Covering Power:
Referred to by many when expressing their views relating perhaps to the hiding power, (see Opacity), coverage, (see spreading rate).
Cracking
The splitting of a paint or varnish coating due to ageing, (see Hairline cracking, Checking, Crazing).
Crackle finish
Special finishing paint formulated to shrink and form cracks in the dry film exposing the underneath colour.
Usually applied to furniture to leaving a distressed finish.
Results similar appearance to mud cracking.
Cratering
Caused by rain falling onto a semi dry paint film or aeration of a paint coating during application.
Crawling
Paint shrinking during drying forming an uneven film mainly due to surface contamination Creepage
High surface tension paints applied to a substrate with lower surface tension. For example, paint on steel with oil on the surface