curing lamp

danp76

Oldtimer
HI guys, do you find that the medium wave work ok, or am I better off getting a short wave? Most of the short wave are 220 volt, and wouldn't be as portable as a 120 volt unit. What do you guys recommend? I'm looking for something to speed things up during the winter months. Something that will do a panel or two.
 
Med for money is just fine.
Example.
Lets say you called and doing a fender insurance job and 2nd coat you run it like crazy but you need to sand down and reclear.
Medium wave I'm going to tell you
Put lamp on for 30 mins and when cooled down do what you want.
Short wave I'm going to say 15 mins.
I like the mediums better as plug in any where and easier to move.
All i have now is short waves and love them but can be a pia to handle.
 
But, there are several types of lamps with varying wattages. I have a couple 1k watt and a couple 1600w. Shops usually have units with two or more heads putting out a lot more power.
I try to get the panel up to 110-120 deg for 15 min whether it's the med or short wave.
 
I thought I read recently it would take months for clear to fully cure. How much would a curing lamp speed this up? Let's say I sprayed 3 coats of UC 30 minutes apart @ 70 degrees. Then applied a curing lamp (medium or short wave) for X minutes. How many minutes for the clear to be 95%+ cured? How about for 5 coats applied 30 minutes apart?
 
My best guess here as never tested but 30 mins would get you close to the 85% rate, enough to sand and buff.

They have said before 2 coats of a normal ins spot repair clear 30 mins would be not 100% but very close.
Most spot repair clears will be after 2 coats over night 87 to 90% or close cured.
 
Thank you for your help guys, I think I'll go with a Infratech medium wave, they are priced more reasonable than the short wave and operate on 120 volts.
 
Thank you for your help guys, I think I'll go with a Infratech medium wave, they are priced more reasonable than the short wave and operate on 120 volts.

Be mindful of the distance you have the lamp to the surface it can cause major issues if too close and left unattended for too long. I have seen Bondo blister off the panel drying primer if your not careful. Especially those 110v cheaper units they can be unforgiving but when used properly they work just fine.
 
Thanks DATEC, I've used them before and agree with you. I hope this unit has the power I need.
 
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