PRODUCT DATA SHEET: CERAM-KOTE MARINE
Description: CeRam-Kote Marine is a thin-film, spray applied and air-cured ceramic epoxy coating system recommended for
atmospheric corrosion/light abrasion resistance as well as non-chemical immersion service in a marine environment. Not designed
for critical service, areas of high abrasion/heavy impact and/or chemical resistance. CeRam-Kote Marine is available in a variety of
colors. Fast, one coat, two pass application. No primer needed. Must be topcoated when aesthetics are an issue.
Suggested Uses: Marine applications
Volume Solids (catalyzed): 75% +/- 2%
VOC: 1.65 lb/gal (198 g/liter) less water
Number of Coats: One Coat, two passes (each pass 4½-6 mils WFT, 112½ -150 microns)
Dry Film Thickness: CeRam-Kote Marine should be applied holiday-free at a minimum of 7 mils (175 microns) with
a maximum thickness of 10 mils (250 microns).
Cure Time: A two-pass film of 7-10 mils DFT (175-250 microns) air dries to a touch-dry finish within four
(4) hours at 72°F (22.2°C) and dries to a 70% cure in seventeen (17) hours. Cure times
lengthen at lower temperatures and shorten at higher temperatures. Coating should be fully
cured before placing into service.
Surface Preparation: Bonding strength depends on proper preparation of the surface to be protected for long-term
performance of the product. The substrate should be free of oil, grease and salt/chloride
contamination. Specifications call for a white metal (NACE 1, SSPC-SP5, Swedish Standards
SA-3) cleanliness with a 2-2.5 mil (50-62.5 microns) anchor profile. Surface preparation
should be no less than a near white (NACE 2, SSPC-SP10, Swedish Standards SA 2½) finish.
Cleanliness is the most important step to produce a surface that will perform and last. Call
Freecom for surface preparation recommendations of materials such as aluminum, brass,
plastic, fiberglass and/or concrete.
Mixing Ratio: Four (4) parts of Part A to one (1) part of Part B by volume
Seven (7) parts of Part A to one (1) part of Part B by weight
Mixing: CeRam-Kote Marine contains a high loading of ceramic particles which must be placed into full
suspension with the epoxy resin prior to application. CeRam-Kote Marine is packaged in two
cans, Part A (resin and ceramics) and Part B (curing agent). Shake Part A (coating) with a
Cyclone air-powered shaker or mix Part A with a paddle mixer until all ceramic particles are
suspended in the resin. Time required to place ceramics into suspension varies according to
temperature and length of material storage time. At 72°F (22.2°C), generally a four (4) to six
(6) minute shake will place the ceramic particles into suspension. Regardless of time
needed, shake all ceramic material into suspension prior to proceeding. Failure to
properly mix will keep CeRam-Kote Marine from performing or curing properly. Check the can
to assure all solids are in suspension prior to proceeding to the mixing step.
Combine Part A (coating) and Part B (curing agent) and stir until both parts are thoroughly
mixed. Shaking can cause excessive heat to build up, thus causing curing problems. Stirring
time is temperature dependent, but it should take only three (3) to four (4) minutes to
thoroughly mix the components. No induction time is needed before application.
Pot Life & Shelf Life: Pot life for CeRam-Kote Marine at 72°F (22.2°C) is one (1) hour. Colder temperatures will
increase the pot life and warmer temperatures will decrease the pot life. Keep cans out of
direct sunlight to prevent heat buildup. CeRam-Kote Marine has an indefinite shelf life.
Preferred storage/usage is a dry enclosed area under 85°F (29°C) /used within two (2) years.
However, if stored more than two years above 85°F (29°C), call Freecom Technical Support
prior to use.
FREECOM, INC. • P.O. BOX 2119 • BIG SPRING, TEXAS 79721 • 432-263-8497 • 800-346-4299
• 432-263-5269 FAX • www.CeRam-kote.com • E-mail address: freecom@CeRam-kote.com
Thinning: Adjust viscosity with small amounts of MEK or Acetone. Use caution when adjusting the
viscosity. A little goes a long way. Only a small portion of the total solution is epoxy resin and
the resin is the only ingredient that can be thinned. Thinning dilutes the high solids of CeRam-
Kote Marine, creates excessive overspray and can cause some color changes in bright colors.
Application: Spray apply for best results using conventional, airless, HVLP or cup gun. The air source
must be dry. The compressed air source should be outfitted with air dryers as needed to
supply moisture-free air. Use pressure feed equipment such as high volume, low pressure
equipment or conventional spray equipment. Airless: use reversible carbide tip with orifice
size of 0.019-0.021 inches. If applying with roller, use short nap, such as 1/4” (.244 mm).
After thoroughly mixing CeRam-Kote Marine, strain it with a standard paint strainer and pour
CeRam-Kote Marine into the spray equipment.
Apply a first pass of four and one-half (4½) to six (6) mils (112½-150 microns) WFT and allow
sufficient time for solvent to flash off. At 72°F (22.2°C), 30-40 minutes is sufficient. Apply a
second pass of four and one-half to six mils (112½ - 150 microns) for a total DFT of seven to
ten mils (175-250 microns). Cure time is temperature dependent.
Apply additional mils without incurring runs or sags if the finished product requires thicker
coverage per manufacturer’s instructions. Whenever possible, apply second coat in a crosscoat
method.
Climate: Use CeRam-Kote Marine only if the substrate temperature and ambient air temperature is
above 40°F (4.4°C). No coating should be permitted when substrate is wet from rain or dew,
when surfaces are less than 5°F (3°C) above the dew point and holding or when relative
humidity is greater than 85%. Moisture will inhibit the catalyst reaction and CeRam-Kote
Marine will not cure or perform properly.
Holiday Detection: CeRam-Kote Marine is classified as a thin-film coating and should be tested for defects and
holidays using a 67½ volt, wet sponge spark detector set at 80,000 ohms resistance, such as a
Tinker and Rasor model M-1.
Repairs: If application of the coating is less than seventy-two (72) hours old and has not been exposed
to contamination, repair by wiping with MEK and then re-apply CeRam-Kote Marine. If
contaminated or more than 72 hours old, first sand with appropriate grit sandpaper, then
repeat repair process.
Cleanup: Purge and clean spray equipment within thirty (30) minutes of the final spray. Flush equipment
with MEK until solvent sprays clear. Disassemble and clean equipment to manufacturer’s
recommendations. Material left in spray equipment will solidify and damage equipment. Use
precautionary measure applicable to any catalyzed material.
Safety: See individual product label for safety and health data. A Material Safety Data Sheet is
available upon request.
9/15/03