Successful Paint Applications
April 24, 2012
I'm Steve Schuster, associate editor of
Maintenance Solutions magazine. Today's topic is successful paint applications.
Successful applications of paints and coatings start well before the paint meets the surface. Maintenance managers must make a series of important decisions related to a host of issues, all with the goal of helping workers carry out the task effectively. To ensure success, managers need to combine advances in new-generation paints and coatings formulated to meet growing user demands for performance and sustainability with savvy product specification of items ranging from brushes, rollers, and sprayers to ladders and scaffolding.
Paint jobs that meet performance and sustainability demands result from specifying appropriate products for the conditions. Managers also need to consider proper surface preparation and application practices, based on proven standards, that cover all phases of a project from specifying, purchasing, and receiving to cleanup and disposal. In terms of product specification, managers need to apply product-performance standards related to wet- and dry-film thickness, abrasion resistance, indent hardness, drying time, adhesion, oil absorption, viscosity, electric resistance, anti-foaming, and odor control.
Once managers have identified the most appropriate paint or coating, attention turns to the additional products and equipment that planners and painters need to complete the job successfully. The checklist of items paint planners specify for the preparation and application includes:
- a measuring tape to measure surfaces accurately in order to minimize material and waste-disposal costs
- cordless mixers, a true time saver
- pour spouts and tray liners to eliminate unnecessary cleanups
- 5-gallon buckets and screens to remove excess paint from rollers and eliminate roller trays
- plastic drop cloths to cover furniture, as well as less slippery, more porous canvas for floors
- hole-filling compound, tools and materials.
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