Durabak Has Got Your Back

Applying Durabak requires some preparation before you begin the process.

You'll need to round up a few items to help make the application successful, as well as safe.

You should collect:

--Drop cloth

--Painting respirator capable of filtering out organic vapors

--Eye protection

--Rubber/latex/nitrile gloves

--Paint roller frame

--Paint roller tray and disposable liner

--Masking tape

--Drill-mounted stirrer

--Xylene (to be used for clean-up as well as a thinner if needed)

--Small bucket for roller clean up

--Empty paint cans: one for used xylene, and the other to store any unused Durabak. Durabak will harden over time after the original can is opened, so putting the unused portion in a smaller can will slow down the curing process.

After you've spread out your drop cloth, mask off the areas you don't want to get Durabak on. Make sure your surface is clean. Xylene can be used to wipe off the item to prepare for Durabak application. Glossy surfaces should be lightly sanded to give better adhesion. You don't want to breathe xylene, so put your respirator on as soon as you open the xylene.

Open the Durabak can. In my experience, this took a lot of effort, as the lid has a very deep lip. You'll probably make a mess of the can (wrinkles) while opening it, so this is another reason to get an empty paint can. If you haven't already, put on your respirator.

Mount the stirrer in a drill, and stir the Durabak. This will put the rubber granules in suspension.

We'll roll the Durabak next time.