Glossary of Terms
EPA
The Environmental Protection Act.
Fad
A 'wadding pad' used inside a French Polishers 'rubber'. Often taken out of the rubber and used to apply a thin coat of polish prior to colouring.
Figure
Naturally occurring coloured markings in timber which are enhanced when a good quality coating is applied.
Filler
Wood filler or grain filler, usually supplied as a paste, which is used to 'choke up' of fill minor holes in the timber or the grain. Available in 1 and 2 pack systems, both solvent and waterborne.
FIRA
The Furniture Industry Research Association, which provides information, advice and independent testing on all activities associated with furniture.
FIRA (BS) 6250
A performance testing procedure for coatings to determine resistance to physical damage and chemical attack.
FIRA 5000
A specific 'standard' accredited by FIRA to finishes or systems that meet certain performance criteria which replicate the conditions found in bathrooms and rooms where high water/moisture content prevail.
Fish Eyes
A crater-shaped defect found in the finished film caused by external contamination. Typical sources of the contamination include silicone or wax from other stripping or finishing processes, silicone from aerosol sprays, grease, oil or dirt, and moisture contamination from air lines.
Flash Point
The lowest temperature at which a mixture of vapour in air can be ignited by a naked flame.
French Polish
A traditional finish, based on shellac or varnish, used mainly in the reproduction or restoration of antique furniture. High skill levels are required to use this type of finish.
Gloss
Term used to describe the visual or measured 'sheen' of a lacquer or finish. Typically rated as gloss (80-90%), Satin (45-65%), Semi-Matt (20-40%), Matt (10-20%) and Dead Matt (0-5%). The level of sheen is measured by a gloss meter which calculates the amount of light reflected from the film surface at 60°.
Grain
Natural indentations found in the surface of the timber. Timbers can be 'tight' or 'close' grained such as Cherry, or 'open' grained such as Oak.
Gravity-Feed Cup Gun
A spray gun where the cup holding the lacquer is sat on top of the gun and the lacquer is fed to the tip by gravity i.e. it flows from the cup down through the gun.
HVLP
High Volume Low Pressure – a term used to describe a spray system where large amounts of lacquer are transferred under low air pressures thus providing good transfer efficiencies.
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