# Surface Finish Literacy: Gloss, Matte, Bloom & Chlorination Cues

Human page: https://retifist.com/literature-reviews/surface-finish-literacy-gloss-matte-bloom

> **Safety.** Halogenation uses corrosive oxidizers — vocabulary only, not a home tutorial.

## Executive summary

**Gloss** and **matte** often come from **how the film was formed**, not from a post-cure polish alone. **Tack** may be cut temporarily (talc) or permanently (halogenation). **Bloom** is a migrating layer — not necessarily dirt. Use this when reading sheet faces or storage-related surface change.

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## Finish vocabulary map

| Cue | What it usually means |
| --- | --- |
| Gloss / vibrant color | Glazed former (liquid latex work)[^1] |
| Matte / flat color | Bisque former (liquid latex work)[^1] |
| Permanent de-tack | Halogenation (liquid latex post-cure)[^2] |
| Powder after storage | Wax bloom[^3] |
| Dual-face fashion sheet | Vendor-dependent; ask which face is which |

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## Liquid latex work — former finish

Glazed → shiny; bisque/sandblast → dull.[^1]

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## Halogenation

Halogenation (chlorination) permanently reduces surface tack. Handbook example parameters: ~0.15% Cl, 4.5–7.5 min tumble; neutralize, rinse, dry 40–46°C; no copper or brass contact.[^2]

Chlorinated faces change how [inks and adhesives](/literature-reviews/adhesives-and-seam-integrity) behave.

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## Bloom

Wax bloom 0.5–1.0 phr for static ozone protection; flex breaks the barrier.[^3] See [Antidegradants in DIY Compounds](/literature-reviews/antidegradants-diy-compounds) and [Aging, Storage and Care](/literature-reviews/aging-storage-and-care).

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## Sheet-based work note

Calendered sheet may ship with distinct face and back finishes from the mill. Vendor menus describe gloss/matte options.

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<details>
<summary>Deep dive: Chlorination parameters</summary>

0.15% Cl treatment window; rinse and dry parameters from handbook chlorination chapter.[^2]

</details>

<details>
<summary>Deep dive: Wax bloom kinetics</summary>

Bloom time vs flex; antiozonant alternate strategies for dynamic wear vs static storage.[^3]

</details>

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## Endnotes

[^1]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook — Ch 16 former finish.
[^2]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook — Ch 17 halogenation.
[^3]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook — wax bloom / ozone.