Wall Covering – Material used to cover wall surfaces. No longer limited to wall papers. 

Warm Colors – Colors that give the Viewer a feeling of warmth.

Washability - Ease with which washing will remove dirt from the surface of the paint without causing damage.

Wash Primer – A thin rust-inhibiting paint which provides improved adhesion to subsequent coats.

Water Blaster - Cleaning equipment that uses water under high pressure.

Water Repellents - Exterior clear finishes that are specially formulated to cause water to bead up on the surface and minimize penetration of water into the substrate.

Water Based Paints - Paint made with acrylic, vinyl or other latex resin types, and thinned with water. It dries more quickly than oil-based paint, has relatively low odor, some water vapor permeability, and cleans up easily. The liquid component is predominantly water.

Water Reducible - Ability to be diluted with water or a water/co-solvent mixture.

Weather Etch - A method of improving the adhesion to a metal substrate by allowing it to weather naturally before painting.

Weather Resistance - The ability of a coating or caulk to withstand the effects of wind, rain, sun and temperature fluctuation, and retain its appearance and integrity.

Wet Adhesion - The ability of dry paint or caulk to adhere to the surface in spite of wet conditions. This is of particular importance for exterior paints and caulks.

Wet Edge Retention - The length of time a newly applied coating can stand, then be brushed or rolled again, without showing lap marks.

Wet Film Gauge – Device for measuring wet film thickness.

Wet Film Thickness - Thickness of a liquid film immediately after application, before it begins to dry.

Wetting Oils – Products used to promote adhesion of applied coatings when all mill Scale and rust cannot be removed.

Wiping Stain - A stain applied to bare wood, and the excess is wiped off before it dries. Mainly for interior use: trim, furniture, floors.

Wire Brushing - Cleaning a surface with a wire brush, or wire power brush.

Wire Edge Joint – Variation of the lapped joint. After selvages have been trimmed from wall covering strips, one strip is lapped very slightly over another strip.

Wood Filler - Heavily pigmented product used to fill the grain of wood before undercoats or finishes are applied. Used on open-grain hardwoods such as oak, ash, walnut and chestnut. Used for furniture and trim.

Wrinkling – A surface defect resembling the skin of a prune.