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How to Achieve Surface Cleanliness and Consistent Coatings
Western Technology’s UV Inspection Light is a crucial tool in every blaster’s and painter’s tool kit. Here are three reasons why you should use one:
SP-10 Standard
This standard requires the surface to be free from all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, rust coating, oxides, milscale, corrosion products and other foreign material when viewed without magnification. What our eyes cannot detect easily can be detected by UV lighting, allowing you to achieve this level of surface cleanliness.
Hydrocarbons
A UV light can easily detect hydrocarbons on a work surface. Here are a few scenarios where hydrocarbons are present:
- Working in hydrocarbon storage tank (methane, propane, or butane)
- Hydrocarbons are introduced in the compressed air
- Tracked in on your worker’s shoes
Consistent, full coverage coatings
Some manufacturers actually incorporate a UV trace coating. This is helpful in situations where lighting is exceptionally poor like in a ballast tank. UV trace identifies when the painting crew has achieved full coverage of the project surface.
For example, you can use a UV reflective primer. Then any area that remains uncovered by the top coat will easily show up under that UV light.
Perhaps you’re concerned about the second coat. It’s often difficult to determine if the second application has complete or consistent coverage. By using a UV trace in the second coating, you can easily see where the gaps or lapses of coverage are.
By adding a Western Technology UV light to your toolkit, you can quickly ensure the job is complete and the specifications are met.
