Intense sunlight, high temperatures, moisture, rainwater and salt air are just some factors that can negatively affect the performance of exterior paint films in Florida.
But any commercial painter can tell you that air pollution also has a significant adverse impact on coating systems. To protect exterior painted surfaces against air pollution, it’s essential to understand its causes along with the measures that can be implemented to minimize its effects.
Common Air Pollutants
The pollutants that contribute to air pollution are divided into two main categories:
- Primary pollutants, which are emitted from the source (e.g. the pollutants resulting directly from vehicles or manufacturing processes);
- Secondary pollutants, which form when primary pollutants react with each other or with other substances. One example is the smog caused by the interactions between several primary pollutants.
Some pollutants that can have a negative impact on paint systems and building materials are:
- sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which result from burning fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and other combustibles;
- ammonia, which is a by-product particularly associated with the use of insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture;
- hydrocarbons, organic compounds, dust and chemicals that deplete air quality, which result from mining operations and manufacturing processes;
- toxic chemicals emitted by plastic materials like PET, HDPE, PVC, PP, PS and LDPE, household cleaning products and coating systems that contain volatile organic compounds.
Address Air Pollution by Hiring a Professional Commercial Painter
As an experienced professional, a commercial painter is aware of the fact that the aforementioned pollutants, which cause acid rains and dry acidic particles, together with ultraviolet rays, high relative humidity levels, salt air and dirt deposits can accelerate the deterioration of exterior coating systems and building materials left unprotected.
The consequences can be costly, ranging from increased maintenance frequency to damaged materials that need to be repaired or replaced.
In addition to the actions commercial facility managers can take to combat pollution in their environments, they can implement two relatively simple measures to mitigate the negative impact of air pollution on their assets. These are:
- Using high-quality coating systems that have superior resistance to the weathering effects of pollutants – Given that the type of pigments, extenders and binders used in coating products affect their performance in acidic environments along with the weathering rate, leading paint manufacturers have extensively tested their paint systems over the past years.
As a result, they have been able to develop new paint formulations with excellent performance and durability characteristics. Additionally, organizations like the ASTM have established various test methods for evaluating the chalking, cracking, erosion and flaking resistance of coating systems under different conditions.
- Pressure washing exterior painted surfaces – Pressure washing exterior surfaces on a regular basis is a preventative maintenance task that can prevent dirt, grime, mildew and pollutants from breaking down paint films and reach substrates.
This means that you’ll need to worry less about premature aging of your commercial facility, and repairing and repainting different building components. Hiring a commercial painter to pressure wash your exterior at least once a year will make your paint job last much longer.
If you’re looking for a professional commercial painter who can help you protect your commercial property against the adverse effects of the pollution and harsh Florida weather, Performance Painting Contractors is one of the painting companies that can complete paint jobs in any environment and adapt to the unique scheduling and project requirements of each client. Moreover, we use only premium materials and advanced painting techniques that ensure beautiful, long-lasting results.
