Stealth HTC Application Directions

For exterior usage your top coat needs to have high UV protection, NEVER uSE EPOXY!

aPPLYING "HTC" (STEALTH HIGH TECH COATINGS)

Stealth High Tech Coatings, “HTC” can be applied using numerous options. Any thing from a full high production plural component spray gun, HVLP or HTE spray gun, dump gun/cup gun. They can also be applied with a brush, roller or trowel. Depending on the factors needed, like volume/through put as well as what type of coating your looking for. Examples, a Class A top coat in a high gloss clear or pigmented coating over an existing gelcoat. Maybe your after a textured topcoat or a non-skid. All these and more will be covered below. The photo on the left below, was brushed onto a fiberglass panel, then sanded and buffed to a class A finish. The photo on the below right displays several examples of HTC being used on flat FRP panels, pultruded C-channels some with smooth surfaces while others were coated using our HTC-TA additives to create a satin finish or a heavier mesh to create a non-skid.

DIY folks are now finding out why manufacturers have been using Stealth veils and high tech coatings for the past 15 years. "You'll see possibilities everwhere!"

This old school desk was refurbished using our Stealth Veil Croc Skin pattern. The saturation coat was applied using our HTC70PA which a our low viscosity polyaspartic coating. It wets the veil out quickly and with its quick 25 min working time it allows you to build layers quickly. The desk was top-coated with our HTC-AUWB High Gloss.

(POLYESTER GELCOAT USERS) Once the gelcoat has been applied and all air has been rolled out allow the gelcoat to cure. Regardless if you choose to apply a second clear coat or not you’ll still want to use a pigmented backing color. Choosing “White” in most cases is your best choice to maintain the veils original appearance Obviously if your Stealth Veil black in it, “White not be your best choice. We recommend making test plaques before going into production to find which backing color works best.

Now you’re ready to get started.

We recommend pre-cutting your Stealth Veil, drape the veil over your project you’ll want to add an extra 3” to 5” extra when you cut it out, this will help you when aligning it as well as removing wrinkles.

Using a spray adhesive, thoroughly cover the surface, as well as all sides and corners, allow a minute or two for the adhesive to tack up.

Stealth Veil fabric pulling it taut while it is suspended above your project, keeping it tight whileYou’re ready to apply your Stealth Veil pattern to your project. *We’ll use an Island Counter Top as the example here. With one person at each end of the applying helps to eliminate any chances of wrinkles. You’ll want to try to center the pattern so the 3 to 5 inches of extra of Stealth Veil will hang over the edge. If not centered on your first attempt pull up and re-apply the veil. Once your Stealth Veil pattern is centered and in place it’s time to smooth out by eliminating larger air bubbles or wrinkles that may be present. You can use your hands or the provided plastic Bondo spreader to aid in this step. *video

tips: For Manipulating Stealth Veils color by changing the base colors.

Using our Stealth Veils in a DIY post application is easier than you may think. Our veils have the perfect amount of stretch, but not so much that will distort your printed image on the veil. The top picture to the left, shows a canoe that was painted two different colors on purpose, with the intention to manipulate the color of the veil we're applying. In this case it's our Croc pattern. The second picture shows the original color of the veil which is brown. Once the veil is wet out from the backside with a Polyester Gelcoat the bottom painted color will started to bleed through the veil. This can be done with Epoxy as well with the same effect. Just remember Epoxies have poor UV protection, even those that say they have UV protection. Our Stealth High Tech Polymer Coatings have the highest UV protection available on the market. The bottom picture shows this amazing transformation.
You can also watch the whole video below for the full application steps. *Video below.

Now you’re ready to get started.

We recommend pre-cutting your Stealth Veil, drape the veil over your project you’ll want to add an extra 3” to 5” extra when you cut it out, this will help you when aligning it as well as removing wrinkles.

Using a spray adhesive, thoroughly cover the surface, as well as all sides and corners, allow a minute or two for the adhesive to tack up.

Now that your Stealth Veil Pattern has been applied to the surface of your project wrinkle and air free its ready to trim the extra veil hanging over the edge. Use a new razor blade or sharp scissors.

You are ready for the first layer of Epoxy Coating. Your goal for the first coat is to fully saturate the Stealth Veil. You’ll use 2 to 3 ounces per sq ft of Epoxy Coating to fully saturate the Stealth Veil on this first saturation coat. Once the Epoxy Coating is mixed well, pour out on the surface of the project. Using a Bondo spreader or a 1/8”x1/8×1/8” trowel, drawing the material evening over the surface of your project. Stay at least 1” away from the edges until the remainder of the project has epoxy spread evenly over it. You’ll find it’s easy to use your hands or a brush to spread our Epoxy Coating on the edges. When the veil has been saturated properly it should look wet and fully saturated.

We recommenced letting this saturating coat cure for at least 6 hrs pending ambient conditions of 68 to 80 degrees.

Once your project has cured for the appropriate amount of time, it’s time for its first flood coat. With our flood coats, we use 3 ounces per sq ft per flood coat. Some customers use 1 flood coat while others use 2 depending on the overall thickness they desire as well as the application the project is being used in. We recommend using a 1/8”X 1/8” 1/8” this will spread the appropriate amount of Epoxy Coating over the surface of your project. You’ll want to use a good Nylon bristle brush to chop your trowel lines at this point. Feel free to use your hands, brush or foam roller for edges. Once the Epoxy Coating has been applied evenly to the surface and edges, we recommend using a torch or heat gun to remove any remaining air bubbles. Duplicate this step if a 2^nd flood coat is being applied. watch *video

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