Surfacing indoor tennis courts can have a few challenges not common to outdoor tennis court resurfacing.
Indoor courts do not have to contend with outdoor enemies like UV rays and harsh weather, but some indoor conditions can wreak havoc, even for the experienced sport surfacing professional.
Acrylic sport surfaces are water-based, and dry by evaporation.
Water is the vehicle that allows the heavy coating solids to be applied.
Once the coating is applied, the water begins to evaporate.
If there is not adequate ventilation in the facility, the water can be trapped in the airspace above the courts and slow down the drying of the surfaces.
This can cause a "marbled" look on the coating, resulting in light and dark areas.
Poor ventilation and cooler outside temperatures can also create problems by causing condensation to "rain" down onto the courts.
If the inside temperatures are warmer and the ceiling is cool from colder outside temperatures, the moisture can drip onto the partially cured surface, creating blemishes.
To prevent both of these issues, make sure to turn on heating or air conditioning systems to draw humidity out of the air.
Open any available vents, doors, and windows to allow an escape route for moisture.
Industrial fans can also be rented and help to circulate the air, as well as push moisture out when placed at exterior doors.
Another common problem with surfacing indoor tennis courts is application of coatings on a very smooth surface.
Indoor courts do not benefit from the wind and rains, which actually help to move debris off the surface.
Dirt, and sand particles that come out of the surface, become abrasive to color coatings under the scuffing of shoes.
Long-term, this can create a glass smooth surface which makes it difficult for application of color coatings.
The application squeegee can wipe the coatings off of a smooth surface, and leave a very thin coating.
This can sometimes cause irregular color splotches or inconsistent textures on the surface.
To prevent this, apply the first coat of Acrylic Resurfacer with a squeegee but follow directly behind with a soft, horse hair-type broom.
This puts a fine grooved texture in the coating.
Once the first coat of Resurfacer is dry, squeegee apply another coat of resurfacer, going the cross-direction.
This allows the second coat of resurfacer to "grab" onto the groove finish and deposit a complete textured coat.
At this point, the surface is ready to accept the color coating surface layers.
Indoor courts do not have to contend with outdoor enemies like UV rays and harsh weather, but some indoor conditions can wreak havoc, even for the experienced sport surfacing professional.
Acrylic sport surfaces are water-based, and dry by evaporation.
Water is the vehicle that allows the heavy coating solids to be applied.
Once the coating is applied, the water begins to evaporate.
If there is not adequate ventilation in the facility, the water can be trapped in the airspace above the courts and slow down the drying of the surfaces.
This can cause a "marbled" look on the coating, resulting in light and dark areas.
Poor ventilation and cooler outside temperatures can also create problems by causing condensation to "rain" down onto the courts.
If the inside temperatures are warmer and the ceiling is cool from colder outside temperatures, the moisture can drip onto the partially cured surface, creating blemishes.
To prevent both of these issues, make sure to turn on heating or air conditioning systems to draw humidity out of the air.
Open any available vents, doors, and windows to allow an escape route for moisture.
Industrial fans can also be rented and help to circulate the air, as well as push moisture out when placed at exterior doors.
Another common problem with surfacing indoor tennis courts is application of coatings on a very smooth surface.
Indoor courts do not benefit from the wind and rains, which actually help to move debris off the surface.
Dirt, and sand particles that come out of the surface, become abrasive to color coatings under the scuffing of shoes.
Long-term, this can create a glass smooth surface which makes it difficult for application of color coatings.
The application squeegee can wipe the coatings off of a smooth surface, and leave a very thin coating.
This can sometimes cause irregular color splotches or inconsistent textures on the surface.
To prevent this, apply the first coat of Acrylic Resurfacer with a squeegee but follow directly behind with a soft, horse hair-type broom.
This puts a fine grooved texture in the coating.
Once the first coat of Resurfacer is dry, squeegee apply another coat of resurfacer, going the cross-direction.
This allows the second coat of resurfacer to "grab" onto the groove finish and deposit a complete textured coat.
At this point, the surface is ready to accept the color coating surface layers.
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