Advantages and features of liquid plastic paint

Plastic paint (polymer paint or liquid plastic) is a suspension of a pigmenting substance in a polymer solution. Plastic is dissolved in an organic or inorganic solvent.

Content:

• Advantages of polymer paints
• Polymer paint example
• Enamel Composition
• Application area
• Enamel Characteristics
• Surface preparation
• Enamel application
• Some useful tips

The majority of modern paints and varnishes (with the exception of water-dispersion paints), including alkyd, polyurethane, epoxy and many others, belongs to polymeric ones. Even water-based coatings can be conventionally considered polymer. The fact is that despite the fact that plastic is not dissolved in aqueous compositions, but is there, in the form of a dispersion, after evaporation of moisture on a painted surface, a pigment-polymer mixture is still formed.

There is a widespread belief that only those coatings are applied to plastic paints that are applied automatically with further heat treatment. In this case, the polymerization process is carried out directly on the material to be painted as a result of heating. This is correct, but it should be noted that this method of applying paint is only one of the technological options for the use of plastic to protect metal or other material.

Advantages of polymer paints

Liquid plastic has the following advantages:

1. Excellent penetration. This quality means that plastics can penetrate even the smallest pores, creating a protective water-repellent layer in them.
2. UV resistant.
3. The ability to withstand mechanical stress.
4. Chemical resistance.
5. Resistance to atmospheric precipitation.

Polymer paint example

As mentioned above, there are a great many polymer paints. As an example, we will analyze one of them - the PS-160 enamel “Liquid Plastic”. This paintwork belongs to the economy class, since the cost of its kilogram does not exceed 100 rubles.

Enamel Composition

According to the manufacturer, the enamel contains the following components:

• polystyrene;
• organic solvent;
• pigmenting agent;
• specialized additives.

In this case, the polymer (small pieces of foam) is dissolved in toluene. Also, a coloring substance is present in the solution. When the toluene evaporates, only plastic and pigment remain on the surface, which form a hard coating.

Application area

Although the scope of application of liquid plastic is extremely wide (wood, plaster, concrete, brick, etc.), considering enamel, it is used only for painting metal parts.

Scopes of application of PS-160 include coloring of such products:

• pipelines (including heating mains);
• metal surfaces for industrial use (workshops, warehouses, etc.);
• metal structures that constantly come into contact with water (ships, pool elements, etc.);
• load-bearing elements of various buildings, bridges, viaducts and other structures where increased reliability is required.

Enamel Characteristics

Below are the main technical parameters of the PS-160 enamel:

• the drying time of each layer is 1 hour;
• average enamel consumption rate when working with a pneumatic spray gun - 200-220 grams;
• the mass fraction of non-volatile components in the enamel composition is from 23% (if the composition is too viscous, it can be further diluted);
• film stability under the static influence of a liquid (temperature indicator - 20 degrees above zero) - from 2 days.

Note! The manufacturing company advises using only toluene as a solvent. Solvent may also be used. Under the influence of acetone, white spirit or any other solvent, the enamel is transformed into an emulsion, which will negatively affect the quality of the coating.

Surface preparation

Before starting the painting, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work:

1. We remove dirt and dust from the surface with a brush and a damp cloth.
2. Degrease the material with an organic solvent.
3. We clean welds from scale and slag.
4. Once again, we remove debris from the surface. It is best to use sandblasting equipment. If it is not available, use a metal brush or an electric tool with a nozzle.

The manufacturer recommends the use of a rust converter. This drug is a chemical that reacts with rust. As a result of the interaction, an insoluble strong film appears. However, when it comes to formation rust, it can only be removed by mechanical action.

If there is an old coat of paint, it must be removed. It is optional to apply soil under PS-160 enamel.

Note! Paint should be applied no later than 6 hours after the completion of preparatory work. Otherwise, moist air will quickly provoke further development of the corrosion process.

Enamel application

Enamel PS-160 should be applied in two or three layers. You can use a brush, roller or spray gun. Moreover, if a spray gun is preferred, it is necessary to equip it with a hose resistant to organic solvents. The air temperature during painting should not be less than 5 degrees below zero, the humidity level should not exceed 70%.

You can not paint in too hot weather, as in this case, peeling of the coating is likely. You should also postpone the work if the air temperature drops too quickly. The fact is that a rapid decrease in temperature can lead to dew, and wet surfaces and paint are incompatible.

Some useful tips

When applying paint, the following rules should be followed:

1. If the work takes place indoors, good air circulation is necessary. If there is no good ventilation system, you need to organize ventilation.
2. When working with paint, safety precautions must be observed, you will need a respirator, protective clothing, gloves and glasses.
3. Materials and tools are prepared ahead of time.
4. If you have to color plastic, you can start work without preliminary preparation. In other cases, quality training is the key to a quality result.

So, plastic paint is any paint material containing polymer. Liquid plastic staining is carried out according to the same rules as any other paint.