Curing - Infra Red

G

gigondaz

New member
To all pros here,



With regards to curing of paint sealants, I seek your opinion on using infra-red lights.



1. Is using IR lights a common practice in the detailing industry to expedite curing?

2. How long (average) must you shine an IR light onto a panel/door to ensure

complete curing?

3. Can IR lights be used to cure ALL sealants and waxes?



MBenz mentioned about the impracticality of waiting for lengthy periods in order to layer sealants. I agree with this. Many customers just don't hv the time.

Short of using accelerants such as Polycharger, IR light could be an alternative and it's quite popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Any input would be most appreciated. Thanks.
 
I'd ask the manufacturer. I don't think too many people use alternative heat sources(other than direct sunlight) to accelerate the curing/drying process of LSPs. I'm sure it *could* work on *some* products(even polishes), but would be very time consuming.
 
If you don't have the time don't use the sealants. That simple. No sense in trying to speed things up. If you're under pressure for time best to use a wax And layer it up. I'm a volume shop myself but I will state without a doubt at all that time is the very least of my worries as should it be to any detailer out there. If you're seriously under crunch time the only logical choice you have is to switch to a more freindly product. Sealants obviously are not the answer for you. Rushing them will lead to less than desirable results. They don't cure by light or heat it's a chemical reaction that takes exactly as long as it needs to. There is no rushing it to save time.
 
Jakerooni said:
They don't cure by light or heat it's a chemical reaction that takes exactly as long as it needs to. There is no rushing it to save time.
Click to expand...



Heat/sunlight actually speeds up the cross linking of polymers in most paint sealants. If someone has the need to layer them in a short period of time, go with Zaino.
 
I'm not Joe Pro, but I have a nice customer list and have been doing it awhile. I never have had a customer care enough about multiple coats once I explain the process. I think the main thing every customer wants when they shell out 150 to 200 bucks is a durable product and a detailed process. You can put on multiple coats of Zaino if you want, but one is all you need for at least 6 months durability. ZAIO and then a coat of Z5Pro or Z2Pro, or KAIO and SG is all you need. If your doing this for profit, why add work to your job? Isn't two steps enough? I mean before a two step sealing process I assume you have already washed and dried, and maybe even polished or clayed the car by then. Spend the time it takes doing multiple coats in other areas in the car. Most shops don't really even care about Durability, because that means that much longer before they get the car back, but it's good to see some concern about it. I think most "pro's" are perfectly fine with a sealant or wax lasting 3 months, "without actually saying so".



Nobody I know uses lights in a shop for curing, however if the area you live in is cold and humid, garage heat is recommended. If you have customers that want extra coats for some reason, educate them that it doesn't really do any good. 50 coats of Zaino has no benefit over two coats, I've tested it (not 50 but 9 coats versus 2). Even if your using ZFX they only recommend three coats at max at once. Another issue that sometimes happens with multiple coats is messed up optics, you have to be extra careful to put it on razor thin if your doing multiple coats. If you have a customer who insists on it, I'd charge him/her a lot for it and explain the costs of using an accelerator.
 
I always cure Matrix Coatings using the infratech infra red lights, BUT it's a resin that hardens, and gets harder when heated. Any regular carnauba wax will melt with heat, and most polymers are oil and water emulsions. Oil gets thinner with heat. I would not recommend using infrared lighting for anything other than Matrix Coatings.





John
 
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