Quick tips for using Clean Armor products:
- MOST IMPORTANT TIP: "When you see what you like... shine the light". Do not cure the product until you see the look you want, curing will lock it in place!
- APPLICATION: All sealers and clear topcoats can be brushed, rolled, wiped or sprayed on.
- SPRAYING: It is recommended that you use between a 0.8-1.3 tip and a pressure setting of 16-35 psi. These finishes need to be finely atomized, due to having 100% solids. Fine atomization spray equipment is recommended. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use.
- WIPING: It is recommended to use a stain pad or a lint free cloth when applying by hand. A lint free fine nap roller can be used, but we don’t recommend foam rollers or foam brushes (as they can inject air bubbles into the finish). If you see air bubbles appear, continue to hand wipe (and/or self level) until you achieve a clear appearance.
- THINNING: Can be thinned with IPA (isopropyl alcohol 91-99) up to 20%. Do not use denatured alcohol.
- TEMPERATURE: For best results, Clean Armor finishes should be used at a temperature between 70°-110°F.
- AGITATION: Satin and matte sheens should be shaken weekly to avoid settling.
- SANDING: Between coats, start with a 320 grit or finer. Course, low grit sandpaper doesn’t work well on these finishes.
- SELF LEVELING: These finishes are self leveling. They will stay “open” for as long as you’d like, until you cure them with sunlight or the appropriate LED light (CUVO is recommended).
- CURING: These finishes will not dry on their own. The recommended method of curing is to use a CUVO light indoors. Clean Armor finishes will cure in 2 minutes with the proper wavelength (365-405 nanometers). CUVO lighting operates at this wavelength and was designed to cure these products. CUVO offers handheld lights and hangable 4’ bar lights; both types having a 110 plug. Indirect and direct sunlight will also cure these finishes. It is important that the entire applied surface sees the light at the same time to ensure proper curing. It is not recommended to cure in sections.
- CURING LIGHT DISTANCE: Adjust the distance of your curing lights to achive a tack-free through-cure at 2 minutues exposure. If you are curing in under 1 minute the lights are too close and can cause accellerated curing of the material which can lead to micro-bubbles or can disturb the look of the applied film. The look or profile of the wet film should be subtantially the same after curing at the recommended rate.
- COVERAGE: 1 quart of these finishes will cover 402 sq ft when applied at 1 mil thickness, and 1 gallon will cover 1608 sq ft when applied at 1 mil thickness.
- TESTING: We recommend that you test the application and curing of all Clean Armor products on test pieces, before applying them on a real project piece. Become familiar with how they work, first.
- LONGEVITY: Clean Armor finishes will last up to 1 ½ years in the bottle, with no light exposure. Keep the lid on while you are working! Keep open materials away from indirect sunlight (such as windows and open doors).
- LIGHTING TEST: To test the existing lighting in your workspace, place 1 inch of coating in a clear, plastic cup and sit it in the middle of your workspace. Check it every 10-20 minutes to see if the coating has cured. This will tell you if your current lighting will prematurely cure these finishes as you are working on a project.
- PPE: Wear the same PPE as you currently wear when using a solvent system. Always wear nitrile gloves.
General information about Clean Armor products:
- We recommend reading the SDS and TDS on each product before use.
- When applying Clean Armor products, you will use 3-4 times less than your conventional products while completing your projects in record time!
- No VOC’s; a 100% solids system (what you apply is what you keep after the cure); nonhazardous.
- All clear topcoats are available in gloss, satin, or matte sheens.
- All products within the same product line may be mixed to create custom sheen levels