Steel Rims Durabak Application

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
wire brush or wire brush extension for drill
Rust inhibitor (Rust Stop by SEM)
Zinc Chromate spray primer
filtered breathing mask, eye protection goggles.
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)

Clean the surface thoroughly, with a non-chlorinated household detergent
Rough up the surface with 40 grit sandpaper and wire brush / drill extension, make sure all the loose dirt and flaky rust is gone.
If there is any hardenned rust on the Rim neutralize and isolate it with a product like Rust Stop or Rust Converter
Clean and apply a self etching primer, like Zinc Chromate, or any other metal self etch primer that’s compatible with Polyurethane or the Durabak primer- Metcote. Zinc Chromate spray is highly toxic so be sure to use a filtered mask and only use outdoors.
DO NOT USE XYLENE

Do not open Durabak can until the Rim is prepped and ready to go.
Then open can and stir well.
Pour a portion into a roller tray and begin application.
Use a paint brush to get a good coating on the rim, dab the Durabak, don’t ‘paint’ it on.
Stir occasionally while working with the product.
Keep lid on can while not in use.

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.

1 quart of textured covers approximately 15 square feet in our standard 2 coat application, which should be enough for small / standard Rims.

Durabak begins to cure with exposure to air, so minimize exposure to air while working with it.
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.

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 at taped off edges, then continue with general application of the second coat.
If there’s old carpet glue, no specific solvents are required to remove it, as roughing up with 40 grit, will remove most of the glue. Trace amounts of glue residue will normally not inhibit Durabak bonding to the properly prepped aluminum.