Ford Kuga

 Service Manual

Paint - General Information » Tools and Equipment for Paint Repairs
Infrared drying technology

The drying process in a painting/drying cabin occurs through heat conductance (convection).

When an infrared dryer is used, the drying process is through heat radiation.

The infrared rays penetrate the air and the paint layer without warming them. Because the infrared rays are reflected from the steel panel, the paint coat is warmed from the inside outwards.

Advantages of infrared drying:

• The drying process occurs from the inside to the outside.
• The drying time is shorter than for warm air systems.
• Because the infrared dryer consists of several cassettes which can be switched on independently, the drying area can be optimally controlled.
• Independent of the manufacturer's instructions, pay attention to the following:
• Flash-off time of the paint before switching on the infrared dryer.
• Distance between the infrared dryer and the surface.
• Duration of the irradiation.

The most common use of the infrared dryer is to dry stopper and primers. The wait time between the job steps is shortened without having to use the painting/drying cabin.

The painting/drying cabin can then be used exclusively for application and drying of topcoat.

There are two types of infrared dryer:

• Infrared dryer with short wavelength radiation.
• Infrared dryer with medium wavelength radiation.

As an indication, the following drying times are listed for some materials (at 80 cm distance):

NOTE: Observe the material manufacturer's and supplier's specifications.

• Polyester stopper 2 minutes.
• Spray stopper 2 to 7 minutes.
• Water based primer-filler 7 to 9 minutes.
• Primer 3 to 8 minutes.
• Top coat 7 to 10 minutes.

General work equipment

Filler and spray guns

Hand and machine sanding tools

Polishing and finishing tools

Infrared drying technology

Air dryers

Paint mixing system

Painting cabin