Epoxy Paints: Selection Criteria

On the market of finishing materials today presented a large number of a variety of paints and enamels. Epoxy compounds are very popular, however, they must be chosen carefully and carefully. Manufacturers talk about the benefits of their products very confidently, and to understand its qualities is not too easy.

The paint should form an elegant layer on the surface, in addition to fully protect it from harmful chemical and physical processes and maintain its qualities as long as possible. The developers have been trying to achieve these parameters for a very long time, and in the process of this work about half a century ago, epoxy dyes were created.The parameters of such coatings are continuously improving and improving for a long time.

Varieties of epoxy mixtures are divided into powder, two-part and presented in aerosol form.

Powder coating is used when you need to paint a large number of structures or parts, such work is done strictly in special chambers with the help of special equipment.

The composition of the coloring mixture includes epoxy resins, cured at high temperature. The layer is quite strong and stable, it perfectly protects the metal and other substances from a wide range of negative effects.

In addition to pigments (small granules), modifiers (which evenly distribute the dye) and binders (low molecular weight resins) are also included in any epoxy paint.

Epoxy painting mixtures adhere perfectly to the surfaces of any material, even plastics or concrete.

The coating reliably resists water, chemical corrosion and destructive biological factors. The film is mechanically strong, easily transfers loads and even friction, and, therefore,It will last long enough.

A large amount of dry residue allows limited to a single layerThis is enough for normal use of parts, units and structures. Immunity to hydrocarbons (petroleum products) and solvents is very relevant for the automotive industry.

When using epoxy paints in houses and apartments, offices, the variety of their tonalities becomes a valuable property. Even in the bathroom or on the walls of the pool, they can be kept securely and provide the necessary protection from moisture. There is no difference what to paint - floor or walls.

Excellent resistance to acids, gases and alkalis should also be considered a virtue. As for weak positions, they are:

• High sensitivity to ultraviolet.
• Rapid yellowing with significant heat.
• Drying lasts over 24 hours.
• Rooms will have to be thoroughly ventilated, and cleaning should be very thorough before application.
• Paint at temperatures less than 15 degrees Celsius is unacceptable.
• According to the technology, it is unsuitable for use on parts that warm up more than +60 C.

Epoxy compounds are divided into two categories:

• Thermosetting paints recognize those that are based on components that are activated during heating and promote the spreading of paints, their polymerization. Such funds are allocated solid resistance to mechanical destructive factors.

• In turn, thermoplastic coatings It should be applied to thoroughly prepared substrates, spraying the dry matter after heating the base.

Epoxy-based automotive paints are mostly produced in aerosols with components that cure without heat.

Two-component compositions of paints attract the attention of people more often, because they make it easy to apply the dye yourself. It should be noted that such compositions work well only with the strict performance of standard technology., thorough mixing of key ingredients with hardeners and strict adherence to proportions.

A two-component mixture, in addition to painting, can also be used as a primer, enhancing the protection of surfaces against wear.

For metal, it is advisable to apply the so-called epostat, which is characterized by increased anti-corrosion parameters. It is suitable for painting pipelines of steel, and the specific purpose of the pipeline is not important, the protection will be reliable.

To cover the storage tanks for hydrocarbons try using enamel EP 7003. And if you take enamel EP 1003, it is possible to block the strong corrosivityaffected by construction vehicles and vehicles, hydraulic systems of various kinds.

If the paint gets on the skin, it is required to immediately remove it with denatured alcohol or warm soapy water; the polymerized composition is practically eliminated by nothing.

Although there are quite a few epoxy paints now, they cannot be considered universal. The cost of the coating is very high, it should be applied by professionals (for fans it is difficult to provide the necessary security measures).

Coloring compositions for concrete are used relatively recently; To avoid the loss of properties, these mixtures should be diluted with distilled water.. Then a long-serving epoxy dispersion is formed.Water-based epoxy enamels for floors can be applied even on wet concrete, the technical parameters of the coating are much better than 10-15 years ago.

Always check according to which GOST issued this or that paintwork material. Only such an approach allows to avoid the occurrence of many problems in the future, and to purchase an initially high-quality product.

Mixtures of epoxy resins with acrylic are mainly represented by aerosol preparations. Such combinations are distinguished by effective anti-corrosion protection, solid resistance to caustic substances and mechanical stress. Dust and dirt will not be deposited on the surface. The glossy type of coating, which is formed in this case, easily tolerates even scratches and chips, the service life of the base, especially metal, increases significantly.

Epoxy-polyester compositions are relatively inexpensive, the average immunity to coarse abrasion. The surface will not turn yellow, even if hot sunshine will shine on it incessantly. But it is necessary to take into account that the resistance of corrosion and special solvents is very low, for the most part such a coating is decorative.

Polyester powder combinations wear very little, you can choose almost any color and texture. Gloss levels vary widely, the drug has almost no toxic effect. It is itself impervious to friction and effectively protects the painted surface from it. In some cases, can be used as a replacement for a full primer.

Low-temperature mixtures should only polymerize in special chambers, where during the first 20 minutes the air warms up to 180 degrees; Standard are considered dyes that can withstand 220 degrees for the first 600 with processing.

If you turn to the experience of professional repairmen and builders, most of them put epoxy enamels of the brand in the first place. "Epostoun". This material for finishing the concrete floor is produced in Russia and is relatively inexpensive, while the quality characteristics are no worse than their counterparts from the leading import competitors.

Another popular Russian product - Elakor-ED. The complete absence of chemically inert substances can make the mixture cheaper, but at the same time the protective quality is inevitably weakened. Paint can be stored only at temperatures no higher than 25 degrees Celsius for six months.

American epoxy compounds are technologically advanced and environmentally safe. But their cost is quite high, and in some cases it is difficult to buy such mixtures. Good solutions are Finnish paints, they provide high quality at a price slightly above average.

Finishing a concrete floor with an epoxy composition requires the selection of options with increased antistatic parameters and minimal slip. Ordinary paints of this type well protect the floors of bathrooms, in terms of efficiency, they are almost as good as real tiles. LKM will avoid corrosion of the coil, a metal part, protects the wood from rot and gnawing insects.

Epoxy paint is also good for bathing: it is enough to emphasize that it is used even for boats and boats, that is, with water resistance, everything is in order.

Such enamels for baths are designed primarily to restore the integrity of their coating. It is necessary to paint very carefully to avoid stains.. It should also be noted that epoxy compounds can be toxic, and under adverse conditions they quickly become unpleasant yellowing.

Epoxy compounds for dyeing ceramics (ceramic tiles) are suitable, but you will need to use in addition to them special primers based on organic solvents. The advantage is that the coating will be hard and stable. Consider the properties of the coloring composition (its adhesion), which should be the higher, the less adhesion at the tile itself.

The tile differs in weak adhesion, this indicator is slightly better at ceramic and clinker of its versions, and the best positions at plaster.

Always pay attention to how high the humidity is in the room.. Epoxy paints are ideally suited for painting floors: they dry quickly, wash well, and so on.Carefully read all the information about the toxicity and service life of the coating, remember that even outwardly similar options may be very different in internal content.

Aerosol of pure epoxy composition is rare, mainly use its mixture with acrylic components. The advantages of this solution are:

• Solid level of anti-corrosion protection.
• Effective resistance to destructive factors, including caustic substances.
• Almost complete elimination of scratches and chips.

Epoxy coloring compositions can be used for all types of plastic, and they adhere to the base very reliably and efficiently.

Two-component epoxy paints are formed by a combination of epoxy resins and hardeners. Interacting with each other, they enter into an exothermic reaction (in other words, they get very hot).

To combine and mix the compositions, you need to take special wooden tools, those that are used for culinary purposes, are absolutely not suitable. Regardless of the painted area and other nuances, you need to take care of effective ventilation.

If the paint gets on the skin, it is required to immediately remove it with denatured alcohol or a warm soap solution, the polymerized composition is practically not removed.

It is not only more convenient, but also more economical to paint large areas using spray guns.This is the easiest way to limit the consumption of paintwork materials with reasonable numbers. In order to apply epoxy paint to the concrete surface, it is necessary to mix it for 2-3 minutes with the additives, pigment preparations, hardener specified by the manufacturer (the proportion of the mixture to the hardener is 10: 1.7).

Epoxy paints and their modifications with additional components may have different specificproperties: some very little slip, others glow in the dark, some provide the highest level of protection, some keep a beautiful texture or dry out quickly.

It is possible to use various types of such dyes for decoration of home and office furniture, containers for storing caustic substances, tourist equipment and decorative objects in gardens and parks. It is only necessary to carefully select a specific view and learn all the details about it.

To detect the presence of drops on the surface of the bath is quite simple - you just need to highlight it with a LED flashlight, turning off the top light beforehand, and all defects will immediately become apparent. You can easily mark the deformed areas.

After grinding and leveling the surface, it needs to be washed several times with clean water, beforehand removing all those contaminants that are removed by the dry method.

For work, you need to take brushes with only natural bristles (at least three different sizes); tweezers or nail forceps will also be useful, which will need to remove sticking hairs from the surface. Prepare the scissors in advance so that the worn brush can be shortened and returned to its normal state.

Epoxy paint should be prepared in small portions, for 10-15 minutes of work, because it hardens very quickly. Following these simple rules, it will be easy to choose and apply epoxy paint without any problems.

See the following video for an example of using epoxy paint.