HAVE YOUR STORAGE DOORS LOST THEIR LUSTER?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EVERBRITE™?  

EVERBRITE™ Protective Coating is a unique, crystal-clear coating used to refinish and restore your faded doors and metal buildings.  In addition to restoring a “like-new" appearance, EVERBRITE™ will protect your valuable property from sun fading, salt air oxidation, moisture damage, tarnish, acid rain and other damaging elements. It is a homogenous, one part coating so there is nothing to mix.  It has an indefinite shelf life in a closed container so there is no waste.  EVERBRITE™ is a thin and flexible coating so it will not chip, crack or peel when the metal flexes or the doors roll up. 

Why not just repaint metal buildings and rollup doors?

In many cases, metal doors and buildings are repainted simply because they have become dull and faded.  Refinishing with EVERBRITE™ Protective Coating is less expensive and achieves more permanent results than repainting.  When the paint fails, more paint is not the answer. Exterior metal that is repainted will rarely rival the original baked-on finish in sheen or quality and because of the chemical make-up of paint, exterior metal that has been repainted begins to age almost immediately. Just repainting metal cannot protect against salt air corrosion or acid rain damage and may crack, peel, blister, chip and ruin the look of your property. Unless it is absolutely necessary to paint, it is much better to refinish the baked-on finish.  If your doors or metal buildings are already repainted, you can seal them with EVERBRITE™ and protect them against moisture, salt and sun damage.  Our process will not interrupt day-to-day operations of your business. Unlike paint, EVERBRITE™ dries very quickly allowing your tenants access to their units in just minutes.

Does applying EVERBRITE™ require special tools or expertise?

We have complete illustrated directions at: http://www.everbrite.net/refinish_rollup_doors.htm

The secret to a successful EVERBRITE™ application is making sure the surface is completely cleaned—free of oxidation, dirt, grease, silicone, wax and moisture.  First, the metal surfaces should be scrubbed with EZPrep Concentrated Cleaner to remove chalk, oxidation and any oil or grease.  Severe oxidation, stains and marks should be removed by using Tuff Prep™ Cleanser. Soft bristled brushes work best.  Application of the EVERBRITE™ Coating can be done with most any commercially available compressed air or airless sprayer equipped with a fine finish tip. For smaller areas EVERBRITE™ can be applied with a lint-free white cloth, wax applicator or a high-density foam roller. For touch-ups and corners, aerosol cans are available. 

Can I use a pressure washer to clean my doors?

We don’t generally recommend pressure-washing doors because pressure washers alone do not adequately remove oxidation and there is the risk of forced water entry into the storage unit and the potential for damage to stored goods.  Customers normally have their stuff in cardboard boxes stacked within inches of the door, and care must be taken not to get water into the units.  Most seals on storage doors will not keep water out if a stream is sprayed into the “C" channel.  Care must be taken not to spray water in the edges or in the opening above the door.  

Can’t I just clean the doors?

New doors and buildings can be maintained by simply cleaning with EZ Prep™ and water. Once the doors are faded, just cleaning the metal will not bring back the shine and color.  If you clean doors or metal buildings and don’t seal or protect the surface, it will soon fade or chalk again.  Once the doors are sealed with EVERBRITE™, they will not only look new again but will be much easier to keep clean as well.

Do I have to mask-off door hardware and locks?

No, EVERBRITE™ will not damage or compromise metal hardware or locks.  In fact, EVERBRITE™ will protect the locks and hardware from rust and corrosion as well.

At what temperature can EVERBRITE™ be applied?

EVERBRITE™ Protective Coating can be applied in temperatures from approximately 40º F up to 100º F.  More important than the air temperature is the temperature of the metal.  On very cool days, you may want to work on the metal on the sun side to avoid runs or sags. On warm days, working in the shade is better so the coating can self-level before drying. It is not advisable to apply the coating on metal that is too hot to keep your hand on it for more than a few seconds.

If applying to vertical services, watch for runs or sags if applying between 40º and 50ºF.  If you get sags, simply wipe them out with an applicator or clean, white, lint free rag damp with EVERBRITE™.   At 70 degrees Fahrenheit, EVERBRITE™ dries to the touch in about 5 to 10 minutes.

What about cleanup?

Clean-up is with soap and water for hands and xylene or lacquer thinner for equipment. Small spills can be wiped up or absorbed with absorbent materials.   

I have lighter blotches on my doors? What causes this? How can it be fixed? 

The original paint on your metal buildings and doors is baked on in the factory.  Many times when your doors are put up, touchup paint that matches the color of your doors is used by the contractor to cover any scratches.  At the time it is touched up, it matches very well but non-baked on paint will oxidize faster and blotches can appear where the touch up paint fades faster than the original baked on paint.  Refinishing with EVERBRITE™ will bring back the faded color and your doors will match once more.

Can I hire someone to apply EVERBRITE™ to my doors?

Yes. There are a number of contractors around the country with EVERBRITE™ application experience. We will be happy to get you a contracting bid for your property.

Are there problem situations that EVERBRITE™ cannot help?

EVERBRITE™ cannot help if the surface is already too damaged to be restored.  For example, once salt air oxidation is so bad that the metal is extremely pitted or rusted, or if there is no paint left on the surface.  Peeling paint must be repaired prior to being coated with EVERBRITE™ Protective Coating.  It is best to protect property prior to extreme damage. 

Is EVERBRITE™ just for doors?

No. Any surface that is subject to oxidation, corrosion, fading or discoloration is a candidate for EVERBRITE™. This includes metal buildings, roofs, gutters, metal trim, gate boxes, gates, bollards, signs and much more. 

Is EVERBRITE™ toxic to breathe or touch?  Is it flammable?

While we recommend that a NIOSH/MSHS respirator be used during spray applications and that skin contact be avoided, EVERBRITE™ is considered non-toxic and safe when used as directed. Once dry, EVERBRITE™ is food safe, potable water safe and medical safe.  And unlike some other coatings, EVERBRITE™ is NOT flammable and is safe to store at your facility.

How do I know what I need to refinish my doors or metal buildings?

If you count your doors, we will be happy to help figure out exactly what you need. One gallon of Everbrite will restore about 17 to 20 large (8'x8') doors. We have a chart to help figure out what you need at: http://www.everbrite.net/how__much.html.  If you want to try EVERBRITE™ first, we have a Starter Kit which will refinish about 3 to 4 large doors.  The Starter kit also includes nitrile gloves, an applicator and an informative “how-to" video in VHS or CD-Rom format. We also have Campbell-Hausfeld sprayers available. Click here to order a kit today or call us Toll-Free at 800-304-0566.

What about the doors inside the hallways?  They get dusty and grimy and are hard to keep clean?

Everbrite has a new One-Step Waterless Clean and Protect in an aerosol can which is perfect for keeping dusty and grimy interior doors clean and protected.  One problem with cleaning inside doors with water is that if the water spills onto the floor, it can go inside the units where your customers have cardboard boxes just inches from the doors.  Interior doors do not normally have the protection from water that exterior doors have.  Just spray on the door and wipe with a cloth to clean and wax all in one step.