For the coating of architectural elements as well as industrial design components that, in addition to exhibiting lively material character, are subject to high gloss and colour stability requirements.

If the coated objects are installed directly adjacent to each other, we recommend determining the required powder amount for the entire order and planning a certain reserve in order to coat the entire application with a single produced batch. This minimises production-related deviations in terms of surface characteristics as well as differences in terms of shade and effect when dealing with effect-pigmented products. The information stated in the technical data sheets regarding the recommended coating thicknesses must be used when determining the order amounts.

When using coarsely-ground articles from Product Groups 591T or 592S (bears the suffix “-A81” at the end of the product key), a test for the accuracy of fit following coating should be performed in advance using coarsely-ground sample powder when dealing with components that will be connected to each other (clips or joint connection). When coating façade components with coarsely-ground “-A81” powders for the joint components such as glass retaining strips, we therefore recommend using a similarly shaded article with a fine structured surface (591TA / 591TC / 591TE or 591TV with the respective article suffix of “-A10” instead of “-A81”).

If ordered at the same time (591TX-A81 or even 592SV-A81 with the fine structure 591TX-A10), the article versions can be practically produced simultaneously and synchronised with each other.

When processing IGP-LivingSurfaces, we recommend using Corona guns with a negative polarity electrostatic charge. Flat spray nozzles should be used for automatic and hand-held guns. It is not necessary to restrict the spray current to < 80 μAmpere. The utilisation of ion-leakage rings, especially when dealing with fine-structured surfaces, can have a positive impact on the structure uniformity. Ion-leakage rings usually generate a lighter surface when dealing with effect pigment products. Processing can be performed manually or using automatic plants in an automatic or semi-automatic coating process. When using the semi-automatic coating method, we recommend performing the necessary manual application as a preliminary coat. The speed of the stroke devices must be adapted to the transport speed (harmonised sinusoid guns) when coating using a long stroke method. The stroke height must be adapted to the gun distance (harmonised gun turning points) when coating using the short stroke method. Processing the entire order in different cabins should be avoided. No changes to the coating plant processing or application parameters may be made when processing a certain consignment. If it is determined that plant data / application parameters are ideal, they must be documented and observed. Automatic coating should always take precedence over manual coating. When dealing with objects to be coated on both sides (e.g. profiles), the side that will be primarily visible should be coated last. In principle, the following applies for the processing groups:

Group A

These products can be processed using all conventional coating plants with corona charging. Operating in recycling mode is permitted.

Group B

These products can be processed using all conventional coating plants with corona charging. The effect product should not be operated in recycling mode. However, in the event that recycling mode is used, the ratio of fresh powder to recycled powder must not exceed 85/15.

Group C

not applicable

Group D

In principle, products with a fine plaster look are more coarsely-ground and, therefore, may only be applied with a vibrated powder container without fluidising air (bears the suffix A81 at the end of the product key). More detailed information is available in the section entitled “Powder feeding”. The product should not be operated in recycling mode due to the special screening curve. A primer as described in the “Aluminium substrate” / “Steel substrate” section must be used when utilising these products. Due to the necessary application-related requirements, an increased level of manual preliminary / follow-up coating must be taken into consideration on interior angles and similar locations. Detailed specifications regarding the application parameters of the individual processing groups can be found in the following table entitled “Plants and application-related requirements”.

In principle, powder coating materials from the IGP-LivingSurfaces product range can be transported with all of the transport devices available on the market such as Venturi injectors, piston/vacuum pumps. Group C and D products are the exception to this rule. When processing these products, we recommend using rod injectors without fluidising air, the conveying container must be vibrated. The transport method ensures a uniform surface structure across the entire coating sequence. Suction units with fluidising air can also be used for the processing of Group C and D products “under certain conditions”. For this purpose, powder boxes without a fluidising bed / with switched off fluidising air must be used. A vibration of the conveying container is necessary. Before the coating starts, the fluidising air located on the powder intake pipes, is to be set to a low level so that on the one hand, powder is conveyed and, on the other hand, powder which is located in the container can flow. The exhaust unit must be retracted into the empty powder box to the lowest point on the bottom. After retraction of the exhaust unit in the powder box, the box is filled with powder to ¾ full. The coating can now be started. During the coating process, a manual subsequent addition with fresh powder must take place continuously. The surface structure must be subject to constant visual examination using limiting samples throughout the entire coating process.

The suspension of the parts must be determined prior to coating (horizontal or vertical). The intermediate spacing between the coating objects within the hangers as well as the spaces between the hangers must be kept as low and even as possible. If there are large distances between the hangers, it is advisable to automatically switch the guns on and off via a parts detection system.