This document is a guideline for refinishing bathtubs with Zirlon.
ZIRLON IS FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY
1. Discuss charges with customer. Items to be covered: color, additional fill
for acid damage, removal of adhesive strips, leaky faucets and chip repair.
2. Have customer sign authorization
form.
3. Place drop cloths and
cover all areas surrounding the bathtub and any area that could be affected
by etch or overspray. Place a bag lined garbage can in the work area.
4. Place ventilating fan
in window (exhaust out) If no window is available use flex duct attachment.
Check for potential hazards in the exhaust zone. Cover plants and other surfaces
as needed to protect from fumes and overspray.
5. Remove loose caulking
with 4" scraper. All silicone must be completely removed and sanded at
intersections to ensure that trace residues are no longer present. Double check
these areas with a fresh new razor blade. If any traces are found re-sand the
areas. Remember bathtub coatings cannot bond to silicone residue.
6. Use Ajax and a red pad
to clean soap residue from the Bathtub surface.
7. Put protective respirator
mask with fresh cartridges , gloves and eye protection on.
8. Paint etching solution
on slowly over the entire bathtub surface, scrub the etch with a red pad for
15 minutes until you feel a drag resistance while moving the pad across the
surface. DO NOT DRIP OR SPLATTER THE ETCH ONTO SURROUNDING SURFACES. If spillage
occurs wipe it up immediately. If skin contact occurs rinse with cool water
for 15 minutes. Get medical attention if needed.
9. Rinse and scrub the etching
solution off with lots of water to suspend the etch residue.
10. Dry the bathtub surface
using paper towels and check for white powder etch residue using a fresh razor
blade. Also check for shinny areas. If either is found re-etch the areas and
repeat checks.
11. Fill discrepancies (chips etc.) with polyester filler. Sand filler until smooth, look for low spots or pits. If found reapply filler.
12. Apply masking paper
to surrounding areas and bathtub drain. Make sure there are no gaps and the
tape is securely adhered. Place and tape a baggie over the bathtub spout to
prevent water from dripping onto the Bathtub surface.
13. Mix 50/50 water and
acetone. Wipe the entire bathtub surface to remove any residue and skin oil
from hand contact. Using the index finger, drag the finger tip along various
areas of the tub and check finger for evidence of white powder deposit on finger
tip. Repeat until no residue is found. Final wipe entire surface with
straight acetone. Caution Zirlon is particularily sensitive to surface
residue and will fracture away from any remaining residue
14. Stir Zirlon white accelerator
until pigment is uniformly dispersed before mixing Mix equal parts of Zirlon
and Zirlon white accelerator together .
15. Set up compressor and
spray unit. Slowly poor the mixed components into the cup or pot.
16. Do one last check of
tape, drop cloth and ventilating fan. Inform the customer that you are preparing
to begin spraying and that no one is allowed in the bathroom while spraying
takes place. Also inform customer that there will be fumes in the exhaust zone
so they will need to keep pets and children out of the zone.
17. Put on respirator mask
and gloves and tack the Bathtub surface using a surgical blue tac rag to remove
any dust.
18. Spray the mixed Zirlon
2 light passes or until completely covered with color. DO NOT SPRAY TO THICK.
Conserve your material, Don’t worry about making the surface shiny during
the color application, only focus on making sure the surface is covered completely.
The gloss will be created by the clear coat.
19. Pour remaining Zirlon
into a sealable container. Pot life is 3 hours and mixture can be refrigerated
or placed in an ice chest to preserve leftover material for 4 days if needed.
It is not necessary to clean the gun pot at this time, do wipe the gun nozzle
and orifices.
20. Allow the white or colored
coat to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
Spraying the Zirlon Clear Coat:
21. Mix the Zirlon and Zirlon
clear accelerator 1 to 1 equal parts. Pour the Zirlon Clear Coat into the spray
gun and put respirator and gloves on. Apply 1 to 2 coats back to back to ensure
a wet edge. DO NOT APPLY TO MUCH COATING OR IT WILL SAG. If sags occur correct
with foam brush immediately, do not wipe more than once or the finish beneath
will wrinkle. Use plenty of light and check bathtub surface reflection
for smoothness and apply additional coating if dry or dull. If debris is found
remove with tweezers. The coating and color is easily disturbed and will not
flow back together like conventional coatings, if more finish is needed in small
touchup areas, apply mixed Zirlon white with an airbrush or prevale unit followed
by mixed Zirlon clear coat. DO NOT USE A BRUSH FOR TOUCH UPS UNLESS IT HAS CURED
FOR 24 HOURS.
(Caulking can be applied after 30 to 45 minutes minutes depending on
temperature).
Allow 24 hours for finish
coat to dry before exposing to moisture and instruct customer not to store soap
and shampoo bottles on the ledges and horizontal surfaces for 7 days as this
can damage the finish proir to 7 days.
22. Thoroughly clean spray
gun with Acetone. Break down equipment except for ventilating fan. Remove all
items drop cloths, tools and equipment from the work area. Remove the masking
paper and tape slowly pilling up and away from the finish. Apply caulking. Do
not remove baggy from tub spout or shower head to prevent water damage.
23. Remove ventilating system
and inform the customer you are finished. Explain the 5 year warranty (which
covers peeling and delamination ) and care to the customer. When the customer
is satisfied present the invoice and collect payment.
If a Zirlon refinished bathtub
needs to be recoated it can be done after 24 hours and indefinitely there after
without sanding. The surface must be thoroughly clean and dry and completely
free of any soap residue before application.
Non slip application
Prepare bathtub to the spray ready state. Mask an area where non slip is to
be applied and mix Zirlon and white accelerator with the desired amount of non
slip additive and roll mixture (do not over roll to prevent shedding) onto the
masked area. Once you are satisfied with the texture, remove masking and immediately
begin spraying the entire bathtub.