Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2011 and has been updated to reflect the name change from DuPont to Axalta.
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Athletes warm up a little more before competition
on colder days. Motorists know that engine oil
becomes thicker in the winter cold. Things are not
all that different with clearcoats and hardeners,
which also tend to become more viscous during the
cold season if not stored properly.
Paint material should have a temperature of 68°F
(20°C) to 77°F (25°C) for spraying, as this
ensures the best reaction between the clearcoat
and the hardener. For chemical reactions to run
smoothly, warm conditions are much better than
cold. This is the reason why you heat up a low
bake oven for drying clearcoat. It is virtually
impossible to achieve perfect surface results with
cold paint materials, because it will inevitably
produce flaws.
The same applies to the substrates. Care should be
taken that the vehicle body is not too cold before
applying the paint. If the substrate is too cold,
this will have an adverse impact on the flow and
the surface finish.
To ensure consistent quality, the labs at
Standox test everything under standardized
conditions. The same is true of our production
department, which delivers our clearcoats with a
defined viscosity. Standox knows that body shops
cannot always guarantee the same perfect
conditions as our labs. While Standox products
are relatively adaptable, certain minimum
conditions must be ensured to avoid flaws.
Processing and storage temperature of 68°F (20°C)
is ideal.
If the product appears to be too viscous, although
you have mixed it correctly; you should check the
temperature of the material. In many cases, it is
too cold. Adding thinner in order to reduce the
viscosity is not the right solution. This is not
only bad for the environment and your wallet but
will also cause flaws such as orange peel. Adding
more coats to achieve a smooth flow will do even
more harm, as excessive coats may lead to blisters
and sagging.
For more information, visit www.axalta.com.
