ASTRATEK metal
Application Instruction
1. Surface preparation
Surface should be dry, clean, free of oil, wax, dirt, rust, grease or other foreign matter such as scales, paint chips, etc. Metal surfaces should be cleaned from rust, corrosion, paint chips, treated with a rust solvent and then cleaned with water.
2. Priming
For best adhesion and long-term life time of the coating we recommend to prime metal surfaces prior to application of the coating.
The cold metal substrates (not lower than +5°С) are recommended to prime with GROSS metal primer or any other high-quality acrylic metal primer (1-2 coats).
The hot metal substrates (more than +80°С) should be primed with GROSS metal primer or 20-25% water solvent of ASTRATEK metal (75-80% of material and 20-25% of water).
The application temperature should be +5 to + 120°С, the operation temperature will be to +200°С.
The preparation of a primer GROSS metal:
Primer GROSS metal is mixed thoroughly when opened and then applied directly to surface with 1-2 coats. If the primer is too thick to use, it can be diluted with clean water up to 10 % against the total amount of the material. Make sure that all areas of the steel including welds and touch up areas have been coating with the primer. Wait 1-2 hours to make sure primer is cured. On the hot substrates (more than +70°С) the dry time is within 20-30 minutes.
The preparation of an ASTRATEK metal solvent (if it is used as a primer):
After the pail is opened, thoroughly mix the product to a smooth, creamy texture. Use mud mixing paddles and a motor drill with a speed not more than 300 revs. Mixing too harshly may crush the material! Then you take a portion of a material and dilute it with clean water up to 25% against the total amount of the material. Then you can use this solvent as a primer. Wait 4 hours on cold substrates and about 2 hours on the substrates over +70°С to make sure the solvent-primer is cured.
The preparation of ASTRATEK metal:
You should thoroughly mix the product to a smooth, creamy texture. Use mud mixing paddles and a motor drill with a speed not more than 300 revs. Mixing too harshly may crush the material! It’s permitted to add 3-7% of clean water to make the material more smooth and easy to apply. During the work you should mix the material periodically (every 10-15 minutes).
3. Application
3.1. The operation temperature of the substrates should be within +5 to + 120°С during application.
3.2. ASTRATEK metal is not to be applied to the wet surfaces, also when it’s windy, foggy, frosty.
3.3. The material is to be applied in successive thin coats with a brush or sprayer. The thickness of each coat should not exceed 0.5 mm. The drying time of each coat is 24 hours (t = 20°С, ambient humidity — 65%). The total necessary thickness of the coating is to be determined by thermotechnical calculation.
3.4. Drying times will be extended with high humidity or if colder conditions exist. Coating may be applied up to max of 0.5 mm layers. In colder conditions, application of heat and/or forced ventilation will be necessary to insure even coat thickness and alleviating risk of slides. Lighter coating procedure should also be used to help evacuate the water out of the coating at a faster rate. Confined spaces will need forced ventilation in all applications to keep humidity levels from rising due to water evaporation. For vertical surfaces a light tack coat of 0.23-0.25mm is recommend to insure proper hang.
For cold weather installation, lighter passes of 0.23-0.25mm will expedite dry times. This will also insure a nice even coating. You must be sure that the water vaporized totally from the coat. To test for proper dryness, place your thumb onto test area of the coating and press down. Turn your thumb 90° and remove. If coating is left on your thumb, the coating is not fully dry. IT IS HIGHLY VERY IMPORTANT TO INSURE FULL DRYNESS PRIOR TO NEXT COAT!
You should remember if the ambient temperature is lower +20°С and the humidity is about 85%; you should increase the drying period 2-3 times as much.
Forced drying with directed air jet is intolerable. The coating becomes resistant to rain in 24 hours. Cleanup is simple. Wash sprayer and all tools with water.
3.5. Brushing Instructions
We recommend using a standard paint brush. Prior to application moisten the brush with water. Brush product as you would brush most any other paint system. Try to brush in one direction and in methodical fashion. Excessive stroking will only remove product from substrate back to brush. Build up an 0.25-0.40mm later and let it dry to touch. This coating should show initial brush strokes. The strokes will disappear as the coating begins to dry.
The tools should be cleaned with water after the application is done.
The finished coating can be covered with high-quality acrylic paints. For additional protection in harsh environments the coating can be covered with polyurethane materials.
4. Coverage
The coverage of the coating depends on the method of application, the type of a surface and is determined exactly while a trial application. The average coverage is 1-1.3 liter per 1 square meter at the thickness of 1.0 mm (2 coats).
5. Precautions and utilization
ASTRATEK metal is fire-safe, explosion-proof, does not contain any hazardous solvents; so does not require any special handling.
First Aid:
If exposed to eyes: Flush eyes with clean water.
Skin contact: Wash with soap and water. If redness persists, seek medical attention.
CAUTION:
Proper respirators and goggles are recommended for your protection when using this product. Use only with adequate ventilation. When applying in closed area, open doors and windows or use other means to ensure fresh air circulation or forced ventilation during application and drying. If you experience eye watering, headaches, or dizziness, increase fresh air or wear respiratory equipment.
Do not discharge into waterways of sewer systems.
Keep out of reach of children.
Incompatibility: Solvents except water will coagulate the product.
Waste disposal methods: Waste from this material is not hazardous and is disposed in accordance with federal and local pollution regulations.
6. Storage and transportation
Product should be kept in a tightly closed pail in a storage area from +5°С to + 35°С, out of direct sunlight.
Do not let product freeze! KEEP FROM FREEZING.
7. Warranty
The manufacturer guarantees that all materials are marketable and are within manufacturing specifications.
Astratek’s shelf life is one year from manufacture date.
The manufacturer is not responsible for unproper use of the material and for its application not complying with manufacturer’s technical requirements.
