New formulations have enabled
liquid spray painting to become more environmentally friendly
over the past few years. Lower VOC content and paints with water-based
chemistry are not as damaging as the solvent-based coatings of years
past.
Liquid Coating Booth Interior
Liquid spray coatings
continue to be used on heat sensitive products and as high-gloss
topcoats. Electrostatic application
is generally less dependent on atmospheric conditions than powder
coating, while still allowing quick color changes. Specialized liquid
paints whose ingredients crosslink under infrared (IR) or
ultraviolet light (UV) can be processed at high speed through the
curing process.
Liquid Coating Booth Exterior
High capacity electrostatic
liquid spray systems require pre-application pretreatment
equipment to clean, protect and thoroughly rinse the parts. Two
ovens are usually required: one to dry the parts prior to application
and another to quickly evaporate the liquid portion of the coating
afterward. Some liquid coatings need heat - or exposure to infrared
(IR) or ultraviolet (UV) light - to crosslink their polymers for
added toughness. Coating is done in a special room which prevents
overspray from contaminating nearby areas of the plant.
Drawbacks:
Although electrostatic application significantly increases transfer
efficiency, overspray cannot be reused - leading to paint waste.
Poor application technique may generate runs and drips, resulting
in a marred finish.
