Your cart
Please Wait

Bare Metal Application

Print Application
Applying Durabak on Bare Metal is simple, if you follow these instructions carefully it will never come off!

Equipment

  • 2 stipple roller sleeves per gallon (Included with purchase of textured gallon) or short nap roller, like a 3/16” mohair or similar for a smooth application.
  • 40 grit Sandpaper
  • Xylene (Xylol) OR Solvide (in CA or UT) - for clean-up or thinning only
  • Metal self etching primer, like Zinc Chromate, Zinc Phosphate or Metcote.
  • Stir stick or electric paint mixer
  • Roller Tray
  • Cloth or sturdy cotton rag
  • Paint Gloves
  • Household non-chlorinated detergent, like Spic n Span
  • 3M Blue tape (Optional)
  • Paint Respirator (Optional)

Surface Prep

  • Clean the surface thoroughly, with a non-chlorinated household detergent
  • Rough up the surface with 40 grit sandpaper
  • Clean and apply a self etching primer, like Zinc Chromate, Zinc Phosphate or any other metal self etch primer that’s compatible with Polyurethane or the Durabak primer- Metcote.
  • DO NOT USE XYLENE

Application Process

  • Apply Durabak in the first 3rd of the primer's suggested overcoat window - for metcote that is 4 hours after priming, for Zinc Phosphate that is 20 hours after priming.
  • DO NOT APPLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER PRIMER DRY TIME
  • Do not scuff or wipe down primer - Durabak goes straight onto it.
  • Do not open Durabak can until surface is prepped and ready to go.
  • Then open can and stir well.
  • Pour a portion into a roller tray and begin application.
  • Roll on first coat of textured using Durabak stipple roller sleeve or a short nap for smooth Durabak.
  • Use a paint brush in corners and hard to reach areas.
  • Stir occasionally while working with the product.
  • Keep lid on can while not in use.

Coverage

1 gallon of smooth Durabak covers roughly 75-80 square feet in our standard 2 coat application.

1 gallon of textured Durabak covers approximately 60 square feet in our standard 2 coat application.

Good to Know

  • Durabak begins to cure with exposure to air, so minimize exposure to air while working with it. Durabak is MOISTURE CURED so in High Humiidity the work time and dry time will be substantially shorter.
  • The consistency of the Durabak should be runny, as it’s self leveling. If it’s thicker, you can add up to 15% xylene to thin it. It should be mixable after adding the xylene and back to a runny form. If it’s pasty and thick, DO NOT APPLY, rather reach out to us for assistance.
  • You will have a few hours of work time once the can is opened (3 to 5 hours normally).
  • A second coat can be applied with the same roller after 1-2 hours, once the first coat is touch dry.
  • After second coat is applied allow 24 hours before walking on it. Complete cure is about 5 or 6 days, so no heavy use until then.
  • When applying Durabak it is important to ensure that each coat does not get too thick. If Durabak is applied in a coat that is too heavy it will trap the curing gasses and leave pinholes which will eventually lead to discoloration in the Durabak.

  • Be sure to apply moderately thin coats of the Durabak and as a guide you should be getting coverage similar to what is laid out above.

Additional Tips

  • Temp should ideally be 60 degrees or above for the application, and above 40% humidity.
  • Xylene should be applied immediately to clean up any misapplied Durabak.
  • If taping off, use 3M Blue tape and remove immediately after second coat is applied.
×