Protecta-kote Q&A
Can you coat a stainless steel basin in a power plant with PK UVR Smooth? The stainless steel basin is permanently filled with demineralized water for one year. The filling height is approx. 6m.
UVR Smooth will work very nicely in this application. Adhesion is all you need to worry about- provided it is firmly attached it will provide service for up to 10 years. Stainless steel has to be primed. If it is a hard grade that cannot be sanded then the 2K Metal Primer will work. The Clear Primer Treatment will also work but the bond strength is slow to build up - four days to final strength. If you have time this is the better solution. In either case, clean off oils or other contaminants with solvent first. If it is a softer grade and can be sanded then epoxy will work i.e. EP90 - sand and solvent wipe first.
Can Protecta-kote be applied to Gelcoat Putty?
Protectakote bonds chemically with Polyester which is the basis of fibreglass and gelcoat putty, therefore no primer is required. However, in order to get rid of surface contaminants and present a fresh Polyester surface for bonding, it is better to sand it first and solvent wipe.
Can Protecta-Kote to be applied onto a plastisol coated roof?
Plastisol will need a primer. It is PVC and Protecta-kote will not stick to it. The only product we can recommend to adhere to PVC is WATER BASED Protecta-kote Smooth. It can then be used as a primer for the standard products which will all adhere to Water Based Smooth.
Someone asked how long Protecta-kote would last on a helipad?
It will last at least 10 years if using the UVR version and certainly 5 years for standard Protecta-kote. In both cases providing the application has been put down well both versions may well last more than stated. We have several examples where it has lasted over 10 years in the standard version.
Can you coat the floor of a theatre stage with Protecta-kote Clear? The floor consists of phenolic resin-coated wooden panels.
Protecta-kote will bond nicely to phenolic treated panels; you just need to sand them lightly and clean afterwards. In this instance no primer is required.
Can Protecta-kote protect the blades of a snow plough?
Yes it is best to use Smooth UVR Protecta-kote which works very well.
Concrete steps in a lake where they attract algae, therefore they become slippery. How can we make them less slippery?
Algae are a big problem. It will have to be treated with an acid wash if not sand blasted. The outside millimetre of the concrete has to be free of any sign of algae. The pores in the concrete need opening up; hopefully an acid wash will be sufficient for this. If not the steps will have to be sandblasted. The area needs neutralisation and rinsing afterwards. Once dry and clean, apply either EP90 Universal Epoxy Primer or Duraprime. Finally UVR Protecta-kote can be applied. As it will be immersed, the adhesion is paramount, providing you have good adhesion it will last well. This may not stop the Algae coming back over time.
A customer has a bare concrete walk way in a school that is partly covered and he wants to use Protecta-kote UVR to make it anti-slip. They want to use Duraprime and Protecta-kote but are concerned about the time it will take. What would be the best over coating timing at around 12c in the day and 5c at night?
With a daytime temperature of 12c, the EP90 Universal Epoxy Primer will need 2-3 hours before it can be overcoated; it needs to be overcoated within 48 hours. The primer should be applied in the afternoon so it can be overcoated with Protecta-kote first thing the next morning. The first coat of Protecta-kote could be dry by noon and the second coat applied in the afternoon, then the floor will be ready for traffic the next morning.
It is more difficult to apply at 5c as the epoxy primer will need 8 hours to dry. Again the primer will need to be applied in the afternoon for use the following morning. You may need to use an accelerator to speed up the drying if you run out of time.
How can you apply Protecta-kote to concrete sooner than the 28 days new concrete takes to cure?
If you use EP90 primer you can apply the primer after 7 days. It is tolerant to under cured concrete. You can then apply Protecta-kote straight away.
How can you apply Protecta-kote to concrete sooner than the 28 days new concrete takes to cure?
If you use EP90 primer you can apply the primer after 7 days. It is tolerant to under cured concrete. You can then apply Protecta-kote straight away.
Can Protecta-kote be applied to Slate?
Yes it can be applied to Slate, it is sufficiently porous for the PK to penetrate and this gives it good adhesion. You must be careful that there are no contaminants which will prevent the penetration.
Can you put Protecta-kote onto a Flow Coat which is a fibre glass coating?
Flow Coat is a Polyester fibreglass coating so the adhesion of Protecta-kote will be excellent after just a light sanding and a solvent wipe. No etch primer is needed, adhesion will be better without it.
Can Protecta-kote be applied to Polyethylene?
Polyethylene is the most difficult surface to get anything to stick to it. There is no possibility of chemical adhesion unless the Polyethylene is made with an additive in it. Only mechanical adhesion is possible, but sanding destroys the clarity.
However, we have a solution! The small amount of solvent in Protecta-kote Water Based is a strong one and dissolves enough of the plastic surfaces to allow some mingling of the polymers and sticks very well. The clear Polyethylene can be primed with Protecta-kote Water Based Clear Smooth then the solvent-based Protecta-kote will stick to it.
Can Protecta-kote be applied to Polypropylene?
This material is not as bad as Polyethylene for adhesion although from the same family. It must be sanded aggressively to achieve a mechanical bond. Once cleaned with a solvent wipe apply EP90 primer before applying Protecta-kote.
How can you apply Protecta-kote onto concrete which has been burnished to a high gloss so that the concrete can be seen; i.e. using Protecta-kote Clear?
Of course you cannot use EP90 Universal Epoxy Primer or Duraprime as they are coloured. You would have to use Clear Primer Treatment. You can apply the Clear Protecta-kote as normal.
Safekote (UVR rated) Q&A
Is a stippled roller the best for applying Safekote?
No a short nap mohair roller is best, a stippled roller tends to create air bubbles.
How do you clean an area which has been coated with Safekote?
Safekote can be maintained by cleaning with warm water and liquid soap in it. If the dirt becomes engrained then it needs to be rubbed and brushed with a more aggressive cleaner: something like Handy Andy or a similar product will help. In extreme cases it can be cleaned with turps or alcohols. Normally it does not become dirty unless it was not cured properly before the area is used.
Why does Safekote go milky sometimes?
The milky finish is from applying it too thick or in high humidity, also overnight condensation can do this is if it is not sufficiently cured.
A customer wants to renovate an external timber staircase made from Iroko. The stairs have been in place for the last 20 years and he wants to apply Safekote Red
over existing slip resistant treads. He painted the treads with what was called at the time
"heavy duty epoxy resin coating" which was a two part mix of grit and paint etc. He asked if Safekote would adhere to the old substrate.
The adhesion of solvent-based urethane to old epoxy is excellent. Remove any contaminants that may have settled on the epoxy, then Safekote can go straight onto the steps. It will stick chemically as well as physically and will last much longer than the epoxy.
It should have a good solvent wipe with Xylene on a cloth, wiping away anything that dissolves. When the epoxy is clean and exposed, the first coat of Safekote can go straight onto the steps. The grit particles will help it adhere. The adhesion will be best if the Safekote is applied as soon as the cleaning process is dry. The solvent has a slight softening effect on the epoxy which will help the adhesion. Safekote remains looking good for several years but may need a rejuvenating coat after 2-3 years depending on how much traffic it experiences.
Accelerator will not really help with the curing time .
It should have a good solvent wipe with Xylene on a cloth, wiping away anything that dissolves. When the epoxy is clean and exposed, the first coat of Safekote can go straight onto the steps. The grit particles will help it adhere. The adhesion will be best if the Safekote is applied as soon as the cleaning process is dry. The solvent has a slight softening effect on the epoxy which will help the adhesion. Safekote remains looking good for several years but may need a rejuvenating coat after 2-3 years depending on how much traffic it experiences.
Accelerator will not really help with the curing time .
How easy is it to coat vinyl?
The gloss of the vinyl is a difficult problem for adhesion - nothing will stick to it in its current state. It will have to be roughened up and given a solvent wipe just prior to application. As there will not be much chemical adhesion it will have to be sanded with a P600 grit to get mechanical adhesion. In this instance a trial patch is essential. After sanding, remove the dust and then wipe the surface contaminants and plasticisers away with rags wetted with Xylene.
Apply the Clear Primer first and then the Safekote. It is a tricky solution for adhesion and the outcome will depend strongly on the preparation.
Apply the Clear Primer first and then the Safekote. It is a tricky solution for adhesion and the outcome will depend strongly on the preparation.
Can you apply Clear Safekote to a Copper handrail?
It is best to do a test patch first; copper is a difficult metal to apply Safekote to. It is soft and produces an oxide quite quickly. The best primer to use is Clear Primer Treatment. First, sand the oxide away (invisible oxide, not just the green stuff), make sure you give it a good solvent wipe, and then within 2 hours apply the Clear Primer treatment. When it is dry (20-30 minutes) apply Clear Primer Treatment again to ensure that none of the handrail was missed. Then apply the Safekote ideally within 6 hours.
Can Safekote be used in Saunas?
Safekote will be fine for Saunas, a good application for it. It does have the heat resistance required. Both Safekote and Protecta-kote have an initial softening point of 115c, so they will be fine in Saunas. These products can withstand continual temperatures like this. The water vapour does not affect either product; they are completely water resistant.
Can you apply Safekote to Porcelain, Tiles and Glazed Tiles?
Yes it will work well but the preparation has to be good to make sure you see the clear material under the Safekote. Any dust or grit needs to be removed with a good solvent wipe using Xylene. Apply Clear Primer treatment, as the primer is clear, it is easy to miss a part of the tile so best to apply two coats of primer, then apply 2 coats of Safekote fairly soon after the primer. If you want to make the surface even more slip resistant apply our Safety Grip with the final coat.
Safekote & Protecta-kote Joint Q&A
Can Safekote/Protecta-kote be applied directly to Polypropylene plastic or is a primer required and if so which one?
Safekote (or any PU) will not adhere to polypropylene chemically. For that matter, neither will most primers. One thing you can do with PP is to sand it extremely well and create a mechanical bond, but this is not sufficient for a flooring material where there are high shear forces. Our Protectakote WB Smooth will create the best bond to PP, after which you can apply solvent-based Safekote and it will stick.
Can you apply Protecta-kote or Safekote to a chlorinated swimming pool?
Neither product likes Chlorine; it can be used around the pool if it is only having very small amounts of splashing where it will be fine. As long as the Chlorine is not in permanent contact with the Protecta-kote it will be fine; hence why it is good around pools.
If by mistake you cover your arms or any part of your body with Protecta-kote. It does not look very good when go on holiday! How do you clean it off any part of the body?
It is not easy to clean off the skin. First job is to act as quickly as quickly as possible. Petrol is not a bad idea but reddens the skin much like Xylene. You can use a paint stripper but we would not recommend it. It is best to put alcohol on straight away to stop it curing first of all if it is not too late. Then use a volcanic stone to scrape as much off as possible, putting a lot of aqueous cream on the skin helps it come loose.
Can you apply Protecta-kote to Polyflor flooring?
Polyflor flooring is vinyl with aggregates in it. The chemical bonding between urethane and vinyl is not good, so it will have to rely on a mechanical bond. The aggregates will help with this. It is just a light sanding followed by a Xylene solvent wipe and then immediate application of Safekote. The Xylene wipe is very important as this softens the vinyl and improves the bond enormously.
Can Protecta-kote be used in horse boxes, pig sties etc?
Yes Protecta-kote and Safekote are resistant to Urine. Protecta-kote has often been applied to horse stalls and other animal pens successfully. Bituthane will resist attack from animal excrement as well. It has better chemical resistance than Protecta-kote or Safekote. Although both products have been used for animal stalls with success, Bituthane is even better.
A customer wants to use Protecta-Kote White Smooth on a boat roof that is teak horizontally and mahogany vertically. He heard that oily timber like teak should be primed is this correct?
Yes oily timbers are more difficult. Protecta-kote will adhere to most timbers after just a bit of preparation, but it is difficult to get penetration with oily timbers. However, with a roof there are no shear forces from people walking on it so the adhesion is less critical. With some light sanding to expose the fibres and a xylene wipe to remove the oils, Protecta-kote can be applied directly onto the timber. There is no need for a primer.
How to achieve a matt finish?
A matt finish is achieved by adding about 6% of a fine powder, normally a type of silica. You can also add 6% of the finest talcum powder if easier.
Does Protecta-kote and Safekote have a fire certificate for use on oil rigs?
We do not have a certificate for fire. However we have tried to get both products to burn. It does not sustain a flame it only melts, runs and goes out. It is only with a constant source of ignition that it will continue to burn. It will not continue to burn even if painted on a piece of cardboard to supply some kind of a source.
Explanation of why the coverage for Safekote is better than Protecta-kote
Safekote is less viscose than Protecta-kote also it generates a slightly thinner film, so it has better coverage. It also has something to do with the rubber crump; the particles are porous and soak up the urethane so you need more. Safekote is more highly pigmented too; a thinner coat has more hiding power (coverage of colours).
Which are the best thinners or cleaning material to use if needed?
Only use pure Xylene to thin Protecta-kote and Safekote. Do not use diluted Xylene as it will affect the performance of the both products. Xylene is best used as a cleaner as well.
Can an opened tin be sealed and reused?
Yes it can, when closing a tin, seal the lid well and turn upside down for a few seconds. This will seal any space and pro-long the life of the unused portion of Protecta-kote or Safekote. It may help to put the remainder into a smaller container to help prolong the life. Make sure the rim of the container remains free of Protecta-kote or Safekote to avoid difficulty in reopening. If skin is present in a half tin, cut it neatly around the edges and try to remove it intact.
What is the difference between Protectakote and Safekote?
The anti-slip granule in Protectakote is larger than in Safekote. They are both excellent polyurethane coatings that can be applied, as a one pack coating, to the majority of surfaces with almost identical slip resistance it just depends on the location and the look required as to which one you choose.
Protecta-kote has rubber granules while Safekote has Silicone granules to make both anti-slip. They both have different advantages with Safekote being the best if it is applied in an area which needs cleaning from time to time.
Protecta-kote has rubber granules while Safekote has Silicone granules to make both anti-slip. They both have different advantages with Safekote being the best if it is applied in an area which needs cleaning from time to time.
Can Protectakote adhere to itself?
Yes Protectakote and Safekote adhere to themselves. This makes it very easy to repair - Simply make sure the area is clean first, then paint over the affected area, the product will adhere to itself successfully.
Can Safekote be applied onto wet areas?
None of our coatings can be applied to a surface that is wet, or if the atmosphere is damp either.
Does Protectakote have any resistance to acid?
Yes - Protectakote and Safekote will resist most acids including Sulfuric, Acetic, Hydrochloric, Phosphoric, Sodium Hydroxide and Ammonia. It is excellent against potable and salt water; good with Diesel; fair with Petrol but not good with Acetone. This makes it ideal protection for vehicles, boats, factory floors, tanks and more.
Is the anti-slip finish abrasive?
No - The granules in Protectakote although larger than in Safekote are made of recycled rubber so it will not abrade anything put on it; except Formula 1 type fork lift drivers who will wear out the tyres too quickly. In this case Safekote does the trick. However if the surface is to be put on a boat, in showers, cloak rooms or round a swimming pool then we would recommend Safekote as it is more comfortable to walk on.
Can the cure time be improved with an accelerator?
Yes all products have a suitable accelerator which we have in stock. This improves the cure time dramatically. We always send an accelerator for level crossing jobs where it has to be ready for people to walk and trains to roll over shortly after painting.
What colours are available?
Our products come in a comprehensive range of colours as standard, with custom colours to special order (minimum quantity applies).
Our COLOUR CHART PDF shows the choice we offer.
Our COLOUR CHART PDF shows the choice we offer.
What do you if you have more than one batch number and you wish to complete the job you are working on?
If the batch numbers are not the same then mix them all together to even out any variation in the colour. However make sure you use the paint straight away.
Primer Q&A
What is the best primer for Marine Aluminium, Galvanised Steel and Stainless Steel?
2K Metal is the best primer for these three metals. It can also be used for any special metals.
Does new steel need a primer?
Yes it is much better to use a primer where there is new steel as the surface is smooth. When the steel is weathered, it tends to be pitted which helps achieve a mechanical bond therefore there should not be a need for a primer. The primer to use is either EP90 Universal Epoxy Primer or Clear Primer.
Does Granite need a primer?
Yes it needs an epoxy primer, EP90 Universal Epoxy Primer would be fine.
What Primers should I use?
The primer is dependent on the surface it is to be applied to, the datasheets show which primer is needed for each application.
We carry in stock EP90, Clear Primer Treatment, and 2K Metal which should cover all uses.
We carry in stock EP90, Clear Primer Treatment, and 2K Metal which should cover all uses.
Water Based Protecta-kote and Safekote Q&A
What is the best way to apply WATER BASED Protecta-kote?
Rubber crumb Protecta-kote both water based and solvent should be applied with a stipple roller. However use a mohair roller with water based and solvent based Clear Protecta-kote, Safekote and Smooth finishes.
To reduce any confusion how is 'Water Based Protecta-kote and Safekote' classified with regard to transport?
Water Based paint goes under the banner of “Water-based emulsion paint” therefore not hazardous.
How is the shelf life of Water Based Safekote and Protecta-kote affected in high temperatures?
Not nearly as much as the solvent based products, they will last much longer as heat does not affect them so much.
Benefits of Water Based Protecta-kote and Safekote over solvent based Protecta-kote and Safekote
1) It is better than UVR Protecta-kote and Safekote (which is UVR rated) providing adhesion is not difficult in which case solvent based UVR Protecta-kote and Safekote is better.
2) Water Based is safer and less expensive to transport and store due to the absence of flammable solvents.
3) Rollers, paint brushes and spray guns can be cleaned with water and used again many times.
4) It is a lot more convenient to apply in confined spaces without the need for air circulation or breathing apparatus.
5) It has a wider range of potential applications where solvent based coatings are not suitable for; e.g. inside electrical exchange rooms, hot environments, difficult applications where spills are inevitable. Cleaning as you go will be easier with a cloth and water as opposed to Xylene or some other solvent based cleaner.
6) If spilt on skin, it can be rinsed off with water.
2) Water Based is safer and less expensive to transport and store due to the absence of flammable solvents.
3) Rollers, paint brushes and spray guns can be cleaned with water and used again many times.
4) It is a lot more convenient to apply in confined spaces without the need for air circulation or breathing apparatus.
5) It has a wider range of potential applications where solvent based coatings are not suitable for; e.g. inside electrical exchange rooms, hot environments, difficult applications where spills are inevitable. Cleaning as you go will be easier with a cloth and water as opposed to Xylene or some other solvent based cleaner.
6) If spilt on skin, it can be rinsed off with water.
Bituthane Q&A
Can you paint over Bituthane with paint especially a chlorinated rubber one?
Yes most paints can go over Bituthane, even a chlorinated rubber one.
Do you supply a water proofing product for box gutters, retaining walls or any area which is permanently immersed?
Bituthane is a very good water proofing material which is non-toxic.
Can Bituthane be covered with Protecta-kote?
Yes, it can be covered with Protecta-kote. The adhesion is good as long as the surface is fresh. Old Bituthane will need cleaning with Xylene solvent. There can be a bit of discolouration if the Protecta-kote on top is very thin. A brown colour may come through from the Bituthane. In this case an extra coat may be needed.
Can Protecta-kote be used in horse boxes, pig sties etc?
Yes Protecta-kote and Safekote are resistant to Urine. Protecta-kote has often been applied to horse stalls and other animal pens successfully. Bituthane will resist attack from animal excrement as well. It has better chemical resistance than Protecta-kote or Safekote. Although both products have been used for animal stalls with success, Bituthane is even better.
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Warranty, Credit, Shipping & Returns
Warranty
This Limited Warranty applies to physical goods, and only for physical goods, purchased Formbar Limited (the "Physical Goods").
What does this limited warranty cover?
This Limited Warranty covers any defects in material or workmanship under normal use during the Warranty Period.
During the Warranty Period, Formbar Limited will repair or replace, at no charge, products or parts of a product that proves defective because of improper material or workmanship, under normal use and maintenance.
What will we do to correct problems?
Formbar Limited will either repair or replace the Product at no charge, using new or refurbished replacement parts or products depending on what is the most appropriate solution.
How long does the coverage last?
The Warranty Period for Physical Goods purchased from Formbar Limited is 1 year from the date of purchase.
A replacement Physical Good or part assumes the remaining warranty of the original Physical Good or 180 days from the date of replacement or repair, whichever is longer.
What does this limited warranty not cover?
This Limited Warranty does not cover any problem that is caused by conditions, malfunctions or damage not resulting from defects in material or workmanship.
What do you have to do?
To obtain warranty service, you must first contact us to determine the problem and the most appropriate solution for you.
Telephone: 01235 850368
Email: info@fombar.co.uk
Returns Policy
Unwanted Items:
We are happy to accept returns of our products as long as they are in an unused condition and you let us know about your intention to return the products within 7 days of delivery.
We charge a 10% re-stocking fee with a minimum charge of £20.
We charge for collection of the products by our courier. This will be charged at cost.
If you prefer you can return the goods yourself to our warehouse, please call or email us for the address. The re-stocking fee will still apply.
We will credit your account when the goods are received back to our warehouse in saleable condition.
If the products are branded with approved artwork then we may be unable to take them back into stock. If you have a concern please call us to discuss, we will always be fair and transparent in our decisions.
Damaged Items:
If you have received any items damaged we accept full responsibility. If the packaging is damaged please sign it as such with the courier so we can claim through them for the damage in transit. We will either arrange to collect and replace your goods or if appropriate send in our maintenance crew to mend the damage.
Credit Account
Our standard policy is 3 orders paid through proforma invoice and then a customer can apply for a credit account.
In the case of the NHS, Schools and large corporates that are only able to order with a purchase order system then we will accept and despatch the orders.
All credit decisions are at our Managing Directors discretion.
Shipping Policy
We make every effort to ship within 48 hours of receiving an order. For the majority of the UK all boxed consignments are despatched on a next day courier service and larger orders are palletised and shipped on a 48 hour service. For orders that meet certain thresholds in volume and weight we use dedicated vehicles. We can ship worldwide but depending on the delivery address the time frame does vary.
All carriage is charged at cost, we believe in honest carriage rates through which we do not make a profit. We will always make every effort to make you aware of the cost of shipping when the order is placed.