Guide to using water-based penetrants: unlock new skills for material protection
In many fields such as construction, home furnishing, and industrial manufacturing, water-based penetrants are gradually
becoming a powerful assistant to improve material performance and extend service life. It is like an invisible "guardian"
that penetrates deep into the material to provide it with all-round protection. However, to give full play to the effectiveness
of water-based penetrants, the correct method of use is essential. Next, let us take a deep look at the use of water-based
penetrants.
Preliminary preparation: sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood
Understand the characteristics of materials
Before using water-based penetrants, you must first have a full understanding of the materials to be treated. Different materials,
such as concrete, wood, stone, etc., have different structures and porosities, and their absorption capacity and reaction effects
on water-based penetrants will also be different. For example, the surface of concrete is relatively rough, with more pores, and
has a strong absorption capacity for water-based penetrants; while some dense stones have relatively weak absorption capacity.
Understanding the characteristics of materials will help us choose the appropriate type and method of use of water-based
penetrants.
Check the material condition
Carefully check the surface condition of the material to ensure that it is clean, dry, free of oil, dust and other impurities.
If there are stains or impurities on the surface of the material, it will affect the penetration effect of the water-based penetrant
and reduce its protective performance. For concrete surfaces, you can use a high-pressure water gun to wash and remove
floating dust and loose particles on the surface; for wood surfaces, you can use sandpaper to polish and remove burrs and
old paint layers.
Prepare tools and protective equipment
Prepare the tools needed to use water-based penetrants, such as spray pots, rollers, brushes, etc. Spray pots are suitable for
uniform spraying over large areas, rollers are suitable for handling relatively flat surfaces, and brushes can be used for
processing corners and details. At the same time, in order to protect your health, you also need to wear protective equipment,
such as gloves, masks, goggles, etc., to prevent water-based penetrants from contacting your skin and eyes.
Construction operation: precise policy implementation shows results
Dilution and preparation (if necessary)
Some water-based penetrants may need to be diluted and prepared according to actual conditions. Before dilution, be sure to
read the product manual carefully to understand the dilution ratio and method. Generally speaking, clean tap water can be
used for dilution. The water-based penetrant and water should be fully stirred according to the instructions. Excessive dilution
may affect the performance of the water-based penetrant, while insufficient dilution may lead to uneven penetration, so the
operation should be strictly carried out according to the proportion.
Uniform brushing or spraying
Choose the appropriate brushing or spraying method according to the shape and size of the material. For large areas of walls
or floors, a spray pot can be used for uniform spraying. When spraying, keep the distance between the spray pot and the
surface of the material moderate, generally 30-50 cm, and spray evenly in the form of mist to avoid dripping or leaking. For
smaller areas or corners, a brush or roller can be used for brushing. Pay attention to uniform force when brushing to ensure
that the water-based penetrant can fully penetrate into the material.
Control the amount and number of times
The amount and number of times of water-based penetrants need to be determined according to the characteristics of the
material and actual needs. Generally speaking, it is necessary to ensure that the surface of the material is fully moistened,
but no water accumulation should occur. If the amount is too small, the ideal penetration effect may not be achieved; and
if the amount is too large, it will not only cause waste, but also may cause the surface drying time to be prolonged. For
some materials with strong absorption capacity, multiple applications may be required, and a certain time should be left
between each application to allow the water-based penetrant applied last time to fully penetrate and dry.
Construction environment requirements
The construction environment of the water-based penetrant also has a great impact on the effect. During construction,
the ambient temperature should be between 5-35℃, and the relative humidity should not exceed 85%. If the ambient
temperature is too low, the drying speed of the water-based penetrant will slow down, affecting the penetration effect;
if the temperature is too high, it may cause water to evaporate too quickly, making the water-based penetrant unable to
fully penetrate. In addition, avoid construction on rainy or windy days to prevent rain erosion or dust pollution from
affecting the construction quality.
Post-maintenance: consolidate results and ensure long-term effects
Natural drying
After the construction is completed, let the surface of the material dry naturally. During the drying process, avoid
trampling or collision of people and objects to avoid damaging the protective film formed by the water-based penetrant.
Drying time varies depending on ambient temperature and humidity and the type of water-based penetrant, and
generally takes 24-72 hours. During the drying period, pay close attention to changes in the surface of the material.
If any abnormality is found, take timely measures to deal with it.
Regular inspection and maintenance
Although water-based penetrants can provide long-term protection for materials, their protective effect may gradually
weaken over time and changes in the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly inspect and maintain the
treated materials. The inspection content includes whether there are cracks, peeling, discoloration, etc. on the surface
of the material, and whether the protective film of the water-based penetrant is intact. If problems are found, they
should be repaired or reprocessed in time to ensure that the protective performance of the material is always in good
condition.
Cleaning and maintenance
During daily use, pay attention to cleaning and maintenance of the treated materials. Avoid using corrosive detergents
such as strong acids and alkalis to avoid damaging the protective film of the water-based penetrant. You can use a mild
detergent and a soft cloth to wipe to keep the surface of the material clean and beautiful.
The use of water-based penetrants is not complicated, but we need to make careful preparations in the early stage,
standardize construction operations, and strengthen post-maintenance. Only in this way can we give full play to the
advantages of water-based penetrants, provide reliable protection for materials and extend their service life. I hope
this user guide can help everyone better understand the use of water-based penetrants and make our lives and work
safer and better.
