What is Electrostatic Painting

Electrostatic painting at a glance

Electrostatic painting is the premier system for coating metal surfaces in-site with no mess or overspray. More specifically, electrostatic painting is a process of painting that uses negative and positive charge to adhere paint to a metal surface. The electrostatic force is so powerful that it can pull paint around corners, ensuring a smooth, even coat without drip marks.

Electrostatic painting in-depth

The basic law of electricity states: opposites attract. This is what electrostatic painting is based on. The item to be painted is given a negative charge, and the paint is given a positive charge. The paint is then atomized through a special round revolving nozzle.

The object actually attracts the paint; the paint is not sprayed on, instead it is plated on. The paint can actually be pulled around corners, making sure you have a smooth even coat. More importantly, there is no overspray. Conventional spray guns may leave a fog or mist of paint, but this is not so with electrostatic painting. It is remarkably neat and clean.

On-site Electrostatic Painting Refinishing

On-site refinishing involves the complete cleaning, resurfacing, and recoating of items that are at or near where they are used. It is usually done in carpeted offices or other places where overspray and contamination must be kept to a minimum. The primary concern is that crewmembers or operators do their work in a tidy manner.

These are 2 basic steps: cleaning or prepping of the surface for painting, and the actual painting process. Everything on the outside of the object being painted is cleared, but it is not necessary to empty out interiors.

Using a grounding wire and clamp, the objects to be coated are grounded to the nearest available earth ground. This could be any metal portion of the structure of the building.

As with any electrostatic painting, the surface of whatever is being painted needs to be clean of all debris, to ensure the adhesion of the film coat, and the look of the final finish. This also includes rust, scale, and peeling paint. This can usually be done with wet or dry sandpaper.

Any gloss from the original paint should be removed to ensure that the new coat adheres properly. Once the electrostatic painter is sure the surfaces are properly prepared, he must mask what he does not wnat painted (i.e. drawer handles, desk tops...)