Sanding & Adhesion:
Thorough sanding is required to ensure optimum adhesion between coats and to create a smooth undercoat. Unless instructed differently, sand every coat of finish before applying a new coat. Each surface requires a particular type and grit of sandpaper. Bare surfaces, primers, undercoats and fillers need to be dry sanded in order to avoid the intake of moisture. Sanding between topcoats can best be executed with a fine grit wet sandpaper and water. One should avoid visible sanding scratches in the topcoat. When (dry) sanding, we recommend wearing an appropriate dust mask to avoid breathing fine dust particles. When sanding products containing lead or chromate, it is imperative that one wears an appropriate breathing apparatus. The recommended type of sandpaper and grit are determined in each system.

Recoating:
An important consideration when (re) painting existing, unknown surfaces, is the choice of the correct product. In general, when a surface has been previously painted there are two possibilities. Either a one-component paint system or a two-component paint system has been applied. By placing a cloth saturated with EPIFANES Fiberglass Prep Cleaner on the surface to be painted for 15 minutes, the difference will become evident. If the Fiberglass Prep Cleaner reacts as a paint remover and begins to wrinkle the paint, it is a one-component paint. If the paint remains intact, you are most definitely dealing with a two-component paint product. In principle, a one-component paint may be applied onto a well cleaned and sanded (320 grit wet or dry abrasive paper) two-component paint coat. The bond is acquired mechanically by roughing the surface. A two- component product however, may not be applied over a one-component paint coat, as the solvents of the two-component product will react as a paint remover on the one-component coat.

Surface Preparation and Painting:

• Make sure that the application and the drying of paint surfaces is performed in well-ventilated areas and obey all safety precautions.
• Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
• When ventilation is limited, wear an appropriate breathing apparatus in order to avoid breathing solvent fumes.
• Make sure that the surface is dry and free of all dirt, wax, oil, rust, dust and other contaminates.
• Use only appropriate, clean and dry tools.
• Use clean, longhaired, soft bristle brushes of good quality. Preferably EPIFANES brushes.
• When applying two-component products, use only paint rollers that are resistant to the (aggressive) solvents in these paints, like nylon or sheepskin.
• For the application of one-component paints use foam rollers.
• For the application of varnish, we recommend very fine (1/8" nap) foam rollers or lint free mohair rollers.
• Only work in dry, draft free and dust free surroundings.
• Do not paint in direct sunlight or under humid conditions.
• Be aware of condensation following the application of paint. Moisture can settle into the wet film causing the paint to lose its gloss. In particular, two-component paints are susceptible to this problem.
• When applying one-component products, the minimum application and surface temperature should be no less than 40 F. (5 C). Two- component products should not be applied in temperatures under 50- 55 F. (10-12 C).
• During application, the relative humidity should not exceed 85%. When applying two-component products, a maximum humidity level of 70% should be observed. Application of paint in conditions above or below these levels may have repercussions on the drying and hardening qualities of the product.
• The minimum temperature of the object to be painted should be 5 F. (3 C.) above the point of condensation.
• Before painting, ensure that the surface is dry.
• When painting overhead on cold (er) days, be aware of condensation from your breath on the cold surface.
• Avoid applying too heavy a film thickness, causing drying problems and wrinkling. It is often better to apply two thin coats than one thick coat.
• Distribute the paint evenly.
• Do not thin more than necessary. Too much thinning causes sags and insufficient film thickness. A thin coating provides only limited protection that can lead to rapid loss of gloss. Too little thinning may influence the flow. Only use the recommended thinners. Avoid the use of other additives. The thinning percentage depends on the temperature of the paint and the surrounding conditions. The recommended percentages are only guidelines.
• In order to avoid possible color differences, always use paints with the identical batch number, found on the bottom of each container.
• Before painting, make sure the paint is mixed well. There may be deposits and/or pigments lying beneath the lip or on the sides and bottom of the container.
• Try to avoid the intake of air into the paint by stirring too aggressively.

Maintenance:

An important consideration when (re) painting existing, unknown surfaces is the choice of the correct product. In general, when a surface has been previously painted there are two
possibilities. Either a one-component paint system or a two-component paint system has been applied. By placing a cloth saturated with EPIFANES Fiberglass Prep Cleaner on the surface to be painted for 15 minutes, the difference will become evident. If the Fiberglass Prep Cleaner reacts as a paint remover and begins to wrinkle the paint, it is a one-component paint. If the paint remains intact, you are most definitely dealing with a two-component paint product. In principle, a one-component paint may be applied onto a well-cleaned and sanded (320 grit wet or dry abrasive paper) two-component paint coat. The bond is acquired mechanically by roughing the surface. A two- component product however, may not be applied over a one-component paint coat, as the solvents of the two-component product will react as a paint remover on the one-component coat.

COMMON PROBLEMS:

The paint does not dry thoroughly:
The temperature is too cool for good flow, there is not enough air circulation, or too thick a layer has been applied. Applying too thick a coat may entrap solvents in the paint. Drying problems can also occur by applying a one-component product directly onto a "too fresh" epoxy or fiberglass coat. The required amount of time for thorough drying depends on the amount of solvents remaining in the original coat. In some cases thorough drying may not occur at all. These coats must be removed.
The coat has developed wrinkles:
Wrinkling of paint coats can be caused by the application of too thick a layer (often on horizontal surfaces), applying a fresh coat on a surface not yet thoroughly dry or application in direct sunlight. The entrapped solvents may, in time, evaporate through the original layer of paint. If necessary, this can be encouraged by lightly sanding the wrinkled surface, letting air into the paint layer allowing it to dry. When the paint has dried, sand to a fresh surface and recoat.
Blisters form during application:
This is caused by application onto a hot surface or by moving the finished piece into direct sunlight right after application.
Blisters form after application:
This is generally caused by the expansion of moisture or entrapped solvent under the finish.
"Fish eyes":
The paint refuses to flow in a continuous uniform coating. This is caused by the presence of
water, grease, wax, silicones or other contamination on the surface, low temperature, or
application of paint on a surface that has not been sanded or sanded insufficiently. In all cases remove the paint while still wet. Clean the surface with an appropriate cleaner and degreaser. Sand thoroughly. Recoat.
Pulling during application:
There is sometimes a pull as the paint is being applied when insufficient material is being carried in the brush or when the paint is too thick for ambient conditions. This is usually overcome by carrying more material in the brush or by further thinning of the paint.