Color-Gard

Color-Gard is an architectural color coating system from American WeatherStar for metal roofs. Color-Gard belongs to the commercial roof coating systems family and serves commercial roof restoration. Two components define it: Color Prime 915, a water-based epoxy primer, and High-Gloss Acrylic 215, a PVDF finish applied in two coats. Metal is the only listed substrate.

The system is designed for architectural-style metal roof panels with moderate rust and corrosion and with positive drainage. Its application guideline states that Color-Gard is not a waterproofing system, and refers to the Color-Gard+ system where waterproofing is required. That separates it from Color-Gard+, which adds a High-Tensile Acrylic 211 base coat and seam sealant.

1. Metal roof substrate, pressure washed to remove dirt, dust and debris.
2. Color Prime 915 primer, applied over the entire roof.
3. High-Gloss Acrylic 215 base coat, in a custom color, applied to give uniform dry mil thickness.
4. High-Gloss Acrylic 215 top coat, a low-build, flexible finish.

Both coats of the finish are the same material. Only one coating product, High-Gloss Acrylic 215, is used above the primer.

Color Prime 915 is a two-component, water-based epoxy primer for metal roofs before High-Gloss Acrylic 215. It also works as a bonding primer on metals, organic polymers, masonry, copper and wood, and as a masonry block filler. Published data:

• Solids by volume: 45 percent plus or minus 2 (ASTM D-2697)
• Solids by weight: 56 percent plus or minus 2 (ASTM D-1644)
• Adhesion: 5A (D-3359)
• Pencil hardness at 7 days: H (D1186)
• VOC: below 100 g/liter (EPA Method 24)
• Maximum continuous temperature: 180 degrees F
• Flash point: above 212 degrees F, A and B mixed
• Dry time: 2 to 3 hours at 75 degrees F
• Shelf life unopened: 12 months at 45 to 75 degrees F

Part A is black and Part B is clear, and the mixed primer is black. Part A comes in a 5-gallon pail holding 4 gallons and Part B in a 1-gallon pail. Components are mixed separately and then combined, with power mixing recommended. Pot life once mixed is 4 hours. The primer is brushed, rolled or sprayed with a 1/2 gpm unit and a #017 tip, a synthetic filament brush or a 1 1/4 inch nap roller. If blowholes form as it dries, a second pass is made with a relatively dry roller after 8 to 10 minutes. Cleanup is with water.

The coverage rate on the data sheet is 1 gallon per 200 to 400 square feet. The metal-roof guideline calls for priming at about 1 gallon per 100 to 200 square feet depending on rust severity, and 1 gallon per 200 square feet where no rust is present.

High-Gloss Acrylic 215 is a single-component, water-based, flexible PVDF coating for spray application, designed as a low-build coating over primed or unprimed substrates. Published data:

• Solids by volume: 40 percent plus or minus 2
• Elongation: 300 percent plus or minus 50
• Tensile strength: 1,000 plus or minus 50 psi
• Reflectivity: 88 percent; emissivity 0.89; SRI 110, calculated
• 60 degree gloss: 69 percent
• VOC: 49 g/liter
• Weight: 10.4 lbs per gallon
• Dry time: 2 to 6 hours
• Service temperature: -40 to 200 degrees F

The standard color is white. The coating is packed in 5 gallon and 55 gallon sizes and cleans up with water.

The 10-year system is a 4 to 5 mil Color-Gard system. The base coat of High-Gloss Acrylic 215 goes on at 0.33 gallon per 100 square feet with ambient temperature at 60 degrees F or above. The top coat goes on at 0.33 gallon per 100 square feet at 50 degrees F or above. High-Gloss Acrylic 215 is not installed above 0.5 gallon per 100 square feet (8 wet mils) in a single pass.

A ten year color fade warranty is available along with the standard material warranty, and the system is covered by a 10-year color fade warranty. Under the standard warranty, American WeatherStar warrants that supplied material meets or exceeds published physical properties, and the contractor guarantees the workmanship. A Pre-Project Inspection Report is submitted and approved before the job starts, and each job is approved by American WeatherStar before it begins.

The Color-Gard palette comprises white, light gray, medium gray, dark gray, tan, Federal Brown (6083), Forest Green (6461), Terracotta (2803), Dark Blue (6510), Safety Yellow (6907), Brick Red (6328), Light Blue (6507), Olive Green (6402) and custom colors. Custom colors carry a 45 gallon minimum order.

• New galvanized metal cures a minimum of 90 days before coating, or is treated with a surface conditioner approved by American WeatherStar.
• The roof is inspected for rust degradation, including the underside of panels where possible. Hidden rust between panels or on the underside cannot be mitigated by a coating system.
• Loosely adhered asphaltic roofing elements are removed with pressure washers, scrapers, wire brushes or wire wheels.
• HVAC condensate drains are routed to roof drains or plumbed off the roof.
• Ponding water areas are mechanically eliminated before coating.
• EcoCleaner 925, a clear cleaner with 0 g/liter VOC, is diluted 5:1 and applied at 1 gallon per 150 square feet, followed by power washing at a minimum of 3,000 psi.

Acrylic Skylight Sealer 230, a translucent gloss coating covering 1/2 to 1 gallon per 100 square feet, seals and reconditions skylights on roofs coated with American WeatherStar metal systems. Color-Gard is used on metal roofs that are coated for appearance and color retention.