FAQs
  1. What is MetalRenu™ and MetalRenu Salt Shield™?
  2. What type of metal problems will METALRENU™ solve?
  3. How do I know if METALRENU™ will work for me?
  4. How is METALRENU™ Applied?
  5. How is the surface cleaned?
  6. Why should I use deionized water?
  7. What is the shelf life for METALRENU™?
  8. How often does METALRENU™ need to be reapplied?
  9. Why not just paint metal surfaces?
  10. At what temperature can METALRENU™ be applied?
  11. Are there surfaces that should not have METALRENU™ applied to them?
  12. Are there some metal conditions that METALRENU™ cannot restore?
  13. Should I apply METALRENU™ on new metal surfaces?
  14. How much does METALRENU™ cost?
  15. Where can I purchase METALRENU™ coatings?
  16. Can METALRENU™ be purchased in Canada?
  17. How can I remove METALRENU™?
  18. Black streaks appeared after coating polished aluminum with METALRENU™. Why did this happen? How can I fix it?

What is MetalRenu™ and MetalRenu Salt Shield™?

  • METALRENU™ protective restoration coatings are a unique, crystal clear coating that are very user friendly and easy to apply. METALRENU™ is a homogenous, one part coating so there is nothing to mix and the coatings will not separate.

  • METALRENU™ is suitable for internal, external or submersed use as a non-toxic, anti-corrosion protection for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, galvanized, anodized and painted surfaces. It can also be used on concrete, stone, and wood.

  • MetalRenu™ coatings have indefinite shelf life in a closed container so there is no waste.

  • METALRENU™ is a non-conductive coating which will prevent corrosion caused by dissimilar metals.

  • METALRENU™ remains flexible so it will not chip, crack or peel. It will also not discolor or turn yellow with exposure or heat.

  • METALRENU™ will refinish faded surfaces and restore the original like-new color and protect from sun fading, salt air oxidation, moisture damage, tarnish, acid rain and other damaging elements.

  • METALRENU™ is self annealing, will blend to itself and can be maintained indefinitely.

What type of metal problems will METALRENU™ solve?
Sun can cause paint to fail, causing chalking and fading. Salt air can corrode metal causing rust and ugly corrosion. Acid rain can cause permanent damage to metal and stone.

METALRENU™ protective restoration coating can refinish faded and dull surfaces to look like new again and protect them against sun fading, salt air corrosion, acid rain, tarnishing, moisture and other damaging elements for years. Protected surfaces will be much easier to keep clean as dust and dirt cannot penetrate the paint or hang on the oxidation. Graffiti can be cleaned off of the protected surface and the paint will remain protected.

METALRENU SALTSHIELD™ can prevent tarnish and oxidation on plated metals, copper, brass, silver, anodized Steel, etc. The metal must be polished or cleaned first, all traces of polish residue must be removed and then METALRENU SALTSHIELD™ can be applied to seal the surface.

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How do I know if METALRENU™ will work for me?
You can test the surface to see if it can be restored. Clean an area and observe it when it is clean and wet. If the color and shine come back when the surface is clean and wet, then that is how the surface will look refinished with METALRENU™.

How is METALRENU™ Applied?
Refinishing with METALRENU™ is a simple 2 step process. First, the surface is cleaned and any polish or cleaner residue is removed. Second, the coating is applied to refinish and protect the surface.

METALRENU™ coatings can be applied by using a high-density foam roller or brush, spraying, dipping or using a natural bristle brush.

METALRENU™ coatings are ready to use and self leveling.

How is the surface cleaned?
Surfaces like metal wall or roof systems, siding or anodized aluminum mullions should be power washed or hand washed to remove chalk, dirt, any wax or grease, or any other contaminating agents. The metal skin should be rinsed well, preferably with de-ionized water, so that water does not bead up on the surface. If it does, that means there is still soap or wax or oily residue on the surface.

Surfaces such as brass, silver, copper or other non painted metals must be neutralized if cleaned with an acid cleaner and then should be wiped with a Xylene solvent or denatured alcohol to ensure all contaminates are removed.

IF THE SURFACE IS CLEANED WITH AN ACID CLEANER, THE SURFACE MUST BE NEUTRALIZED BEFORE APPLYING THE COATING. Use METALPREP™ Cleaning Solution and PH Neutralizer or calcium carbonate or a baking soda wash to neutralize the acid. Water rinsing will not remove all of the acid. The acid will react with the solvent and will create problems such as black streaks.

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Why should I use deionized water?
Common tap water is typically used during window cleaning, pressure washing and surface rinsing processes. Unfortunately, tap water contains a multitude of different minerals and salts such as calcium, magnesium and silica. When tap water evaporates, these particles are left behind in the form of a visible residue that sits on most surfaces. This residue is unsightly and may interfere in the chemical bonding process of the finish coat.

Deionized (DI) water is water that has had its minerals and salts removed through a filtration process. Because the majority of water impurities are dissolved salts, deionization produces high purity water that's generally similar to distilled water, and does so quickly and without scale buildup. Without minerals and salt in the cleaning water, the final DI rinse dries on the glass absolutely spot-free.

Deionized water costs only a few pennies extra for each gallon of water used. Using DI water prevents film forming residue on the surface and strengthens the chemical bond of the finish coat to the metal skin.


What is the shelf life for METALRENU™?
METALRENU™ has an indefinite shelf life in a closed container. Unlike 2 part coatings which are wasted if not used in a short time once mixed, there is no mixing required with METALRENU™. This means that if you get interrupted while applying the coating, simply pour the unused coating back into the container and put the lid back on and you can resume where you left off at another time. Do not pour contaminated coating back into the original container. Do not allow the coating to freeze.

How often does METALRENU™ need to be reapplied?
On exterior applications on painted metal, METALRENU™ will need to be reapplied when the surface starts to look dull. Depending on the elements and U.V. exposure, this will be about 5 to 10 years. The number of years of protection varies by the intensity of the damaging elements and use of the surface.

On brass, copper, bronze, stainless steel etc. the length of time will depend on the usage and elements it is exposed to. On interior applications, the metal will not need re-application for many years unless it gets a lot of wear. On exterior applications, the coating may need to be reapplied more often.

METALRENU™ does not need to be stripped before recoating. Simply clean the surface and reapply. METALRENU™ and METALRENU SALTSHIELD™ are self annealing; they will bond to themselves to create a new envelope of protection.

Why not just paint metal surfaces?
In many cases, metal surfaces are repainted simply because they have become dull and faded. Refinishing with METALRENU™ is less expensive, faster, easier and achieves more permanent results than repainting.

Just repainting metal cannot protect against salt-air corrosion. Repainted surfaces will fade faster than baked on paint, and may crack, peel, blister, chip and impair the look of your property. It is much better to refinish your baked-on enamel finish rather than applying a less quality paint in the field. If the surface is already repainted, you can seal it with METALRENU™ to prevent moisture and sun damage.

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At what temperature can METALRENU™ be applied?
METALRENU™ can be applied in temperatures from approximately 40º F up to 100º F. The temperature of the metal is more important than the air temperature. At 65°F air temperature, the metal can reach over 100°F in direct sunlight while in the shade, the metal will be around 75°F. DO NOT APPLY METALRENU™ IF THE METAL TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 100°F. The coating will flash off before it can self level and will fail. If the metal is too hot to comfortably hold your hand on it for more than a few seconds, it is probably too hot for application of the coating.

If applying to vertical services, watch for runs or sags if applying between 40º and 50ºF. If you get sags, simply wipe them out with an applicator pad or clean, white, lint free cloth that contains METALRENU™. If you make a mistake, it can be fixed by removing the METALRENU™ with a solvent like Xylene or denatured alcohol and reapplying.

The best temperature to spray METALRENU™ is over 50° F. If you spray vertical walls or doors at lower temperatures, watch very carefully for sags or drips as the coating will dry more slowly and can run down the surface. If this happens, simply wipe them out with an applicator wet with METALRENU™ or a solvent like Xylene or denatured alcohol.

METALRENU™ should not be applied if the temperature of the metal is above 100°F. If the surface is too hot, the coating will flash off before it has a chance to completely coat the surface. If you are spraying on a very warm day, it is best to NOT apply METALRENU™ in the direct sun where the temperature of the wall is too hot.

Are there surfaces that should not have METALRENU™ applied to them?
Do NOT apply METALRENU™ to soft rubber or soft vinyl as the solvent can harm them.
Hard vinyl signs, residential siding, polymeric roof tiles, PVC, plastic and fiberglass have successfully been reconditioned with our VINYLBRITE™ product. For more information on restoring the like-new color to faded vinyl, plastic and fiberglass, go to www.vinylrenew.com.

Are there some metal conditions that METALRENU™ cannot restore?
METALRENU™ cannot rejuvenate the surface if it is extremely damaged. For example, METALRENU™ is not effective once salt-air oxidation is so bad that the metal is extremely pitted or rusted or if the paint film has completely eroded away due to weathering. Peeling paint must be repaired prior to being coated with METALRENU™.

METALRENU™ will prevent acid rain damage but nothing can fix it once the surface is etched and stained.

Should I apply METALRENU™ on new metal surfaces?
Most new metal wall, roof and architectural panel surfaces are coated with a powder or liquid polyester coating which will usually burn off in 2 to 3 years. Ideally, it is best to wait until this coating has eroded slightly before refinishing and protecting with METALRENU™. The exception to this is if protection is necessary from salt air or acid rain.

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How much does METALRENU™ cost?
Refinishing with METALRENU™ is economical due to its high coverage rate (1,200 sq. ft. per gallon) and longevity of the coating. Depending on the condition of the metal substrate and the results to be achieved, the cost for the coating ranges between 17 and 47 cents per square foot. Labor is less expensive than painting because there is no priming or masking necessary and the surface prep work is less rigorous than painting.

Where can I purchase METALRENU™ coatings?
You can only purchase METALRENU™ Protective Restoration Coatings directly from MetalRenu Solutions in the U.S.A. Please contact us if you would like to place an order.

Can METALRENU™ be purchased in Canada?
Yes, our exclusive distributor in Canada is Pro-Active Metal Solutions located in Toronto. You can also purchase METALRENU™ coatings directly from MetalRenu Solutions which can be shipped directly to you on pre-paid terms. The shipping charges will vary depending on your location. METALRENU™ can also be shipped to other countries in the same manner.
 
How can I remove METALRENU™?
If you are not pleased with the application or get METALRENU™ on a surface that you did not want to coat like glass, brick, wood, etc. the coating can be removed with Xylene or other solvents like lacquer thinner or denatured alcohol. Make sure to test an area first to ensure that the solvent will not harm the non-meal surface.

Black streaks appeared after coating polished aluminum with METALRENU™. Why did this happen? How can I fix it?
If the aluminum or other metal was cleaned with an acid based cleaner and was not neutralized, the solvent in the coating reacting with the acid will cause black streaks. Acid cannot be totally rinsed off with plain water; a calcium carbonate or baking soda wash must be used to neutralize it before any solvent based coating is applied.

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