Product data sheets are a valuable tool for coating applicators as well as trained and certified coating inspectors. They are essentially an instruction manual for using the product. Unfortunately, many of us don’t read the instructions until it is too late.
Overspray and Dry Fall Coatings Dry fall coatings (also known as dry fog coatings) are spray-applied protective and/or decorative paints specifically designed to minimize attachment of any overspray to any nearby areas and equipment that are not desired to be painted. Overspray consists of the tiny droplets of paint created during the spraying process that …
Introduction Coating specifications and contract documents often contain stipulations for the maximum length of time a prepared steel surface can remain uncoated. We’ll refer to this as the “prep-to-prime window.” This brief article highlights common requirements, discusses the purpose of the requirements, presents industry references, questions the variability in the time periods, and explores a …
Some of the common industrial coatings consist of 2 or 3 components that are mixed together just prior to use. Examples include inorganic and organic zinc, epoxy, and polyurethane. Coating manufacturers typically recommend that complete kits, rather than partial kits, always be mixed, and many specifications are explicit in preventing the mixing of partial kits. …
Problems with Partial Mixing of Multi-Component Coatings Read More »
Many industrial and protective coating materials consist of more than one component. A multi-component coating is any product that consists of two or more separate parts that are mixed together at a specified ratio. As the materials are mixed, a reaction occurs that allows the disparate parts to chemically cross-link and form a polymer. The …
It’s All in the Mix – Proper Mixing of Multi-Component Coating Systems Read More »
Wet film thickness, or WFT is the measured thickness of any applied wet paint that is liquid-based. A wet film thickness gage should be used by the applicator as the coating is being applied to ensure that the measurement is representative of the calculated wet film before significant solvent evaporation occurs. Even slight delays in …
An organic solvent is a chemical that is relatively stable, in the liquid state at temperatures of approximately 0 degree to 250 degree Celsius. Common organic solvents are classified as alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, esters, glycol ethers, and ketones. Organic solvents are widely employed since they dissolve, suspend or extract other materials …
When applying coating materials to complex industrial structures, there are several factors that should be considered, including the selection of a spray application method and proper spray technique that will help achieve continuous coverage at the correct thickness. This article describes several techniques that can be used to optimize film build when applying coating materials …
Spray Application – Techniques to Optimize Film Build Read More »
Stripe Coating The Protective Coatings Glossary (SSPC 00 – 07) defines a “Stripe Coat” as: “A coat of paint applied only to edges or to welds on steel structures before or after a full coat is applied. The stripe coat is intended to give those areas sufficient film build to resist corrosion.” SSPC Paint Guide …
Importance of Stripe Coating for Extending Coating Service Life Read More »
The Issue There are two questions that can arise when performing in-process quality checks of surface preparation and coating application processes, or when evaluating the performance of a coating system already in service. These include, “How do I perform the tests,” and “What is the frequency required to ensure my test data is representative?” The …
Frequency of Measurements in the Coatings Industry Read More »