5.
Application
5.1 GUIDELINES TO GOOD PAINT 5.1.4 Environmental Conditions
APPLICATION Prior to painting, the following environmental
conditions should be complied with:
5.1.1 Differing Colours
Wherever practicable, successive coats in paint Check Criteria
systems should differ in colour. This assists
Ambient Temperature – Ambient temperature
application of continuous coats of uniform > 5°C or refer to
thickness (especially in conditions of poor manufacturers’
lighting) and also facilitates inspection. recommendation
For application, refer to manufacturer’s
Substrate surface – Surface temperature of
recommendations. temperature substrate < 60°C or refer
to manufacturers’
5.1.2 Intervals Between Coats recommendation
Generally, each coat in the system should be – Surface temperature of
dry throughout its thickness before the next substrate > 3°C +
coat is applied. Rate of drying should follow ambient temperature or
refer to manufacturers’
the recommendations of the manufacturers. recommendation
Over exposure may lead to impaired adhesion.
Relative humidity – Refer to manufacturers’
For ‘wet-on-wet’ application (that is a second recommendation
coat can be applied immediately after the first Pollution level – No airborne dust and/or
coat), refer to manufacturer’s recommendations. pollutant in environment
application
Wind condition – No strong wind
5.1.3 Intercoat Preparation
Receiving surface should be free from
contaminants before application of each coat. 5.1.5 Unfavourable Weather or Unsuitable
Conditions
Light sanding with fine-grade, preferably partly Painting should not be carried out in
worn, sandpaper can be used to remove ‘nibs’ unfavourable weather or unsuitable conditions.
and adherent dust particles. This helps to The application of paint to damp surfaces could
improve adhesion and provide a smooth, result in flaking and blistering due to lack of
leveled surface. Wet sanding is applicable if paint penetration into the surface pores and
extensive sanding is necessary. However, the pressure build-up of water vapour behind the
coating must have hardened before any sanding coating. It should be noted that surface
work can be carried out. If the coatings scratch dampness is not always apparent, particularly
or tear, or the abrasive paper rapidly clogs, it is if the surface is flat and porous, such as a plaster
an indication that the surface is not sufficiently or an undercoated surface.
hardened to permit abrasion.
Painting performed on surfaces directly exposed
to the sun on a hot day may be subject to
patchiness or sheariness. The heat causes the
thinners to evaporate too quickly, making the
paint difficult to be applied and causes
interference with its flow.
5.1.6 Defective Paint
Applicator should stop application if paint
appears to be defective. Investigation should
be conducted to ascertain the cause of defects.
Remedial works should be carried out before
Figure 5.1 Sanding between coats of paints painting work can proceed.
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5.2 APPLICATION TOOLS
Applicator should ensure that operatives are skilled and experienced in the techniques of application, care and
maintenance of tools and equipment and, where relevant, the setting up and adjustment of equipment to obtain
optimum results.
Common Tools/Equipments Description Application
Brush • Flat paint brushes ranging from For general paints and coatings on
12mm - 100mm. small and narrow areas where paint
rollers are inaccessible.
Ideal for line cutting and touch-up
painting jobs.
Roller • Paint rollers are manufactured For all paints and coatings on small
using various materials for the and large areas.
application of different paint types
and surfaces. Rollers can be used on all substrates
with smooth to rough surfaces.
• The common sizes are 100mm,
150mm, 175mm and 200mm Most rollers may be mounted on an
wide. extension pole to extend the
operative’s reach.
• Different roller nap/ pile length
are meant for different usage.
application
Roller Nap / Pile Length Usage
Extra short pile For smooth surface
Applicable for oil-based, polyurethane,
epoxy paints and varnishes
Short pile For smooth surface
Applicable for emulsion and oil-based
paints
Long pile For rough textured or uneven surface
Applicable for emulsion and masonry
paints
Sprayers (1) Airless Sprayer makes use of high Mainly use for large areas where spray
pressure pump to eject paint. painting is permissible
Paint output can be as much as
10 litres in one minute. For smooth and rough surfaces
Applicable for all paints and coatings
Airless Spray Gun
Paint Pump
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Common Tools/Equipments Description Application
Sprayers (2) Air Sprayer uses compressed air Mainly use for large areas where spray
to force the paint from the painting is permissible
container to the spray head. Paint
output can be as much as 0.5 For smooth and rough surfaces
litre in one minute. It is mainly
used for furniture spraying and Applicable for all paints and coatings
texture coating.
Texture coatings can be done with
(3) Air-Assisted Sprayer requires air Hopper/Mortar Gun
Air Compressor supply from a compressed
pressure tank to operate. Paint
output can be as much as 5 litres
in one minute.
Spray Gun
Compressed
Pressure Tank
application
5.3 APPLICATION METHODS
Method Basic Technique Good Practices
Brush Application • Dampen the brushes prior to • For new brushes, remove the loose
painting. Use water for latex or bristles before use.
emulsion paints and paint thinner
for oil or alkyd paints. Remove • Avoid immersing the whole brush
excess water or thinner. head into the paints or coatings.
• Dip half the length of the bristles • Avoid exerting too much pressure
into the paint. Tap the brush gently in working the bristles against the
against the side of the can to drain surface during painting.
off the excess paint.
• Do not allow too much paint on
• Use the bristle tips to paint a its bristles during application to
complete stroke in one direction minimise paint drooling on the
in continual length or breadth at surface.
about one arm length.
• Verify with supervisor whether
survey markings should be painted
over.
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Method Basic Technique Good Practices
Roller Application • Roll from high to low using “W” • For new roller refill, immerse it in
format followed by “M” format to paint and roll it over paper/ surface
overlap. This technique is widely for about a minute to season it
used to evenly disperse the paint before use. This will prevent refill
on the surface and to minimise fabric from adhering to the painted
roller lines. surfaces during application.
• Use the right roller with
appropriate pile length for the
painting works for better
uniformity and evenness in the
paint coating.
• Do not roll on an ad-hoc basis, as
this will tend to create roller lines
or marks on the surface.
Spray Application • Spray painting by pressing the • Use clean and appropriate spraying
trigger to eject the paint onto the tip / gun nozzle for the spray-
surface; stroke by stroke vertically painting work. Generally, the size
or horizontally. of the spraying tip will depend on
the paint consistency.
application
• For airless spray, maintain a
distance between the nozzle of the • Appropriate pump pressure level
gun and surface of about 1 m or should be used for each spraying.
as specified by manufacturers.
• Masks should be used during
spraying to prevent inhaling toxin
and dust.
• Never point the spray gun at
anybody when the equipment is
in operation.
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5.4 PROTECTION WORKS AFTER APPLICATION
Upon completion of the painting works, the finished works should be protected from staining and damages.
Protection for finished works can be achieved by placing barricades around the areas with a “Wet Paint” sign to
restrict access.
5.5 INSPECTION OF COMPLETED WORKS
The completed works should be inspected for the following:
Items To Check Description
Protection works after application Check that all barricades and warning signs are put up.
Appearance Check colour, hue, texture (if applicable) and evenness of paint film by
visual assessment.
Thickness (optional) Check wet film thickness using a wet film gauge.
Check dry film thickness:
• Metals: The thickness can be measured with magnetic or electrical gauge.
The latter is more accurate and can measure film thickness on both
ferrous and non-ferrous surfaces.
• Masonry: The thickness can be measured by cutting a cross-section of
application
the paint from the wall for examination by qualified technician.
Adhesion Check adhesion of paint system after sufficient curing using adhesive tape.
Curing Condition Allow for adequate curing period of paint film (refer to manufacturer’s
specifications for curing period).
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