A method of curing a maskant

摘要

A method of curing a water based maskant which has been applied to a component. Such a maskant being particularly useful in chemical machining operations in which the maskant protects certain areas of a component from etching by a chemical solution. The maskant containing at least water and a modified latex. The method of curing the maskant, once it has been applied to a component, comprising the steps of heating for a first curing period at a temperature below the boiling point of water to start to cure the maskant. Then during a second curing period heating the maskant to a temeprature above the boiling point of water, but below the temperature at which the maskant burns. Such a process providing rapid curing of the maskant whilst maintaining an adequate coating finish. <IMAGE>