Spray Equipment

Spray Equipment & Methods

Choosing the right type of spray equipment: Use a Pressure System: Zolatone must not be used with an airless system. Apply by Either: A Pressure Feed Conventional Spray Gun or a Pressure Feed HVLP Spray Gun. Fluid tip/needle must be a minimum of .080-.090 inch or 2.0 - 2.4 mm. Any smaller size will break up the fleck size. A pressure spray system is required to insure the proper atomization of the product. This insures continuous film integrity which in turn provides maximum adhesion and other high performance properties. See website for recommended gun setups.

Preparing the surface

  1. Before applying Zolatone 20, clean all surfaces with water and an abrasive body shop cleaner (such as SEM soap, 3M Prep & Blend, Presta Substrata, or similar products) using a maroon scuff pad.
  2. Sand with 180 grit paper using pressure. Do not leave any glossy areas.
  3. Eliminate rust using a rust remover recommended for use with waterborne primers.
  4. Mask off the surface.
  5. Treat bare metal with an etching primer that is recommended for use with waterborne primers.

Primer Coatings

  1. Select the proper primer/sealer base color for the Zolatone finish color. Refer to page 1 for correct color recommendations. Only Zolatone primers are manufactured to chemically interact with Zolatone 20 and are an integral part of the Zolatone application system. Use of primers other than the recommended Zolatone primers may affect the durability and appearance of Zolatone 20.
  2. Ready to mix and use. Mix 4 parts PE Epoxy with 1 part PA-901 Activator and 1/2 R-502 Reducer.
  3. Tack free in 15-30 minutes. When using 9271 Zo-Epoxy Primer-Sealer allow 30-60 minutes dry time before top coating.
  4. Clean gun with soap and water while still wet. Follow cleaning by rinsing with solvent or gun cleaner.
  5. Clean equipment immediately after use with Gun Wash or high quality lacquer thinner.

Zolatone Color Coat

The durable and decorative properties of the Zolatone system, "The promise of Zolatone," is based on a 100% full coverage coat application. Zolatone has the ability, and was designed, to deliver a 100% full coat film, rather than a spatter effect commonly associated with other multi-color and textured coatings. If the substrate or primer coating is visible, coverage is inadequate. Only full coat coverage insures that you receive all the qualities that are expected of the Zolatone process.


Conventional & HVLP Pressure Fed Spray Guns

Background/Sheer Coat

  1. Spray Gun: 12 inches from surface with fluid needle valve nearly in the closed position. Conventional Gun Air Pressure: 50-60 psi. HVLP Gun Air Pressure: 40-50 psi. Pot/Fluid Pressure: 10 psi. Apply a medium wet coat. Do not build up product in the corners. No flash time required between coats
  2. Pattern Coat. Total film thickness not to exceed 8 mils wet film thickness. Spray Gun: 24-36 inches from the surface with fluid needle valve opened one turn from step #1 above. Conventional/HVLP Gun Air Pressure: 20-30 psi. Pot/Fluid Pressure: 10 psi.
  3. Clean up: First flush gun with water while Zolatone is still wet. Then flush with solvent or gun cleaner. DO NOT allow materials to dry in gun.

DO NOT allow materials to dry in gun. Lowering air feed pressure increases fleck size and texture which would produce cleaner colors. Too heavy a film will slow dry time and may cause adhesion problems.

Air Dry System: Tack-free in 2 hours at about 70°F at 50% relative humidity. Full cure occurs 5-7 days depending on temperature and humidity. Allow to dry overnight prior to clear coat application. Force Dry System: Force dried at 140°F in 30-60 minutes. Allow 30 minutes flash time if using force air or baking. Can be clear coated after cooling. DO NOT allow moisture of any kind on the surface for 24 hours.

Optional Catalyst

For a catalyzed Zolatone 20 Series system: Thoroughly mix 9251-000C Quick Step Catalyst into the Zolatone before spraying @ a 16:1 mix ratio. Greatly increases water, chemical and abrasion resistance without sacrificing adhesion or impact resistance.

DO NOT allow materials to dry in gun. Use the same thinners and gun cleaners as you would with any other automotive paint products.

Temperature and Humidity: Primer-Sealer/Base Color. The ideal condition to spray the product is at 70°F and 50% relative humidity. This will allow for maximum adhesion to the surface. Since the product contains water, force drying at 120°F for 15 minutes is highly recommended when relative humidity is above 75%.

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