Close
MENU

Follow us on @Ask_ICAR for daily updates.

Home / Collision Repair News / Back-To-Basics: Environmental Considerations For Refinishing

Back-To-Basics: Environmental Considerations For Refinishing

Posted on 14 July 2022 | Share:
| Print Print

Some refinishing defects are controllable. However, refinishing defects that are influenced by the environment may not be controlled. Let’s take a look at environmental impacts on both solvent-borne and waterborne refinishing processes, like temperature and humidity.

Temperature affects refinish materials in multiple ways. The first is that if it is too warm, it will accelerate the flash and cure time of the refinish material. This can lead to many refinishing defects, like solvent popping and dry spray, for example.

If the temperature is too cold, it will decelerate the flash and cure time of the refinish material, which can lead to runs and sags.

Humidity can also have an impact on refinishing. When the air is too humid, it slows the evaporation process in both waterborne paint and solvent-borne paints. This may cause poor curing, sagging, puddling (also called water splashing), and solvent popping.

Water splashing occurs in waterborne paint when the humidity is high and the first coat starts dimpling from the overspray of the next coat. It looks similar to rain drops hitting a puddle.

When it’s humid, water molecules in the air get trapped under the refinish coating and may cause blistering or bubbling. Humidity can also greatly affect the ability to cure because of moisture trapped in the coating.

Temperature and humidity can't always be controlled in the repair facility, so it’s important to know what the weather will be like and to plan accordingly. For example, making sure to select proper reducers or hardeners that are compatible with the ambient temperature.

Related I-CAR Courses

Course Refinish Defects Correction

Course Understanding Refinish Defects - Part 1

Course Understanding Refinish Defects - Part 2

  • I-CAR Just In Time: Cybertruck Tuesday, 11 March 2025

    Sometimes seeing is understanding, that’s why I-CAR's technical team created the Just in Time video series to guide you through a variety of collision repair topics from ADAS and EVs to repair tips...

  • GM Repair Insights: Winter 2025 Monday, 10 March 2025

    The winter edition of General Motors (GM) Repair Insights magazine is now available.

  • Refinishing Park Assist Sensors: Genesis Friday, 7 March 2025

    Park assist sensors are part of the park assist system, just one of many advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) found on vehicles today. Damaged sensors are typically replaced and may require...

  • Refinishing Park Assist Sensors: Hyundai Friday, 7 March 2025

    Park assist sensors are part of the park assist system, just one of many advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) found on vehicles today. Damaged sensors are typically replaced and may require...

  • Structural Straightening: Rivian Wednesday, 5 March 2025

    What should you do when a damaged Rivian comes into your repair facility? Can you measure it? Can it be straightened? What needs to be replaced?

  • Bumper Cover Repair With ADAS: Genesis Thursday, 27 February 2025

    A simple bumper repair on a modern vehicle may not be as simple as it seems. New technologies like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)...

  • Bumper Cover Repair With ADAS: Hyundai - UPDATE Thursday, 27 February 2025

    A simple bumper repair on a modern vehicle may not be as simple as it seems. New technologies like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)...

  • I-CAR Repairers Realm: SATA New Equipment And Technologies - Now Available Wednesday, 26 February 2025

    I-CAR staff discussed recent developments in SATA equipment and technology.

  • Calibration Research Tips: Ford/Lincoln Park Assist Operation Check - UPDATE Thursday, 20 February 2025

    While searching for information on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on an OEM repair information site, you may come across unique calibration procedures or events. These events can vary by...

  • Honda Has Released The 2026 Passport Body Repair News Wednesday, 19 February 2025

    Honda has released a Body Repair News bulletin for the 2026 Passport. This document contains at-a-glance information for this model.

Top Ten Vehicle Specific Questions

Hyundai Does Hyundai have a sectioning procedure available?
Kia Does Kia have a sectioning procedure available?
2014 Jeep CherokeeIs there a procedure available for resetting the active headrestt?
Chevrolet Does Chevrolet have a warning against sectioning when there is no procedure?
BMW Can I-CAR send me BMW repair procedures?
Hyundai Does Hyundai have part replacement procedures available?
Honda What does Honda say about repairing damaged airbag system wiring harnesses?
Mercedes-Benz Can I-CAR send me Mercedes-Benz repair procedures?
Honda What does Honda say about straightening front lower rails?
Subaru Do you have to replace a front passenger airbag on a Subaru even if the airbag did not deploy? The repair information seems to indicate that it should.

Top Ten I-CAR Specific Questions

What does I-CAR say about using a recycled quarter panel assembly that includes the inner, outer, and reinforcements?
What does I-CAR say about straightening a kink?
Can I-CAR General Sectioning Guidelines be used?
What does I-CAR say about the decision to use recycled parts?
What does I-CAR say about replacing suspension parts in pairs?
What does I-CAR say about repairing damaged door intrusion beams?
What does I-CAR say about repairing damaged bumper reinforcements?
What does I-CAR say about repair tolerances?
What does I-CAR say about using recycled airbags?
What does I-CAR say about repairing damaged crush boxes?