FAQ

How many colors does HIREC® have?
The standard color of HIREC is white, but only HIREC100 can be prepared with toned colors (for a fee).
If you let us know the color information such as Japan Paint Manufacturers Association's color number or Munsell value, we will prepare it as an approximate color. However, please note that due to the characteristics of the ingredients contained in HIREC, the finish will look whitish. Please allow plenty of time for the delivery, as it will take some time for color matching and customer confirmation.
 
HIREC300-W and HIREC450 are available only in white (color tuning is not possible).
 
Please note that none of HIREC is transparent.
How long is the lifespan of HIREC®?
For outdoor use, we recommend HIREC300 or HIREC100, which are designed to keep the coating surface fresh by photocatalytic effects. In this case, you can expect performance maintenance for approximately 3 years*. For indoor use, we recommend HIREC450, but since it does not have a photocatalytic effect, the duration of super hydrophobic varies depending on the level of dirt in the atmosphere.
*This is the expected period based on our recommended film thickness (approximately 30μm). The maintenance period of super water repellent performance varies depending on the usage environment, so it is not a guaranteed value.
Is the painting method the same as general paint?

In order to bring out the water-repellent performance of HIREC, a few tricks are required in the painting method. Therefore, we ask customers in Japan who are using HIREC for the first time to take a painting course (paid). Painting course will be held exclusively for a customer. We will conduct it according to your consultation regarding the date, time, and location. If you are unable to attend the course, please contact us. Instead of a painting course, for our foreign customers we prepare a video that explains the painting method in detail.

Are there any objects that cannot be coated with HIREC®?

HIREC300-W and HIREC100 have low adhesion in principle, so normally the first layer is coated with a dedicated urethane primer to ensure adhesion, and the second layer is painted with HIREC. (There is also a three-layer specification of epoxy primer + urethane primer + HIREC). Therefore, if this primer can be painted, HIREC can be painted. In particular, special consideration is required when painting surfaces with one-component paints (such as lacquer-based paints) that have low resistance to strong solvents, surfaces with water-based paints or weak solvent-based paints, ABS, PPE, PET, PC, etc. For these materials, we recommend that you wipe the test piece or an inconspicuous area with primer thinner to confirm in advance that there will be no softening, shrinkage, or peeling. If you send us a test piece up to approximately 30cm x 30 cm, we will paint it free of charge and advise you on whether or not it can be painted. Please note that HIREC painted surfaces are extremely slippery, so please refrain from painting on roads, roofs, and other areas where people walk.

Does HIREC® have the effect of repelling liquids other than water?
Basically, HIREC has no effect on anything other than water. Therefore, it can be used, for example, to separate water and oil.
Is HIREC® suitable for antennas?
HIREC is also widely used in radio wave transmitting/receiving devices such as antennas and radomes. When rain or snow falls on antennas and radomes, forming a film of water on their surfaces causes radio wave attenuation. Therefore, HIREC is painted and used for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of water film. There is also a method of melting snow on an antenna with a heater, but in our experiments, we found that the snow melted by the heater creates a water film, so it is not possible to prevent radio wave attenuation. Click "Tech Info” tab for the result of radio wave attenuation experiment by water film at our company.
When is the best time to paint?
HIREC's dedicated urethane primer is a two-component mixture type and requires an outside temperature of 7℃ or higher to proceed with the chemical reaction. HIREC300-W and HIREC100 are one-liquid types, but require an outside temperature of 5℃ or higher for drying. This restriction is the same as for general paints.
Any precautions to be taken after applying HIREC®?
Since the hardness of the coating film is soft, it may peel off if you touch it or a hard object hit it. When packing or installing coated objects, be careful not to rub the coating surface with packing materials or equipment. Spray type HIREC is available as a partial repair material in case the paint film of HIREC100 or HIREC450 peels off.
What types of materials can be coated?

HIREC® 100 series do not have strong adhesion strength and it requires to be reinforced with a primer coating. Common epoxy or urethane paint can be used as primer. HIREC® 450 series have stronger adhesion, so that it does not require primer coat. It adheres to many different surfaces except for copper surface.

I need SDSs, what should I do?
We will send you SDSs upon request.
Is HIREC® transparent?
HIREC300-W and HIREC100 are not transparent. HIREC450 has a semi-transparent finish.