SURFACE PREPERATION
INSTRUCTIONS
**NOTE: Apply Blue Seal immediately after blasting.
All surfaces must be at least 3 C above dew point during application.
Concrete
There are two methods for preparation of concrete surfaces:
Method 1
High-pressure water blast concrete to be coated. In case of chemical contamination, the concrete surface should be water blasted with an industrial detergent additive; thoroughly dry prior to coating.
Method 2
Sweep blast concrete with abrasive blasting media.
Cracks should be filled and reinforced to maintain structural integrity before coating. Blue Seal base coat and fiberglass matting can be used as a reinforcement material.
Metal
All metal surfaces must be sandblasted to white metal (SP-10) and have a minimum surface profile of three (3) mils, with no maximum surface profile. Before the application of Blue Seal Coatings, the substrate must be clean (have a minimum dust removal rating of 1) and be free of salts (less than 50 mg per square meter of total soluble salts) and other chemical impurities and be completely dry.
MIXING INSTRUCTIONS
For Brush application or for Conventional spray equipment
For Blue Seal Basecoat, Reinforcement and Topcoat
1. Before pouring into a mixing bucket, thoroughly mix Blue Seal to re-suspend glass flakes that have settled to the bottom. This is best done with a power mixer.
NOTE: Do not use a mixer that has been used with catalyzed material.
2. Pour into a disposable mixing bucket the amount of Blue Seal that can be applied in 15 minutes. This will vary depending on the complexity and detail of the part you’re coating.
3. Add catalyst at a ratio of 2% and stir into resin with a stir stick. Mix the catalyst/resin mixture for approximately 1 – 2 minutes, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the container to insure complete catalyzation.
NOTE: The catalyst/resin ratio can be adjusted slightly to change the gel time of the resin as long as the catalyst/resin ratio does not go below ¾% or above 4%. Less catalyst will extend working time; more catalyst will shorten working time.
SPRAY EQUIPMENT
Blue Seal, Basecoat and Topcoat, can be sprayed using conventional airless, gel-coat, wet out or fiberglass resin spray equipment. We recommend a spray system that post catalyzes or mixes the catalyst with the Blue Seal after leaving the tip of the spray gun. This eliminates the need for cleanup of catalyzed material in the equipment with solvents.
Equipment Recommendations:
Air motor/ Pump ratio (minimum).......................................................................... 28:1
Catalyst pump ratio (catalyst-Blue Seal ratio)............................................... 2 %
Tip orifice size........................................................................................................................ .039 to .052 inches
Spray angle................................................................................................................................ 40 to 60 degrees
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Blue Seal Basecoat Application
Blue Seal Basecoat is used as a primer over repaired, bare substrate or as a build coat to add more millage and protection over previous layers of basecoat or Blue Seal Reinforcement.
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Brush or spray on one layer of Blue Seal Basecoat directly onto the freshly prepared substrate. On porous surfaces, be sure to rub the Blue Seal Base Coat into the freshly prepared surface to insure there are no voids in the coating and that the substrate is 100% covered.
2. Sand smooth any imperfections, runs or drips.
Blue Seal Reinforcement Application
Blue Seal Reinforcement is used to structurally fill pits or blemishes, as a structural fairing compound to cover over welds or other blemishes to make them more hydrodynamic or it can be brushed or trawled over entire areas as extremely durable high build coat.
NOTE: Blue Seal REinforcement can not be sprayed, it must be applied with a brush or trawl.
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Brush or trawl on one layer of Blue Seal Reinforcement directly onto area that have been previously been coated with Blue Seal Basecoat or Reinforcement.
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For filling pits, screed pits level with surrounding areas using a plastic spatula. Deep pits may require multiple coats to fill completely.
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Sand smooth any imperfections, runs or drips prior to Appling Blue Seal topcoat
Blue Seal Topcoat Application
Blue Seal Topcoat is used as a finish coat over area that have been previously coated with Blue Seal Basecoat or Blue Seal Reinforcement. The Blue Seal Topcoat has a harder surface and is more smooth and hydrodynamic than the Blue Seal Basecoat or Reinforcement. Brush or spray on one layer of Blue Seal Top Coat to provide a smooth and hydrodynamic surface finish.
APPLICATION NOTES
Each coat of Blue Seal is to be applied, (with the exception of Reinforcement coat), using spray equipment or brush, to a minimum DFT of 15 mils.
Note: using the Blue Seal Reinforcement coat as a pit filler may not add to the overall DFT as it could be applied only into the pits and not onto the overall surface.
There is no maximum DFT per coat or for the total coating system.
Each additional coat may be applied as soon as the previous coat has gelled enough to support the weight of the next coat without sagging. (approximately one hour).
There is no “open window for the Blue Seal Basecoat or Blue Seal Reinforcement. (it may be overcoated at any time without abrading the surface.)
The Blue Seal Topcoat has an “open window of 3 days. (After 3 days the surface must be abraded prior to recoating.)
Always use typical NACE application practices when applying Blue Seal.
Clean-Up
Prior to curing, the equipment can be easily cleaned with Acetone
Safety Recommendations
When spraying Blue Seal inside a tank, we recommend full body protection, a fresh air fed mask and or any other confined space safety equipment or procedures.
Inspection
After coating, the surface should be inspected using a Porosity/Holiday Detector. Any defects should be coated and re-tested.