Helpful Advice
Helpful Advice for coating metals and other hard surfaces
Please read this helpful advice for coating metals - We want you to 'do it right the first time'
Reading this helpful advice for coating metals will make it easier to follow the instructions provided in your kit. You will be pleased with the result. As the saying goes ‘ if you try and take shortcuts it will fail’. The application process is easy so please take the time to read this helpful advice and follow the instructions.
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General Advice
CLEAN THE SURFACE
The surface that you are coating must be thoroughly cleaned... Squeaky Clean
Surfaces must be completely cleaned including the removal of any polish residue or other contaminants like cutting compounds. If the surface is not cleaned thoroughly this usually affects the result over the following months after the coating has cured.
Remember that the coating is crystal clear and contaminants will be visible
Any dirt, polish or contaminants that are trapped under the cured coating will be drawn towards the surface and become visible especially during warm weather. This would also cause the coating not to adhere properly and/or clouding under the coating. When this happens the only solution is to remove the cured coating with xylene and start again.
Do NOT allow the EZPREP solution to dry on the surface. Rinse off well before it dries-
When cleaning and neutralising with EZPREP ensure that the EZPREP does NOT dry on the surface. You must rinse this off thoroughly twice with clean water before the EZPREP solution dries on the surface
NEUTRALISE SURFACE ACIDS
For bare metals there must be no acid traces on the surface you are coating.
Neutralising acids before coating application to metals is VERY IMPORTANT. Especially so on bare metals like copper, brass, bronze, silver, mild steels, corten steel, rusted metals or stainless steel.
Acid must be removed from the bare metal surfaces otherwise black or brown markings and cloudiness will appear under the coating some months after the coating has has cured.
EZPREP™ Cleaner & Neutralizer Concentrate is in the kits.
Make up a solution of 1 part EZPrep™ to 4 parts water. As an alternative, use ¼ cup of baking soda mixed well with 1 litre of water. Wash over the metal with a cloth saturated with the EZ Prep™ neutralizing solution being careful to cover the entire surface at least once.
Do NOT let the EZ Prep™ solution dry on the surface. Rinse off well before it dries.
If you do not need to neutralize the surface you must still clean off any polish/oily residues using EZPrep™ as a cleaner mixed 1:100 with clean water. Rinse well with water.
Wear nitrile powder-free gloves when handling the items to be coated as finger/handprints contain acid.
Our MAAS Polish does not contain acid, however many polishes do. Check the ingredient list on the can/tube of your polish. If unsure you should complete this neutralizing step.
DRY THE SURFACE WELL
The surface that you are coating must be thoroughly dry.... Bone dry
Only apply coating to a bone dry surface.
Remember that all metals (including powder coated surfaces) are porous and will hold moisture that is not necessarily visible to the naked eye; especially under the following circumstances:
– When the weather is very cold or very humid
– If it has been recently raining
– When the metal is very cold
– After being rinsed and dried off with a microfibre cloth the surface is still likely to hold moisture.
After it has been raining or after rinsing off best practice is to wait a few hours after dry sunny weather before applying the coating.
If in doubt warm the metal with a blow dryer or use a heat gun on a low setting. If the metal has been warmed; as long as you can hold the inside of your wrist comfortably against the metal it will not be too hot to apply the coating.
WHEN TO SOLVENT WIPE
When do I need to solvent wipe metals and which metals?
Solvent wiping with pure methylated spirits, acetone or xylene is only required on bare and anodised metals immediately before application of first coat. Do NOT solvent wipe powder coated metals or painted surfaces.
You must solvent wipe bare metals, but NOT painted or powder coated metals:
You need to solvent wipe:
Anodized aluminium joinery
Bare aluminium
Other bare metals such as:
– copper, brass, bronze
– silver, pewter,
– stainless steel,
– mild steel, rusted metals, rusted corten
Solvent wiping is required on bare metals to help with adherence of the coating.
Solvent wiping is required to help with adherence of the coating to highly polished smooth bare metals: like stainless steel, silver, copper, brass and bronze. Solvent wiping is also a great way to rub off excess polish residue.
Solvent wiping is also required to help draw out moisture from the pores of metal. Particularly for porous metals like mild steels, and rusted metals, corten.
METAL TEMPERATURE
The metal to be coated is best when at an average temperature
Not too cold otherwise the coating will not dry/flash off quickly enough and may sag in places; and
Not too hot otherwise the coating will flash off too quickly and you will find application difficult. The coating needs about 20 to 30 minutes to self level to a perfect factory finish. If you can hold your wrist comfortably against the metal then it is not too hot.
Do NOT overwork the coating. Get it on, smooth it out and then LEAVE IT ALONE.
Depending on the ambient temperature in average conditions you have about 60 to 90 seconds after the coating has been applied to brush/wipe out any drips/sagging. After that you must leave it alone. You must not overwork the coating. If you have missed a bit, wait for the coating to dry (an hour) before reapplying over the missed area.
CAN I REMOVE THE COATING?
You can remove a cured Everbrite coating from most surfaces with Xylene solvent.
Coating removal from bare metals and anodised metals can be undertaken with ease using Xylene solvent. Removal of a cured coating from a powder-coated surface can be undertaken in most cases but care must be taken – TEST FIRST. Not all powder coatings are equal and some powder coating may be removed in the process.
NEVER TRY TO TAKE COATING OFF A PAINTED SURFACE WITH XYLENE.
You are unable to take a coating off a painted surface with Xylene, without stripping the paint off too. But you are able to paint over a cured Everbrite coating.
CARE OF APPLICATOR TOOLS
You can wrap your applicator tools in aluminium tin foil to stop them from going hard.
Paint brushes, sponge brushes, applicator pads can be wrapped in tinfoil to keep soft after they have been used/dipped in the coating. This is the perfect way to care for your tools in between coats or over a few weeks if you like.
Do you bother cleaning up your tools?
After the project is finished you can clean paint brushes in Xylene, although a good rinse in methylated spirits will remove most of the wet coating. Paint brushes can continue to be kept in tin foil and even if they do go hard, once redipped in the coating they will soften up again as the coating is self-annealing. Do not use your brush for any other type of painting application if you wish to reuse it again to apply our coating.
WARNING: Never use an old pre-used paint brush.
Do NOT use a pre-used paint brush that has applied paint, varnish or lacquer. No matter how clean it may look the slightest residue will cause the clear coating to go opaque.
What do I clean my spray tips up with?
Xylene is used to clean up spray tips. Xylene.