It’s been a popular movie phrase ever since it was said by Doc Brown at the end of Back to the Future: “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” In the painting business, however, you could add a lot more to the end of quote. After all, technology is constantly evolving, and that technological boom is affecting how a lot of traditional jobs are being done.
Below are just a few of the advancements we’re seeing in our industry. Get ready to see a lot of these in use in the next few years. After all, where we’re going, we don’t need scaffolding or paint rollers!
Drones
It almost sounds comical, a fleet of hovering drones painting the side of a building. But this isn’t a comedy sketch, nor is it science-fiction. Various robotics companies are developing aerial drones (as well as ground-based robots) for the sole purpose of painting.
It’s as simple as it sounds: the devices are able to fly high above the ground, just like any ordinary drone. Unlike ordinary drones, however, these come equipped with spray nozzles, connected to hoses that provide the actual paint. From there, it’s up to programmers to decide whether they want to code the drones to do the job by themselves or to control the drones manually via remote. Either way, it’s a development that will save a lot of time, a lot of money, and maybe even a lot of lives.
Of course, don’t plan on hiring a robot to paint your living room anytime too soon. These drones are being developed to paint areas that present a higher risk for human painters, such as skyscrapers, bridges, and dams. By giving such dangerous tasks to drones, these companies are preventing accidents, injuries, and even deaths that can occur to human painters in those environments.
Solar Paints
In the past, the easiest way to prevent heat absorption from the sun was to simply paint a surface a lighter color. However, we’re no longer living in the past, and manufacturers are currently in the process of perfecting various heat-reflective and heat-absorbing solar paints!
Without getting too technical, infrared-reflective coatings – which can now be applied to any surface you would use normal paints on – are able to reflect the intense rays of the sun and keep its surfaces cool in hot weather. This makes reflective paints perfect for homes in dry, warmer climates that are sick of running up a high air conditioning bill! Because of their primary purpose, they’re highly resistant to heat and UV damage, and one coat is known to last for a very long time. All that and it comes in a variety of colors, light or dark!
If you live in a cooler part of the country, then don’t think science is leaving you out. Sometimes you need a little bit of solar absorption to keep your house warm during the exceptionally cold months. Fortunately, advancements in solar technology have you covered! These paints work as the opposite of the infrared-reflective coatings, actively working to trap heat in to keep your house warm. Who would’ve thought that a coat of paint would be able to save you money on your air conditioning and heating bill?
Self-Cleaning Paints
If there’s one universal problem that technology can’t seem to fix, it’s keeping something clean. Sure, we now have self-driving cars with keyless start systems and heated seats, but we still need to swing by a car wash every now and again. Painted surfaces seem to have it the worst, with chipping, peeling, bubbling, and stains.
Scientists, however, have made dirty paint surfaces a thing of the past. They call it “nanocoating,” a self-cleaning waterproof paint that almost sounds too good to be true! The paint is made up of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, which make the surface durable, long-lasting, and waterproof.
The “waterproof” part is the most important feature here, since it allows for moisture droplets to act as a sort of vacuum, picking up everything from dirt and dust particles to bacteria and viruses. Not only is it self-cleaning, but also almost disinfecting, as well!
Professional Interior & Exterior Painting in the Detroit Metro Area
There are so many ways in which technology is advancing the painting industry. At Armor Tough Coatings, we want to help you take your home into the future. We know that setting aside time to paint your bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms isn’t always easy, so we do that part for you! Our skilled painters treat your home as if it were our own, maintaining a high level of quality and respecting your space.
Are you ready to change things up inside your home? Call today for an estimate!
