Sealant Information for Marine
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UV, salt and moisture are the combined enemies of any marine surface. The reaction on GRP and painted surfaces has caused much trouble over the years and led owners to spend considerable amounts of time and money on repairing the damages.
Fading and a dry powder effect are not only ugly to see, but cause the surface to become porous and hard to maintain, finally even let through water to fibreglass and steel below the paint or gelcoat.
Dulux Laboratories in Auckland tested SealX and some competitors for over 100 hrs (the equivalent of about 6 years outdoors in NZ) under a harsh UVB light. Only the SealX coated surfaces were still defined as “hydrophobic” after the test. Even on 3D sails!
SealX seals the surface long-term against UV, fading, water, everyday pollution, oxidization, and most industrial fallout resulting in a smooth glossy finish and prolonging the life of today’s paints and gel coats.
The same sealant can be used on all car paints, gelcoat, painted fibre glass, bathroom and galley plastics and porcelain, Perspex, Plexiglass, stainless steel (against fingerprints), Glass, Carbon Fibre, powder coated surfaces, painted and varnished wood, leather and enamel..
Lifespan
Properly prepared SealX Sealant should typically protect a motorcarravan up to 2 years. One year check up is recommended. Chemicals used on the roof, chafing tarps and tents and old age of the substrate can contribute to a shorter life span. The best solution is to protect the van from new or after it’s just been painted.
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For boats and yachts it is important to remove all old wax, diesel grime, oil and soot plus all other pollutants prior to applying the sealant.
The coating will only be as good as it’s preparation.
Dull or scratched surfaces will want a “cut” which is best done by an applicator or trained technician. If you choose to do the cutting yourself, be sure not to spin the machine any faste than 1300 RMP and keep the surface slighly damp. ALWAYS keep moving the machine, never use the edge of the buffing pad.
Try to work out of the sun, plan your day so both you and the surface you work with on is preferably in the shade. Wash off dry salt chrystals or sand on the surface or you could cause nasty scratch mark.
Make sure you are safe on the scaffolding ! For the cutting process, a ladder alone might not be safe enough.
The deeper you fall, the bigger the mess !!
The sealant is there to make the preparation result. Once the coating has cured it can only be removed with chemicals i.e. Acetone, Meth Spirit or wax-and-grease remover. Be careful not to damage the surface underneath when trying to take off the sealant.
The coating needs no particular wash or shampoo, but it should be PH neutral. Various brands offer that type of wash and we at SealX have one at hand for you as well.
The coating cures for 3 days before it is totally hard. While rain and using the boat is no problem right after the application, please refrain from using a washing brush for the first time. Hosing it with water will probably all you need to do anyway!
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- Thoroughly clean the surface, preferably with SealX Primer. “Cut” surface if dull or faded.
- Spray a light fog of SealX onto the surface.
- Alternatively apply SealX thinly with a dry soft cloth.
- Allow to dry for a couple of minutes.
- Buff off lightly with a dry cloth to a shine.
- Buff off with damp cloth if you experience smear marks remaining.
- To wash the surface later, please use just water or ph-neutral liquid.
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- Keep away from children.
- Do not smoke while using the liquids.
- Allow adequate ventilation.
- Avoid breathing spray.
- No significant hazard.
