Powered paint preparation tool, kit and method

Abstract

A paint preparation tool, kit and method for preparing a previously coated surface by optionally mechanically removing loose coating material separated from the surface, applying a softening chemical to soften margin areas of the previously applied coating, and using a powered tool to rotate an abrasive disk against the surface to remove debris, dirt and oxides and to feather the edges of the remaining previously applied coating, where the abrasive disk may have a plurality of abrasive-impregnated elastomeric fingers extending generally perpendicularly from a disk-shaped support surface of the disk.

1 . A kit for preparing a previously coated surface for reapplication of a coating such as paint, the kit comprising: 
 a. a softening chemical for softening a perimeter of the old coating adjacent locations where the old coating has lifted away from the surface previously coated;    b. an applicator for applying the softening chemical;    c. a powered hand tool for removing oxides from the old coating and feathering the periphery softened by the softening chemical, the powered hand tool including; 
 i. an abrasive bristle disk having abrasive particles embedded in a plurality of elastomeric fingers generally perpendicularly from a disk-shaped support surface,  
 ii. means to rotate the bristle disk;  
 iii. a handle to manually grasp the powered hand tool using the hand of a user; and  
 iv. a peripheral guard surrounding a portion of the disk and located between the hand of the user grasping the handle and the abrasive disk.  
   
   
   
       2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the applicator is a brush.  
   
   
       3 . The kit of  claim 2  wherein the applicator is a sprayer.  
   
   
       4 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the means to rotate the bristle disk comprises an electric motor.  
   
   
       5 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein the means to rotate the bristle disk further comprises a right angle drive.  
   
   
       6 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the guard has a relief distal of the handle to permit observation of a portion of the disk during operation of the tool.  
   
   
       7 . A method of preparing a previously coated surface for recoating, the method, comprising the steps of: 
 a. applying a softening chemical to soften the edge regions of the coating remaining on the previously coated surface adjacent to where the coating has lifted away from the surface; and    b. abrading the previously coated surface with a rotating bristle disk of the type having a plurality of elastomeric fingers impregnated with an abrasive material to: 
 i. remove oxides and any remaining debris and dirt from the previously coated surface, and  
 ii. feather the edges softened by the softening chemical.  
   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  comprising an additional step before step a. of: 
 a0. mechanically removing loose coating from the previously coated surface.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  comprising an additional step after step b. of: 
 c. rinsing the previously coated surface to remove debris and residue of the softening chemical.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  comprising an additional step a1. between steps a. and b. of: 
 a1. waiting for at least a first predetermined time to allow the softening material to penetrate the previously applied coating.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  comprising an additional step a2. between steps a1. and b. of: 
 a2. rewetting the areas with water where the softening chemical was applied in step a.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  comprising an additional step a3. between steps a2. and b. of: 
 a3. waiting for at least a second predetermined time to allow the softening material to absorb the water from step a2.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein step b is performed substantially below conventional angle grinder speeds.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein step b is performed substantially below about 10,000 RPM.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein step b is performed at about 3000 RPM or below.  
   
   
       16 . A tool for preparing coated surfaces for recoating comprising: 
 a. a rotatable bristle disk of the type having a plurality of elastomeric fingers impregnated with an abrasive material extending from a disk-like plate;    b. a rotational power source to rotate the disk at a speed substantially below conventional angle grinder speeds;    c. a handle for manually grasping the tool; and    d. a guard extending around a portion of the periphery of the bristle disk and located between the bristle disk and the handle.    
   
   
       17 . The tool of  claim 16  wherein the bristle disk includes a non-circular mounting hub securing the disk to the tool.  
   
   
       18 . The tool of  claim 17  wherein the non-circular mounting hub includes a hexagonal aperture in the disk.  
   
   
       19 . The tool of  claim 17  further comprising a mounting nut having a non-circular shoulder corresponding to and received in the non-circular mounting hub of the bristle disk and adapted to rotatingly drive the bristle disk.  
   
   
       20 . The tool of  claim 17  further comprising an output drive member connected to the rotational power source and having a set of internal threads.  
   
   
       21 . The tool of  claim 20  wherein the mounting nut further comprises male threads matingly received in the internal threads of the output drive member.  
   
   
       22 . The tool of  claim 21  wherein the bristle disk is captured between the output drive member and the mounting nut.  
   
   
       23 . The tool of  claim 22  further comprising a backing plate captured by the mounting nut and located between the output drive member and the bristle disk.  
   
   
       24 . The tool of  claim 16  further comprising a locking pin selectively engageable with a member of a drive train of the tool to assist in installing and removing the bristle disk.  
   
   
       25 . The tool of  claim 16  wherein the guard has a relief located distal of the handle for allowing observation of a distal portion of the bristle disk during operation.