Waterjet paint removal
Surface preparation usually refers to the removal of coatings and corrosion by using high-pressure water jets.
The impact of the water jet at high velocity can remove even the most resilient coatings.
Advantages of waterjetting:
- It does not need sand, so it can be used in proximity of other processes
- Minimal waste: 98% less than sandblasting
- Environmentally friendly
- No contamination of sensitive equipment
- Leaves an optimal surface for the next coating application
- Unlike sandblasting, it does not affect the steel substrate
- Minimal water use, most of which evaporates after use
- Reduces drydock time
- Does not require booth setup
- Can be used in wet and windy weather
- The pump can also be used for other cleaning and cutting operations
Automotive
In paint booths, residues of spray paint on carts, rails and grates are a common problem. Paint residues can detach and contaminate the freshly applied paint, causing expensive manual corrections. To guarantee a quality finish, it is fundamental that the paint booth is completely clean.
The floor gratings are generally cleaned outside of the work hours, using detergents which cannot give an optimal result. To clean rails and carriages without stopping production it is possible to apply waterjet nozzles to robots for automatic cleaning. The cleaning frequency and the type of paint used will determine the requires pressure. The water jets can also be used to remove paint from masks and hooks used by any paint shop.
Advantages of waterjetting:
- It does not need sand
- Minimal waste
- Environmentally friendly, does not produce fumes or use chemicals
- No risk of distortion of skids, as opposed to pyrolysis
- No contamination of nearby sensitive equipment
- Doesn’t damage or roughen steel
- Minimal water consumption
- The pump can also be used for other cleaning and cutting operations
Shipbuilding
Waterjetting is widely used in shipyards for the repair and maintenance of ships. Waterjetting technology can be used to remove marine growth and salt deposits before sandblasting. It also enables the removal of deteriorated coatings, leaving intact the undamaged coating if the complete removal is not necessary.
Paint removal can also remove all coatings to expose the bare steel. Marine coating manufacturers have developed coatings for use on waterjetted surfaces and actively promote this method because it provides the best possible surface for re-coating.
Advantages of waterjetting for shipbuilding:
- It does not need sand
- Minimal waste
- Environmentally friendly
- No contamination of nearby sensitive equipment
- Removes all residues and leaves an optimal surface for the new coating
- Doesn’t damage or roughen steel, as opposed to sandblasting
- Minimal water consumption, most of which evaporates if using UHP
- Reduces drydock times
- Does not require booths
- Is effective in windy and wet conditions
- The pump can also be used for other cleaning and cutting operations
