Factory Finish- A temporary coating applied to flooring material during manufacture for ease of manufacturing and protection during shipment and installation. It is recommended that this coating, often referred to as mill finish, be removed before being treated with a polish.

Film- An extremely thin continuous sheet of substance. The protective value of any film depends on it being 100% continuous, i.e., without holes or cracks, since it must form an efficient barrier to molecules of atmospheric water vapor, oxygen etc.

Fisheye- Small round surface imperfections in a polish film caused by localized differences in surface tension, induced convection or by the wet film receding from incompatible entities in the product or on the substrate. Oil, silicone or other hydrophobic materials are the usually causes of fisheyes.

Floor Polish- A temporary coating that enhances the appearance and protects the substrate to which it is applied; also called Floor Finish, Floor Wax.

Floor Sealer- A coating, temporary or permanent, applied to a floor before applying finishing coats to help fill voids and pours in the floor surface; fewer finish coats are necessary because less product is absorbed by the floor and results in a more uniform appearance. Floor sealers might be necessary to promote adhesion of finish coats.

Fluorochemical- A fluorinated surfactant which, through its ability to lower the surface tension of liquid, can improve the leveling and wetting characteristics of floor polishes.