FAQ
Do I need to add ammonia?
Aqua TRC
No. Aqua-TRC remains dispersed. It doesn’t separate or form murky water where bacteria can grow.
Industry Standard
Yes. Bacteria growth in the murky water causes bacteria growth and a foul smell. Ammonia is needed to kill the bacteria and remove the bad smell.
How well does the coating material stay mixed?
Aqua TRC
Aqua-TRC uses “dispersed pigment” chemistry—much like the automotive industry painting robots—to keep pigments and other solids dispersed. 5-10 seconds of stirring is enough to agitate the liquids.
Industry Standard
The material needs frequent vigorous stirring. If too many solids are allowed to settle, some will never re-disperse, resulting in wasted material.
Does the coating material (Aqua-TRC) stick to belts and machinery?
Aqua TRC
No. Aqua-TRC uses a non-sticky resin which will not stick to non-heated surfaces, nor to itself. Machinery will self-clean in 20 minutes.
Industry Standard
Yes. The sticky resin attaches to everything. It is nearly impossible to remove from belts and tanks. Machinery must be taken out of production to clean, and some material will remain permanently.
How fast will the coating dry/cure?
Aqua TRC
When used with the FTS or TRC coating systems, Aqua-TRC dries in seconds. Further processing (striping, coning, etc.) can be performed immediately after coating. Full and complete curing will take 12 hours and happens naturally, but the spring can be handled during this time.
Industry Standard
In dip coating, the quench significantly slows the drying process. Drying may take several hours and requires powerful fans. Due to the sticky resin, it is best not to handle the spring until fully cured (12-24 hours).
How glossy is the coating?
Aqua TRC
There is less gloss, but the smoother surface makes Aqua-TRC more aesthetically pleasing. The gloss factor requires more thickness in the material. Since Aqua-TRC is formulated to be a thin coat, this trade-off results in more coating surface generated per liquid volume (cost savings).
Industry Standard
The higher gloss level is achieved through more thickness in coating. Gloss, however, is affected by coating material temperature, which is hard to control. The glossy surface may be compromised by a less-than-smooth surface.
How much material must I have on hand?
Aqua TRC
FTS equipment requires 6-10 gallons (2 pails) committed to the system plus another 1-3 pails/day to replace consumption. At the end of the day, the paint can be stored in a pail, ready to supply the next production run.
Industry Standard
Nearly all dip applications require from 50-500 gallons of material committed to WIP in order to have enough depth. An equal amount of material held in reserve is advised in case material spoils.
How long can I store the material?
Aqua TRC
Unopened containers of Aqua-TRC have unlimited shelf-life (stored properly). Used and diluted material has a shelf life of at least 3 years.
Industry Standard
Shelf life of unopened material is typically 1 month. Used and diluted material must be used within 1-2 days to avoid bacteria accumulation (resulting in a foul odor).
How much does it cost?
Aqua TRC
The cost of the paint itself.
Industry Standard
– Ammonia on hand
– System cleaning time
– Stirring time
– Drying time for springs
– Extra material for WIP
– Wasted material beyond shelf life