APPLICATION NOTES Issue Date Replaces Date
July 2018
Epotec NT (New Technology) Please read and follow the information below to gain a quality, long lasting result. If any questions contact COTEC on 09 837 0897. Or refer Web Site: Cotec.co.nz for after hours numbers. Epotec NT, is a solvent less epoxy pool coating which when applied correctly can be expected to last 5 – 10 years, depending on the pool usage profile and chemical balance. 1. Materials Needed: Products: Epotec NT 5Kg and 1 Kg Packs are available, in selected colours and sufficient material to do the complete application. Concrete WB Sealer (if needed, see below) Surface preparation: (see details below) Hydrochloric acid, Ardex Tile grouts, Holdfast Epoxy Filler, Selleys Aqua Kneed it. Wet and Forget mould treatment. Equipment: Submersible pump, (hire or buy), hoses. Buckets, broom, Vacuum cleaner, masking tape. Brushes: 20 – 50 mm wide for cutting in, good quality, Rollers 8 – 12 mm nap for oil – solvent based paints, 270mm or more in width, good quality. Rough surfaces use 15 – 20 mm or more nap. For corners use 70 mm width. Roller trays. Roller handles. Overalls, gloves and protective goggles, enclosed clean soled shoes, barrier cream. Electric drill and paddle or paint mixer. Spatula. I R Thermometer for surface temperature check in cooler months 2. Surface Preparation: All surfaces to be coated need to be clean, dry and stable. New Concrete or render; Allow to cure correctly 7 days min, 28 days better. Wash and then apply 10% solution of Hydrochloric acid, keep wet and rinse off completely when frizzing stops. Allow to dry.
Any technical advice contained herein or given verbally is based on knowledge or tests believed to be reliable and is offered as a helpful suggestion only. Since methods and conditions of application are beyond our control, our liability is limited to any defect in quality or lack of fitness for the specified use of the paint. This liability is limited to the return of the purchase price if a written claim is made within 14 days of the problem being identified.
Old bare Concrete, Render, Marblesheen, Pebblecrete or Quazton type surfaces:
Thoroughly wash with water blaster and (alkali) detergent to remove all (body) fats, oils, dirt etc. For Marblesheen, score a 4 inch nail across the surface in several locations. It should not score deeply. If it does the Marblesheen may be too soft to sustain a long lasting coated finish and it should be removed and re rendered first. Check all surfaces, removing any damaged, drummy areas. Repair with suitable materials such as Ardex Tile grouts, Davco Tile grouts (Tilemax), Holdfast epoxy, Masterenaco N5100 (Allnex) etc. Allow repair materials to cure correctly. If any mould present before, treat all effected surfaces late in the day, with Wet and Forget, or similar. Allow to react overnight and then rinse off. Old painted surfaces:
Test paint first to see what type. Use 2 pack thinners (Epotec 107 Thinners, Xylol or Acetone) and soak a knot of a white rag or several clumped paper towels. Apply to painted surface to wet it out for 20 seconds. Remove and see if paint is sticky to touch. If so then it’s Chlorinated Rubber, if no reaction or softens it’s probably acrylic. Epoxy does not react. To test for acrylic, repeat above procedure, but use Meths (Methylated Sprits). If sticky and paint on rag/towel, its acrylic. No reaction, its epoxy. Chlorinated Rubber Paint: It needs be completely (95%) removed, by ultra high pressure water blasting, grit, soda blasting or mechanical means. Then treat as for Old Concrete above. Acrylic: must be completely removed, as per Chlorinated Rubber, then treat as for Old Concrete above. Epoxy: maybe left, but minimum heavy sand with #40 – 60 paper, then treat as for Old Concrete above.
Fibreglass surfaces ( Inc Spas) Thoroughly wash with water blaster and detergent to remove all (body) fats, oils, dirt etc. Check all surfaces, removing any damaged areas.(Osmosis, contact Cotec for specific information). Repair with suitable materials such as Holdfast or Selleys Aqua Kneed it, epoxy. Allow repair materials to cure correctly.
Any technical advice contained herein or given verbally is based on knowledge or tests believed to be reliable and is offered as a helpful suggestion only. Since methods and conditions of application are beyond our control, our liability is limited to any defect in quality or lack of fitness for the specified use of the paint. This liability is limited to the return of the purchase price if a written claim is made within 14 days of the problem being identified.
Note: Many fibreglass resins include a wax which will rise to the surface and prevent good adhesion of Epotec NT. Its vital this is removed by a complete fibreglass cure then followed by a thorough sand, using #80 grit. If the surface is well aged (several years) then the wax will have been eroded away. All cleaned and prepped surfaces need to be at least lightly sanded ( #100) to provide a profile for good adhesion of the Epotec NT.
3. Weather Conditions for application: Apply coatings when weather is dry for several days and no dew or rain expected. Damp surfaces (not wet), with rising temperature is acceptable. A warm, sunny, low wind day is best. Ambient temperature at application should be 15 – 25 C. Do not apply any coatings if pool surface temperature is at or within 4 – 6 hours after application, going to fall below 13 C. , as curing – drying will stop. If applied on surfaces below 13 C or that fall below 13C during the curing period, curing will slow significantly. It will restart once the temp rises above this figure. However the surface maybe effected with white blooming, (dew, rain). If not acceptable result, then sand and apply another coat, once the temperature - weather is suitable. Use non-contact I R Thermometer to check surface temperatures. Always apply in the morning, Summer between 6 – 10 am and Winter 9 – 12 noon. Make sure coatings have ample time to cure – dry, before night falls. 4. Application: Bare Concrete and render type, including ANY absorbent surfaces. These will require the application of 1 or 2 coats of Concrete WB Sealer. Painted surfaces, any bare areas should be coated with Concrete WB Sealer, so as to provide a uniform surface to apply the Epotec NT to. If need to, you can apply 1 coat Concrete WB sealer to most, if not all cleaned surfaces, as too many small bare absorbent areas to spot prime. Fibreglass and sound and continuous coated surfaces, do not require any primer. NOTE: Any repaired and new Fibreglass repairs should be left for 4 – 7 days and thoroughly sanded (#40 – 60) to remove all residues of wax and unreacted styrene from the repairs. If not, loss of Epotec NT adhesion is likely.
Any technical advice contained herein or given verbally is based on knowledge or tests believed to be reliable and is offered as a helpful suggestion only. Since methods and conditions of application are beyond our control, our liability is limited to any defect in quality or lack of fitness for the specified use of the paint. This liability is limited to the return of the purchase price if a written claim is made within 14 days of the problem being identified.
Sealer Coat; Coverage Rate: (mixed product inc water) Rough, very absorbent surfaces Medium surfaces Smooth, light wood float finish
5 – 8 sq M / L / Coat 8 – 12 Sq M/ L / Coat 12 – 15 sq M / L / Coat
Working- Pot life: 30 – 60 mins, (60 mins at 20 C), do not use when it thickens up. Concrete WB sealer, add all of Part B Hardener into the Part A, Resin container, and hand mix with paddle for several minutes until well mixed. Then add potable water to near the top of the container, and remix. Immediately put into roller tray and start application to clean, dry sound surfaces, with a roller and brush to cut in. A further 10 -15 % more potable water may be added to aid application. Goes on milky white, dries clear. Allow to cure overnight. Recoat maybe undertaken in 4 – 6 hours if hard and not sticky to touch. If recoating after 48 hours of application, sand lightly. Apply second coat, if first coat not covering all surfaces. Epotec NT Colour Coat: Coverage Rates: Rough, sealed surfaces Medium surfaces Smooth, light wood float finish
4 – 4.5 sq M / kg / Coat 5 – 5.5 sq M/ kg / Coat 6 sq M / kg/ Coat
20 sq M /5 kg pack /coat 25 sq M /5 kg pack /coat 30 sq M /5 kg pack /coat
Working Life: NOTE: keep Epotec NT cool the night before using and after mixing, ideally about 15 C. This will extend working life. Do not use when starts to go stringy. Has a strong exotherm, up to 80 C, if left in large mixed mass and will rapidly accelerate its cure. Conservative times below, aim to work with in them. 15 C 20 C 30 C
1 hour 45 mins 30 mins
Any technical advice contained herein or given verbally is based on knowledge or tests believed to be reliable and is offered as a helpful suggestion only. Since methods and conditions of application are beyond our control, our liability is limited to any defect in quality or lack of fitness for the specified use of the paint. This liability is limited to the return of the purchase price if a written claim is made within 14 days of the problem being identified.
Note: There is a summer grade (slower) Hardener available for high ambient temperature situations. Note: It’s possible you will need to use another roller tray and roller sleeves if material “goes off” in the tray or roller, between pack applications. Do not apply material, if its temperature much below 15C as will be too thick to get correct coverage rates. Adding thinners will not help. Check colour and batch number to get uniform results. Add all of Part B Hardener into the Part A, Resin container, and slow speed power mix with paddle for several minutes until well mixed. Make sure all material at sides and bottom is mixed, if not poor or incomplete curing will result. Do not entrain air. Apply to prepared, clean (sealed if need be) dry surfaces. Immediately pour into roller tray and use, NO induction/activation time needed. Add up to 2 – 3 % Epotec Thinners 107 (if needed only) to aid application. Too much thinners will cause runs on vertical surfaces and also allow it to spread out too far, meaning too thin for a long life. Apply in “H” pattern to selected areas of about 1 – 1.5 sq M at a time, working it onto the surface, and getting a uniform thickness. Nominal thickness per coat wet is 150 – 200 u. Use wet paint film gauge to check often. Lay off in one direction to create uniform finish. (Means roll toward or away from you, not back and forth) Allow to cure overnight. (Between coats), maximum 72 hours after which it will need a light sand with #80 paper, before applying the next coat. Apply at least 2 coats to all surfaces and 3 or 4 coats to high wear areas, such as the shallow end, steps, swim outs and ledges, for maximum life. Maybe airless sprayed, but not recommended. Contact COTEC for details. Note: Epotec NT cures to a depth of 2+ mm and thus may be used a non-moving gap – depression filler and levelling material. If using for this, the first coat (after any sealer) maybe used in this manner. Allow extra time to through cure, before applying subsequent coats. Any technical advice contained herein or given verbally is based on knowledge or tests believed to be reliable and is offered as a helpful suggestion only. Since methods and conditions of application are beyond our control, our liability is limited to any defect in quality or lack of fitness for the specified use of the paint. This liability is limited to the return of the purchase price if a written claim is made within 14 days of the problem being identified.
Wash up: Remove any wet material (on surfaces not to be coated) before it cures. Use rag dipped in Epotec Thinners 107. If allowed to cure it will be hard to remove, and may require mechanical means. If product on skin, use detergent cleaner to remove before it sets. Putting into service: Allow the coating to dry for 7 – 9 days in winter and 5 – 7 days in summer, before filling pool. Fill with potable water and after 24 hours add pool water chemicals, dissolving them in a bucket of pool water each time and pouring into the pool, as you walk around. Have the pump on. DO NOT dump pool chemicals including salt, into the pool as staining may result. See the associated Publication “Maintaining your Pool Water and Coating for Maximum Life”, for more comprehensive details.
Empty Containers etc The Epotec NT and Concrete WB sealer containers should be re sealed and disposed of safely in accord with local waste requirements. Brushes and rollers, the same.
Any technical advice contained herein or given verbally is based on knowledge or tests believed to be reliable and is offered as a helpful suggestion only. Since methods and conditions of application are beyond our control, our liability is limited to any defect in quality or lack of fitness for the specified use of the paint. This liability is limited to the return of the purchase price if a written claim is made within 14 days of the problem being identified.