Table of Contents

Understanding HVLP

Ways of Finishing

It all began with the brush. And make no mistake, there are few small projects or techniques where a brush is still the best – French polishing for example. However, as projects get larger and more complex, then it is time to automate the process with various kinds of spray finishing.

Atomization: the technique of injecting air into liquid to temporarily create a fine mist of tiny particles. The misted particles are projected onto a substrate or surface where they form an even film.

Ideal atomization: When the misted droplets form precise, even rows on the surface

 

Under atomization: When unevenly-sized particles form a non-uniform placement on the substrate. When youspray under-atomized or uneven particles on a surface, the surface appears wavy. We call this surface tension.

Surface tension isn’t always a disaster. You may walk away and come back to good news. The high spots have leveled off. Variables that can cause under-atomization to correct itself include:

  • Favorable pressure / viscosity relationship
  • Environment
  • Quality of Coating

But sometimes the ripple or surface tension stays and dries to an“orange peel” texture that means that the interaction between the air pressure and the viscosity of the coating did not achieve ideal atomization, nor did the coating have the ability to level or flow out. Orange peel is preventable – a finisher can adjust to prevent it.

When appropriate air pressure hits correct viscosity, the result is ideal atomization and ... the perfect finish.

Next > "Different Technologies""Achieving the Perfect Finish" < Previous