THE ADHESION

The adhesion of paint layers is generally regarded as a molecular 

phenomenon. In order to obtain good adhesion, paint layer and substrate 

must approach each other very closely. The distance may not be larger 

than about 5 A units (one-tenth of a millionth of a millimeter). In order to 

achieve that a layer of paint approaches a surface very closely, a  layer of 

paint must thoroughly wet the ground. Wetting is an effect of surface energy 

or surface tension of a coat of paint and a surface. All surfaces have a certain surface tension. Paints also have a certain surface tension. This is expressed in dynes per centimeter. A clean metal sheet has a very high surface tension (a few hundred dynes / cm). It is no problem for a paint layer with a surface tension of 20 - 70 dynes / cm to wetten this metal sheet.

Substrate problems may arise on substrates of, for example, plastic with a 

low surface tension of 15 - 20 dynes / cm. These are often polyolefin’s or 

fluoride-containing substrates. Silicones can also greatly reduce the surface 

tension of a substrate, causing adhesion problems. For many years it was 

thought that the adhesion on smooth surfaces was mainly dependent on the 

roughening of a surface such as by sanding. The paint would adhere better 

in these sanding scratches (mechanical bonding).

Nowadays it is increasingly being assumed that, in addition to mechanical 

adhesion, sanding or other particles are removed by scouring and attached 

to potential reactive attachment points. The surface is considerably increased by sanding, resulting in more of these reactive 

attachment points. There are many circumstances in which a surface to be 

painted can be influenced from the outside by, for example,contamination. 

This pollution usually concerns oil, grease, wax, rust, salt, dirt or loose 

pigment particles through powder coatings. If such contaminations are 

insufficiently removed, detachment can occur. This detachment is reinforced 

by the shrinkage which occurs in the drying and polymerizing paint layer. 

Also during in the use phase, hygrothermal forces occur in the paint system 

due to the influence of moisture and ambient temperature.

The purpose of a pre-treatment is to clean the surface and put it in as pure 

a condition as possible. This can be done by dissolving, emulsifying, 

saponifying, gelling or deflocating the dirt.However, it is not always possible to completely clean a surface. Although this can lead to extensive damage, in practice it is the case that for environmental or economic reasons it is decided not to remove all contamination. If the contamination concerns oil or grease, it is obviously not advisable to use a water-based coating product. In this case it is better to use a solvent-based coating with a low surface energy. In addition to good pre-treatment of the substrate, 

additives can be added to paint that improve the adhesion on certain surfaces. 

An example of this is the effect of silane modification on the adhesion of 

coatings on glass.

UNIVERSOL the replacement for ammonia is a biodegradable super degreaser. Due to its composition of amphoteric surfactants it is particularly safe for the skin. Due to the absence of harmful solvents, UNIVERSOL has been used as a pre-paint cleaner for 26 years. In addition, UNIVERSOL finds its applications as all-purpose cleaner in factories, cleaning companies, industrial kitchens, etc. UNIVERSOL can be used for all possible cleaning activities.

UNIVERSOL is a pre-paint cleaner, all-purpose cleaner and degreaser.

UNIVERSOL is non-foaming and easily solves all organic and organic pollution without having to rinse the surface after cleaning. Due to its special composition, the surface becomes anti-static, so that new contamination does not get a chance to quickly reattach itself again to the surface. UNIVERSOL is extremely suitable for the cleaning of substrates for painting with alkyd resin as with water-based coatings.

UNIVERSOL is recommended by paint manufacturers, paint wholesalers and painters.

UNIVERSOL is available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and the UK at the better paint wholesaler, the paint shop and hardware store. UNIVERSOL is prescribed by the larger paint manufacturers, authorities, housing cooperatives, architects, municipalities, working conditions and trade unions.

UNIVERSOL has been tested as best.

UNIVERSOL has been on the market since 1993 and is still best tested. There are other alternatives to ammonia on the market but beware of false promises or for inferior products.

Read the COT reports and COT letters and convince yourself of the quality of UNIVERSOL.

With the use of UNIVERSOL you have the guarantee that you will never get detachment or blow formation. Your supplier will be happy to inform you.