Home > Using our Polyurethanes - Application Guide
Using Our Polyurethanes:
Product Application Guidelines
Our products are polyurethane coatings of the highest quality. We could find nothing better. ELASTUFF™ 120 is a 100% solids aromatic coating, and Elasta-Tuff™ 6000-AL-HS is a very tough aliphatic polyurethane that is 75% solids. Rhino Top is not a polyurethane (it’s an acrylic/epoxy emulsion) but it is often used as a topcoating for ELASTUFF™ 120, as well as a surface coating by itself on properly primed surfaces.
How long do these coatings last? At least ten years or longer for the polyurethane coatings is a reasonable estimate, as long as the substrate remains intact and is not degraded or damaged. Rhino Top applied over ELASTUFF™ 120 will last a long time, and is easily repaired and refinished if necessary. Rhino Top applied alone over primed wood will eventually need recoating in heavy traffic areas. All of these products are easily repaired if damage occurs.
For orientation purposes, we have provided schematics of our products on a substrate. We have labeled them 1 through 4 in order of degree of protection and resistance to traffic and abrasion, and noted approximate cost per square foot. These are the minimum amounts that must be applied to a surface. For hard traffic areas you may want to apply more.
General Surface Preparation Recommendations
All surfaces should be structurally sound, clean, dry and free from dust, curing agents or form release agents, efflorescence, scale, or other foreign contaminants. Any base coating such as S-1™ Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer or ELASTUFF™ 120 should be cured to the point of being non-sticky.
Actual surface preparation procedures on a specific project may vary depending upon service conditions, condition of the substrate, and the presence of existing paints, coatings or other contaminants. For deteriorated surfaces, repairs should be made first. Since every project differs, we recommend that you contact us if you have any questions and use the following for guideline purposes.
Surface Options
Application Options Diagrams and Notes 1 - 4 will follow this section.
Wood: All options, 1 through 4, depending on degree of protection desired.
Concrete: All options, 1 through 4, depending on degree of protection desired.
Fiberglass: All options, 1 through 4, with option 2 being the best if the fiberglass surface is solid.
Product Application Options
Cost per sq.ft. is based on the most economical size option of the penetrating epoxy sealer and at the lowest coverage rate for all layers.
Lightest Protection: Option No.1 — Cost/sq.ft.… $ 1.31
This is the lightest coating we can recommend for the protection of wood, concrete or fiberglass. It must have a penetrating epoxy sealer primer coat. Rhino Top is designed for medium duty applications, such as tennis courts, and pool decks. It can be used in any similar exterior, above grade application. This is option offers a decent amount of protection, but is not as durable for severe duty applications. Coating lifespan is typically in the 10 year range, depending on conditions.
Primer coat not required on clean, solid, scuffed fiberglass, but is recommended. S-1™ Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer primer coat required on wood, concrete or chalky fiberglass.
At least 1 coat of S-1™ Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer prime coat is required at the following coverage rates:
For wood at a recommended coverage rate of 300 sq.ft./gallon (7 sq. meters/liter).
For concrete at a recommended coverage rate of 250 sq.ft./gallon (6 sq. meters/liter).
For fiberglass at a recommended coverage rate of 350 sq.ft./gallon (8.5 sq. meters/liter).
Top coating is done is with our Rhino Top, the recommended coverage rate is 200–250 sq.ft./gallon (5–6 sq. meters/liter) and at least 2 coatings are required for adequate protection.
Heavy Protection: OPTION No. 2 – Cost/sq.ft. … $ 3.70
This option gives you heavier protection, for wood and concrete and is the best option for fiberglass. Elasta-Tuff™ 6000-AL-HS is like a super Rhino Top. It is a very substantial coating that will withstand heavy wear and foot traffic, and is very resistant to abrasion and impact. This is the coating we recommend for fiberglass, or for wood where maximum water resistance, and abrasion resistance are desired. It is very water, and UV resistant, and holds its colors well over time. Typical lifespan is around 15 years. As with any coating, proper surface prep, and application technique is required for best results.
Primer coat not required on clean, solid, scuffed fiberglass, but is recommended. S-1™ Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer primer coat required on wood, concrete or chalky fiberglass.
At least 1 coat of S-1™ Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer prime coat is required at the following coverage rates:
For wood at a recommended coverage rate of 300 sq.ft./gallon (7 sq. meters/liter).
For concrete at a recommended coverage rate of 250 sq.ft./gallon (6 sq. meters/liter).
For fiberglass at a recommended coverage rate of 350 sq.ft./gallon (8.5 sq. meters/liter).
Top coating is done with our Elasta-Tuff™ 6000-AL-HS, the recommended coverage rate is 80–100 sq.ft./gallon (2–2.5 sq. meters/liter) and at least 2 coatings applied perpendicular are required for adequate protection.
Heavy Protection: OPTION No. 3 – Cost/sq.ft. … $ 3.52
This is a substantial coating. It is very water resistant and the Rhino Top will withstand light to moderate traffic. It can be re-coated with Rhino Top as required. This can be used over wood, concrete and fiberglass. However, for fiberglass we suggest Option #2 instead, unless there is heavy cracking and abrasion on the glass surface. Typical lifespan is 20+ years.
Primer coat not required on clean, solid, scuffed fiberglass, but is recommended. S-1™ Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer primer coat required on wood, concrete or chalky fiberglass.
At least 1 coat of S-1™ Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer prime coat is required at the following coverage rates:
For wood at a recommended coverage rate of 300 sq.ft./gallon (7 sq. meters/liter).
For concrete at a recommended coverage rate of 250 sq.ft./gallon (6 sq. meters/liter).
For fiberglass at a recommended coverage rate of 350 sq.ft./gallon (8.5 sq. meters/liter).
The polyurethane undercoat is done with our ELASTUFF™ 120, the recommended coverage rate is 100 sq.ft./gallon (2.5 sq. meters/liter) and at least 2 coatings applied perpendicular are required for adequate protection.
Top coating is done is with our Rhino Top, the recommended coverage rate is 200–250 sq.ft./gallon (5–6 sq. meters/liter) and at least 2 coatings are required for adequate protection.
Heaviest Protection: OPTION No. 4 – Cost/sq.ft. … $ 5.91
This is the ultimate coating for wood, concrete or fiberglass. It will withstand heavy foot and vehicular traffic, and is highly impact resistant. It is the most water resistant option, and repairable in case of damage. Typical lifespan is 20+ years. This is the best option for high abrasion, high moisture environments.
Primer coat not required on clean, solid, scuffed fiberglass, but is recommended. S-1™ Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer primer coat required on wood, concrete or chalky fiberglass.
At least 1 coat of S-1™ Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer prime coat is required at the following coverage rates:
For wood at a recommended coverage rate of 300 sq.ft./gallon (7 sq. meters/liter).
For concrete at a recommended coverage rate of 250 sq.ft./gallon (6 sq. meters/liter).
For fiberglass at a recommended coverage rate of 350 sq.ft./gallon (8.5 sq. meters/liter).
The polyurethane undercoat is done with our ELASTUFF™ 120, the recommended coverage rate is 100 sq.ft./gallon (2.5 sq. meters/liter) and at least 2 coatings applied perpendicular are required for adequate protection.
Top coating is done with our Elasta-Tuff™ 6000-AL-HS, the recommended coverage rate is 80–100 sq.ft./gallon (2–2.5 sq. meters/liter) and at least 2 coatings applied perpendicular are required for adequate protection.