Spray Liner Information

SPRAY LINER BATCH MIX SYSTEMS

The polymer spray liner coatings offered by Speedliner® Europe Ltd. are known as batch mix systems. These are predominantly the spray liner products which allow the Part A polymer and Part B activator/catalyst to be mixed together after first adding the colour pigment of choice to the Part B prior to application. These types of materials will normally be pre-measured and pre-packaged in separate containers for the A and B sides plus a separately packaged colour pigment of choice to be added at the time of mixing prior to using.

Batch mix systems are the most UV stable on the market. Most if not all batch mix systems contain some content of aliphatic urethane. The benefits of aliphatic urethanes are that they are considerably more UV stable and how much content is in fact aliphatic rather than the less stable aromatic urethane. Speedliner Euro HS® offers a spray liner system with 100% aliphatic resin. Any other company cannot achieve more UV stability with a material that has less aliphatic content than their competitors. This is chemically not possible. The chemical make-up is the very foundation of colour stability. Customers considering any spray liner product should be aware of this information in order to know if the end product chosen is in fact capable of holding its colour better than other spray liners being marketed and offered to the end user.

Batch mix spray liner products are going to be predominantly solvent (VOC - volatile organic compound) systems. The inclusion of the solvent is to enable the liquid products to 'particulate' when being sprayed with low or 'no' pressure spray equipment such as the gravity fed hopper spray gun. These polymer materials cure over extended periods of time depending upon temperature of environment. When sprayed at an average room temperature of 14 - 15°C (57 - 59°F) our Speedliner Euro HS® will become 'touch dry' in about 30 - 40 minutes, semi-cured in 12 - 24 hours and fully cured in 72 - 96 hours. Some other solvent based, batch mix spray liners may take longer. The batch mix spray liners are not sensitive to atmospheric conditions or moisture and will not freeze during shipping to cold environments. It is important to know how much solvent is in the system you are considering. Each system contains different levels. Some systems boast a low price per gallon but are highest in solvents leaving you with the least amount of cured material. Check the information given about other solvent based spray liner products and determine if you are getting the most amount of 'solids' for your money.

Speedliner Euro HS® contains only a small amount more than some typical household paints.

It is low VOC compliant to meet the new 2007 Directive 2004/42/EC ("the VOCs in Paints Directive")

Finally, there is great importance placed upon the strength of batch mix systems in comparison to plural component systems. Independent laboratories have done tensile and tear strength tests on most products. Some companies use the results of a cast, poured or moulded sample and not a sprayed sample giving a false indication on their strength. It is a fact that cast, poured or moulded samples always have a greater tensile and tear strength than sprayed samples. This will almost double the strength in test results.

You must refer to sprayed samples to have a better idea what the material will actually be like and feel like when it is sprayed for your final application.

For information about Speedliner® Europe Ltd. products, click here.

PLURAL COMPONENT - 'FAST DRY' - 'FAST CURE' SYSTEMS

Plural component - 'fast dry' - 'fast cure' systems are systems which require the Part A polymer and Part B activator/catalyst to be kept separate until the final point of being 'mixed' and exiting the high pressure spray gun.

Plural component systems are classified as 100% solids and contain no solvents in the material. A 'dry/semi-cure' is achieved in approximately 3 - 90 seconds dependent on the type of plural components actually being used and applied. Full cure of the spray coating may actually take 2-3 days depending on the type of plural materials actually being used. There are many different types ranging through pure polyurethane, polyurethane mixes and polyurea materials. Polyurethane based products tend to be the slower drying and have far less strength compared to the faster drying polyurea types. Polyurethane plural systems are also sensitive to atmospheric conditions and will freeze or accumulate condensation inside the containers under variant weather conditions. This ruins the material and causes an extreme inconvenience plus a significant loss of money as most plural spray systems are supplied in bulk 205 litre/45 gallon containers.

Due to the 'fast' drying/curing time this does not allow for mistakes when spraying. The application requires a climate controlled area. The spray equipment mainly used with most plural spray systems is expensive, bulky and can sometimes be complex and troublesome. Plural systems use aromatic urethanes which are inherently not UV stable and will chalk and fade within 3 to 6 months.

Some 'fast' spray systems are well known in the USA and the name recognition maybe a plus although none have been able to establish their plural systems in the UK and very little in Europe. The initial 'start-up cost' with most are very high some operating as a franchise based system with sales targets and 'royalties' or up to 5-year finance plans. Sometimes there are other 'hidden' costs such as ongoing bulk product purchasing or the 'add-on' colour pigment dispenser to offer what limited colours are available. Some 'fast dry' - 'fast cure' systems also require three phase electric supply. Maintenance costs can also make them the most expensive systems on the market. An expensive initial investment equals a long period of time before realizing a profit. In addition, training for plural systems are lengthy, some quote 234 days because of the complicated mixing ratios and calibration of the equipment. Some companies are very strict with volume requirements.

Read the contract fine print that may give them the right to revoke your franchise if certain 'targets' are not met.


WARNING

THERE ARE OTHER COATING PRODUCTS BEING OFFERED TO THE 'DIY' MARKET AS SPRAY LINERS FOR TRUCKS AND VANS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITH CAUTION. SOME OF THESE 'SPRAY LINER' PRODUCTS ARE NOT EQUAL TO THE QUALITY, STRENGTH, DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE OF TRUE PROFESSIONAL USE PRODUCTS SUCH AS SPEEDLINER EURO HS® CONTRADICTORY TO THE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING INFORMATION GIVEN OUT.

WITH SOME PRODUCTS THERE IS NO SPECIALISED PRIMER / ADHESION PROMOTER AVAILABLE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE COATINGS CONTAIN CHEMICALS THAT SHOULD ONLY BE USED BY PROFESSIONAL USERS WITH THE APPROPRIATE FACILITIES AND RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ADVICE PLEASE CONTACT: SPEEDLINER EUROPE LTD. TECHNICAL SUPPORT