VALUE:
The lightness or darkness of a color, i.e. light blue, medium blue and dark blue have different values.

VARNISH:
A liquid composition that is converted to a transparent solid film after being applied in a thin layer.

VARNISH STAIN :
A varnish that has a transparent color added. It usually has less penetrating power than a true stain.

VEGETABLE OIL :
Oil obtained from the seeds or nuts of vegetable growth. Some of these are "drying oils," such as linseed, soya, tung and oiticica, which are used as binders for oil-based paints and varnishes.

VEHICLE:
The liquid portion of paint, in which the pigment is dispersed. The vehicle is composed of thinner and binder.

VINYL:
A clear, synthetic resin used in some water-based paints, particularly interior flats, and some caulks.

VISCOSITY:
The fluid thickness of a coating.

VOC:
Volatile Organic Compound. Any carbon compound that evaporates under standard test conditions. Essentially, all paint and caulk solvents except water are classified as VOCs. Some government agencies are limiting the amount of volatile organic compounds permitted in paint because of concerns about environmental and health effects.

VOLATILE:
Easily evaporated; the easily evaporated components of any coating or caulk composition.

VOLUME SOLIDS :
The volume of the solid components (pigment plus binder) of a paint or caulk, divided by its total volume, expressed as a percentage. High volume solids provide a thicker dry film, resulting in improved hiding and high durability. A top quality oil-based paint will typically have volume solids of 45% - 65%, while quality latex paints are generally in the 35% - 45% range. A top quality acrylic sealant will have volume solids of 70% - 80%.

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