Check out our four ways to speed up your paint curing process.
1. DRY THE PAINTED SURFACE OR PRODUCT IN A HEATED AREA.
A few ways to heat your painting area:
- Applying local heat to the parts you need dried
- Use a contained paint booth that you can use to heat the area up as soon as you’re done
painting.
2. CREATE FAST AIRFLOW OVER THE SURFACE
Creating airflow over the surface allows the paint to dry quicker. A layer of solvents is formed when paint dries, but will slowly evaporate as the paint cures. A shield will them form in between the outside environment and the paint. This “shield” will slow down the curing process.
In order to speed the process up, move high velocity air above that area to release more of the solvents.
You cannot have high velocity air during the painting process because it will cause immoderate over-spray. A fast drying solution, such as an Aquatech, could be turned on after you are done painting to move faster air onto the painted product. You can put the Aquatech system into open painting areas or paint booths.
3. AVOID THINNING THE PAINT
In order to help the paint atomize, we have a few suggestions for you:
- If you’re using a standard epoxy, use an in-line component pump.
- After the paint is out of the pump, use an in-line paint heater.
- Paint won’t atomize when kept at a low temperature, so make sure to check that your paint is warm enough before looking to thin your paint.
4. MAKE SURE THE PRODUCT IS HEATED BEFORE YOU PAINT
If the weather is cold outside and you are blasting steel before painting, plan to blast somewhere inside where it is warmer. The cool temperature will slow down the curing speed.