Proper care and maintenance are crucial for the longevity of your tennis court. It must always remain in excellent condition; otherwise, you will deal with expensive damages. For proper maintenance, whether you are opting for DIY or hiring a professional, it is crucial to understand the difference between drying and curing in tennis court maintenance. Read on.
Tennis Court Drying
This is one of the initial stages of maintenance of a tennis court. A water-based coating is applied on the surface, with the binder being the latex/glue that sticks to the acrylic surface. This binding system is crucial to help lock in all the surface’s components from sand and other ingredients.
Water helps thin the solids to facilitate the application using a squeegee. After coating, the water then evaporates, leaving behind a consistent coating. The evaporation process is what is called drying.
Tennis Court Curing
Curing is the next step. Once the solids have dried and the court can be walked on without damaging or cracking, it is ready for curing; this is usually done in the initial 24 hours. Note that after drying, the coating components on the surface are never fully bonded to form a solid film. They need to bind to each other, which is what curing does.
The goal is for the film to stay dry and within temperatures of over 50 degrees. The danger of not letting the surface properly cure is that the components and the pigment could easily roll off the film, easily cracking and falling apart.
The Difference Between Drying and Curing in Tennis Court Maintenance
While both processes are vital for surfacing, the difference is in the drying and curing times for tennis court maintenance. There is one rule: The coating applied must dry before you cure the surface. You will notice that many paints specify that the product should be used when the temperatures are 50 degrees or higher.
Therefore, the best way to undertake this maintenance is to coat in the morning, as the temperatures start rising, not later in the day when it is expected to get colder. The last thing you want is dew and extreme cold affecting the coating. Ideally, the sky should be clear, meaning no shading on the court, and to be sure, you can also check the surface temperature.
Talk To the Experts
When you hire tennis court contractors like Talbot Tennis, we will advise you on the perfect days and times for coating, ensuring that resurfacing is done correctly. We factor in the weather conditions and temperatures to guarantee the perfect court surface. Contact us to discuss your tennis court construction needs and schedule a consultation with our experienced professionals.