Pettit EZ Prime High-Build Topside Undercoater

All painting should be done between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in order to avoid the possibility of dew or condensation spoiling the application with temperatures ranging between 50°F to 90°F When working in cooler temperatures be sure the air and surface temperatures will remain at or above 50°F for at least 8 hours after application. Do not apply this product with high humidity or with weather threatening. Stir thoroughly before use. 6149 EZ-Prime may be applied by brush, roller, conventional, or airless spray. For brush or roller application apply without thinning, although in hot weather 5-10% Pettit 120 Brushing Thinner may be added to help maintain a wet edge. Do not thin more than 10% (12 ounces per gallon) when applying by brush or roller or inadequate paint film thickness will occur. For best results on large, smooth surfaces roll out using a short nap or foam roller followed immediately by leveling off with the tip of a brush. For conventional spray application thin 15-20% with Pettit 121 Spraying Thinner. For airless spray application thin up to 5% with Pettit 121 Spraying Thinner. Utilize a .011-.015 inch diameter tip for application. Do not thin beyond your states compliant limit.

After four hours dry time, lightly sand with 150 grit sandpaper and apply a second coat, if necessary. Always wipe with a tack cloth immediately before the fresh application of paint to remove any airborne dust which may have settled. Applying two or more coats in one day or applying excessively heavy films (greater than 5 wet mils) will lead to insufficient through drying of the paint and will yield soft paint films. This product will cover approximately 400 square feet per gallon.

Surface Preparation: Coating performance, in general, is proportional to the degree of surface preparation. Follow recommendations carefully, avoiding shortcuts. Inadequate preparation of surfaces will virtually assure inadequate coating performance. Surface must be free of dirt, loose paint, rust, oil, grease, wax, soap and any other foreign matter. Clean painted areas by washing with a solution of 2 cups household ammonia per gallon of water and rinse well. Remove existing mildew with household bleach instead of ammonia.

Bare Wood: Sand surface smooth with 80-120 grit sandpaper, then solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner to remove residue. Fill all screw heads, nicks, gouges, and small holes with 7050 EZ-Fair Epoxy Fairing Compound; sand flush and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner. Apply a coat of 2018 Clear Sealer to penetrate and seal the porous grain. Follow with one or two coats of 6149 EZ Prime until an evenly smooth base condition is reached; sand each coat with 80-120 grit sandpaper and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner. Proceed with the first finish coat of Pettit, Z-Spar, or Shipendec topside paint.

Bare wood that has been epoxied must be thoroughly scrubbed with an ammonia/water solution then sanded with 120 grit sandpaper and solvent cleaned with Pettit 120 Thinner. If the surface is too rough or heavy imperfections exist, it will have to be repaired. Fill all deep nicks and gouges with 7050 EZ-Fair Epoxy Fairing Compound; sand flush when hard, then solvent clean. Follow with one or two coats of 6149 EZ Prime to smooth the surface and provide a uniform base. Sand well and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner, then proceed with the first coat of Pettit, Z-Spar, or Shipendec topside paint.

Painted Surfaces: Clean and prep the painted areas using Pettit #92 Bio-Blue Hull Surface Prep using a Scotch-Brite pad or stiff bristle brush. Thoroughly rinse the surface and allow to dry. Remove existing mildew with household bleach. Never mix bleach and ammonia. If the old paint is an oil-based enamel or polyurethane, and is in good, sound condition, sand it thoroughly smooth with 150 grit sandpaper, solvent clean to remove residue with Pettit 120 Thinner, then proceed with one or two coats of 6149 EZ Prime until an evenly smooth base condition is reached; sand each coat with 80-120 grit sandpaper and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner. If the surface is too rough or heavy imperfections exist, it will have to be repaired. Fill all deep nicks and gouges with 7050 EZ-Fair Epoxy Fairing Compound; sand flush when hard, then solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner, then proceed with one or two coats of 6149 EZ Prime until an evenly smooth base condition is reached; sand each coat with 80-120 grit sandpaper and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner. Proceed with the first finish coat of Pettit, Z-Spar, or Shipendec topside paint.

If the old paint is a latex or water-based paint, or is in poor condition, remove it with a paint remover or by sanding. Proceed with instructions for the appropriate bare surface system.

Bare Aluminum: Clean and prep the surface using Pettit #92 Bio-Blue Hull Surface Prep and a Scotch-Brite pad. Thoroughly rinse the surface and allow to dry. Remove any remaining residue by wiping the surface with Pettit 120 Thinner. Remove oxidation and etch the surface with medium grit emery cloth; remove sanding residue. Apply one thin "wet" coat of 6455/044 Metal Primer; allow to dry at least two hours. Proceed with one or two coats of 6149 EZ Prime to smooth the surface and provide a uniform base. Sand well and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner, then proceed with the first coat of Pettit, Z-Spar, or Shipendec topside paint.

Bare steel: Surface must be cleaned to a bright finish by sandblasting or grinding; remove blast residue. Immediately apply one coat of 6980 Rustlok Primer; allow to dry until tacky. If surface is rough, apply a coat of 6627 Tie-Coat Primer; sand well and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner. Repeat application as needed until surface is no longer rough. Proceed with one or two coats of 6149 EZ Prime to smooth the surface and provide a uniform base. Sand well and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner, then proceed with the first coat of Pettit, Z-Spar, or Shipendec topside paint.

Bare Fiberglass: The entire surface to be painted regardless of age must be thoroughly washed with #92 Bio-Blue Hull Surface Prep or wiping several times with Pettit 120 Thinner to remove all traces of mold release agents and wax. For best results, clean and prep the surface using Pettit #92 Bio-Blue Hull Surface Prep and a Scotch-Brite pad. Thoroughly rinse the surface and allow to dry. Remove any remaining residue by wiping the surface with Pettit 120 Thinner. Sand the gel coat with 80 to 120 grit sandpaper to a dull, frosty appearance, solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner to remove residue. Proceed with one or two coats of 6149 EZ Prime until an evenly smooth base condition is reached; sand each coat with 80-120 grit sandpaper and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner. If the surface is too rough or heavy imperfections exist, it will have to be repaired. Fill all deep nicks and gouges with 7050 EZ-Fair Epoxy Fairing Compound; sand flush when hard, then solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner, then proceed with one or two coats of 6149 EZ Prime until an evenly smooth base condition is reached; sand each coat with 80-120 grit sandpaper and solvent clean with Pettit 120 Thinner. Proceed with the first finish coat of Pettit, Z-Spar, or Shipendec topside paint.

Non-Skid Decks: EZ-Prime is usually not necessary when painting non-skid surfaces. Please refer to the Product Data Sheet for the Pettit, Z-Spar, or Shipendec topside paint of your choice.