A thin coating is a layer of material that is applied to a surface. The term can refer to a variety of different materials, including FILM, VENEER, LAMINA, and PATINA. FILM is a thin layer of material, usually plastic, that is applied to a surface. VENEER is a thin layer of wood that is applied to a surface. LAMINA is a thin sheet of metal or other material that is applied to a surface. PATINA is a thin layer of corrosion or oxidation that forms on the surface of metal over time.