Surface Prep spot repairs in Class 1 Div 1 & 2 Areas as well as EX Areas
Feathering is the process of gradually decreasing the edge thickness of an existing coat film. Generally, that coating film is applied in order to prevent corrosion of a material. Feathering is done in order to create an even, smooth application area to a surface that has been partially corroded before applying a fresh coat.
By doing the feathering of the spot repair edges you minimize the flaking of the paint as well as ensure a smooth transition and adhesion of the paint among substrates.
While feathering can be done by hand it is an extremely long process as it involves a worker using sandpaper and a lot of elbow grease to remove the existent coat film as well as the corrosion. Until recently most companies were afraid of using tools to do the jobs. That was until TFT-PNEUMATIC introduced to the market a revolutionary tool to assist in this and other types of jobs. Essentially a Certified Cold Work Grinder, commonly referred to in the market as Sparkless Grinders.
With this innovation, the time to perform a job is dramatically reduced both in terms of effort and personnel cost and can be done through an entire facility if need be. Reducing the need to delay jobs and perform costly repairs long after the corrosion problems become worse.
Feathered surface on multi-coat paint system
In these images, you can see multiple coats of paint being exposed as our surface prep removes layer by layer. Note the color difference as each layer was painted in a different color to reveal such a layered process.
The feathering process is entirely dependent on the Operator and the amount of force applied to the workpiece. In this particular case, while using TFT-PNEUMATIC’s Safety Tool model Angle Grinder FAS-1X-50 and Rotating File A-0009 we are capable of removing layer by layer in a controlled efficient manner.
One of the main benefits of TFT-PNEUMATIC Safety Tools is the advantage of being Classified as a Cold Work Tool and not needing Hot work Permits, Pressurized welding enclosures, habitats, fire guards and so on to do a job in Classified Areas such as Class 1 Div 1 & 2 as well as Dust Explosive environments.
However, there are other additional benefits our tools under TFT-PNEUMATIC Safety Tools category have:
- Classified as Cold Work
- No Hot work permits
- No adjacent surface damage due to NO Hot spark generation.
- Ability to perform small repairs in many areas at very high speed without the need for Pressurized welding enclosures or Habitats.
- No production shutdown
- No job delay
- Easy cleanup
- No fireguards
- Feathering capabilities
- Roughness Profile 2.5 mils
- Low rotational speed – All of our tools rotate at a maximum of 3,000 rpm
- Equivalent to common blast standards referred to in SSPC-SPC 10 (SA 2 ½ near white) Nace No. 2.
- Power tool cleaning to bare metal superior Standard SSPC-11.
