HOW TO APPLY

A Propspeed-certified Supervisor is required for all commercial Propspeed jobs to verify that the application is completed within the required parameters and that the work can be technically supported after the completion of a verified Coating Inspection Report.

For the latest PPE requirements and safety guidelines, please refer to the product Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

To ensure an efficient, consistent, and high-quality application of the Propspeed coating system in line with specifications, the following equipment is required for commercial applications:

• Work Surface Access – Scaffolding or mobile platforms
• Constructed Tent – Dependent on environmental conditions
• Orbital Sander – To achieve an Ra (Arithmetic Average Roughness) value of 1.8 micron
• Box of Clean Rags – Sufficient quantity for the application process
• Disposable Paint Trays
• Disposable Rollers – Must meet Propspeed specifications (1/4” – 6mm Polyester Nap Roller). Multiple rollers will be required based on job sectioning and manpower.
• Disposable Brushes – High-quality medium, round, and flagged tip synthetic filament paint brushes (63–100mm)
• Plastic Mixing Containers – 750ml – 1.5L capacity
• Electric Drill with Mounted Mixing Arm
• Denatured Alcohol – At a ratio of 1 liter per PSCKIT Propspeed Commercial Kit

As with all coating applications, it is essential to complete each step thoroughly and to the highest quality standards. Proper pre-planning is critical to ensuring the project team is well-organized and capable of executing the application to specification.

Be organized, plan ahead, and ensure all metal and surface preparation profiles are achieved and recoat windows and environmental parameters are adhered to.

EQUIPMENT:

• Ambient temperature gauge
• Handheld Dewpoint Meter (Surface Temperature/ RH Sensor)
• Handheld LCD Infrared Thermometer

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR COATING APPLICATION

While weather conditions cannot be controlled, selecting the optimal environmental parameters will ensure the best possible coating application outcome. The ideal conditions for application are:

• Temperature Range: 16°C (60°F) – 32°C (90°F)
• Humidity: Below 85%
• Surface Moisture: All application surfaces must remain dry throughout the entire application and curing process.

To achieve the highest quality results, plan the application when conditions are closest to these parameters.

IMPACT OF AMBIENT TEMPERATURE ON APPLICATION & CURING

Ambient temperature significantly influences the application process, affecting the set times of both the Etching Primer and Clear Coat. While the temperature range of 16°C to 32°C (60°F to 90°F) may seem broad, proper adherence to the recoat window and drying times is essential to ensure a successful application. Refer to the chart below for guidance on how environmental conditions impact the recoat window and adjust your timing accordingly.

NOTE: SURFACE PREPARATION IS KEY TO A HIGH-QUALITY AND SUCCESSFUL PROPSPEED APPLICATION.

EQUIPMENT:

• Plenty of clean rags
• Mixing cups
• Denatured Alcohol (at a ratio of 4L / 1 Gallon per PSCKIT)

CLEANING WITH DENATURED ALCOHOL

The first step is cleaning the metal surface with denatured alcohol, this will dissolve organics such as grease and fingerprint residue. Using clean white cloths will highlight where dirt may be on the surface and ensure this first stage of cleaning is complete. Areas should be cleaned until white cloths do not show any discoloration.

TIP: Use mixing cups to pour in denatured alcohol and soak the clean rag.

It is crucial that the metal substrate is completely free of contaminants and isn’t touched with un-gloved hands once this process starts.

Failure to complete the cleaning process, or touching the metal, can result in the Etching Primer not adequately adhering to the metal substrate.

EQUIPMENT:

• Plenty of clean rags
• Mixing cups
• Large brush for Propprep
• Propprep (included in PSCKIT)

APPLYING PROPPREP

Propprep is essential in the chemical preparation of the metal substrate to be coated with Propspeed and is found in the Propspeed Commercial Kit – 500ml of Propprep. It contains ingredients that react with the metal, creating an active surface layer. This active layer is key to ensuring proper penetration and the completion of the etching reaction of the primer to the metal substrate.

Propprep also ensures that no free alkalinity, as a result of various soap/detergent washing, is present to interfere with the etching primer reaction and adhesion to the metal substrate.

TIP: Pour the Propprep solution in a mixing cup and use a brush to apply instead of a rag.

Apply the Propprep solution liberally. Immediately wipe the surface with a clean white cotton dry rag to ensure no residue is left.

Propprep is acidic. Extra care should be taken when wiping the surface. The Propprep solution does not contain corrosive inhibitors, so the treated surface should be coated and primed with Propspeed as soon as possible.
 
NOTE: Propprep easily runs and drips. Ensure no Propprep contaminates an already completed Propspeed application. If several hours have passed since the surface preparation was completed, it is recommended to clean the metal surface with denatured alcohol (Step 1: Initial Clean) again and repeating Step 2 before applying the first coat of mixed Etching Primer to ensure any contamination that may have occurred between Metal Preparation and Step 3 (Etching Primer) is removed. 

EQUIPMENT:

• PSCKIT – Etching Primer Base & Etching Primer Hardener (included in PSCKIT)
• Disposable paint trays
• Disposable rollers to Propspeed specification (1/4” – 6mm Polyester Nap Roller)
• Electric drill and mounted mixing arm
• Wet-film thickness gauge

MIXING ETCHING PRIMER PART A & PART B

• Part A – Etching Primer Base:
  • The Etching Primer Base requires mixing before adding the Hardener. It is essential to liberate the solids that will be on the bottom of the Etching Primer can through scraping with the supplied stirring sticks, followed by stirring or drill mixing to create a homogenized and, fully mixed liquid before adding the Hardener.
  • NOTE: Failure to thoroughly mix the Etching Primer base may lead to premature hardening, inconsistencies, and short life expectancy of the final coating system.
     
• Part B – Etching Primer Hardener:
  • The Etching Primer Hardener and Base have a mixing ratio of 4 parts by volume Etching Primer Base to 1 part by volume Etching Hardener (4:1).
  • Again, mix thoroughly before use.
  • Once the Etching Primer Base and Hardener is mixed, use immediately. Any product not being used immediately can be left in the sealed can in the shade for up to 6 hours. i.e., if mixed at 10 am, you need to use it before 4 pm or discard it.

NOTE: It is recommended to clean the metal surface with denatured alcohol (Step 2a) before applying the first coat of mixed Etching Primer to ensure any contamination that may have occurred between Step 1 (metal preparation) and Step 3 (Etching Primer) is removed.

MIXED ETCHING PRIMER APPLICATION

The Etching Primer bonds to the metal substrate by both physical and chemical bonds. This bond causes gas bubbles to be released, creating tiny capillary holes in the surface of the primer.

It is critical to adhere to the recoat window.

A minimum of 2 generous coats of Etching Primer are required to ensure proper coverage of the metal surface. Perform the dry-to-touch test to check when you can apply the next coat. This is usually 3-5 minutes.

The 3-5 minute recoat timing is based on 27°C, 80°F temperatures; cooler temperatures will slow down the recoat time between the two coats of primer, as will warmer temperatures, and windy conditions speed up the recoat time between the two.

Use a gloved finger to check if the Etching Primer is dry enough to not transfer to your glove, but the touch is enough to leave an imprint on the coating.

Theoretical Coverage: 11 m²/L | 448 sq ft/US gallon Wet Film Thickness - 90 microns | 3 - 4 mils (per coat) Dry Film Thickness - 8 microns | < 1 mil (per coat)

EQUIPMENT:

• PSCKIT – Clear Coat (included in PSCKIT)
• Disposable paint trays
• Disposable rollers to Propspeed specification (1/4” – 6mm Polyester Nap Roller)
• Disposable brushes (high-quality medium, round and flagged tip synthetic filament paint brush 63-100mm)
• Plastic mixing containers (750mm – 1.5L)
• Wet-film thickness gauge

For optimal adhesion, the Clear Coat must be applied within the specified recoat window of the Etching Primer.

During this period, the Primer surface retains sufficient chemical activity and surface energy to promote strong interlayer bonding. If the Clear Coat is applied too late, the Primer may become fully cured and less receptive, reducing adhesion strength.
The Clear Coat is applied as a single coat only, with the finish requirement of an even coat at 90 microns wet film thickness with no runs or sags. 
To deliver the correct volume as efficiently as possible, use a Propspeed-specified roller.

Make sure the surface is completely coated with Clear Coat.

Any missed areas will appear dull in luster. The Clear Coat has a glossy finish, and the Etching Primer has a matte finish, so it is easy to see if there are any areas that may have been missed.

Brush out any drips, sags, or runs in the Clear Coat before it sets. You usually have 5-10 minutes to do this.

Theoretical Coverage: 11 m²/L | 448 sq ft/US gallon. Wet film thickness - 90 microns | 3 to 4 mils (per coat). Dry Film Thickness - 75 microns | 3 mils (per coat)

Contamination Management 

Contamination occurs when wet Etching Primer or Clear Coat drips onto a prepared metal surface. Managing this effectively is critical to ensuring proper adhesion of the Propspeed system and reducing the risk of coating failure. 
If contamination occurs: 

• Wipe the affected area immediately using a clean rag and denatured alcohol to remove the contaminant. 
• This must be done before the Clear Coat or Etching Primer begins to harden, which typically happens within 3-10 minutes of contact. 
• If the Clear Coat or Etching Primer hardens, the contaminated area must be sanded back to bare metal. The metal and surface preparation process on this area must then be restarted from Step 1, as outlined in 11.1.

Correct sequencing and segmentation of a propeller helps avoid contamination, ensures optimal coverage and adherence to recoat timing. 
 

Propspeed requires a minimum of 8 hours to dry before launching. In cold conditions, 5-16°C (40-60°F), we recommend at least 24 hours drying before launching. 

• 36 hours at 5°C (41°F)
• 24 hours at 10°C (50°F)
• 12 hours at 20°C (68°F)

For larger surface areas, environmental conditions and time constraints may make it impractical to follow the correct recoat window time when attempting to coat an entire bow- or stern-facing propeller surface in a single application.

In such cases, the "Staggered Layering Technique" can be utilized.

STAGGERED LAYERING TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW

The Staggered Layering Technique is an advanced joining technique designed to ensure a continuous and durable bond between two fully coated surface segments. This method interlocks the respective edge structures of adjacent segments, allowing large surfaces to be divided into manageable sections based on:

• Environmental conditions
• Available manpower
• Recoat window time constraints

NOTE: Each segment must be coated with the complete system, including:

• Metal Preparation & Initial Clean – Step 1
• Metal Conditioning – Step 2
• Etching Primer – Step 3a&b
• Clear Coat – Step 4

Ensuring full system application on each segment maintains coating integrity and performance. By applying the coating in sequential segments, the Staggered Layering Technique maintains application integrity while optimizing efficiency.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• The first section should begin at the tip of the propeller blade and extend towards the hub of the propeller.
• To prevent contamination between the Clear Coat and the Etching Primer coated surface, ensure the Etching Primer tools never come into contact with the Clear Coat.

1. ETCHING PRIMER APPLICATION

- Apply the first coat of Etching Primer to the estimated section area.
- If estimated correctly, the applicator can return to the start point of the section to apply the second coat of Etching Primer without downtime.

2. CLEAR COAT APPLICATION

- Once the second coat of Etching Primer is complete and dry to touch, the applicator returns to the start point and applies the Clear Coat.
- Ensure a portion (100mm / 4inch) of the Etching Primer section remains uncoated by Clear Coat to prevent silicone contamination of the next coating section.
- Each overlap section should have a minimum width of 100mm.

3. RECOATING THE OVERLAPPING ETCHING PRIMER SECTION

- When starting to coat the overlapping Etching Primer section (Adding a Layer to the other half), return to the start point of the previous section and apply a 3rd coat of Etching Primer to the min 100mm (4-inch) overlap area 
- Ensure there is no contamination from the previous section’s wet Clear Coat. This means you will need to leave a small part of the overlap with only 2 coats of Etching Primer.

4. RECOATING THE OVERLAPPING CLEAR COAT SECTION

- When applying Clear Coat, ensure the min 100mm (4-inch) overlap area is also coated, creating a seamless transition between sections. 

5. CONTINUE APPLICATION

Continue the same process by Sequencing and segmenting the Propeller as highlighted early on in the course.

Areas near the hub should remain uncoated with Clear Coat until the entire hub is ready to be coated. Before applying Clear Coat to the hub, a third coat of Etching Primer must be applied to ensure the recoat window between the Etching Primer and Clear Coat is maintained.

IMPORTANT: TIME TO REFLOAT

Propspeed requires a minimum of 8 hours to dry before launching. In cold conditions, 5-16°C (40-60°F), we recommend at least 24 hours drying before launching.

• 36 hours at 5°C (41°F)
• 24 hours at 10°C (50°F)
• 12 hours at 20°C (68°F)