The following is an introduction into 2-part urethanes and 2 part urethane clear-coats. These two-part LPU paints are perhaps the best performing coatings (low yellowing, high gloss, durable and tough physically and chemically) available for brush, roller or conventional spray application.


Most, of not all, 2-part urethane paints are either acrylic polyurethane paints or polyester polyurethanes paints. Sometimes the prefix “poly” is left off. These are also called linear (or aliphatic) urethanes, or LPUs (linear poly-urethanes). In any case, lots of ‘keywords’ for generally two kinds of 2-part
polyurethanes.

Polyester (poly) urethanes are considered the ‘best’. Compared to acrylic (poly) urethanes the polyesters are more abrasion resistant, stain resistant, and more chemical resistant. You’ll find polyester urethanes on jet airplanes, and on the floors of the hangers these airplanes live in. Boat owners should
note that operating a boat in water, especially seawater, is very much a chemical environment. Two very well known 2-part marine paints, (we will not say their names) are polyester urethanes.or acrylic/polyester urethane blends.

Acrylic urethane coatings are a bit cheaper and generally one notch down from the polyester urethane paints in terms of toughness and chemical resistance, but still above ‘regular’ paints. Acrylic urethanes are found in clear-coats used in the automobile industry and ‘city water towers’ that grace many small towns in America. Boat owners should note that Awlcraft 2000 (tm) is an acrylic urethane, as probably are most of the 2 part urethanes sold in marine catalogs that don’t specify if they are polyester urethanes or acrylic urethanes.

APPLICATION PROPERTIES: Both kinds of urethanes contain large amounts of solvents and thus have a strong solvent smell. That said, additional solvents are often added during application. In the urethane world solvents are called reducers. There are ‘fast reducers’ for spray application. These speed up the time it takes for the urethane to ‘gel’ on the surface. “Slow reducers” slow down the gel time for more working time when applying by brush.

Brushing on a two-part urethane is not like brushing on a varnish or oil based enamel. The thin, almost watery urethane (you’ll probably need two coats or more to cover) starts to ‘gel’ on the surface quickly. Unlike varnish, you’ll get 2 or 3 brush strokes and then, like it or not, it’s time to move on. An application method called ‘tip and roll’ gets almost sprayer like results by applying the urethane with a roller and then gently removing the roller marks with the tip of a brush. If is likely you will not be happy with the results of a brushed on application on such things as boat hulls, epoxy table tops,etc...

In my experience, both the acrylic and polyester urethane coatings go on about the same, but the general view is that the acrylics are slightly easier and friendlier to apply and, perhaps, repair.

Urethane’s weakest link is their adhesion. Because of that they are often applied over an epoxy primer. Besides priming the surface the epoxies tend to ‘level the surface’ too, important because the high gloss urethanes will show every flaw in the subsurface.

Recoat window for two-part urethanes is about 6 to 16 hours. Beyond that, sand lightly. Apply only in good, dry weather, as urethanes are moisture sensitive during application and curing. The coating will become dry overnight, hard in about 3 days, with maximum hardness in 7-10 days.

EVALUATING YOUR TWO-PART URETHANE: Obviously, the first question is, is it an unmodified polyester polyurethane or an acrylic urethane? Next, what is the price (two part urethanes sold in marine catalogs are priced sinfully high)? Finally, look at percent solids.

Percent Solids: these coats, like most other coatings, consist of some amount of solvents which evaporate away (called VOCs - volatile organic compounds) and what is left behind is the ‘solids’ of the coating. A coating with 40% VOC has 60% solids. Apply a 10 mil (1/1000 times 10 in inch units) coating of this product and when dry you will have 6 mils on the surface. Some manufacturers describe it in terms of coverage for 1 dry mil of their product. A coating with 0% VOC (most epoxies) will have a dry 1 mil coverage amount of 1604 square feet. A coating with 50% VOC will have a 1 mil dry thickness coverage rate of 802 square feet ( you applied 2 mils over the 800 square feet and 50% of it evaporated
away).

The higher the solids (the lower the VOC) the more paint you are actually getting on your surface. One of the leading vendors of ‘boat hull’ 2-part urethanes does a wonderful job of providing their technical product information on their web site. Their web site reports 1 mil dry film thickness of 570 square feet for their original polyester urethane and 846 square feet for their version 2 polyester polyurethane. Their acrylic urethane product (introduced around 2000) reports 512 square feet at 1 mil dry coverage.

NOTE OUR PIGMENTED 2 PART POLYS CANNOT BE SOLD IN CALIFORNIA AND ARE ONLY APPROVED FOR APPLICATION ON MOBILE EQUIPMENT SUCH AS CARS, BOATS AND PLANES. SEE OUR VOC PAGE FOR DETAILS.



URETHANE CLEAR-COATS:

Urethane Clear-coats are almost a different topic from pigmented urethanes and much of that is due to UV blocking. UV rays damage and fade coatings. It yellows and damages epoxies. One of the best blockers of UV rays is pigmented paint. The pigments block the UV, limiting their affect to the very surface only. Clear coatings, of course, have no pigments to block UV, hence, while they add additional gloss and ‘depth’ to a fine paint job, they are generally considered to be performance inferior to the pigment coatings they commonly go over.

There are UV blockers that can be added to clear 2-part urethanes, but surprisingly a very minimal ‘UV Package” is generally added to these clear urethanes (I’ve heard that automobile Clear-coats are an exception). The additives are expensive (about $8 per gallon) and since most clear urethanes are applied over pigmented urethanes the manufacturers tend to let the pigments in the bottom coating perform the UV blocking.
 

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The Acrylic Poly UV Plus™ offered by Progressive Epoxy Polymers (mentioned above) is also an exception. This clear-coat acrylic polyurethane has the maximum amount of UV blockers that can be added. Progressive Epoxy also sells both ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ urethane reducers, as well as moisture cured urethanes and, of course, all kinds of epoxies! SEE LINKS BELOW.

Stopping UV damage and UV yellowing  ----------------    Josie Lewis (6/2010) wrote: Hi Paul: I recently purchased some clear epoxy  and Acrylic Poly UV Plus from your company. I have access to a UV chamber which simulates high altitude direct UV exposure. I thought you might be interested in my findings. I used a Masonite panel painted white and then coated with the epoxy. On half of the epoxy coated panel, I brushed on one coat of UV Poly and put it in the chamber for 644 hours at 50 C (the heat accelerates the exposure). Attached is a picture of the results. The masonite cracked a bit and separated due to a bit of wetness in the wood (unrelated to the resin). The epoxy  ambered dramatically within about 50 hours. After 644 hours, the UV Poly showed a slight bit of ambering from the original control but it is marginal at worst. The technician who ran the test said if it isn't yellow at 644 hours it is basically indestructible. I also tested several other 2-part resin products with the UV Poly and had the same result. You have a great product. I now feel secure knowing that my resin art, protected with the Poly UV Plus, will be archival and protected for long years. I will be ordering more soon! Best, Josie (6/2010) Order Acrylic Poly UV plus - cannot be sold in Calif. - and all our other products at our King Cart Storefront. Acrylic poly UV Plus is in the non-epoxy section. Two Part Poly info/web site ----- UV issues ----- Epoxy/Poly Only Google Search ----- Visit the Epoxy Guru

 

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LPU paints offered by Progressive Epoxy:

 

Acrylic Poly UV Plus - gloss (our best seller)

This is a commercial product group/type generally not

available to the consumer marketplace

ACRYLIC POLY UV PLUS (tm) This product is very popular with golf courses and country clubs. they use it annually on their Tees and signage for that fresh, new, glossy shine.

QUESTIONS?  CALL 603 435 7199

 

Acrylic Poly UV Plus - GLOSS (THIS ONE FOR PEBBLE DECKS AND OVER EPOXY FLOOR PAINTS)

LPU marine - white polyester poly

Find the Polyester or Acrylic Polyurethane UV in our Marine Catalog - click here to buy LPU paints

Find the Polyester or Acrylic Polyurethane in  UV our Industrial Catalog - click here to buy LPU poly paints

Order this two part  Product NOW from our  large Primary web store

 

ACRYLIC POLY UV PLUS (tm) This product is very popular with golf courses and country clubs. they use it annually on their Tees and signage for that fresh, new, glossy shine.

QUESTIONS?  CALL 603 435 7199

 

Save over 50% (hundreds of dollars!) On 2-Part Marine Topsides Paint Two part polyurethane paints are the best of user applied coatings. Automobiles and fine yachts use them We offer two outstanding products. One is a snowy white yacht coating (LPU Marine) and the other is a Clear with massive UV protection (something not often found in even the most expensive two-part polys - auto clear coat being the exception). More on 2 part polys - CLICK HERE We checked the prices for similar Awgrip brand polys at discount marine supply store WEST MARINE (Feb 2019). Their polyester polyurethane white sells for $280 per gallon. (that’s $420 for 1.5 gallons - vs. $199 for our 1.5 gal package). Use our LPU Marine polyester poly and save 53%. Our clear acrylic poly (Acrylic Poly UV Plus) vs. their clear Awlcraft 2000 clear acrylic poly (which doesn’t have the UV blockers and absorbers that our product does - a really valuable addition) - sells for $149 per gallon vs. their price of $270 per gallon. Let's talk! - 503-435-7199

 

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We really appreciate you visiting PROGRESSIVE EPOXY POLYMERS, INC. and our web site: EPOXYPRODUCTS.COM.  Take advantage of the CONTACT links on this page to ask questions about our products and/or your projects. You can stay in touch with us via our NEWSLETTER (link on our contact page) which is emailed  every 6-8 weeks.

Epoxy Only Web Google Search
	#1) Google Everything Epoxy Searches #2) Google Marine Epoxies Searches #3)Google Floor Epoxy Searches
View our Progressive Epoxy Products, Inc. company video	Contact Page

 

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This current page is all about:

LPU TWO PART POLYURETHANE PAINTS

LPU 2 part polyurethane paint basics links 2 buy white clear
Two Part UV resistant LPU Polyurethane - BUY LPU Paints coatings

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THIS PRODUCT IS CONSIDERED A WATERPROOFING SEALER. IT CANNOT BE SOLD IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

The Polyester Poly™ offered by Progressive Epoxy Polymers (mentioned above) is a polyester LPU coating, the best 'LPU Flavor' in terms of toughness and chemical resistance. It doesn't have the UV blockers that the Acrylic Poly UV Plus contains. This is the best clear topcoat you can apply to a newly applied epoxy floor (but it lacks the UV blockers). Best is the acrylic poly over the epoxy or epoxy and chips, then the Polyester Poly over that.

 
THIS PRODUCT IS CONSIDERED A WATERPROOFING SEALER. IT CANNOT BE SOLD IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

 

WHY ALMOST NO UV PROTECTING CLEAR COAT PRODUCTS:

Two reasons why there are few clear coat products available with UV blockers. One is cost. These additives for clear coats are expensive. Second, most clear coat products go over pigments coatings that are not epoxy and do not yellow (but might still fade a little bit). Simply the top coating of epoxies with a clear coat is a small market, that few address (except for our Acyrlic Poly UV plus mentioned above.). So, if some vendor tells you they have an special clear top coat for epoxy surfaces and it doesn't really mention special additional uv blockers etc. added to it (don't think there are any), they you already know they are stretching the truth because the product wasn't designed with epoxies in mind. Some vendors just 'forget' to mention epoxy yellowing entirely. LET THE BUYER BEWARE.

ACRYLIC POLY UV PLUS (tm) This product is very popular with golf courses and country clubs. they use it annually on their Tees and signage for that fresh, new, glossy shine.

QUESTIONS?  CALL 603 435 7199

 

	WOW!  35% - 40% of all daily online or telephone orders are from existing  customers. That's an amazing 'REPEAT CUSTOMER" number.
EPOXY-ONLY WEB SEARCH	603 - 435 - 7199 ANYTIME 24/7 FOR HELP OR ORDERS

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URETHANE COLORED COATS:

We offer polyester polyurethane (50% VOC) available in white only (LPU Marine) - for use on boat hulls, cars, planes. Not for sale in Southern California.

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NOTES: 2 part poly paints are really sensitive to surface contamination problems etc. Guys that paint cars use 2 part poly paints. They use a product made by Du Pont and sold at auto part stores called 259S Paint Additive (quote: an additive for topcoats and clears to eliminate fisheyes, craters and other surface defects). I paid $22 for a pint of it in 2003.

LPU coatings like to go on thin (multi thin coats!) - many folks sand between all or some of the coats. The coats are very thin so here is a link to a site that sells 'sandpaper' in the 400 - 12,000 super/super fine range (thanks for this info from one of our customers!) https://www.micro-surface.com/

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The 2009 West Marine Catalog lists 1 quart units of Perfection™ two part LPU (page 200) at $77.99 a quart!!!! They don't say if it is an acrylic poly or the better polyester poly, which usually means it is an acrylic poly... They also sell an LPU 'varnish' (page 203 - $77.99 per quart) which I assume is akin to our Acrylic Poly UV plus clear coat. Our products are about 66% less in price.

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Find the Polyester or Acrylic Polyurethane in our Marine Catalog - click here to buy LPU paints

Find the Polyester or Acrylic Polyurethane in our Industrial Catalog - click here to buy LPU poly paints

Solvents:

Products have low viscosity, but if thinning (reducing) is still desired use our:

SU 93 REDUCER (Thinner) - slow - used mostly for brush/roll application

SU 94 REDUCER (Thinner) - fast - for spray applications

 

MARINE CATALOG	HOME/DIY/COMMERCIAL CATALOG
Section One TWO PART MARINE EPOXIES- CLEAR EPOXIES basic no blush (tm)	Section A EPOXY PAINTS corro coat FC 2100; NSP 120; water gard 300; coal tar ; CM 15; crack coat™
Section Two FILLERS THICKENERS ADDITIVES fumed silica; microsphere/balloons; poly fibers; copper; graphite; Teflon (tm); wood flour; EZ thick; rock flour	Section B FLOOR EPOXIES (regular and non-skid products), SEALERS, ACCESSORIES water bond (water based); solvent free industrial floor epoxy; bio vee seal; water based floor epoxy, floor epoxy with grit; walnut shell; ground white rubber grit
Section Three THICKENED EPOXIES - EPOXY PUTTIES, ETC. wet/dry 700; splash zone; quick fix 2300, QR 2400 rubber epoxy	Section C THICKENED EPOXIES - EPOXY PUTTIES, ETC. wet/dry 700; splash zone A-788, quick fix 2300; QR 2400 (tm) rubber epoxy
Section Four TWO PART EPOXY PAINTS (barrier coats) corro coat FC 2100; water gard 300; CM 15; EZ Spray; epoxy primer; crack coat™	Section D CLEAR TWO PART EPOXIES low V epoxy; basic no blush; ESP 155; Bio-Clear 810
Section Five URETHANES AND NON-EPOXY COATINGS Aluthane (aluminum coating); LPU Marine	Section E NON-EPOXY PAINTS SEALERS Aluthane moisture cured urethane; Acrylic Poly UV Plus and other 2 part polys ; Capt. Tolley's creeping crack sealer
Section Six NON-SKID DECK COATINGS walnut shell; ground white rubber	Section F MIX-IN ADDITIVES fumed silica; fiber fill; micro balloons/micro-spheres; graphite; Teflon (tm); copper powder; wood flour; EZ thick, rock flour
Section Seven MARINE REPAIR PRODUCTS pipe wrap; fiberglass tape (cloth); Capt. Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure
Section Eight MISC. MARINE PRODUCTS short nap rollers; TA 661 (solvent free epoxy clean-up); 1 inch foam brushes; 2 inch bristle brushes; tongue depressors	HELP PAGE  INDEX
One page summary/prices - marine catalog	One page summary/prices -DIY/HOME catalog
BUY FROM PRIMARY STOREFRONT	BUY FROM PRIMARY STOREFRONT
internet boat links page	internet floor links page Internet DIY repair links page
Call (603-435-7199) or EMAIL with questions /phone orders etc. about what you're doing. We try to earn your business one phone call at a time!

 

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Epoxy Only Web Google Search
	#1) Google Everything Epoxy Searches #2) Google Marine Epoxies Searches #3)Google Floor Epoxy Searches
View our Progressive Epoxy Products, Inc. company video	Contact Page

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Reasons for coating failures

Preparation problem 70%; application problem 12%; environment problem 6%; wrong paint selection 9%; bad paint 1%; adding thinner 2%

"At least 70% of premature coatings failures are traced back to 'surface preparation' whether referring to wood, concrete, or metal. In a commercial recoating project, the costs (and profit) associated with surface preparation are about 70% of the job. How extensive the surface preparation is will depend on the performance expectation of the owner... Know the A, B, C's of surface preparation - visible contaminants, invisible contaminants, and profile."

Dr. Lydia Frenzel, The ABCs of Surface Preparation, Cleaner Times, April 2001, pg. 42-44.

We've found that most problems are the result of recoating too soon. Recoat epoxies after 24 hours, for putting different kinds of coatings over each other, wait at least 48 hours. Our aluminum filled, moisture cured urethane is an exception. Topcoat within 16 hours.

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Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc.

www.epoxyproducts.com

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LPU 2 part polyurethane paint basics links 2 buy white clear
Two Part UV resistant LPU Polyurethane - BUY LPU Paints coatings

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