FAQ

Everbrite and ProtectaClear coatings restore and protect ferrous and non-ferrous metals,painted metals, alloys, anodized aluminum, polished metals, plated metals, as well as seal and protect rusted metal and metals with patinas. Everbrite coatings also protect woods, hard plastics, vinyl, fiberglass & other substrates.

Everbrite coatings are not cross-linked and can be maintained indefinitely. These unique, crystal clear coatings are easily removable, repairable, and are self annealing. They are thin, tough, durable, and practically invisible, allowing the beauty of metal to show through.

Everbrite Coatings restore the color and luster to dull, faded substrates and have excellent protection properties to shield metals from UV, salts, moisture, corrosion, acid rain and rust. The length of time between repair and/or re-coating depends on the substrate, amount of use, and exposure to the elements. For example, a polished railing in constant use will need more attention than curtain wall.

• Everbrite and ProtectaClear are one-part, clear, protective coatings made up of a blend of polymer resins in a solvent base with additives to protect metals from oxidation and UV.
• There are several formulations of each coating; formulations that can be mailed by air and formulations that are low-VOC and comply with even the most stringent environmental regulations. These low-VOC formulations are considered ‘green’ coatings.
• Available in a Natural gloss finish as well as Satin and Matte finishes.
• Both Everbrite and ProtectaClear have excellent adhesion on all types of metal and some types of plastics, vinyls and other substrates. Excellent adhesion on even highly polished metals with no loss of gloss.
• They are homogenous, one-part coatings so there is nothing to mix and the coatings will not separate. The additives in the Satin and Matte finish can settle and need to be mixed before application.
• Everbrite is suitable for internal or external use as a non-toxic, anti-corrosion protection for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, galvanized, anodized and painted surfaces. It can also be used on concrete, stone, wood and fiberglass.
• ProtectaClear is recommended for metal that gets a lot of use like railings, hardware, countertops or metal that gets a lot of handling.
• Everbrite coatings have indefinite shelf life in a closed container so there is no waste. Satin formulations can settle and need to be mixed completely before use.
• Everbrite and ProtectaClear are non-conductive coatings and will prevent corrosion caused by dis-similar metals.
• Everbrite and ProtectaClear will remain flexible so they will not chip, crack or peel. They will not discolor or yellow with exposure or heat.
• Everbrite will refinish faded surfaces and restore the original color and protect from sun fading, salt air oxidation, moisture damage, tarnish, acid rain and other damaging elements. ProtectaClear is a thinner coating that contains resins that are scratch resistant.
• Everbrite and ProtectaClear are self annealing, the coating will blend to itself and can be maintained indefinitely.
• Everbrite Coatings are NOT like lacquers or urathanes that will yellow and discolor with exposure to the sun.
• While other clear coats may be U.V.stable, many do not have the U.V. absorbers in them that protect the colors behind the coating like Everbrite. Everbrite has U.V. absorbers and Anti-oxidants to protect the metal or paint behind the clear coating from discoloration and corrosion.

• Sun can cause paint to fail, causing chalking and fading. Salt air can corrode metal causing rust and ugly corrosion. Acid rain can cause permanent damage to metal and stone. Metals like copper, brass, bronze will tarnish, stainless steel will rust and corrode.
• Everbrite refinishes faded and dull surfaces to look like new again and protect them against sun fading, salt air corrosion, acid rain, tarnishing, moisture and other damaging elements for years. Protected surfaces will be much easier to keep clean as dust and dirt cannot penetrate the paint or hang on the oxidation. Graffiti can be cleaned off of the protected surface and the paint will remain protected. Everbrite is formulated for exterior metal or painted metals as well as most interior metals as well. Use Everbrite on any metal that is exposed to alcohols, even hand sanitizers.
• ProtectaClear prevents tarnish and oxidation on plated metals, copper, brass, silver, anodized steel, stainless steel, etc. The metal must be polished or cleaned first, all traces of polish residue must be removed and then ProtectaClear can be applied to seal the surface. ProtectaClear is formulated for metal exposed to salts and chlorines and for metal that gets a lot of use like railings or jewelry. ProtectaClear has resins that are highly resistant to salts and chlorines. ProtectaClear keeps unpainted metal looking like it is freshly polished. Metal polished to a satin finish will retain the satin look.

• For painted surfaces or anodized aluminum, you can test the surface to see if it can be restored. Clean an area and observe it when it is clean and wet. If the color and luster come back when the surface is clean and wet, then that is how the surface will look refinished with Everbrite.

• Everbrite or ProtectaClear can be applied by painting on with a natural bristled or solvent rated brush, gliding it on with an applicator pad or a lint-free cloth, rolling on with a high-density foam roller, spraying on the coating or dipping the object into the coating.
• Refinishing with Everbrite Coatings is a simple 2 step process. First, the surface is cleaned and any polish or cleaner residue is removed. Second, the Coating is applied to refinish and protect the surface.
• Everbrite Coatings can be applied by rolling the coating on with high-density foam rollers, spraying, dipping, and painting on with a natural fiber brush or a poly sponge brush or simply applied on the surface with an applicator.
• Everbrite Coatings are one part coatings so there is nothing to mix. They are self leveling and are very easy to work with.

• Surfaces like metal siding or metal buildings or roofs can be power washed but hand scrubbing is recommended to remove chalk, dirt, any wax or grease, or any other contaminating or dirtying agents. Storage doors are normally hand washed because people have their cardboard boxes stacked right up to the edge of their space and the seals are not tight. Remove all chalk and oxidation, rinse well and make sure that water does not bead up on the surface. If it does, that means there is still soap or wax or oily residue on the surface. The water should sheet off of a painted surface and not bead up.
• Click here for cleaning directions for metal buildings and roll-up doors.
• Surfaces such as brass, silver, copper or other non painted metals should be cleaned or polished and must be neutralized if cleaned with an acid cleaner. Then the cleaned, neutralized metal should be wiped with xylene or denatured alcohol to insure all contaminates are removed. The solvent for the final wipe cannot be shipped from Everbrite and can be found at hardware stores. Xylene or Denatured Alcohol are clean solvents that do not contain oil or other substances. Lacquer thinner is not recommended because it can contain oils that can contaminate the surface.
• IF THE SURFACE IS CLEANED WITH AN ACID CLEANER, THE SURFACE MUST BE NEUTRALIZED BEFORE APPLYING THE COATING. Use EZ Prep Cleaner & Neutralizer or calcium carbonate or a baking soda wash to neutralize the acid. Water rinsing will not remove all of the acid. The acid can react with the solvent that is the carrier for the resin coating and will create problems such as black streaks.

• Everbrite and ProtectaClear have an indefinite shelf life in a closed container. Unlike 2 part coatings which are wasted if not used in a short time once mixed, there is nothing to mix. This means that if you get interrupted while applying the coating, simply pour the unused Coating back into the container, put the top on and you can resume where you left off at another time. ***Do not pour contaminated coating back into the original container. Do not allow the coating to freeze.

• On exterior applications on painted metal, Everbrite will need to be reapplied when the surface starts to look dull. Depending on the elements and U.V. exposure, this will be about 5 to 10 years. On homes where awnings or foliage shade the home, only the sides exposed to the sun would need to be refinished.
• On fiberglass, Everbrite will have to be reapplied every 1 to 3 years. The number of years of protection vary by the intensity of the damaging elements and use of the surface.
• On brass, copper, bronze, stainless steel etc. the length of time will depend on the usage and elements it is exposed to. On interior applications, the metal will not need re-application of ProtectaClear for many years unless it gets a lot of wear. (For example, copper sinks or counter-tops will need more frequent applications than lamps.)

• In many cases, metal surfaces are repainted simply because they have become dull and faded. Refinishing with Everbrite is less expensive, faster, easier and achieves more permanent results than repainting.
• Because many of the additives that used to make paint last (like lead) have been removed from paint, it will not last as long as it used to. Many times, paint will start to fade again in just a year. Saving your baked on paint or stopping the paint maintenance cycle with paint will save you many hours and dollars as well.

• Everbrite and ProtectaClear coatings can be applied in temperatures from approximately 40o F up to 100o F.
  The temperature of the metal is more important than the air temperature. Touch the metal with the back of your hand. If the metal is warm but not hot, the temperature is fine for application. If the metal is too hot, the solvents in the coating will flash off before the coating can self level.
• At 65°F air temperature, the metal can reach over 100°F in direct sunlight while in the shade, the metal will be around 75°F. DO NOT APPLY Everbrite or ProtectaClear on metal with TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 100°F. The coating will flash off before it can self level and will fail. If the metal is too hot to comfortably hold your hand on it for more than a few seconds, it is probably too hot for application of the coating.
• If applying to vertical services, watch for runs or sags if applying between 40o and 50oF or if the metal is cold to the touch. If you get sags, simply wipe them out with a applicator or clean, white, lint free rag wet with Everbrite. If you make a mistake, it can be fixed by removing the Everbrite with xylene and reapplying.
• The best temperature to spray in is over 50° F. If you spray vertical walls or doors at lower temperatures, watch very carefully for sags or drips as the coating will dry more slowly and can run down the surface. If this happens, simply wipe them out with an applicator wet with Everbrite or a solvent like xylene or denatured alcohol.
• Everbrite or ProtectaClear should not be applied if the temperature of the metal is above 100°F. If the surface is too hot, the coating will flash off before it has a chance to completely coat the surface. If you are spraying on a very warm day, it is best to NOT apply the coating in the direct sun where the temperature of the wall is too hot.

• Do NOT apply Everbrite or ProtectaClear to soft rubber or soft vinyl (like umbrellas or soft awnings) as the solvent can harm them. Solvents will release the plasticisors and the soft vinyl will stay sticky. Vinyl decals or door numbers are fine to coat. Test any plastic in an inconspicuous place first.
• Hard vinyl signs and vinyl siding have successfully been refinished with Everbrite. Always test a small inconspicuous area.

• Everbrite or ProtecaClear 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. It is best to protect property prior to extreme damage.
• Everbrite will prevent acid rain damage but nothing can fix it once the surface is etched and stained.

• If you mess up the application or get an Everbrite Coating on a surface that you didn’t mean to get it on like window glass, the coating can be removed with xylene or other solvents. Make sure to test an area of the surface to make sure that the solvent will not harm it.
• The coatings can also be removed with lacquer thinner but if the surface is to be re-coated, a final wipe with denatured alcohol or xylene is necessary to remove the oil in the lacquer thinner.