After taking time to invest in a thermal barrier coating, you’ll want to care for it as best you can. One of the most vital aspects of that care routine is regular cleaning. This article will reveal if there are any special instructions for cleaning thermal barrier coatings. We’ll also touch on a few other important aspects of these protective layers.
Cleaning for Thermal Barrier Coatings is Easy
While thermal barrier coatings are somewhat complex and capable of providing many performance enhancements, their cleaning process is relatively simple. In most cases, you can use soap and water to remove any grime that has accumulated on the coating. By nature, thermal barrier coatings are incredibly durable, meaning that applying soap and water to them should not cause any issues.
Differences in cleaning methods are more relevant to the settings in which thermal barrier coatings are present. For instance, cleaning a thermal barrier coating in an industrial setting will often require a different process than cleaning one applied to a roof.
How Long Do Thermal Barrier Coatings Last?
Since we are discussing maintenance for thermal barrier coatings, it is fitting to touch on the notion of longevity. After all, when you depend on a thermal barrier coating, you’ll want to know its expected lifespan.
Amazingly, many thermal barrier coatings in indoor settings may never require repairs or replacements. This is especially true if your thermal barrier coating does not undergo any regular wear and tear.
By contrast, thermal barrier coatings in outdoor settings must withstand harsher environmental conditions, which means their longevity is far from indefinite. Instead, outdoor thermal barrier coatings usually last about 10 to 15 years before a repair or replacement is necessary.
Thermal Barrier Coating Repair and Replacement Methods
When your thermal barrier coating needs repairs or replacement, it helps to have a general idea of what the process involves. Typically, when a thermal barrier coating breaks down, certain areas will become worn out and ineffective. Whether or not that section requires repairs or the entire coating should be replaced is a decision a knowledgeable professional should make.
Replacement of a thermal barrier coating usually requires some type of strong blasting tool. This tool will remove a thermal barrier coating from the surface. After removing the coating, the team performing the replacement can apply a new thermal barrier coating that should last for at least another ten years.
How To Re-Apply a Thermal Barrier Coating
After removing all or part of a thermal barrier coating, the next natural step is to apply a new one. That process involves a few specific steps that help ensure your new coating is as effective as possible.
Before applying a thermal barrier coating, it is crucial to thoroughly clean the entire area and any tools you intend to use. Regarding tools, it is essential to have a sprayer for thermal barrier coating applications. Unlike brushes and rollers, sprayers allow for an even distribution of the thermal barrier coating, allowing it to adhere to the surface and perform its best.
Environmental factors are also important for thermal barrier coating applications. For example, it is important to ensure the humidity is not too high and that the temperature in the application area remains above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensuring ideal environmental conditions ensures your thermal barrier coating has the right viscosity and adhesion properties.
Advantages of Using a Thermal Barrier Coating
While most of this article has focused on cleaning, removal, and reapplication of thermal barrier coatings, we should state some of the reasons why these coatings are helpful in the first place. Below is a list of thermal barrier coating benefits that are applicable to many different industries:
- Improved insulation: Thermal barrier coatings prevent the transfer of thermal energy. By reducing this transfer, the coatings dramatically reduce the effect of extreme temperatures, leading to incredible insulation.
- Protection against corrosion: As moisture contacts the surface of metals, it encourages corrosion, which reduces the effectiveness and structural integrity of these materials. The protective layer a thermal barrier coating provides makes corrosion nearly impossible.
- Condensation prevention: As moisture grows, condensation accumulates on surfaces. While benign, in some cases, condensation can lead to many complications, such as rot. Thermal barrier coatings prevent condensation accumulations, making these issues less prevalent.
- Improved energy efficiency: Without protection, it can become incredibly challenging for HVAC units to operate efficiently. Thermal barrier coatings shield these units from external elements, allowing them to operate effectively while saving you money on energy bills.
What is the Best Thermal Barrier Coating You Can Use?
Cleaning is a crucial part of thermal barrier coating maintenance. However, before you consider maintenance, it is even more essential to find the ideal thermal barrier coating for your intended use. At ThermaCote, we are confident that we can provide the best thermal barrier coatings on the market today.
Our thermal barrier coatings include incredible performance capability and are very easy to clean as well. If you want to learn more about the advantages our thermal barrier coatings can offer you, reach out to us today.