W
Washability. Ease with which washing will remove dirt from the paint's surface without causing damage.
Water-based. Solvent free paint preparations.
Wet and Dry. An fine abrasive sandpaper normally used with clean water to produce a very smooth surface.
Wet edge. The surface area where paint has most recently applied. Important when glossing large flat surfaces.
Whites. Painters white overalls
White spirit. Used to thin oil paints and clean brushes. Slightly cheaper than Turpentine Substitute.
Whitewash.Whitewash is a kind of paint which is made from mixing hydrated lime, salt and water. It is cheap to make andused mainly on farms as it is harmless to animals.
Windsor. Chairs in which the legs and arms are all socketed to form a shaped 'saddle' seat. Each individual chair can be made from a mixture of different woods such as yew, ash and elm. They have been made in Britain since the middle of the eighteenth century. There are two main types, those with a rounded back and a bowed back piece known as a 'hoop' or 'crinoline' back, and those with a straight top rail.
Wiped Finish. A decorative effect obtained by wiping a wet coat of glaze, scumble, or paint from the raised portions of a surface, exposing the ground colour in these areas and leaving the glaze, etc., in the hollows and recessed parts.
Wolman. Wood care subsidiary of Zinsser.
Woodchip. A wallcovering made by including chips of wood in the pulp. It needs painting once hung, and is a good cover-up for poor walls.
Wood filler. Very hard filler for wood repairs.
Woodgraining. A paint effect used to resemble the grain of real wood. A base colour is applied first using an oil based paint in an oak, mahogany or pine colour, followed by a coat of scumble glaze. Whilst still wet and 'open', a special graining comb is dragged through to make the grain. Different sizes of graining comb are available and the finished result can look very lifelike. Alternatively you can use an eggshell paint the colour of your preferred wood and use a scumble glaze in a darker shade. Use a small brush to add details such as knots.
Wood oil. An abbreviation used for CHINA-WOOD OIL.
Wood stain. Transparent finish  to enhance the wood colour and allow the grain to show through.
Wrinkle Finish. A type of finish employed in industrial work in which the film, on drying, assumes a ridged or wrinkled formation which is con­trolled by the thickness of the coating and other factors.