The first step to obtaining a world-class painting job is choosing the right technique and, of course, knowing it inside-out.
However, we all know that this is not an easy task, so pay close attention to this article, because our experts are ready to give you the best tips on Paint Applications and Atomization systems!
Regardless if you are a paint application professional, looking for some new paint spraying equipment, or starting a new business and need advice on this topic, you are in the right place!
This article will teach you the necessary skills to make the most of your painting jobs, by choosing the right atomization system for you!
…explaining a bit more about paint and surfaces
First of all, let’s get to know the fluid: PAINT. It is made up of a mixture of chemical components: binders, pigments, solvents, and additives.
When this mixture is applied, a film is formed on the surface and, as the solvent evaporates, a film of solid material is generated: this is what we call PAINT; it stays adhered to the application surface.
This film must have the mechanical and chemical resistance characteristics required to protect the surface from any possible aggression inflicted by a chemical, mechanical or atmospheric agent.
Each component contributes to the final coating result with its own characteristics in terms of color, thickness, protection, flexibility, and gloss. These elements define both, the aesthetics and the final result of the painted surface.
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Substrates, surface treatments and painting applications
The most commonly used substrates in paint applications are: metallic, interior and exterior building surfaces, wood, plastics, paper, and etc.
A wide range of surface treatments or coatings are applied on these substrates, and the blends used have different names (paints, varnishes, lacquers, enamels, primers, finishes, etc.) as well as a number of components.
Coatings solutions and their components in paint applications
Another aspect that you should take into account when planning your paint application or any other coating is the technique you want to use and for this, knowledge of all the components is needed.
Let’s explain: basically, all coatings share the following standard components:
- Polymers, binders, or resins
Use these substances to ‘glue’ together the different paint components. There are many kinds of binders and, each one brings a degree of protection or a certain different aesthetic degree to the paint.
Paints are often recognized based upon the binder they contain? Hence there is cellulosic paint if the binder used is cellulose-based, acrylic paint, polyurethane paint, glycerophtalic paint, and so on. Each type of paint has different properties.
- Pigments
Pigments are dry, colored, fine powder, insoluble in the binder or solvent. These fine solid particles cover surfaces with different colors. There are many types of pigments based on both, natural and synthetic substances, even metallic, such as aluminum powder.
- Solvents
Solvents have two fundamental functions. One, they are in charge of fluidizing binders so that they can be spread using different methods. Two, by evaporating in a certain way, the coating finish meets the desired requirements.
Depending on the way they evaporate, solvents can be:
- Light solvents: They evaporate extremely quickly and cause a rough-looking coating.
- Medium solvents: these are the most common
- Medium solvents: these are the most common
Paints are often recognized based upon the binder they contain? Hence there is cellulosic paint if the binder used is cellulose-based, acrylic paint, polyurethane paint, glycerophtalic paint, and so on. Each type of paint has different properties.
- Additives
Substances incorporated into the paint for particular, technical, or economic reasons. Within a fluid, they help improve application performance and can make the coating harden, prevent mold growth, or improve corrosion resistance.
Now that you know some of the basics, it’s time to get into more complicated matters: spray paint and atomization
PROFESSIONAL METHODS FOR A BETTER FINISHING
Please remember that, as it happens with any other finish when applying paint, you need to know your project in-depth and your product’s technical sheet. Additionally, there are different professional methods that will help you achieve the perfect finish.
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Aplicación por pulverización a baja presión (0-7 bar)
Pneumatically spraying a liquid is the process of dividing it into fine droplets using a jet of compressed air.
Paint can be supplied by a “pressurized” tank or by a feeding pump through a manual or automatic low-pressure gun. The gun should have a compact design and advanced technology to guarantee a lower use of compressed air and a constant supply of the required pressure.
This type of technology ensures fine atomization and high application performance, which makes it ideal for touch-ups or jobs where a small amount of paint is used. It has great adjusting possibilities, so it can be used on many applications.
Applications
- Carpentry furniture
- Metal products and machinery
- Automotive
- Leather
- General Industrial Finishing
- Water and solvent-based products
- Lacquers
- Enamels
- Lacquers
- Primer
Aplicación de atomización mixta asistida por aire (“airmix” o “mist-less”) (60-120 bar)
Atomization consists of dividing a liquid into small drops, applying high pressure and driving the said liquid through small orifices called nozzles.
Paint applications using air-assisted atomization technology combine the benefits of conventional spraying and airless atomization. The high performance and high productivity of airless applications are combined with the high-quality finish of the low-pressure air sprayer, providing the perfect combination of high performance, spray fan control, and finishing.
This type of paint application has been devised to apply “industrial” thick layers while producing minimal fog.
Applications
- Carpentry furniture
- Metal products and machinery
- Automotive
- Leather
- General industrial finishes
- Water and solvent-based products
- Lacquers
- Enamels
- Lacquers
- Enamels
- Fixers
Primers and undercoats
Aplicación por atomización a alta presión (airless) (> 120 bar)
In this case, the fluid passes through the spray nozzle made of tungsten carbide. When paint touches the atmosphere, it breaks up into small droplets and generates a uniform spray pattern, ensuring the optimal surface coverage from the first pass.
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Expert tip: This finishing treatment is mainly requested when it is necessary to paint large surfaces in less time achieving a uniform coating, using specific atomization equipment that allows the connection of two independent painting lines. In this way, you can have two different gun configurations and minimize change and adjustment times.
The High pressure atomization technique is widely used in industrial applications and protective coatings, in the field of construction and road markings. Airless atomizers allow you to use a wide range of products, from the most liquid to the most vicious.
Applications
- Shipbuilding and marine
- Coating of pipes and tanks
- Wind power towers
- Bridges and steel fabrication
- Construction and mining machinery
- Oil and gas
- Railway
- Roof covering
- One and two-component protective coating
- Water and solvent-based paints
- Epoxy coating
- Products with high solids content
- Enamels
- Lacquers
- Primer
- Insulators
- Fillers
- Cast
Okay, but… why should you choose a spray paint application?
Spray paint application is the most effective way to paint all types of objects, walls, structures, buildings, and surfaces. Why? Well, hey, if there is a fast and professional technique out there, offering to save paint, and therefore money, while providing the best finish, maybe you should try it!
In addition, the tiny droplets dispensed from the product applied with a gun, homogeneously cover the surface without fluid accumulation, minimizing finishing defects, and achieving very short application times.
DO YOU KNOW THE RULES FOR A CORRECT APPLICATION OF GUN PAINT?
Have you made up your mind already? Probably getting there! Finally, please remember that for a paint application with a spray gun, the following technologies are available:
- Spray Gun Application
- Application with Mixed Spray Gun (Airmix).
- Application with Spray Gun (Airless)
In the spraying process, compressed air is used to break a fluid into small drops and create an adjustable paint fan, which is applied directly to the area to be coated. While in the Atomization process, the high pressure applied to the fluid is used to break it into droplets as it passes through the nozzle and comes into contact with the air that surrounds it. In Mixed atomization, compressed air is used to regulate a fan shape in a limited way. Moreover, in Atomization (Airless) compressed air is not used, so the paint fan regulation is only possible by changing the pump’s operating pressure and the nozzle placed on the gun.
Conocer los detalles de cada proceso te ayudará a lograr el acabado perfecto, ¡atento a los siguientes consejos y pautas!
GENERAL:
- Always keep the same distance between the spray nozzle and the surface: 30cm
- Keep the paint gun straight and perpendicular, at a 90° angle from the surface to be painted
- Maintain the correct rhythm when applying the fluid
- Check the paint characteristics to determine the best application process.
- Consult the application equipment characteristics to determine which one best suits your specific needs: necessary flow, power, expected performance, etc … Each painting equipment has a maximum flow rate and, you should never use a nozzle larger than the one supported.
- Original and effective spray accessories, such as airless spray extensions, paint lances, heating systems, tanks of different capacities, allow the operator to carry out all finishing applications.
- It is always recommended to use the lowest pressure necessary to obtain the best atomization and achieve maximum transfer efficiency.
- It is essential that the surface is properly prepared so that the coating can be applied with perfect adhesion. Paint coatings must show good adhesion between the surface to be covered and the paint to be effective. An adhesion failure can manifest itself in the form of blisters on the coated surface or peeling off layers of paint.
Spraying Tips:
- The gun used is less expensive
- It is a highly developed technology and well-proven in the market.
- Performs jobs with excellent finishing results.
- Ideal technique for touch-ups.
- Allows you to easily adjust the width of the paint stream to the size of the part to be painted resulting in less paint wasted.
- Dilute only as necessary, using a viscosity measuring cup to limit solvent consumption.
- Remember to always work using the proper pressure, a higher pressure does not mean more performance or a better finish. The maximum pressure should rarely exceed 4.5 bar.
- The process of applying paint generates a mist that can fill the premises and be very irritating. It is necessary to install ventilation cabinets if you have to paint indoors.
- It is quite a noisy process.
- The consumption of compressed air is usually very high.
- It is difficult to paint in narrow cavities as the mist generated tends to be projected onto the applicator.
Atomization Tips:
- Spray guns produce less mist in the painting process.
- As they spray thicker paint, less solvent is needed.
- Paint performance is higher. No paint is wasted in the mist.
- Greater paint amount is deposited per pass, achieving very good yields.
- This paint application process is not the most suitable for touch-ups.
- Compressed air consumption is very low compared to spraying.
- It is easier to paint narrow cavities because the paint is thicker and does not bounce back onto the applicator.
- The airless application process allows better adhesion of the paint to the surfaces.
- Since high pressure is used, special attention to safety recommendations must be paid.
- Never point the gun at a person
