What is Awlgrip AWLBRITE CLEAR VARNISH BASE and why choose it?
Awlgrip AWLBRITE CLEAR VARNISH BASE (J3005) is the base component of Awlbrite Clear, a buffable, high-build, three-component clear acrylic urethane used as the topcoat in the Ultimate Brightwork System. When combined with the specified converter and activators, it delivers a clear, durable finish that is significantly more hard-wearing and faster curing than traditional varnish alone, while remaining easy to apply by brush, roller or spray.
It is designed for brightwork above the waterline and must not be applied directly to bare wood.
Main features
- High-build clear urethane system: Three-component acrylic urethane providing a thick, protective clear film.
- Durability compared to varnish: Described as far more durable than varnish alone when used as part of the Ultimate Brightwork System.
- Fast curing: At 77°F (25°C) and 50% RH, recoatable in about 3 hours, light service in 12 hours and full cure in 7 days.
- Buffable finish: Designed to be buffed after proper curing to achieve high-quality brightwork appearance.
- Clear color: Colorless clear topcoat for wood brightwork systems.
- Flexible application methods: Suitable for brush, roller and spray application, including conventional and HVLP spray setups.
- Recoat without sanding (time-limited): Can be recoated with itself between 3 and 36 hours without sanding or scuffing.
- Part of a system: Intended for use over properly prepared Awlspar (M3131) or Awlbrite Quik-Fil (J3901/J3902) as specified.
Technical specifications
- Product type: Three Component Acrylic Urethane
- Color: Clear
- Recommended use: Topcoat for the Ultimate Brightwork System; use above the waterline only.
- Packaging: Quarts and pints
- Theoretical coverage (at 100% transfer efficiency):
- 930 sq. ft./gal (86 m²) at 1 mil (25 microns) dry film thickness
- 93 sq. ft./gal (8.6 m²) at recommended total dry film thickness of 10 coats
- Recommended wet film thickness per coat: 2.0–2.5 mils (50–62 microns)
- Recommended dry film thickness per coat: 1.0–1.2 mils (25–30 microns)
- Recommended total number of coats: 10 coats
- Anticipated cure time at 77°F (25°C), 50% RH:
- Recoat: 3 hours
- Light service: 12 hours
- Full cure: 7 days
- Recoatability with itself: 3 hours minimum, 36 hours maximum without sanding or scuffing
- VOC values:
- Base (J3005): 372 g/L or 3.1 lbs/gal
- Converter (J3006): 146 g/L or 1.2 lbs/gal
- Product components and related materials:
- Base: J3005 (this product)
- Converter: J3006
- Brushing Activator: A0031
- Spray Activators: A0001 (standard), A0006 (cool temperatures)
- Equipment cleaning: T0001, T0002, T0003 or M.E.K.
- Application equipment:
- Brush and roller application
- Conventional spray – pressure pot or siphon/cup gun (Binks or equivalent) with:
- Pressure pot: Spray gun #95, fluid nozzle #63BSS (0.046"), needle #663A, air nozzle #63PB; 8–12 psi pot pressure with 50–60 psi atomizing air
- Siphon/cup gun: Spray gun #95, fluid nozzle #66SS (0.070"), needle #665, air nozzle #65SK; approx. 50–60 psi atomizing air
- HVLP system – Binks MACH 1 or equivalent pressure pot for Awlgrip topcoats/low viscosity primers:
- Fluid nozzles: #91 (0.040"), #92 (0.046")
- Fluid needle: #54-4382
- Air nozzle: #93P
- Induction time after mixing: None
- Anticipated pot life at 77°F (25°C), 50% RH: 1–2 hours (mixed product)
Surface preparation and application
Surface preparation
- Wood must be clean, dry, smooth, well seasoned and with moisture content not exceeding 15%.
- New/bare wood: Apply only over properly prepared Awlspar (M3131) as part of the Ultimate Brightwork System. Do not apply directly to bare wood.
- Old finishes in good condition:
- Wash with Awlprep Surface Cleaner.
- Sand with 220–320 grit paper to remove gloss.
- Test Awlbrite Clear on a small area to ensure it does not attack the old finish; if attack occurs, completely remove the old finish before applying the system.
- Old finishes in poor condition: Remove completely before applying the Ultimate Brightwork System.
- Interior applications: Apply only over properly prepared Awlspar (M3131) or Awlbrite Quik-Fil (J3901/J3902). Do not apply directly to bare wood.
- Because substrates and conditions vary, the complete system should be tested for adhesion and compatibility before large-scale application.
Mixing and reduction
Brushing
- Awlbrite Clear is a three-component system.
- By volume, mix 2 parts J3005 (base) with 1 part J3006 (converter) until smooth and homogeneous.
- Add ½ part A0031 Brushing Activator.
- Overall mixing ratio: 2 : 1 : ½ by volume (base : converter : brushing activator).
- Example: 4 oz J3005 + 2 oz J3006 + 1 oz A0031.
- Additional A0031 may be added if desired, but the 2 : 1 : ½ ratio is required as standard.
Spraying
- Mix 2 parts J3005 with 1 part J3006 until homogeneous.
- Add ¾–1 part A0001 (standard) or A0006 (for cool temperatures) spray activator.
Always mix and use small quantities at a time, keeping original containers closed when not in use. Do not shake Awlbrite Clear and do not use Pro-Cure accelerators.
Application instructions
- Apply light, smooth coats.
- Apply two coats within an 8-hour period, allow to cure 8–12 hours or overnight, then repeat.
- Recommended total: 10 coats for optimum performance.
- Sand as little as possible. Sand only when:
- Runs, sags or brush marks must be leveled, or
- Dirt or grit must be removed, or
- More than 36 hours have passed since the last application.
- If leveling is not required but more than 36 hours have passed, dull the surface with Scotchbrite pads.
- Avoid applying or curing in direct sunlight when possible.
- Do not apply or cure below 65°F (18°C) or above 95°F (35°C).
- Do not use below the waterline.
Applications and use cases
- Marine brightwork topcoat: Designed as the clear urethane topcoat in the Awlgrip Ultimate Brightwork System over Awlspar or Awlbrite Quik-Fil on well-prepared wood surfaces above the waterline.
- Interior wood protection: For interior applications over appropriate Awlgrip varnish/primer systems as specified, where a clear, durable, buffable finish is desired.
- Professional and industrial use: System components and activators are specified for professional and industrial coating operations.
FAQ – Awlgrip AWLBRITE CLEAR VARNISH BASE
-
Can AWLBRITE CLEAR VARNISH BASE be applied directly to bare wood?
No. Awlbrite Clear must not be applied directly to bare wood. It should only be applied over properly prepared Awlspar (M3131) or Awlbrite Quik-Fil (J3901/J3902), depending on the application.
-
Is this product suitable for use below the waterline?
No. The product data sheet specifies that Awlbrite Clear must not be used below the waterline.
-
How many coats are recommended for best performance?
Ten coats are recommended. Stopping when the finish looks good but before building sufficient film thickness may reduce performance.
-
Do I need to sand between coats?
Sanding is not required if recoating between 3 and 36 hours and no leveling is needed. Sand or dull the surface only to remove defects or if more than 36 hours have elapsed since the last coat.
-
What is the recoat window?
At 77°F (25°C) and 50% RH, Awlbrite Clear can be recoated with itself between 3 and 36 hours without sanding or scuffing.
-
Which activator should I use for brushing?
Use A0031 Brushing Activator, mixed to an overall ratio of 2 parts base (J3005) : 1 part converter (J3006) : ½ part A0031 by volume.
-
Which activator should I use for spray application?
Use A0001 Spray Activator under standard conditions or A0006 Spray Activator for cool temperatures, at ¾–1 part activator to 2 parts base and 1 part converter.
-
What is the typical pot life of the mixed product?
At 77°F (25°C) and 50% RH, the anticipated pot life is 1–2 hours.
-
How long before the coated surface can be put into light service?
Approximately 12 hours at 77°F (25°C) and 50% RH.
-
How is equipment cleaned after use?
Recommended cleaners are T0001, T0002, T0003 or M.E.K., as specified in the product data sheet.
Section 14 – Transport information
The associated Awlbrite Converter (J3006) and Awlbrite Brush Activator (A0031) are classified for transport as follows (information based on their safety data sheets):
- UN number or ID number: UN1263
- UN proper shipping name:
- Awlbrite Converter: PAINT
- Awlbrite Brush Activator: PAINT RELATED MATERIAL
- Transport hazard class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
- Packing group: III
- Environmental hazards: Not classified as environmentally hazardous for ADR/RID, IMDG or IATA.
- ADR/RID tunnel code: (D/E)
- IMDG emergency schedules: F-E, S-E
- Special precautions for user: Within user’s premises, always transport in closed containers that are upright and secure. Ensure that persons transporting the product know what to do in case of an accident or spillage.
Section 8 – Individual protection measures
The following information summarises personal protective equipment requirements from the safety data sheets for Awlbrite Converter (J3006) and Awlbrite Brush Activator (A0031). Selection must be confirmed by a risk assessment for the actual conditions of use.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- General hygiene measures:
- Wash hands, forearms and face thoroughly after handling and before eating, drinking or smoking.
- Remove contaminated clothing and protective equipment before entering eating areas.
- Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- Hand protection:
- Chemical-resistant, impervious gloves complying with an approved standard.
- For prolonged or frequently repeated contact, use gloves with protection class 6 (breakthrough time > 480 minutes according to EN374). Recommended materials: Viton or nitrile, thickness ≥ 0.38 mm.
- For brief contact, use gloves with protection class ≥ 2 (breakthrough time > 30 minutes according to EN374). Recommended material: nitrile, thickness ≥ 0.12 mm.
- Check gloves regularly during use and replace if damaged.
- Eye/face protection:
- Safety eyewear complying with an approved standard, such as safety glasses with side shields, when there is risk of splashes or mist.
- Skin and body protection:
- Wear suitable protective clothing selected according to the task and risks.
- Where there is a risk of ignition from static electricity (e.g. spraying), use anti-static protective clothing, including anti-static overalls, boots and gloves (refer to EN 1149).
- Respiratory protection:
- Use only with adequate ventilation and engineering controls to keep exposure below applicable limits.
- When ventilation is inadequate, select a respirator that meets the relevant standard and use it within a respiratory protection program.
- For Awlbrite Converter, long-term exposure recommendations include an air-supplied half mask; for short-term exposure, a respirator conforming to EN140 with type A/P2 filter or better is indicated.
- Environmental exposure controls:
- Emissions from ventilation or process equipment should be checked to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
- Where necessary, use fume scrubbers, filters or engineering modifications to reduce emissions.
Contenido generado por IA
