Unlock the secrets of using glass coating leveling agents to create perfect glass coatings
In many fields such as architecture, home furnishings, and electronics, glass products are favored for their
transparent, beautiful, sturdy and durable characteristics. It is particularly important to cover the glass surface
with a smooth, beautiful and durable "coat" - glass coating. As a key role in the coating formula, the glass
coating leveling agent can make the coating spread evenly on the glass surface, eliminate defects such as
brush marks and orange peel, and make the coating smooth as a mirror. However, to give full play to its role,
correct use is the key. Here is a detailed introduction to the use of glass coating leveling agents.
Before use: Be fully prepared
Understand the characteristics of coatings and glass
Different glass coatings differ in composition, viscosity, drying speed, etc. For example, water-based glass
coatings are environmentally friendly, but the drying speed is relatively slow; oil-based glass coatings dry quickly,
but are slightly less environmentally friendly. The types of glass, such as flat glass, curved glass, tempered glass,
etc., have different surface roughness and water absorption, which will affect the adhesion and leveling effect of
the coating. Therefore, before using the leveling agent, you must fully understand the characteristics of the coating
and glass in order to select the appropriate leveling agent and determine how to use it.
Selecting an appropriate leveling agent
There are many types of glass coating leveling agents on the market, including silicone, acrylate, fluorocarbon, etc.
Silicone leveling agents have good defoaming and smoothness, and can significantly improve the appearance of the
coating; acrylate leveling agents can reduce the surface tension of the coating and improve the leveling; fluorocarbon
leveling agents have excellent weather resistance and stain resistance. Choose the most suitable leveling agent
according to the type of coating, the purpose of the glass, and the desired coating effect. For example, for glass curtain
wall coatings used outdoors, fluorocarbon leveling agents with good weather resistance can be selected.
Determine the appropriate dosage
The amount of leveling agent is not the more the better. Too little dosage cannot effectively improve the leveling of the
coating; too much dosage may cause defects such as shrinkage cavitation and floweriness in the coating, and even affect the
adhesion of the coating. Generally speaking, the best dosage can be determined through small-scale experiments. Take a certain
amount of paint, mix it according to different proportions of leveling agent, and then apply it on the glass sample to observe
the leveling effect, glossiness, adhesion and other properties of the coating, so as to find the most suitable amount. Usually,
the amount of leveling agent is between 0.1% and 3% of the total amount of paint, but the specific amount needs to be
adjusted according to the actual situation.
Prepare tools and environment
Prepare the necessary tools, such as stirrers, measuring cups, droppers, spray guns or brushes. Choose the right type of
stirrer to ensure that the paint and leveling agent can be fully mixed. At the same time, ensure that the use environment
is clean and tidy to avoid dust, impurities, etc. from mixing into the paint and affecting the quality of the coating. In
addition, the ambient temperature and humidity will also affect the drying and leveling effect of the paint. Generally
speaking, the suitable construction temperature is 15℃ - 30℃, and the humidity is between 40% - 70%. If the ambient
temperature is too low or the humidity is too high, the paint may dry slowly and the leveling property may deteriorate.
In use: Standardize the operation process
Addition and mixing
Direct addition method:
For some coatings with good fluidity, the calculated amount of leveling agent can be directly added to the coating.
During the addition process, pour the leveling agent slowly and use a stirrer to stir at a moderate speed. The stirring time is
generally 5-10 minutes to ensure that the leveling agent and the coating are fully mixed.
Pre-dilution method:
If the viscosity of the leveling agent is high and it is difficult to mix it directly with the coating, the leveling agent can be diluted
with an appropriate amount of solvent (such as the thinner that comes with the coating) and then added to the coating. The
dilution ratio should be determined according to the characteristics of the leveling agent and the requirements of the coating.
The general dilution ratio is 1:1-1:5.
Control construction process
Choose a suitable construction method: According to the shape, size and coating requirements of the glass products,
choose a suitable construction method, such as spraying, brushing or rolling. Spraying is suitable for large-area, regular-shaped
glass surfaces, and can form a uniform and smooth coating; brushing is suitable for small-area or complex-shaped glass products,
but attention should be paid to the strength and direction of brushing to avoid brush marks; rolling is suitable for flat glass, and
the construction efficiency is higher.
Construction parameter control:
When spraying, the pressure, distance and moving speed of the spray gun should be controlled. The spray gun pressure is generally
0.3-0.5MPa, 20-30cm away from the glass surface, and the moving speed should be uniform to avoid defects such as sagging and
orange peel. When brushing, choose a suitable brush, the brushing force should be moderate, the brushing direction should be
consistent, and avoid brushing back and forth. When rolling, ensure that the roller is evenly dipped in paint, the rolling speed is
stable, and the coating thickness is uniform.
Real-time monitoring and adjustment
During the construction process, the leveling state of the paint and the formation of the coating should be observed in real time.
If the coating is found to have poor leveling, shrinkage, and floweriness, the cause should be analyzed and adjusted in time. For
example, if the amount of leveling agent is insufficient, the amount of leveling agent can be appropriately increased; if the
humidity of the construction environment is too high, dehumidification measures can be taken.
After use: do a good job of finishing
Drying and curing
After the coating is applied, it should be dried and cured according to the requirements of the coating. Different coatings have
different drying and curing times. Generally, they need to be placed in a suitable environment to allow the coating to dry and
cure naturally. During the drying process, dust, foreign matter, etc. should be avoided from falling on the coating surface. For
some coatings that need to be heated and cured, the heating temperature and time should be strictly controlled in accordance
with the requirements of the coating instructions to ensure that the coating is completely cured.
Quality inspection
After the coating is dried and cured, quality inspection should be carried out. The inspection items include the appearance
quality of the coating (such as whether there are defects such as brush marks, orange peel, shrinkage cavities, etc.), gloss,
adhesion, hardness, etc. Professional instruments such as gloss meters and adhesion testers can be used for inspection. If the
coating quality does not meet the requirements, the reasons should be analyzed in time and remedial measures should be taken,
such as re-coating or local repair.
Storage and maintenance
If there is any excess paint and leveling agent, it should be stored in accordance with the requirements of the product
instructions. Generally speaking, paint and leveling agents should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct
sunlight and high temperature environment. For opened paint and leveling agents, they should be sealed to prevent volatilization
and contamination. At the same time, the quality of stored paint and leveling agents should be checked regularly. If deterioration,
stratification, etc. are found, they should be dealt with in time.
The use of glass coating leveling agent is a meticulous process involving multiple links. From full preparation before use, to
standardized operation during use, to quality inspection and storage maintenance after use, every step is crucial. Only by
mastering the correct method of use can the role of glass coating leveling agent be fully utilized, so that the glass surface
presents a smooth, beautiful and durable coating effect, adding more charm and value to glass products.
