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Choosing the Best Industrial Metal Paint System. Author - Andy Potts Original 15th Dec 2016 - Amended June 22th 2020 (reading time 3 mins)
Choosing the right high performance industrial metal paint system and protective paints can be a difficult job. You need to ensure you have the right type of paint to get the job done, as well as taking care of its applications. Specialists and industrial metal paint system suppliers Ultrimax give an outline of the different types of industrial paints available, to help you chose the right paint coating to suit your application:
Epoxy paints are two part packaged coatings that are mixed prior to application. Once the paint is properly catalysed and applies, epoxies then produce a hard resistant finish. Epoxy paints are typically used on steel and concrete, as they give resistance to alkali, acids, and water.
Epoxy paints are incredibly hard wearing and durable, as well as being chemical, abrasion and water resistant.
Epoxy paints are solvent based and can irate and inflame the lungs once inhaled. They also have poor UV stability. It can also cause irritation to the eyes, throat, and nose if the proper equipment is not worn. Epoxy paints are also highly flammable, and once its mixed has a very short pot life. View Ultrimax Epoxy Paint
Polyurethane is a two-part paint coating. It provides a high gloss, thin film finish that performs amazingly under a range of weathering characteristics. The coating has a smooth finish that is normally used as a topcoat over high build epoxy and inorganic zinc primers.
Polyurethane coatings can be applied to many surface materials, such as wood, metal, plastic and most flooring surfaces. Once dried, it doesn't emit any harmful vapours and can be applied straight from a spray gun. It also retains its original colour well and created an impermeable barrier between the elements as well as protection from humidity and oxidation.
Polyurethane can be very irritating to the skin if the correct skin protection is not applied before application. It also contains isocyanate, (view our respirator article in related articles) which can potentially cause respiratory issues if the correct masks are not used. The paint is also very quick drying, which is hard to apply with a roller or a brush, and has a short pot life once it has been catalysed. View Polyurethane Coatings
Alkyd paints, also known as oxidative paints react with oxygen in the air to form a hard enamel film for painting. The paint must not be applied too thickly, as the reaction can take a long time. Alkyd is a polyester that has been modified to include fatty acids, as well as other components. They are used in most commercial "oil-based" coatings, and can also be modified to create casting moulds as well as paints.
Single pack alkyd paints are very safe and easy to use. It requires no mixing with curing agents or hardeners and it is slower drying, which means it can be applied with a brush. It can also be applied over any primers and is cheaper than other coatings, yet still leaves a durable finish.
Because alkyd paints are slow drying, extra heating is often needed when applying them in cold weather. It is also non- resistant to chemicals and abrasions. The gloss and colour retention is also poor for alkyd paints when compared to two-pack paint coatings. View Single Pack Paints
Many water based industrial metal paint system coatings tend to contain solvents, which present themselves in lower concentrations. These solvents are meant to help push out the remainder of the water of the coatings as it dries.
Water based in environmentally friendly and safe to use in the workplace. It is also low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) and great adhesion to substrates.
Water based coating is often slow drying, and the drying process is often affected by humidity in the atmosphere. It is also not as durable as two pack paint products, and achieving a high gloss finish on the metal is difficult. Water based coatings also have inferior chemical resistance to solvent-based products. View Water Based Coatings
Why not get some help from our business specialists at Ultrimax, who can advise on using the correct Paint Coating?
If you can't find a solution, give us a call and we'll help guide you in the right direction.
