How to Restore & Protect Unpainted Metal

4 Basic Steps

 

1. Clean or Polish (if necessary)

2. Neutralize Acid (if used)

3. Solvent Wipe

4. Apply Coating

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PREPARATION

Thorough preparation is very important. If you try to take shortcuts on preparation, you will likely not achieve the intended results and may need to remove the coating and start again. The article to be coated must be scrupulously clean and completely dry before applying the coating.

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NEW or METAL WITH PATINA
Skip to Solvent Wipe step below. Solvent will NOT remove most forms of tarnish or

patina. Test a small area first.

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TARNISHED or OXIDIZED METAL

Follow polish, neutralize & solvent wipe steps before applying coating.

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1. CLEAN or POLISH

Clean, polish or buff the surface to the luster desired with any metal polish you prefer (we recommend MIDAS TOUCH Polishing Cream, which can be found on our website). The metal can also be sanded or simply cleaned to desired appearance.

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2. NEUTRALIZE

Neutralize!!! **Very important** (This Step can be skipped if acidic cleaners and polishes are not used.) MIDAS TOUCH does not contain acid, however many polishes do, check ingredient list for any type of acid. If you are unsure, complete this step. Use EZ Prep Neutralizer in a solution of 1 part EZ Prep to 4 parts water. As an alternative, use 1 cup baking soda mixed with 1 gallon of water (or a similar ratio). Wash the metal with a cloth saturated with the neutralizing solution being careful to cover the entire surface at least once. Rinse with clean water. Dry with a clean cloth to prevent spotting. See preparation tips for additional information.

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3. SOLVENT WIPE

Solvent wipe the metal with xylene, a xylene substitute, denatured alcohol, or acetone to remove any traces of residue. If using acetone, be careful. Acetone is a strong solvent, take caution near any painted surfaces. This step needs to be done immediately before coating. Do NOT dilute or rinse the solvent. This step will ensure a completely clean and dry surface. Skipping this step will result in poor adhesion of the coating. (Solvent not included in kits – available at hardware stores)

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Please read and follow all directions and cautions on packaging & Material Safety Data Sheet.

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PREPARING THE COATING

Satin finishes and CrobialCoat require shaking before each use to distribute additional properties throughout the coating. Let sit a minute or two before use allowing bubbles to dissipate. Failure to mix well before you start and frequently throughout the application period may result in a streaky and uneven finish with Satin products and improper distribution of antimicrobial properties in CrobialCoat. (There is NO requirement to shake or mix the clear finish.)

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APPLICATION OF COATING

1. Pour the coating into clean, dry, metal or glass pan.

2. Submerge applicator completely into the coating. Gently squeeze out just the excess. Applicator should be saturated but not dripping. This is important as dry areas in the applicator can cause streaks.

3. Apply the coating to the surface letting the applicator glide across the surface. Do not press hard. Applicator should glide smoothly. When it starts showing resistance, dip the applicator again. If you get drips, simply smooth them out before the coating starts to dry. Observe the coating while applying: if the coating separates or does not look completely smooth, STOP and re-clean the surface.

   Let the coating dry completely. It will self-level as it dries. If you see an area you missed, let it dry and then coat over the missed area. Everbrite coatings are self- annealing; meaning the second coat will become part of the first coat. Wait at least one hour between coats or until the previous coat is completely dry. Most projects require two coats, some need more. (See Project Specific Tips page.)

 

DRY & CURE TIME: The coating will be dry in an hour (several coats may take longer). Dry coating is still delicate until cured. Heat and air circulation help speed curing. Under normal circumstances & with good ventilation, coating is generally cured after 4-5 days. Wait until cured before prolonged contact with other surfaces or packaging. Allow a minimum of two weeks cure time before letting water sit/pool on the coated surface, immersing in water or filling sinks/fountains, etc. In most cases, dew or rain does not hurt the coating once it is dry for 3-4 hours.

You can shorten cure time by gently heating the coating AFTER it is dry to the touch. Dry, coated items placed in a low temperature oven (140°F -180°F) for 1 hour will be cured when cooled. Larger items can be placed direct sunlight to speed curing.

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AFTER CARE: Do NOT use solvent or citrus based cleaners or abrasives to clean coated metal. Do not use cleaners with “petroleum distillates”. Suggested cleaners: Windex, mild dish soap and water or similar mild cleaners.

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MAINTENANCE & LONGEVITY: Once coated, the coating is easy to maintain. As long as the original coating is still intact, wash the surface with a mild dish soap and water, dry well, and recoat. It is best to recoat before any tarnish or oxidation is seen or at the first sight of slight color change. The longevity of the coating is dependent on proper application of the coating, its environment, and general use and abuse. See Maintenance Instructions on our website.

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SHELF LIFE OF COATING: Coating has an indefinite shelf life when stored in the closed, original container. Keep any extra coating for touch ups. We recommend cleaning the threads of the container before reattaching the lid to avoid sticking.

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COATING REMOVAL: The coatings can be removed from unpainted metals with solvents like Xylene or a Xylene substitute or they can be removed mechanically by sanding for larger areas like copper roofs. Small items can be soaked in solvent. Wear personal protection. Wet a cloth or paper towels with the solvent completely. Move the wet cloth over the coated metal with light pressure. Rubbing hard is not advised. When coating begins to “melt”, wipe it up and off of the surface. Repeat until coating is gone.

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PROJECT SPECIFIC TIPS BEFORE YOU START:

Copper: If high mineral content in water, use distilled water to avoid discoloration from water mineral components. Copper Cleaning Gel is available for heavily tarnished copper. If using this the gel, see the Copper Cleaning Gel directions. 

 

Copper Roofs: Polish is not recommended for older tarnished copper roofs due to due to roughness of the metal. Polish gets stuck in the rough areas and cannot easily be removed.

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Sinks and water features: Avoid pooling water, filling with water, or pouring boiling water in the sink for a minimum of two weeks after coating. Sinks may take longer to cure. A deep sink does not get much air circulation. A hairdryer or heated fan can be used every so often to introduce heat and circulation to the area after it is coated to speed curing.

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Stainless Steel: Many stainless steel cleaners contain silicone. Silicone residue must be removed before applying the coating. Silicone is a common coating agent which can be removed with mineral spirits (available at hardware stores). A solvent wipe is still needed. 

 

Appliances: Faux stainless steel appliances are not suitable for our coating due to the plastic nature of the material. Stainless Steel (where rust needs to be removed): Stainless Steel Rust Remover and our synthetic steel wool Prep Pads are excellent for removing rust. (Do not use regular steel wool.) See the specific Rust Remover directions first. Rusty stainless can also be wet sanded with very fine 600-2000 grit automotive sand paper. Always clean and sand with the grain.

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Jewelry: Due to their size, jewelry items can be brushed, dipped or sprayed and it is best to bake cure them. See Cure Time instructions.

• Brushing: Lay your items on foil and brush coating on with a natural-bristle brush or a sponge-brush. Gently glide the

  brush over the surface without getting too much excess on the foil below. Wait one hour and until the item is dry to the touch before applying additional coats. If you want to coat the other side of the piece, wait at least 2 hours before turning it over to coat the other side (use a new piece of foil to coat the other side on to avoid any wet coating sticking to the dry side) We recommend coating the “back side” of the piece first.

• Dipping: Place a piece of foil or something under the items in case of drips. You can insert an unbent uncoated paper clip through the eye of your jewelry piece to dip it. Dip the piece in the coating, and then pull it up. Let the coating drip for a few seconds. It is helpful to have a small "artist's paintbrush" to brush off the excess coating that may gather at the bottom and around the hanger. Hang the item to dry where it isn't touching anything else. Make sure to check the item after a couple of minutes, to see if any excess coating has gathered at the bottom. Wait one hour and until the item is dry to the touch before applying additional coats. Dip the item, smooth out the excess, and let it dry.

• Spraying: Hang the item and spray. You should be 5-6 inches away when spraying. Do not over spray; a quick pass is sufficient for each coat. Wait one hour and until the item is dry to the touch before applying additional coats.

• Questions: Call Everbrite, Inc. (916) 852-0200 or visit RenewMetal.com