Hot Tyre Pick Up is when a vehicle is parked on a paint coating and the paint sticks to the tyres when the vehicle is moved.
When a vehicle is driven the tyres become warm. This can be proved by feeling the tread of the tyre in the morning, or when the car has not been used for a number of hours and then again after the car has been driven for a period of time. You will notice that after driving the vehicle the tyres become hot.
The heat generated from driving causes an increase in temperature making the air in the tyre expand. This increase in temperature also makes the rubber of the tyre increase slightly in size. As the tyres cools, the tyre shrinks back to its normal size and this contraction grips the paint pulling the paint off the floor.
It is this pressure that causes the paint to delaminate from the floor and stick to the tyres. This is better known as hot tyre pickup. The paint is only pulled up from the floor where the tyre has been in contact with the floor for a period of time.
Which Paints Suffer From Hot Tyre Pick Up?
Not all paints suffer from Hot Tyre Pick Up. There are different types of paint on the market such as single pack Alkyds, PU’s and Acrylics as well as 2 pack Epoxies, PU’s and even Polyaspartic Coatings.
Acrylic floor paints and Alkyds do not adhere as well as paints such as epoxies and polyurethanes. When it comes to hot tyre pickup this is due to Acrylics and Alkyds not offering the same degree of cross linking that other coatings do.
What Is Cross Linking?
Cross-linking is a chemical reaction in which the polymer chains of the paint resin form bonds among themselves. Cross-linked coatings are more durable, more chemical-resistant and stronger overall than those with minimal cross-linking.
This is one of the reasons that epoxies, polyurethanes and polyureas, which offer a higher degree of cross-linking, resist hot-tire pickup much better than acrylics and Alkyds.
You will find that many two packs that work on cross linking are not as vapour permeable. This makes them more prone to trapping moisture and turning white in exterior applications. This milky appearance only tends to show when using a clear coating. It is also advised to check the moisture level of the floor slab before application of your chosen coating. This is so that it does not entrap any moisture present in the slab. This entrapment will over a period of time cause the paint to delaminate and bubble.
Want to read more about Promain’s extensive range of garage floor paint options?
View our detailed article here: What Is The Best Garage Floor Paint For My Garage?
Would you like further advice on the best garage floor paint to prevent hot tyre pick up? Please contact our technical department on 01462 421 333.
