Norglass Paints and Specialty Finishes

This airframe was constructed by Andrew Willox of Victoria, and was given as a gift to the Royal Australian Air Force to be on display at the RAAF Museum, on the occasion of the centenary of Australia’s first military flight, at Point Cook, March 2014.

The aircraft is a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2a c.1912. The Australian Army operated two of this type of aircraft from 1914-18 at their Central Flying School at Point Cook. This is now RAAF Williams Point Cook and is the oldest continuously operating military airfield in the world.

Every wooden part of this construction (except for the propeller) has been preserved using the Norglass Norseal Wood Treatment System and the exhibit is expected to last for about 30 years without major restoration work, with the wood parts preserved indefinitely.

Norglass thanks the RAAF Museum and Andrew Willox for the use of this photograph.

Tags: aeroplanes, multipurpose, paint, testimonials

A current discussion forum on the National 125 Sailing Association website produced some classic comments to a request for a recommendation about using a 2 pack paint for a 125 hull – see web link.

At the outset let me state that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing… When soliciting information, there is no substitute for the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Whilst some of the suggestions made are sincere, others can put the user into a minefield of confusion, and result in an expensive repair and repaint, because of misguided comments.

It appalls me to hear and read such “professed statements” around the waterfront. It’s rife with “self-styled experts”, and it’s not just the cost of the product system used, it’s the multiplier costs of the rectification incurred. Just because someone says “I’ve been a painter for 20 years” does not validate their advice on the use of a product. Manufacturers of products have professionally qualified people to quantify, research, evaluate and design compatible systems for the substrate to be treated… with decades of expertise behind them.

Brand selection is a subjective choice, and can be made on availability and price, but the most important decision must be made on what the chosen manufacturer states in their literature. Accept the information and reject any user comments, no matter how well intended they may seem. Be wary of supplier comments or recommendations also, as these are often off the mark too. Confirm their statements with the manufacturer’s printed material, before proceeding. Often we get consumer calls with problems, where they have been sold, or used general purpose thinners instead of our stated one, and ended up having to rectify the job by re-coating. Do not mix and match different brands on the same job either, as incompatibility will render any manufacturers warranty void.

As the saying goes… when all else fails – read the instructions.

Tags: marine, multipurpose

Thank you to all who visited us at the Working with Wood Show…

There was a wonderful crowd at the Sydney Timber & Working with Wood show at Homebush over the weekend, and Norglass would like to thank the Wooden Boat Association NSW for sharing their stand with us.

Brett and Breck of Norglass were kept busy at the stand by a steady crowd, keen to ask questions about their latest projects and how our products can enhance them.

As always our half done up display boat aptly named “Cinderella” drew a crowd, and another popular talking point were our liquid glass displays, which particularly interested many visiting HSC students and their teachers as something that could be used for their major artworks and woodwork projects.

Thank you to everyone who visited us. To find out where you can purchase Norglass products enter your postcode on our website for your nearest stockist.

Tags: boat shows, multipurpose

The Sydney Coach Builder, Jim Frecklington was given tacit Royal approval to name a new coach after the Royal Yacht “Britannia”, which he was to fund and build himself. Prior to that, Jim had built the only other coach for the Royal Family, The Australian State Coach, which was a gift from the Australian Government to commemorate our Bi-Centennial in 1988… the one before that, was in 1903!

In his younger days, Jim worked for the Royal Household in London, and managed the horses and coaches where he gained his intimate knowledge of this dying art. Jim designed “Britannia” to be State of the Art with improved suspension, central heating, and power operated windows. However, rather than just build a carriage, it was decided to incorporate some UK historical artefacts into the door panels and interior trim. As this concept gained momentum, more and more artefacts arrived from British Governments, Museums and historical Institutions, until today, there are more than 100 pieces of history included. Now,”Britannia” is not just a coach… it’s a mobile Time Capsule!

Each artefact has its own unique story making “Britannia” an educational masterpiece. As an example, one piece of OLD LONDON BRIDGE, shows some of its intriguing 1000 year old history… In 1722 the Lord Mayor of London, decreed that due to the increasing congestion as well as buildings on the bridge, that all carts and coaches coming into the City from Southwark, were to keep to the West side of the bridge, and all traffic leaving the City was to use the East side. The rationale being, that as all coachmen carried their whips in their right hand, pointing to the left, this meant that when the vehicles past, the whips would not clash! Which is how we came to be driving on the left hand side of the road today.

All items included on the coach have their own certified copies of authenticity. It is hoped, that in the near future, when “Britannia” goes to London, this information could be included in school curriculum in the UK and other Commonwealth Countries.

One of the most interesting additions to “Britannia” were the two gold-plated door handles which have each have been encrusted with 24 diamonds, and 130 Australian sapphires. These were supplied and fitted by a New Zealand jeweller, Mike Baker (younger brother of Les Baker – Norglass Managing Director). The work and supply of these gems was through the generosity of Mike’s business and is a significant feature of the project.

In 2005 Norglass was invited to solve some technical issues with “Britannia” and since then, 10 Norglass products have been used on the project. For example, all of the gold leaf work to the roof, insignia, coats of arms, wheels, chassis, springs, have been coated with multiple layers of Weatherfast Marine Varnish. See our document England 1926 – Australia 2012

Tags: innovation, multipurpose, royal carriage

Whether you have a 40 foot yacht or an old wooden dinghy, the winter months are the perfect time to drag her out of the ocean & give her the once over she deserves.

A bit of elbow grease, the right product, advice & a systems approach will help the average “Do It Yourself” amateur achieve results every bit as good as the experts.

Because of the hundreds of variables over different types of boats and the climates & conditions they are exposed to, how to begin a repair & the technical details around it are vast. Getting it wrong can prove very expensive, however the right product and simple common sense advice will help avoid those DIY disasters that are all too common.

• As a first step to achieving great results, make sure you understand the material you are working with, and the conditions in which you generally use your boat. Your boat may be made of timber, fibreglass, aluminium, steel or other, and each surface will react differently to the climate & conditions in which it is used. Established Marine brands, such as ours have informative “how to” guides on all surfaces available via this website. This will help sort out what your initial approach should be and the products required for the repair.
• Don’t mix various paint company products. Where possible stick with the one brand all the way through for better, more cohesive results.
• Preparation is key. Read surface preparation instructions carefully, these are on the label of the products you are using. If you do not understand the instructions, only take qualified advice, rather than accept hearsay advice. You can call our technical support line or speak to a qualified person at the store you purchased the product from.
• Do not substitute solvents, use what is recommended. If using a 2 pack paint do not alter mixing ratios.
• Do not cut corners or skip stages, use the number of coats recommended, and wait the recommended time between coats. Be aware of the conditions you are painting in, temperature and humidity can alter the characteristics of the paint.

Tags: dinghy, diy, how-to, marine, multipurpose, paint, yacht

Norglass recently received a call from a member of a caravan club about a common wear and tear problem for Fibreglass showers bases in caravans and mobile homes.

Rather than go to the expense of replacing the whole thing, Norglass was able to recommend the required product from our range, NORTHANE, which is one of the few on the market that is totally waterproof in the cured film.

NORTHANE will not allow bacterial matter into the cured paint, making it the perfect solution for this situation.

Step by step instructions were given for preparation & application, and the result was a near new shower base, and a happy caravan enthusiast who has gladly recommended the Norglass brand to the other members of his club.

Please see our information guide – Refurbishing Fibreglass Shower Floors (PDF) – for more information about this problem.

Northane is also the perfect solution for benchtops, tables and other eating surfaces, fish ponds, wooden toys and any surface that requires food grade application standards.

Tags: caravans, multipurpose

The premium grade two-pack polyurethane for durability and fade resistance. Excellent chemical, waterproofing and weathering properties. Ideal for refurbishing most surfaces. Home, leisure, commercial and industry.

Tags: multipurpose