This paper presents the results of a study performed by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) concerning the use of four different types of plural component spray equipment systems and their effectiveness in reducing fleet maintenance painting costs. Results of the study indicate that plural component spray equipment yielded a significant cost benefit of approximately 30% as compared to conventional airless (single feed) spray equipment for the application of the same two-component, high-solids epoxy paint systems. The initial one time cost of preserving tanks with high solids epoxy paint systems applied with plural component spray equipment was found to be slightly higher (10%) than the application cost of a two component solvent based epoxy paint (MIL-DTL-24441) using conventional airless spray equipment. The increased cost was due primarily to higher coating and solvent disposal costs.
Keywords: High Solids Paints, Solvent-Free Paints, Fixed Ratio Spray Equipment, Variable Ratio Spray Equipment, Remote Mix Block, Impingement Mixing