Manufacturing FAQ

My application requires temperatures outside the range listed on your Technical Data Sheet [TDS]. Can the product go higher or lower in temperature then what the range states?

Generally yes, however it depends on the length of time and also how the coating is expected to perform at that temperature. If the coating will not be impacted, expected to resist abrasion, chemicals or not stick to itself or another surface at lower or higher temperatures and if the period of time is relatively short, most of our coatings will go outside the range before either becoming affected negatively. It’s always best to test if this is a critical feature and use common sense.

The MSDS says the product is flammable or hazardous. Does this mean it’s flammable or hazardous in its liquid state and after it’s applied and allowed to adequately dry?

Good question. Many customers confuse MSDS information [based on liquid properties only] for physical properties of the applied and properly cured product. They are very different. MSDS information is for transportation, safety, health and environmental reporting purposes only of the liquid product. Always review the TDS for the products physical properties after completely drying.

How do I calculate the amount of coating I need for my project?

First determine how many mils thick you require the product to be applied when dry. Carefully calculate the square feet of surface area of each part to be coated. Using the square foot coverage information provided on the TDS you can easily calculate how many square feet per gallon you can expect at a given mil thickness.

For example if you determine you require 10 mils dft [dry film thickness] and the TDS states 40 square feet @ 5 mils, divide the 40 square feet by 2. The 20 square feet per gallon would then become twice the thickness or 10 mils dft. You can multiply or divide accordingly to achieve your estimated per gallon coverage.

By dividing into your cost per gallon for the product you can then theoretically estimate your amount of material needed for the job as well as a rough cost per square foot. Always assume you will have some waste whether you are dipping [usually 5% waste], brushing [usually 10% waste] or spraying [usually 10-25%] depending on shape and complexity of parts being coated. These are estimates only and common sense must be used when calculating material usage.

The product TDS states I must sheer mix the product. What does sheer mixing mean and how does that differ from using a stir stick or paddle mixer?

Sheering or aggressive dispersion is necessary for products that gel or coagulate in cold weather, transportation or long term storage. Most of our vinyl based Muraculon products require this type of mixing. High speed combined with a Cowles dispersion blade or similar is required along with following the TDS mixing instructions carefully. Over 95% of all application/ finish complaints stem from improper or inadequate product mixing. Please read and follow instructions carefully!

Does the product I need come in special colors or can it be color matched for my project?

In many cases we have several colors available in the product you need. If you can supply us with a 2”x 2” color chip or Pantone number we can check our color books to see if we have the color you’re looking for, something very close or tell you we would need to perform a color match. We aren’t the local paint store and it’s not as simple as picking out a paint chip and waiting 15 minutes for your product however we have a good system and if you contact us we can get you started. We do have a 5 gallon minimum for custom color orders.

What size containers are your products available in and what are your minimums?

Our specialty products are available in 5 gallon and 50 gallon drums. We manufacture custom colors in as little as 5 gallon quantities and custom formulations in 50 gallon batches. Don’t hesitate to ask us for assistance with any special requirements.

Do you have a distributor in my area where I can buy Performix Brand products for my manufacturing application?

While we have a network of Retailers and Distributors for many of our standard products, the Manufacturing Solutions/ OEM Division works directly with the manufacturer.

Does your company offer technical support?

Yes, we offer technical support on 3 levels.

You can access many of our MSDS and TDS through our website.
Call, write or email us and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Provide us with as much detail as possible; we can’t have too much information about your application. We may also ask you to send us a sample or actual part you are interested in coating so we can evaluate your application specifics and provide you with the best overall coating.
In-house or onsite visit. In some cases our customers come to us for training and assistance or if necessary we travel to them to work through the technical challenges. Technical support is what sets us apart from our competition.