As we discussed in last week’s blog post about ultraviolet curing systems for hardwood floors, this technology provides contractors with the ability to put floors back into use almost immediately thanks to its quick curing process.

Now we’ll take a look at products from a company that’s stayed ahead of the curve by producing user-friendly UV floor curing machines for the past decade.

Features of the HID Ultraviolet floor curing system

UV curing systems for hardwood floors are completely new and different than traditional methods of finishing floors, so adopting this new technology may seem daunting. Luckily, HID Ultraviolet manufactures machines that make the transition to UV technology smooth and easy for hardwood floor contractors.

HID machines feature the curing speed on the control panel, making this information easily accessible so that the user can adjust accordingly.

Instead of using mechanical shutters, HID Ultraviolet curing machines utilize “hot re-strike” technology, which allows the machine’s lighting system to be turned on and off without a cool-down or warm-up period. This feature further adds to the efficiency and convenience of ultraviolet floor curing technology.

HID floor curing machines also have a number of safety features, including:

• Built-in ultrasonic sensors which can tell when the machine approaches the surface to be cured and allow the light to operate only when the machine is near the substrate.
• A shutdown mechanism that activates to prevent UV exposure if the lamp head is raised too far above the surface of the floor or if the machine is tipped over.
• A shutdown mechanism that activates to prevent the floor from being scorched if the user stops moving the machine for more than a few seconds.

Curing a hardwood floor using an HID Ultraviolet system

First, the floor is coated using a UV waterbased finish such as Basic Coatings LightForce and allowed to dry.

“You put the coating down and it dries like a regular water-based coating for one to three hours, depending on environmental conditions, and then you come back and hit it with a UV light and it instantly cures,” explained Micah Petersen of Basic Coatings.

“So your wood floor turnaround time is essentially just the time it takes to dry, as opposed to…waterbased or oil-based coatings, where you have a span of seven days up to two weeks for the finish to fully cure and obtain both wear and chemical resistance,” said Petersen.

Once the finish is dry, the MAKO 6 handheld, a 1,200-watt ultraviolet lamp, is used to cure a small portion of the floor on which the bigger machine can be placed. You can think of this as creating a “landing strip” for the next machine.

Finally, the big curing machine––the TIGER, the BULLDOG, and the HAMMERHEAD are the three variations that HID Ultraviolet offers––is run over the substrate to cure the floor. LightForce is a bright purplish-pink color when applied to the floor, and it turns clear once it comes into contact with UV rays to indicate that the floor has been fully and properly cured.

Once the curing process is complete, the floor is ready to be used. Furniture and rugs can be replaced right away, and the floors can be walked on without risking damage to the finish.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to elevate your business with a UV floor curing system.

In addition to stocking the full line of HID Ultraviolet curing systems, City Floor Supply also rents UV curing equipment for those who wish to test the system out before making an investment.

If you have any questions about  UV floor curing technology, speak with a hardwood floor professional at (610) 940-5757 or info@cityfloorsupply.com.