ILLUSTRATED DIRECTIONS FOR CLEANING, POLISHING AND APPLICATION of EVERBRITE or ProtectaClear

on Copper, Brass, Stainless Steel, Bare Aluminum, Anodized Aluminum or Other Plated Metals. If the metal is new or you like the way the patina looks on the metal, click here for Directions for New Metal.

Read and follow complete directions in the Technical Specifications and the M.S.D.S. Everbrite is a solvent based coating. Use proper protection, good ventilation, eye protection, and gloves.

There are 4 Basic Steps: 1. Clean/Polish, 2. Neutralize, 3. Solvent Wipe, 4. Apply Coating.

STEP 1 - CLEANING THE SURFACE

The key to proper application is getting the surface completely clean. Use your favorite metal cleaner to polish the copper or brass to the desired finish.

Looking for Copper Cleaner Recipes? Want to see pictures and comparisons? Click Here.

STEP 2 - NEUTRALIZE

IMPORTANT BUT EASY STEP - If you acid washed the metal or used an acid based cleaner, the surface MUST be neutralized or the solvent in the coating will react with the acid causing problems. It's easy to do, just wash the metal with a solution of water and EZ Prep Cleaner and Neutralizer. Just mix one part EZ Prep to 8 parts water. Wash the metal, rinse and dry.

You can also use a solution of water and calcium carbonate or baking soda. Use about a cup of Baking Soda in a Gallon of Water. If your object is small, just adjust the proportions. Then after you neutralize the metal, you can rinse with water and dry the metal or allow it to dry.

Just rinsing with water will not remove the acid from the surface. (Most copper and brass cleaners have acid in them, even vinegar or lemon juice are acids). If you do not neutralize the metal, the acid will react with the solvent in the coating and will make your copper dark.

STEP 3 - SOLVENT WIPE

Once your metal is clean and polished, there is still residue left by the polish. Even buffing leaves a residue that must be removed. The residue is removed by wiping the copper or brass with solvent and clean cloths. We recommend using xylene (available at paint stores or hardware stores) to remove the residue and a final wipe with denatured alcohol to make sure that the metal is completely clean. (Do not use isopropyl alcohol). This will also remove any fingerprints.

Make sure that the metal is completely dry. Even copper and brass can retain moisture, it is helpful to heat the metal with a heat gun or even a hair dryer to make sure that all moisture is evaporated. Let the metal cool before applying the coating.

Click here for preparation and application directions for storage doors, siding or metal buildings.

STEP 4 - APPLICATION OF EVERBRITE PROTECTIVE COATING

EVERBRITE Coatings are high quality, very forgiving products that are easy to work with. The coatings are self-annealing so they can be reapplied or touched up without stripping. If you make a mistake, it is easy to fix it - simply remove the coating from the area with xylene or other solvent, let it dry and reapply.

Materials needed:

EVERBRITE Protective Coating for exterior metal that does not get a lot of use like window frames, weather vanes or cupolas

or ProtectaClear for interior use, use in marine environments or for use where metal is exposed to salts or chlorines or where the metal gets lots of use - like railings.

An Applicator. You can use a clear-coat applicator, high density foam rollers or brushes, or a pad made from clean, dry, lint-free white cloth approximately 1-2 foot square. Smooth cloth works better than terry-cloth. Part of an old T-shirt works well. Make sure that it is white so the color of the shirt does not go onto the surface being coated. The coating can be sprayed on with HVLP or airless sprayers with fine finish tips.

Application pan. A paint pan or the throwaway aluminum cake pans work well. Use metal or glass (not plastic), the solvent in the coating can melt plastic containers.

Nitrile or chemical protective gloves to protect your hands. Eye protection is also recommended.

1. Make sure that there is good ventilation in your work area.

2. Pour enough of the coating into a clean, dry, METAL container to be able to completely wet your applicator. DO NOT DILUTE EVERBRITE COATINGS WITH ANYTHING ELSE.

3. Dip the applicator completely into the Coating in the application pan. This will avoid streaks caused by parts of the applicator being wet and parts being dry. Gently squeeze out excess so the applicator is wet but not dripping. Apply the Coating to a small area, make sure the coating does not fish-eye or bead up and flows out evenly. If the coating beads up or has fish-eye, the surface is not clean. Stop and clean the surface with clean solvent and clean cloth again.

If applying on vertical surface, keep an eye out for drips or sags. If you get drips or runs on the surface, simply wipe them out with your applicator.

**If the surface looks streaky, your applicator is probably not wet enough or unevenly wet. This allows the dry and wet parts of the applicator to apply the Coating with different thicknesses. The solution is to dip the applicator completely in the Coating and wring out the excess so it is not dripping. Re-dip when needed.

5. Apply in smooth, even strokes. Applicator should glide smoothly, when it starts sticking, dip applicator in the Coating again and gently squeeze out the excess. Everbrite and ProtectaClear dry quickly so it is best to avoid disturbing the coating as it dries. Just apply and leave it alone so it can self level.

Apply a thin, even coat. Most surfaces will benefit from several coats. Allow coating to dry at least one hour between coats.

6. Any missed areas or thin areas can be rewiped after 1st coat is dry. Most surfaces will benefit from application of 2 coats. ON RAW STEEL, 3 TO 4 COATS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT RUST and CORROSION.

That's it. NO rubbing, NO buffing, Let dry & enjoy the beautiful, new looking, easy to maintain surface. Dirt, dust will not penetrate into the new finish and will be much easier to keep clean.

Note: The Everbrite Coating will dry to the touch in 5 - 25 minutes (depending on temperature and which Everbrite Coating is used). The coated surface cleans up fast with just soap and water. Indefinitely maintainable. Curing can be speeded up by heat. Use dryer, low temperature oven or heat lamps to speed curing process AFTER the coating is dried. ProtectaClear cures very quickly leaving NO residual smell after just 30-45 minutes.

If scratched, simply clean area and touch up - the Coating will blend to itself.

Everbrite Products are not sold in stores but can be shipped directly to you by UPS or US Post Office. Shop 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year on our Secure Online Store or Call us Toll-Free Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m. Pacific Time except major holidays.

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