We have recently started using new paints and upgraded our painting equipment and we are now spraying high-solids paints. After a couple weeks, we started having problems with blobs of paint on our parts. We finally figured out that the problem is caused by paint overspray that gathers on the overhead conveyor and then drips on parts as they are being carried along. This is a serious problem that is causing many rejects. What can we do?
What thermochromic products would you recommend that offer the greatest color change, and what would those colors be? What is the temperature change necessary to effect this color change? How long would the change be visible with unassisted air cooling back to room temperature? Are these materials safe enough for a consumer to apply outdoors without concern for exposure or inhalation hazards?
We are a painting subcontractor for automotive plastic parts—bumpers, door handles, side mirrors, and so on—here in the Philippines. After about three months, blisters appear on the surface of the part. The problem is on the rear bumper only. Prior to painting, we noticed that the primer on the rear bumper is thinner than the front. Could you please help us find the cause of the problem?
I’m trying to estimate particulate distribution for three areas; the metal parts (90%?), overspray to the surrounding plastic covered walls/floor and to the filter bank on the exhaust stack. I’m using 90% transfer efficiency for the application disc (do you think this is reasonable). My question is: what percent should be used for the particulate/solids being transferred to the walls/floor and what percent would be going through the filters to the exhaust stack?
One of our customers is demanding we paint identification patches on transformer in different colors. As you know paint does not adhere to powder coated articles. I can’t remove the powder completely due to requirements of corrosion protection. Can you suggest some means to paint the powder coated surface.
Somewhere in my memory, I have the thought of UV playing a part in tarnishing during exterior exposure. I was wondering how long these products have been manufactured and has this tarnishing been a problem from the beginning or just relatively recently? Has anything changed in the manufacturing process? It has been a while, but do you think that UV is playing a part in his problem?
Can I use a fan to help the paint absorb oxygen? Can I use heat to speed up the chemical reaction that occurs during the curing process? Can IR lamps speed the curing time of acrylic enamel better than simple heat?
I am looking for a supplier of a clear coating to be applied over a metal plate substrates (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) to which I will then apply an image using dye sublimation. Do you know of a supplier of coated plates or medallions?
I am an industrial engineer for a plant located in the northwestern United States, where temperature and humidity vary widely. How can I determine my paint processing time for these products? Are there any standard tables of drying times based on temperature and humidity?
We have a coating line in our shop. For one of our customers, we recondition equipment cabinets. When we spray dark colored topcoats, we often find defects in the form of seeds on the surface. This doesn’t seem to happen when we spray light colors. Another problem we have from time to time is dust. What must we do to get seed-free and dust-free paint jobs?
We manufacture control housings for the oil industry. The steel housings are zinc phosphated then painted with a durable outdoor finish system. The phosphatizing machine is badly deteriorated. Can we replace it with a parts washer using one of the combination cleaner-phosphates?
