Back Rolling - An application technique where a painted surface is re-rolled before the paint dries. The coat of paint is commonly applied by airless spray, followed immediately by re-rolling the entire surface.

Backer Rod – An extruded foam rod that is typically placed in joints that are deeper than 1/2” (12.5 mm) to fill in some of the space before the sealant is applied. Foam backer rods come in a variety of diameters, ranging from 1/8” (3 mm) to 3/4” (20 mm).

Binder – The nonvolatile portion of a paint which binds the pigments together in the finished film. See Vehicle.

Biocide - A biologically active paint and caulk additive designed to keep bacteria from spoiling the paint or caulk during storage; or to keep mildew from growing on the applied paint.

Bleaching – Restoring discolored or stained wood to its normal color or making it lighter.

Bleeding – Penetration of color from the underlying surface.

Blending – Most often used as another word for mixing.

Blistering – Bubbles in dry or partially dry paint film.

Block Filler - A thick, paint-like material used to smooth out very rough masonry surfaces like cinder block. It is generally brush-applied, then painted.

Block Resistance - The capability of a coating to resist sticking to itself when used on two surfaces that come into contact with each other, e.g., door and jamb; window sash and sill.

Blocking - Two painted surfaces sticking together when pressed against each other, such as a door sticking to the jamb or window sticking to the sill.

Blushing – Milking and loss of gloss in lacquer.

Body – Thickness of a liquid; now becoming obsolete and replaced by the term viscosity.

Bolt – Roll of fabric or paper of a given length.

Bond Breakers - Materials used to preven bonding of concrete to a surface, such as to forms. Also known as form release agents.

Bonding – Adhesion.

Borax – Agent added to rinse water and to adhesive when metallic substance is present.

Border – Narrow strip around an edge. Border wall covering material.

Boxing – Mixing paint by pouring back and forth between buckets.

Breathe - To allow the passage of moisture vapor from the substrate through the paint film.

Bright Colors – Any of the primary or secondary colors that have not been tinted, shaded or toned and are seen in their pure forms.

Brittleness – Degree of resistance to cracking, breaking or bending.

Brush ability – Ability to be brushed.

Brush Marks – Marks of brush bristles remaining in dried paint film.

Build (or film build) - The thickness that a paint tends to be applied in, when using the normal application technique for that paint.

Bulking – Indicates number of gallons per pound of pigment.

Bundle – Unit of sale usually consisting of 50 rolls of wall covering material.

Burn-out - See Alkali Burn

Burnishing - The formation of shiny areas on a painted surface, as a result of rubbing or washing.

Butt Joint – Joint made by placing wall covering strips edge to edge without overlapping.