Paint Curing

[madmanjack83]

Can anyone help me out with this issue? I have a customer that is having a product quality issue, i.e., the polyeurothane paint they use on his polyethylene product comes off due to a lack of curing. When they perform the painting process during the summer months this is not an issue, however during the winter months it tends to occur. They would like to see the temperature maintained at 77 F, however it takes about a week to accomplish the curring of the paint. Can they use a make up air unit in a controlled room and raise the ambient temperature up enough to reduce this time to say 1/3 of the normal curing time without affecting the paint quality, while improving the adherence of the paint to the product? They want to place insulated pads as walls in an area to simulate an actual room. What is the suggested air returns through this type of environment as well? Is the make up air system not appropriate for this application? Please note they just want a temporary fix for this year as they plan to do a total analysis of the painting process. Are used make up air units available on the market?

Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

Madmanjack83

 

[MintJulep]

Polyethylene is notoriously difficult to paint or glue. The surface generally needs to be activiated by some method to have any chance of success.

http://www.yemmhart.com/materials/origins/fabrication.htm

 

[madmanjack83]

Mint,

Thanks for the help. If they can prep the product should they still dry/cure the paint with say a make up air system? Any ideas?

Thanks Again,

Madmanjack83

 

[MintJulep]

This is a single-componet polyuerthane paint, right?

Single-component PU paints need moisture in the air to cure, so it is possible that the drier air typical in the winter would slow curing.

Look at humidity contol, not just temperature control.

Two-component PU paint cures by chemical means, so air is not an issue. Generally warmer is better than cooler.