For Immediate Release:
December, 2007
PPG Automotive Refinish
19699 Progress Drive
Strongsville, Ohio 44149
Contact:
Calvinia Fields
cfields@ppg.com
440/572-2800
PPG Offers Tips To Keep Your Paint Supply
at Optimum Performance
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – December 3, 2007 – As we approach the more severe winter months, with days and nights getting increasingly colder, have you thought about the factors that can affect the overall quality of a paint finish? To ensure that your paint system performs as it was designed, PPG Automotive Refinish suggests you review these guidelines on storing and using paint products properly.
How often do you rotate your stock?
After a delivery, fresh stock should be put to the back of the stock shelves and also marked with the date of delivery. Although this can sometimes be a bit of a nuisance, especially for large, frequent deliveries, it saves time in the long run by ensuring that the stock is relatively “fresh”. For example, tinters that go on a stirred mixing scheme - the hand or shake stir done prior to placing on the scheme - can be a lot easier with fresh stock. Additional benefits to proper stocking include better color accuracy as a result of more thorough tinter mixing which helps to make sure jobs are done right the first time.
What temperature is your bodyshop?
High solids solvent-based products are also more sensitive to lower temperatures than normal solids solvent based products. Although they will not freeze, the products can rise dramatically in viscosity resulting in several negative effects such as:
- Paint mixing can become more time consuming
- Accurate dosing of tinters to make up colors can be slower and the temptation to over pour increases which could lead to inaccurate color matches or too much paint being mixed up
- Application becomes slower, which can increase material consumption and overloading can occur where popping and/or sagging may result when baked, resulting in a complete redo
Even standing a can of clear or hardener on a cool workshop floor is enough to remove the heat from products.
Tin cans are a good conductor of heat (or cold) and this in turn will increase the viscosity. The increase of only a few degrees, i.e. 59°F to 64°F can make an HS product apply more like an MS one, giving better application speed, flow from the gun and wetting out - all helping in a superior final appearance.
The use of a wall-mounted thermometer is by far the easiest way to check if the ambient temperature for the product you are applying is satisfactory. As always, be sure that the proper hardener and solvent is used for the temperature and the size of the repair.
Do you have the correct thinner and hardener?
As always, be sure that the proper hardener and solvent is used for the temperature and the size of the repair. During cooler conditions, your hardener and solvent choices may need to be adjusted to maximize your systems performance. As the ambient temperature decreases, a faster curing hardener and faster evaporating solvent may be required to maintain performance and productivity.
Is your spray gun set correctly?
Having checked all of the above it is also essential to check that you have your spray gun set up correctly for the material you are applying. Whether it is a high build primer, basecoat, solid color or clearcoat you need to ensure that the needle and nozzle combination is correct and clean and that the fan pattern is even. Check for correct air pressure at the gun handle and not just by relying on the gauge of the wall mounted filter/regulator.
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About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company employs more than 34,000 people and has 125 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 25 countries. Sales in 2006 were $11 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York and Philadelphia stock exchanges (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.
PPG Automotive Refinish, 19699 Progress Drive, Strongsville, Ohio 44149
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