Frequently Asked Questions
COELAN marine Coating Products comprise of many products that have exceptional applications and characteristics. You may, therefore, have questions concerning the products or their characteristics. Please read advice and explanations provided by experts. If you need further support, please contact us for thorough and timely reply on your enquiry.
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1. What does COELAN coating stand for?
Since 1954 COELAN has been setting the highest standards in liquid polyurethane coating quality and beauty! COELAN Boat coating is a liquid, one-component polyurethane coating. COELAN Boat coating has been rated as possibly the best wood coating and finishing product on the market. It out-performs any high quality varnish and, once applied, does not require re-coating for many years. COELAN Marine Coating Products are extremely cost effective long-term solutions to many of your yacht sealing and coating requirements. Since it is a single component product, it is easy to apply. COELAN Boat Coatings are available for Wood, fiberglass (GRP), plastic surfaces and as Porthole Refresher. It can be applied by brush, roller or spray. -
2. What benefits make COELAN perform better than other types of varnishes?
Due to its flexibility, COELAN will expand and contract along with changes in the wood due to moisture, heat, and mechanical stress. In addition, use of COELAN usually stops leaks. COELAN is also extremely resistant to UV and it is able to withstand damage due to abrasion and foot traffic. In fact, COELAN contains re-growth properties, which allow the coating to mend automatically due minor damage caused by scuffing and abrasion. -
3. What is the lifespan of COELAN?
Various independent long-term coating tests performed by Ship and Yacht building companies as well as renowned boat magazines report an ideal look even after more than 10 years. The manufacture’s promise is a product life of at least 5 years when applied in accordance with the instructions. -
4. Does COELAN withstand Ultra Violet light?
Conventional varnish leaves exposed surfaces subject to UV radiation, resulting in cracked surfaces of the varnish. COELAN coating and the associated primer, filters away 99 % of UV light. If applied in accordance with the instructions, COELAN lasts for many years and without any cracked surfaces even under the high solar radiation of the Mediterranean and Caribbean Sea. -
5. Does COELAN endure salt water?
COELAN coatings retain their gloss for years. Little if any touch up is required.6. How much can COELAN stretch?
Elongation is approximately 335%. This means that COELAN can be stretched three times its length before breaking.7. How does COELAN endure wear resulting from leather shoes or sand?
When applied per manufacturer's instructions, COELAN is a very resilient coating and stands up to heavy wear. It is very useful for steps, benches, floorboards etc.8. Does COELAN adhere to teak as well as other oily woods?
Yes, it bonds very well to these woods. The appropriate primer also affects this. Do not use thinners to remove oil and no other sealers are required. Just do dry sanding with 80-grain sandpaper and vacuum residual dust thoroughly before putting the primer on.9. Does COELAN adhere to all sealing compounds?
Yes, COELAN bonds to all polyurethane sealers, like Sikkaflex etc. Like many other products it does NOT bond to silicone sealers or silicone based products.10. Is COELAN available in matte finish?
Yes, a matte finish can be applied on top of the last coating. It should be applied thinly otherwise the matte effect will not come out. It is not recommended for decks or floorboards, as it is more slippery than the gloss finish. This is due to the microscopic sized glass particles, which create the overall matte effect.11. Is COELAN slippery?
COELAN is far less slippery than ordinary varnish due to its "rubbery" texture. Like most surfaces when wet, a risk of slipping always exists. There is a very effective anti-slip application possible using COELAN's glass beads along with the optional use of the ANTI-SLIP pre-punched tape.12. Does COELAN seal the wood the way epoxy does?
No, the COELAN coating has a micro porous structure, which allows the transfer of moisture or condensation between the wood and the environment. This unique ability will prevent the properly applied coating from cracking or lifting. Deterioration of the wood is frequently a problem with most paint or varnish as moisture or the effects of UV light will erode the coating or wood.COELAN coating allows the wood to remain at its natural low moisture equilibrium point. The wood must be dry (max. 15% moisture content) when applying COELAN. Refer to the detailed user guidelines.
The microscopic coating porosity can, in very wet conditions, result in a milky condensation under the top layer of the coating. There is NO damage to the coating. In fact, this is proof of the coating's ability to transfer moisture. In this case, overlying moisture or small pools of water inhibit the transfer. The milky water condensation will disappear. This normal transfer capability is restored due to the combined effects of sun and wind.
13. Can the proper functioning of Water-Vapor Exchange technology be verified?
A great advantage of the product is WATER-VAPOUR EXCHANGE. This maintains the natural ability of wood to "breath" and exchange moisture. The innovation makes it possible for the natural condensation water to vaporise in a natural process. This protects the wood core from a creeping rotten process. Further, like a valve it provides a way for the condensation to evaporate, and it avoids the tear and peeling of the coating caused by vapour pressure when it is not able to vaporise. The WATER-VAPOUR EXCHANGE of COELAN provides for an application that is good for many years! The typical WATER-VAPOUR EXCHANGE through the coating will be visible by a temporary dimming of the surface or parts of it (spots) at more moistures areas on the surface - an indication for the correct function of the Water-Vapour Exchange system. I.e. this can be seen in the morning after heavy rainfalls, and this milky colour disappears as soon as the sun shines again.14. How long can COELAN last in its original container?
Unopened, COELAN will last for at least 12 months. Opened tins are best used the same day or very shortly thereafter due to the effects of humidity and heat. Some thinning may be required. Careful calculation of product requirements will help you to order appropriate sized containers. It is also a good idea to order several smaller sized tins for future touch up. Every shipment of COELAN Marine Coating Products is given a rigid quality control check prior to leaving the factory.15. What is the use of COELAN?
COELAN, a product of Kemper Systems, is a range of products that have long been appreciated by European boat owners and those in the European shipbuilding community. COELAN Boat Coating is a preferred choice among private boaters and those in the North American marine industry as well. In North America, Kemper System products have been used for many years, particularly in the preservation of such important landmarks as the Empire State Building, the US Capitol in Washington DC, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Capitol Building in Olympia, the Rockefeller Center in New York City and many others.16. Has the qualities of COELAN proven themselves?
In Germany COELAN Industry Products have been on the market for many years. Based on their success, the COELAN Marine Product line has been developed and has been on the market for many years now. COELAN is known in Europe as a top quality product and has proven itself in the Mediterranean where varnishes usually disintegrate in half a year. Articles in recent boating publications have also supported COELAN's quality claims.17. What is the best temperature range to apply COELAN?
Between 5 and 30 °C / 41 and 86 F. Avoid applying COELAN in direct sunlight! Use in constant or descending temperatures. Temperature itself is not the prime concern. Relative air humidity (moisture) is more influential. High humidity = fast drying, (+/- 2 hours), low humidity = slow drying (+/- 6 – 12 hours). Use of COELAN Retardation Agent may be required.18. What is the best thickness for the coating?
In order to achieve optimum long-term results and ensure maximum product characteristics, the final coating thickness must be 1.0 mm (0.039").
On horizontal surfaces this value is normally reached in 5 very full layers, or 7/8 layers (thinned) on vertical surfaces. COELAN must be thinned by +/- 25% to prevent dripping. Only use the special COELAN THINNER to thin the product for spray applications or for application to vertical surfaces. COELAN can be thinned to work more easily but always apply a rich full coat in order to get the best results. If possible, measure the thickness of the wood prior to coating and then apply 5 layers totalling 1.0 mm thick.19. What is the duration that a coat takes to dry?
Between 2 – 4 hours in normal humidity conditions. Thereafter the next coat can be applied without sanding. One can work quite fast this way.20. Must you do sanding in between coats?
No. No sanding is required if the next coat is applied within 14 days. The bonding is then chemical. This saves a lot of work. After 14 days sand with 80-grain sandpaper to achieve good bondage.21. Does COELAN have adhesive properties?
Yes, COELAN is a very strong adhesive as well. So take care with putting COELAN coated objects on top of surfaces, because they will glue together. This adhesive effect between two coated objects cures for approx. 14 days until the coating is fully set. So take care not to lay two coated objects against each other. Use wax paper in between if necessary. Use gloves for your hands.22. How is waterline treated?
Normally apply COELAN 0.5 centimetre on top of the anti fouling. The waterline can be painted with COELAN or normal strong waterline paint. The product should not be applied below the waterline.23. How should COELAN be applied?
Please see the COELAN User Guide or the detailed Application Instructions. Further Working Tips & Tricks are provided for your assistance.24. How should COELAN be correctly removed?
Use a heat gun to soften the coating and then lift with a wide putty knife. For localized areas, cut out the damaged area including a sufficient boundary, using a sharp utility knife. Re-sand, re-prime and build up several layers of coating to ensure a minimum of 1.0 mm thickness and smooth transition onto adjacent existing coating.