Painting products: paint stripper, adhesion promoter or zinc-rich coating?

This collection gathers the products that support painting, almost all in spray cans or gel: you need a gel paint stripper to remove the old paint, an adhesion promoter to make the new paint stick on difficult materials, a zinc-rich coating or a spray coating to protect or touch up metal. Choose according to what you need to do before, during and after painting.

Types

• Paint strippers: Svernisolv Gel L is an industrial gel paint stripper that removes paints and synthetic resins. It is left to work and removed with a scraper.
• Adhesion promoters: Nanotech Roadmaster AM1 is a nanotechnology promoter for metals, plastic, wood and ceramics.
• Zinc-rich coatings: the zinc spray is used for touch-ups and protection of metals.
• Protective spray coatings: Acciainox Spray uses micronised aluminium, Copper Spray micronised copper, for copper items and other metals.
• Spray adhesive: Fix Spray is a permanent adhesive for technical use.

The collection is small and should not be read as a single system: these are products with different functions. First choose at which stage of the job you need the product.

How to choose for the job

Features to check

• Material: metals, plastic, wood and ceramics are indicated. Check that your substrate is among those permitted.
• Application: spray, brush, roller or immersion, depending on the product. Spray requires thin coats and a constant distance.
• Times: the data sheets give the dust-dry time (about 15 minutes at 20 °C) and the full drying time (about 24 hours). They matter if you need to apply another coat over it.
• Heat resistance: for one product it is stated up to 200 °C. If the part gets hot, check the value on the data sheet.
• Colour: copper-coloured or light, depending on the product.

A practical example: you need to redo a railing that has already been painted. Remove the old paint with the stripper, degrease, apply the zinc spray to the bare parts and then the finish. For a copper bracket that needs protecting, on the other hand, Copper Spray is enough, with no other steps.

Common mistakes

• Painting without degreasing. Dust and grease prevent adhesion, even with the promoter.
• Spraying too close or in a single heavy coat. It runs and does not dry.
• Not letting the stripper work. It must be applied, left for the time stated on the data sheet and then removed with a scraper.
• Working indoors without ventilation. You need an open or ventilated area, a mask and gloves.

Frequently asked questions

Is an adhesion promoter always needed?

No, only when the substrate is difficult, such as plastic, ceramic or smooth metals. On a normal surface the ordinary painting system is enough.

Can I use zinc spray as a primer?

It is designed to protect and touch up metal. If you then need to paint, check the compatibility with the finish on the data sheet.

Does the paint stripper damage the metal?

The gel one is for removing paints and synthetic resins from the substrate. Read the permitted materials on the data sheet and test on a hidden area.

Spray or tin?

Spray is convenient for touch-ups and small parts, with no tools to clean. For large surfaces a tinned paint is the better choice; you will find these in the other paint collections.

How do I work safely with these products?

Outdoors or in a ventilated area, with a mask and gloves, away from flames and heat sources, and protecting nearby areas with tape. Always read the safety data sheet and the label before starting.

You can browse the products in the painting products collection. For advice on the right product or for a quote, ask the AMES technicians.