During cold weather any water-based product must be kept from freezing! All water based under coatings will be permanently damaged if ice crystals form in the product, this will break the emulsion and cause the product to separate, and it will not be able to be mixed back together. This is true for transportation as well as storage.
Solvent based products may thicken during cold weather but will not be damaged and will be fine when brought back to room temperature.
Tip: All products should be stored (even when in use) on a pallet or drum dolly to keep them off the cold concrete floors and away from outside walls or doors.
Tip: If Cavity Rust Inhibitor thickens and becomes difficult to spray through the rust proofing gun; After filling gun with product allow the canister to rest in a bucket of warm/hot water (approx. 3-5min.) this will soften the product and improve both sprayability and pouring.
Tip: For undercoating a drum heater or “belt” heater may be used but only to bring the product up to room temperature. Continued use of a drum heater will “cook” the product, resulting in separation of solvents from the product causing them to rise to the top, which if not mixed back together could alter the overall performance of the coating. Also, if left on too long they can cause dried material to form on the inner wall of the drum, which possibly could lead to clogging in the pump/gun if it falls off the sides and/or gets mixed in with the good material.
As with any undercoating product, all ValuGard coatings should be checked before use for uniform consistency and mixed as needed. This can be accomplished by “rolling” the drum or by inserting a pneumatic or electric mixer into the product and mixing thoroughly for a few minutes. It is not necessary to continue mixing during use.
Always keep the drums sealed to prevent solvent or water from escaping and to keep dirt and foreign material from entering the drums.