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Paint Shop Technology

FINISHING SCHOOL

With over 60 years’ experience developing surface finishing solutions, who better to speak to about the challenges facing bodyshops than the experts at Farécla

 

Changes in paint technology have made life increasingly tough for bodyshops. The original Two Pack Acrylic Paint systems of the 1970’s featured a high concentration of solvents, making both spraying and polishing simple. However as time passed, governments worldwide started to enforce increasingly strict environmental legislation to reduce the amount of solvents used in paint systems. Consequently, they were substituted for more solid content and various additives to ensure the paint remained easy to spray but as a side effect they became increasingly difficult to polish, culminating in today’s Ultra High Solids and Scratch Resistant Clears.

The Science behind Farécla Compounds

Farécla compounds are made from a liquid emulsion of oil, water, solvent and emulsifier mixed with solid abrasive particles. Solid elements vary in three key ways: particle size distribution, which determines the abrasive cut; the degree of calcination, this regulates the abrasive’s hardness; and oil absorption, which controls how it breaks down.

The compounds contain abrasive particles that are engineered to combine both cutting and polishing into efficient, high performance systems. They start the process as large, sharp rocks which cut back the surface to remove defects and sanding marks. During compounding, the particles collide with the surface and break down into smoother, marble-like spheres to polish out scratches and buff surfaces up to a high shine.

The speed at which the abrasives diminish is extremely important. Enough time is needed to ensure that the sanding marks are completely removed, yet the whole process must be complete in the fastest possible time, with no compromise to the final finish.

Compounding Systems

For each surface finishing scenario, a sequence of product applications is recommended to ensure the optimum results in defect removal, finishing and gloss enhancement.

Step 1

During the painting process, imperfections appear in the paint substrate, and using abrasive discs and papers to remove them leave sand scratches on the surface as well as a dull matt finish. An abrasive compound such as G3 Paste, Advanced G3 Liquid or G6 Paste can be used to cut away microns of paint, remove scratches and restore gloss levels.

For some users, a satisfactory finish can be achieved in this first stage alone.

Step 2

In some cases, especially on darker colours, fine scratches, swirls or holograms may still be present; these can be removed with a finer product such as G10 Finishing compound.

Most operatives will consider the job complete here!

Step 3

As an optional final step, the user has a choice between a glaze or wax based product for the ultimate showroom shine and clarity of finish.

Applicator Pads

It is best practice to use the recommended applicator for each compound. With compounds and pads developed in tandem, together they provide the optimum results; in fact, using our products in this way has proven to boost performance by 25% as well as improve other factors such as ease of use and efficiency.

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