The painted surface after spraying is uneven like an orange peel? This not only affects the appearance but also reduces the protective performance. As a professional industrial coating manufacturer, we provide an in-depth analysis of the four core factors causing "orange peel" and offer on-site solutions.
In industrial coating, what we pursue is a smooth and full paint film. However, many applicators encounter an awkward situation: after the paint film dries, the surface shows a pitted texture similar to that of orange peel, commonly known as the "orange peel" effect.
As an industrial paint manufacturer, we have summarized the four most common "culprits" on site:
1. Improper thinner matching and dosage This is the most common cause.
- Question: If too little thinner is added, the paint viscosity will be too high, and the atomized paint droplets will not be able to level out sufficiently on the substrate.
- Accessory/Cause: Used a "fast-drying" thinner that evaporates too quickly, so the paint droplets dried before they had time to spread out.
- Countermeasure: Strictly add the matching diluent in the proportion required by the manufacturer's Technical Data Sheet (TDS).
2. Spray Gun Pressure and Atomization Effect The settings of the spray gun directly determine the fineness of the paint mist.
- Problem: The spraying pressure is too low, resulting in poor atomization of the paint, forming coarse particles that impact the surface and fail to form a smooth coating.
- Countermeasure: Check the air pressure gauge and adjust the spraying pressure according to the type of paint (usually between 0.3-0.5 MPa) to ensure uniform atomization.
3. Spraying Distance and Technique
- Problem: The spray gun is too far from the substrate. By the time the paint mist travels toward the surface, the solvent has already largely evaporated; upon reaching the surface, the paint droplets have dried and become tacky, losing their flowability.
- Countermeasure: Keep the spray gun perpendicular to the surface, control the distance between 20-30 cm, and move at a steady and even speed.
4. Construction environment temperature too high
- Question: When construction is carried out under intense sunlight or in high-temperature environments, the paint film surface dries too quickly, and the internal solvents cannot be released smoothly, resulting in impaired leveling.
- Countermeasure: Try to avoid construction during high-temperature periods, or switch to a "slow-drying" compatible thinner.
Conclusion: The "orange peel" effect is not due to poor paint quality, but mostly to errors in application parameters. As long as the three key factors—viscosity, pressure, and distance—are properly controlled, a mirror-like coating finish can be easily achieved.