Causes:
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Thickness is too high which leads to an external drying while the solvents are trapped in the paint film.
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Paint is sprayed over wax, oil, and grease.
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Drying in bad conditions: Workshop is too cold, humid and non-ventilated.
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Bad application conditions: Not enough air circulation and/or heat.
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Not enough flash off time.
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Too much retarder used.
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Incorrect hardener or mixing ratios.
Preventive measures:
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Clean surface thoroughly before painting.
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Avoid thick layers.
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Improve spraying and drying conditions (heat, air circulation, etc.).
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Allow enough flash off times.
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Use recommended hardener and thinner and observe mixing ratios.
Remedy:
In general, it is possible to remedy a slow drying problem by moving the vehicle to a place where the ventilation and the temperature are more appropriate or by heating at a moderate temperature (unless the problem is due to the use of a wrong hardener or wrong mixing ratio of hardener – non stoichiometric ratio). If the problem is due to very thick layers, “des rides” may show, except if special care is taken during the heating phase.