TQC Sheen Amine Blush Kit

Please note: the complete kit currently has an extended lead time due to a temporary shortage of the hard carry case. We are working to resolve this sooner than the stated dispatch time, though we cannot guarantee an earlier date.

If you need to begin testing sooner, the kit components are available to buy separately: the Nebulizer bottle with Amine Indicator 50ml, visualization papers (100 pieces), and tweezers.

Developed by TQC Sheen, our specialist paint testing brand, the Amine Blush Kit is a multi-step amine blush indicator.  

So easy-to-use, our amine blush testing kit uses a pH driven color change identification system of impregnated visualization paper samples. 

The TQC Sheen Amine Blush kit offers a quick way to test the amine blush on a coating surface. It’s one of the most advanced kits in the market.

That’s because our blush test kit is the first of its kind to feature a three-step indicator that allows for accurate results across 100 tests from one kit. The color indicator changes from yellow to blue, detecting a possible amine presence. 

What is an amine blush? 

Amine blushing is a common coating failure that shows as a thin, waxy, or greasy film on the surface of a substrate. When an epoxy coating is cured, carbon dioxide and moisture can react with its available amine. They can draw it to the surface of the applied film, resulting in an amine “blush”, also known as an amine “sweat” or “bloom”. 

An amine blush can look different depending on the specific amine types that are included in the epoxy formulae. Sometimes, a blush isn’t visible to the naked eye and is only detectable by touch.  

When anime blush can be discernible by sight, it can range in color – from white to amber or yellow. The reaction can cover the entire surface or appear as water spots. 

What’s included in the Blush Kit: 

• Hard carry case for storage and transport 

• Nebulizer bottle with Amine Indicator 50 mL 

• Set of visualization papers (100 pieces) 

• Tweezers 

How to interpret your amine blush test results

When using our blush testing kit, any indication is based on changes in pH-value. Variation of surface pH-value can be caused by multiple factors.  

On a coated surface, the most probable possibility for contamination is amine blush. When the coating is exposed to other contamination sources for an extended period, they can also influence the surface pH-value. 

Brush up on inks and coatings inspection knowledge  

We’ve been making devices for inks and coatings inspection for all types of applications over many decades. In this time we’ve learnt a thing, or two about best practice and we like to share these insights with our customers.  

In the knowledgebase section of our website you’ll find blogs related to the product on offer on this page. First up, there’s this one – how to measure paint thickness with a coating thickness gauge – a blog that does what it says on the tin! Then perhaps you’d find this second article useful: how to use a wet film thickness gauge.