There has been a lot of hot air talked about infra-red curing with the main arguments being based on that of curing small areas. 16 pence for a front wing compared to £2 pounds to low bake it.

Certain points should be borne in mind. IR curing should take place in the booth. Movement of apparatus in the booth with wet paint is liable to lead to dirt contamination. IR cures what it sees, dark colours cure faster than light ones, the power rating and distance from the job determines the rate of cure. Plastic components are liable to melt or distort with IR.

The physical differences between medium and short wave infra-red heaters are that radiation with wavelengths between 2.5~3.5µm (micrometers) is called medium wave. Heaters produce a basic temperature of 850°C with wave radiation intensity of 50 Kw/m². Short wave has a maximum wavelength of l-2µm with heater temperature of 2000°C and radiation intensity 120Kw/m²

Because the main absorption of present two pack paints is around 3µm, infra-red medium wave systems are most suitable, they warm the paint short wave penetrates the paint and warm the substrate.