General Surface Preparation Procedures

Proper surface preparation is the single most important factor in the success of a Convoy application. No matter what type of surface, it must be perfectly free of dirt, oils, and greases.

Removing Oil, Grease, and Dirt
Minor concentrations of oil and grease can be removed with a solution of our #910 Washing Compound (or trisodium phosphate) and water. Mix 8 oz. of compound to each gallon of warm water. A gallon of solution should clean about 400 square feet of surface. After cleaning, test with scotch tape. If it sticks, the surface is oil free.

Oil Soaked Concrete
Whenever concrete is soaked with oil (i.e., garage floor), it is necessary to remove all oil prior to applying Convoy. Removing only the oil on the immediate surface is temporary as the oil beneath the surface will continue to migrate upward, creating an adhesion barrier.

Oil soaked concrete can be cleaned using our #850 Oil Gone or equivalent oil remover. It may be necessary to soak the surface several times with Oil Gone mixed with sawdust to draw the oil to the surface. When a blotter (paper towel, etc.) can be weighted down on the floor overnight without discoloration, oils have been sufficiently removed.

Preparation of Concrete
Remove dirt, grease and oils, as described above. At that point it is best to acid etch concrete. Acid etching with muriatic acid will open millions of tiny pores and permit penetration of Convoy, greatly improving adhesion.

To acid etch the surface, mix one part acid with one part water in a plastic bucket. (Note: To avoid eye injury, always pour acid into water. Never pour water into acid and always wear protective eyewear.) Liberally brush the acid solution on the surface. The acid will bubble on the concrete when applied. When the effervescence ceases, rinse the solution off with clear water. The surface should feel like fine sand-paper when properly etched. Then wash the etched surface with a solution of #910 Washing Compound (trisodium phosphate) to neutralize any remaining traces of acid. Rinse off with clear water, let dry, and the concrete is in perfect condition to apply Convoy.

Preparation of Metal Other Than Aluminum
Remove all dirt, oil, and grease. Remove rust with #970 Rust Remover. Rust may also be removed with an electric buffer equipped with a coarse garnet sanding disc. After cleaning, if the metal surface is polished or unusually slick, it is difficult for the primer to secure adequate adhesion. For best adhesion, these slick surfaces should be marred or scratched with an electric sander equipped with coarse carborundum type paper. Be sure all metal dust is brushed or vacuumed away prior to application of primer.

Preparation of Aluminum
Preparation of aluminum is similar to metal. After thoroughly cleaning and degreasing, aluminum should be scarified by sanding with heavy grit paper. This will help create a strong mechanical bond.

Application of Convoy

Convoy non-slip coatings can be applied by brush or roller. The easiest method of application is to use a 9" roller equipped with a 1/4" cover or our textured “frieze” type roller cover. Pour Convoy on the surface and “roll it out”. Be sure to adequately cover the surface to be coated. Spraying Convoy is not recommended, although a person experienced with this type product and the necessary equipment could successfully spray apply Convoy.

Application on Concrete
Convoy II, Super Convoy and Super “X” Convoy may be applied to concrete without any primer. However, on unusually porous concrete, two coats of Convoy II may be required.

Application on Wood
One coat of #310 Wood Primer should be applied to bare wood before applying Convoy II. Super “X” Convoy and Super Convoy require no primer.

Application on Metal Other Than Aluminum
After cleaning of metal, the surface should receive one coat of #309 Convoy Metal Primer. When applying Super Convoy and Super “X” Convoy, one coat of #219 Epoxy Metal Primer is recommended.

Application on Aluminum
After cleaning, the surface should receive one coat of primer. Use #309 Metal Primer prior to application of Convoy II. When using Super “X” Convoy or Super Convoy, apply one coat of #215 Bonderite Metal Primer.

Application on Previously Painted Surfaces
Convoy II, Super Convoy and Super “X” Convoy will adhere to other paints which are well bonded to the substrate. When the old paint is peeling or scaling then all loose or poorly bonded paint must be removed. Remove old loose paint (slightly peeling) with an electric buffer equipped with a coarse sanding disc. Where widespread peeling exists, a complete paint removal job is recommended. Where paint remover or a caustic solution is used, the surface must be scrubbed with #910 Washing Compound (or trisodium phosphate), as described earlier, to remove cleaning contaminants. Any bare surfaces should be appropriately primed. Any gloss surface should be sanded.