The following are general conditions affecting most coating applications:

Temperature	The optimum temperature range for coatings application is 60° F (15°C) to 90° F (32° C). Coatings generally should not be applied if atmospheric or substrate temperatures are below 40°F (4° C) or above 100° F (43° C) at the time of application. Surface temperatures above 90° F (32° C) may cause the film to dry too rapidly, resulting in pinholes or holidays. Surface temperature below 40° F (4° C) for single package products, or 50° F (10° C) for most activated products may cause slow or incomplete cure.
Humidity	Coatings should not be applied unless the temperature of the surface being coated is, and remains, at least 5° F (2.7° C) above the dew point, otherwise condensation may occur on the surface and impair adhesion or appearance. Slow drying materials, spray applied, do not have much effect on substrate temperature. However, quick-drying coatings containing fast-drying solvents may reduce the surface temperature considerably. Humidity may also affect the drying time of coatings. High humidity lengthens the drying time for coatings that “cure” by solvent or water evaporation. The drying time for most chemically cured coatings will be relatively unaffected, except for the drying time for inorganic zinc, or other moisture cured coatings.
Wind	Coatings should not be applied outdoors when winds are excessive. Dry overspray on the paint film and overspray contamination of adjacent areas may result.
Precipitation	Coatings should not be applied outdoors when any form of precipitation is present or imminent. Precipitation may: Cause poor adhesion Wash off freshly applied coatings Deposit chemical contamination Cause unsightly spotting Cause poor film properties
Application Instructions	Application instructions printed on coating containers shall be followed. Sharp edges and corners should be spot primed prior to application of the regular prime coat. Alternate colors from coat to coat can be used as a visual check where practical. This guide coat practice helps to insure complete coverage of each coat. Where exposure conditions are severe, it is advisable to check for pinholes and holidays and recoat them promptly. Skips, holidays and pinholes can be detected by using a low voltage wet sponge holiday detector.

In most cases, coatings can be applied by alternative means. The method of application selected will depend on the following factors:

• Type of coating
• Size and configuration of paintable item
• Applicator skill level
• Equipment availability
• Plant and process area restrictions
• Work code limitations
• Economics (productivity, material costs, etc.)

For your guidance, the application method comparison chart below summarizes the major advantages and disadvantages of some of the more common application methods, and indicates the estimated coverage per day using each method.

Application Method	Advantages	Disadvantages	Estimated Coverage Per Day in Square Feet
Brush	1. Convenient for touching up small areas. 2. Low skill level required.	1. Expensive and time consuming. 2. Non-uniform film thickness. 3. High film builds require multiple coats.	1,000
Roller	1. Provides greater productivity than brush for large surface areas where spray methods are restricted. 2. Low skill level required.	1. More time consuming than spraying. 2. High film builds generally require multiple coats. 3. Uniform film thickness more difficult to achieve than with spray	2,000-4,000
Airless Spray	1. Greatly reduces overspray (or rebound) experienced with a conventional spray system. 2. Gives painter the ability to apply heavy coatings in a single pass. 3. Coatings often need not be thinned for application when airless equipment is used.	1. Should not be used for fine work. 2. Spray pattern edges are not sufficiently feathered as is the case with air atomization patterns.	8,000-12,000
HVLP	1. Significantly increases transfer efficiency of coatings versus either conventional spray or airless spray. 2. Provides excellent control of sprayed coating application. 3. Allows for wide versatility with rates of application. (i.e. from very slow to moderately fast.) 4. Reduces preparation and masking time needed in the work area. 5. Provides for a safer, cleaner work environment for the applicator. 6. Allows the attainment of very smooth finishes.	1. Some restriction due to viscosity limitations. 2. There is an upper limit to application rate, particularly with high viscosity coatings. 3. Requires a higher skill level than airless but no more than conventional air spray.	2,000-4,000
Electrostatic	1. Provides the ultimate in coating transfer efficiency. 2. Requires the least work area masking. 3. Allows for sprayed coatings to cover hard to reach, odd size items with the least effort. 4. Provides the cleanest work environment for the applicator. 5. Available in conventional spray, airless, and HVLP spray technology versions.	1. High degree of complexity. 2. Requires that several coating and substrate variables be determined and fall within specific limits for full results to be achieved. 3. High cost of equipment.	2,000-8,000