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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Tremclad Clear Coat

We redid our kitchen and did not want to replace the countertops. We sprayed them with the "stone fleck spray" and put a clear coat of the spray they suggested. We are getting nicks on the sprayed countertops now. We are putting about 3 coats of tremclad over the top of the countertops to harden this - not sure if this is a good idea, and I want to know about food preparation on this with the tremclad - is this hazardous once it's all dry and has hardened?

Any advice you can give me would be appreciated...thank you.

Jan Leger
- Moncton, New Brunswick Canada
2002

I would not advise you to use tremclad on a countertop as I find it has a smell that lingers around for a long time and never seems to harden fully. I really don't know what you can do but as for tremclad I don't think I'd use that.

Cory Fawcett
- Ontario
2003

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My husband and I have most recently designed bird baths using old discer blades. We have used a wire wheel to loosen the rust and then used a soft disc to further clean the surface. We would like to have a rough finish on the surface of the bird bath when it is finished (we had an expert on birds give us this advice). What procedure would you advise in making the bath water worthy. We have tried a primer, then a tremclad rust, followed by a stone finish and then a sealer. The rust penetrates the surface within 24 hrs.

Any advice you could give us would be greatly appreciated as we have many customers who are avid bird lovers!

Many thanks!

Cheryl Mantei
Mantei MetalScapes - Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada
2003

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That stone fleck spray never really hardens as it is a thick "filled" paint. I've used it in the past and it is only for decorative purposes not for surfaces that will be subject to any wear and tear. You could try sealing it with a water based urethane that is approved for contact with food but other than that, you're out of luck. You will always get flakes and chunks coming off due to the physical properties of the material.

Michael Cochrane
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2003