I used to think those infrared paint curing lamps were just a gimmick

I mean, we had a job come through the shop in Fresno about eight weeks ago, a full respray on a classic Mustang hood. The customer wanted it done fast for a show, and my boss brought in this portable IR lamp unit he rented. I was sure it would just cook the paint or leave weird hot spots. We set it up about three feet back, let it run for maybe 20 minutes on a test panel first. The way that clear coat leveled out and hardened was wild, it felt dry to the touch and ready for a light buff way faster than our usual booth time. It didn't orange peel at all. I've used it on three other jobs since then, mostly for spot repairs where you don't want to bake the whole car. Has anyone else given these things a real shot, or did I just get lucky with our setup?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_spencer8d ago

Yeah, the clear coat brand and the lamp's wavelength can make a huge difference. We had to switch to a specific fast-clear made for IR to get those times, otherwise it just sits there soft. The rental place actually gave us a chart matching lamp types to paint systems.

claire_gibson8d ago

Forget the paint for a second, the real game changer for me was the prep. You have to get the panel perfectly clean and grease free before you even turn the lamp on. Any little bit of silicone or wax in the air will get cooked into the surface and cause fisheyes. I started using a dedicated wax and grease remover right before the final tack cloth, and that made a bigger difference than the brand of clear.

wendysanchez8d ago

That Fresno job timeline is hard to believe. Eight weeks ago we tried a similar lamp on a bumper and it still needed overnight cure. Maybe your clear coat brand just works better with the heat.