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-----Q&A's on painting cleanrooms
Q. Hello, I am looking for coatings that are suitable for a cleanroom environment. As a painting contractor I am not familiar with the cleanroom environment, but am told that "any" particulate matter can damage sensitive equipment. Any thoughts you could give on the matter would help. Thank You
Janis [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]1996
A. Hi, Janis. I'm not a cleanroom expert, but have been inside a few and at least marginally involved in the design of a couple, so I'll try to help. Cleanrooms and clean areas come in a variety of qualities, from class 100,000 up to class 100 (the highest class that I've been in), class 50, and even class 10.
Class 100,000 ± may be achievable without any real science or great formality, just careful attention, and taking pains to minimize traffic and dustiness. Class 100 is what most people probably think of when they picture a cleanroom: hairnets, booties, tyvek coveralls, a high-curbed wall you step over to get in, HEPA filters and laminar air flow down to and across the floor. Class 50 to class 10 are 'leading edge', involving extraordinary equipment costs and rigorous protocols.
With this introduction as preamble, epoxy paints are preferable, with high gloss oil based enamels also acceptable for clean rooms up to Class 1000. Beyond that point, you and I don't want to guess, but to have a cleanroom engineer specify the details. Be sure to find out who is to seal the wallboard because obviously you can't even THINK about conventional plaster-of-paris taping and sanding for a cleanroom :-)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
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finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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Q. We have Epoxy paint on cleanroom walls 100,000 class. Do you have what we need. All I remember it's two part epoxy.
Joseph Sciancalepore- Mahwah New Jersey
December 22, 2010
A. Hi, Joseph. Sorry, finishing.com is a website, not a supplier, and does not sell anything (except advertising space). I think any industrial paint distributor will have two-part epoxy paint in the color of your choice. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
December 22, 2010
Temporary Class 5 (100) Cleanroom Paint Peel Repair
Q. When wall or structure surface paint begins to peel, what temporary repairs are best to be applied before cleanroom shut down is made for a paint repair? Today, ESD tape is being used.
John Martin- Dallas, Texas, USA
June 6, 2017
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