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.crad and workshop by Handyman )etails to save down-time (22)
Page 60
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he installation of infra-red drying lamps an save a lot of time and money in allowing aint spraying to be started much more romptly
ARLIER in this series I discussed paintlop down-time and the problems associated ith the conventional air-driven paint spray in, where mixture and temperature can be itical. However, I should draw attention another paint-spray system that appears I have certain advantages over the longitablished air gun. This is known as the ;old airless spray system", although the nit still relies upon air initially, and 4 to 5 ft per minute is called for to drive a 25 r 1 ratio pump. From there on the system iffers completely from the conventional un, since it is airless and relies solely upon ydraulic pressure for atomization.
The paint is broken up by pressure in the inge of 1000 to 2500 psi and is then forced hrough a small orifice in a tungsten carbide pray tip. The claim for this system'is that ir better surface wetting is achieved, toether with improved adhesion, since the aint now reaches the work surface exactly $ it leaves the container and the problem of lartial drying as with compressed air, is herefore overcome.
As a result, paint can be applied far more apidly and at higher viscosities with this ;ystem, and this means that thicker and picker coats can be applied, with a fair timemving, and, of course, a reduction in costs. kemember, you can always ask an agent 'or a trial alongside your present air-spray iystem. Where paintshop down-time does exist, but you are otherwise satisfied with your existing plant, despite the associated humidity and other problems, you can improve your everyday output by the introduction of infra-red paint-drying lamps. These range from singles at 250W to clusters of as many as 16 — the latter are quite an expensive consumption expense, of course. However, there is no need to go to that limit to gain from the use of this portable heat. With one on its own, or a cluster of just three on a stand, you can overcome many of your problems by pre-heating the work to be sprayed. This can mean a quicker start on a cold morning when the booth temperature is not yet at a workable heat.
In fact, the single lamp at 250W, with hand grip or clip can give quite a worthwhile job speed-up, as if the work is pre-heated then the flowing and drying problems are removed and a very satisfactory finish can be obtained as well. This is an idea well worth exploring where both conditions may not be ideal, or where paint spraying is being tackled in open areas of workshop. In fact this is where infra-red lamps score in that a spray-paint job can be dealt with in any draught-free space. However, the dust problem is always a hazard, and the enclosure booth is still the real answer.
Inside chassis spraying can benefit where recent washing has left dampness in corners; one or two infra-red lamps on stands can have the whole inside chassis area warm in minutes and ready for work to commence.
Lubrication To back-track to our recent look at air tools, drill, chisels, wrenches, etc, and with particular reference to the workshop air ring main, I may not have mentioned a unit in the lay-out that is quite wrongly at times considered a luxury item. I refer to the means whereby air tools, particularly rotating and reciprocating tools, are lubricated. Tool life in terms of valves, air motors, cylinders, etc, is considerably shortened where the lubrication of these parts is overlooked or neglected altogether.
An oil-mist lubricator, with a pressurereducing valve and gauge should be an essential part of the ring main system; it also contains a moisture separator. This unit should be sited ahead of the tools and drills fairly early in the line from the compressor, so that all air-powered mechanical parts can work clear of moisture, but be adequately lubricated by oil mist.
Where there is already a pressure-reducing valve installed there is another lube unit that incorporates a moisture separator.