Surface preparation techniques

Preparatory Cleaners

Surface Preparation Techniques. The reason for pre-cleaning substrates to be painted is to remove grease, oils, silicones, wax and any other contaminant.   If this practice is omitted, there is a significant risk that the subsequently applied coatings will suffer from a lack of adhesion.

Paintman Paint Ltd supply two pre-cleaners.  These different products are designed to ensure that the user has a suitable product for pre-cleaning all surfaces.  The Products are named Prep Clean 2800 and Prep Clean 2802.  Each of these products has its own Technical Data sheet (TDS), which gives detailed information specific to that product.  These products are described briefly below.

Product:  Prep Clean 2800    Strength:  Mild          Speed:  Fast     Other Info:  Anti-Static, can be used on painted surfaces.

Product:  Prep Clean 2802     Strength:  Strong     Speed:  Fast     Other Info:  Bare Metal Cleaner

Anti-Static Degreasing

The idea behind anti-static degreasing is to remove all contamination from the surface of the substrate by two methods: Grease etc is removed, while at the same time a static charge on the surface is neutralised.  If a substrate contains a static charge when being painted it is more likely to attract dust.

Surface Preparation & Condensation

After a substrate surface has been degreased the solvent will evaporate.  This makes the surface colder via a process called evaporative cooling, (which is why you feel cold when stepping out of a shower, as the water evaporates off your skin it cools you down).  Because the surface is made cooler by the evaporation of the degreaser, this can result in condensation on the surface.  It should be noted, that this condensation is not always visible and that sufficient time must be allowed for the surface to regain the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.

If insufficient time is left, then moisture can be trapped on the surface, which will result in greatly reduced adhesion.  The same problem can also occur if a vehicle is moved to a warmer environment.  For example, if a vehicle that is to be painted has been stored outside, it should be allowed to acclimatise to the indoor temperature before painting.

Use of Paintman Prep Clean products

Liberally wet a clean lint free cloth with one of the Paintman Prep Clean products and clean/degrease the surface.  While the surface is still wet, apply a second, clean lint free cloth to remove the Prep Clean and contamination trapped within it.

Always use two Cloths, as using only one will increase the chances of redistributing the surface contamination, rather than removing it.  Cloths for use with Prep Clean should be replaced regularly and often to ensure that an efficient pre-cleaning process is maintained.