Definition of "ciss"

Varnish is very apt to ciss on old work, if the second coat is not applied as soon as ever the first coat is hard enough to bear varnishing.

1873, Ernest Spon, Workshop Receipts, for the Use of Manufacturers, Mechanics, and Scientific Amateurs by Ernest Spon, page 83

Varnish frequently cisses upon oil paint.

1898, Walter Pearce, Painting and Decorating, page 156

"Cissing."—This term, which would appear to be peculiar to the paint and varnish craft, represents the phenomenon occurring when oil is applied to a damp surface or vice versa, and consists in the contraction or retression of the film applied to separate drops of lesser surface. […] The manifestation of the “cissing” would appear to be about simultaneous with the period of evaporation of the bulk of the volatile thinner . The cause of “cissing” on an unflatted varnished surface is to be found as before stated in the high interfacial tension […]

1920, Robert Selby Morrell, Armand Waele, Rubber, Resins, Paints and Varnishes, page 198

There is some doubt as to the exact fatty acid composition, but the unquestionably high linolenic acid content and the fact that it is somewhat more reactive than linseed oil places it in the linolenic group. The raw oil tends to “ciss” when applied as a thin film, forming droplets as thought the surface were greasy.

1952, Maurice Robert Mills, An Introduction to Drying Oil Technology, page 10

The use of silicone anti-cissing agents in particular demands extreme caution, for while small amounts can help to prevent cissing, excessive use will actually promote it. Moreover, any subsequent coats are even more likely to ciss, and their ...

2006, Nigel Clegg, How to Paint Your Boat: Painting, Varnishing, Antifouling, Sheridan House, Inc., page 24