Using infrared light to provide the cleanest ceramic coating

Ceramic coating is a stronger alternative to traditional waxes, adding protection and shine to your vehicle’s paint. Once applied, the coating hardens into a “shell”, which helps reduce the risk of swirls or scratches damaging the paint. In addition, it makes washing your car easier, as there is no need to wax it again after washing.

One way we like to ensure a smooth, clean coating application is by using infrared curing lamps. This tool helps speed up the curing process by applying heat to a concentrated area of ​​the vehicle surface for a predetermined period of time, causing the coating to harden faster. This is an important part of our coating process because we know that the less time it takes for a coating to cure, the less likely it is that the curing environment will allow stray particles to settle during the curing process.

If you’re wondering if your shop needs to have infrared lights, it doesn’t. No shop absolutely needs to have infrared lights, but it is a great way to increase your vehicle throughput. As mentioned before, it takes time to cure the ceramic coating on a vehicle, so the vehicle will need to sit longer if it is to cure naturally. We like using infrared because, in addition to helping provide a clean, contamination-free surface, it also reduces the amount of time a vehicle needs to sit to cure before being delivered to a customer. As a result, we have more room in our shop freed up to process incoming vehicles (and our customers are happier too!). If you do want to purchase infrared lights, the main feature to consider is the type of light you require. There are a variety of configurations and options to choose from, so it’s important that you search based on the needs of your shop.

First, you need to understand the three types of infrared light systems on the market – shortwave, medium wave, and long wave infrared. Long wave infrared is not relevant to the automotive industry because it is the least efficient curing method; you will not see any detailing or paint shops using this type of system. Medium wave infrared lamps are ideal for curing most flat or simple surfaces, such as hoods and roofs. Short wave infrared is the most ideal overall curing solution because it is the fastest curing method and can be used to treat any coated surface on the vehicle.

The wavelength you decide to use is important. The three infrared technologies differ in their respective ability to penetrate the vehicle’s painted surface. Exposing the surface to infrared light creates molecular stimulation of the coating and painted surface. Through conduction and subsequent radiation from the vehicle’s heated surface, the heat from the infrared lamp passes through the coating, contacts the paint, and then passes through the coating again, causing the coating to cure faster and cleaner than natural curing methods. Short-wave infrared light is the best solution for this curing process because it produces the most heat, resulting in a high-quality cure.

The next thing you want to consider when choosing an infrared lamp is price. As mentioned earlier, there are many options for infrared systems and the prices vary, ranging from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars for high-end models. Our model is the UNITED UD-3D Short Wave Infrared Paint Curing System. This is a high-end model that uses short wave infrared light as well as a host of features and settings to ensure that the curing process on all of our vehicles is timely, thorough, and complete.

Infrared lamps are not only an ideal curing solution for painted vehicle surfaces, they are also an effective alternative to paint ovens or traditional heat exposure. The heat from infrared curing lamps can be directed and focused to specific areas, increasing efficiency and reducing energy consumption, with no preheating or cooling required.

Is infrared technology right for you? Will it be beneficial to your store and your business? There are a few questions you should ask yourself before taking the plunge. Infrared is a great solution for busy stores and can greatly benefit you and your customers in the long run.

#CeramicCoating #bmw #i8 #infrared #IR #light #heat #cure #coating #ceramic #coatings #m #modesta #gtechniq #cquartz #Detailing