substrate for tile walls and ceilings as well as in garages, warehouses, and other places where appearance is not a primary concern.

Level 3 — All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and one additional coat of joint compound applied over all joints and interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with two separate coats of joint compound. All joint compound shall be smooth and free of tool marks and ridges. It is recommended that the prepared surface be coated with a drywall primer prior to the application of final finishes. Usage: Suitable base for heavy-medium textured paint or other thick finishes.

Level 4 — All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and two separate coats of joint compound applied over all flat joints and one separate coat of joint compound applied over interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with three separate coats of joint compound. All joint compound shall be smooth and free of tool marks and ridges. It is recommended that the prepared surface be coated with a drywall primer prior to the application of final finishes. Usage: “Standard” household and office walls. Used with light or non-textured finishes. Not suitable for harsh lighting conditions, which may highlight minor imperfections.

Level 5 — All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and two separate coats of joint compound applied over all flat joints and one separate coat of joint compound applied over interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with three separate coats of joint compound. A thin skim coat of joint compound, or a material manufactured especially for this purpose, shall be applied to the entire surface. The surface shall be smooth and free of tool marks and ridges. It is recommended that the prepared surface be coated with a drywall primer prior to the application of finish paint. The skim coat is a final leveling agent suitable to smooth out a surface to be used under the harshest lighting conditions that may otherwise highlight any imperfections under the finished surface. Usage: Gloss and entirely non-textured surfaces.

Lime Plaster – Lime plaster is an All-Natural plaster that is made from marble, lime and other natural aggregates. Lime plaster is troweled onto a smooth surface such as walls, ceilings, cabinets, mantels etc. Authentic lime plaster inhibits and prevents bacteria growth on the surface, which eliminates the possibility of mold and mildew. As a result of eliminating mold spores, it is hypoallergenic, not allowing allergy spores to live longer during allergy seasons and leaves a heather living environment. Lime plaster is an excellent sound barrier and insulator. Lime plaster will reduce the amount of humidity in a room by absorbing moisture which then evaporates off the surface over time. Lime Plaster will help keep a fire contained. Since it does not burn like painted or synthetic plaster, it does not allow a fire to spread as quickly within a room. This ability reduces or eliminates more extensive structural damage or destruction (provided the fire is extinguished promptly). The only thing better than authentic lime plaster, would be to apply stone or marble slabs to your walls.

Marbleizing- A finishing technique that using paint and glazes to mimic real marble or stone.

Open Time - The amount of time that a paint, plaster or glaze stays wet and remains workable.

Orange Peel texture – Orange peel texture is commonly found in the North west. It is a texture that is sprayed onto walls and ceilings to minimize drywall and framing imperfections.

Primer- Either water based or oil, the first coat of product applied to a surface to reduce absorbency, block stains, and ensure adhesion of subsequent coats.

Protective coating – Any clear material such as Lacquer, Conversion Varnish, Polyurethane, Wax, Varnish etc. These are some of the materials used to make a finished surface more durable and washable.

Sheen – Sheen refers to the amount of light that reflects or bounces off of a painted or finished surface. Generally, the higher the sheen level the more durable, washable and stain resistant a finish will be. However, finishes that have a high level of sheen will highlight surface imperfections such as poor framing or poor installation of drywall / texture.

Skip Trowel texture– Is generally done with all purpose dry wall mud by troweling with light pressure to create an organic texture. Generally a skip troweled texture is primed and painted like normal smooth wall or orange peel texutes.

Stipple- A faux finish technique where a stippler is pounced into wet glaze on the surface causing the glaze to disperse into tiny dots. Stippling gives a very even film of glaze while removing brush strokes or roller marks.

Strie-A decorative painting technique where a brush or various other tools are pulled through wet gaze achieving stripes.

Tint – Tint is the material that is added to paint , glaze or plaster to create a color. Tint on its own does NOT have dryers in it, so it important that the ratio of tint to paint/glaze/plaster, not exceed 4 oz per gal when using glaze and up to 14 oz when using in paint and up to 16 oz in plaster.

Trompe L’oeil- A French word meaning, “To fool the eye”. A decorative painting technique using paint and glaze in which an illusion of depth and reality is created by emphasizing highlights and shadows.

Varnish - Any synthetic resins such as alkyd or acrylic clear coats, epoxies and polyurethane’s that provide a clear protective coating.

Venetian Plaster- A internally colored coating that, that creates a smooth, surface with both movement and depth. Venetian plaster is typically troweled on with a stainless steel trowel in multiple layers for a smooth polished stone like finish.

Wet-Edge-The place where one section of glaze joins a still wet, previously applied section, so that no seam or break is visible.