Can Carboguard 690 be applied to damp surfaces?

Yes — Carboguard 690 is moisture-tolerant and can bond to damp surfaces. For non-immersion applications over damp surfaces, brush and roller is the preferred method, applied in multiple coats. Remove excess water by blowing down the surface before application. Moisture-tolerant does not mean waterproof — proper SSPC surface preparation is still required.

What is the minimum application temperature for Carboguard 690?

Carboguard 690 can be applied at surface and ambient temperatures as low as 20°F (-7°C), with a material minimum of 45°F (7°C). Its phenalkamine chemistry provides this exceptional cold-temperature performance, though cure is slow between 20–40°F — plan recoat windows accordingly. For application and cure below 35°F, dehumidify before, during, and after application to prevent ice formation on the surface.

What thinner should I use with Carboguard 690?

For non-immersion applications: Carboline Thinner #2, up to 12.5% by volume. For immersion projects: Carboline Thinner #10, up to 12.5% by volume. These are not interchangeable for their respective service environments.

Carboguard 690 Moisture Tolerant Epoxy Coating

Q: Is Carboguard 690 approved for potable water?

No. Carboguard 690 is NOT NSF certified for potable water service. It is suitable for non-potable water, process water, salt water, and wastewater (maximum immersion temperature 120°F). For potable water service, see Carboguard 635 VOC (NSF/ANSI/CAN 600 certified).

Q: Can Carboguard 690 be used for CUI (Corrosion Under Insulation)?

Yes — Carboguard 690 is suitable for CUI service under insulation up to 300°F (149°C) continuous and 350°F (176°C) non-continuous. Apply to properly prepared steel piping or vessels before insulation is installed. Discoloration occurs above 200°F but does not affect performance.

Thinner	Use With	Max Rate
Thinner No. 2	Spray — all conditions	Per TDS

Carboguard 690 — High-Performance Phenalkamine Epoxy

High-build, moisture-tolerant epoxy for severe service on steel, piping, tankage, and concrete. Cold-temperature cure to 20°F. 80% solids. Continues to cure underwater. Suitable for CUI up to 300°F and immersion in non-potable water, process water, salt water, and wastewater. USDA facility suitable. Not approved for potable water.

✓ Moisture-Tolerant • ✓ High-Build to 16 mils • ✓ Cold Cure to 20°F • ✓ CUI to 300°F • ✓ USDA Suitable

✏️ Need a project quote? Request Online

📞 Questions? Call (800) 567-5358 — Mon–Fri 8AM–5PM EST

Carboguard 690 by Carboline

Carboguard 690 high-performance phenalkamine epoxy coating by Carboline — Carboguard 690 — High-Build Phenalkamine Epoxy (Parts A & B)

Shipping Map — Carboline Delivery Timing

Carboline US regional warehouse shipping map showing typical delivery transit zones — Typical transit times vary by destination zone. Click map to enlarge.

Shipping & Availability

Call (800) 567-5358 for pricing and logistics questions.

Carboguard 690 ships from Carboline regional warehouses closest to your location. Full product stock is maintained at each facility.

Most orders ship within 2–3 business days of order placement. Transit times shown on the map are typical but not guaranteed.

Available sizes: 1-gallon kit (15 lbs) • 5-gallon kit (75 lbs)

Product Specs — Carboguard 690

Property	Value
Generic Type	Phenalkamine Epoxy
Finish	Semi-Gloss
Standard Colors	S800 (White) · C705 (Light Grey). Other colors available on request.
Solids by Volume	80% ± 2%
Mix Ratio	4:1 by volume (Part A : Part B). Mix separately, then combine.
Pot Life	1.5 hours at 75°F (24°C) — less at higher temperatures
Recommended DFT	5–8 mils (127–203 microns) per coat. Up to 16 mils achievable in a single high-build coat.
Coverage @ 5 mils	257 ft²/gal (6.3 m²/l) — per PDS
Coverage @ 8 mils	160 ft²/gal (3.9 m²/l) — per PDS. Reference: 1,283 ft²/gal @ 1 mil.
VOC (As Supplied)	1.42 lbs/gal (170 g/l) mixed. Thinner 2 @ 16 oz/gal: 2.06 lbs/gal (248 g/l). Nominal — may vary with color.
Dry Temp. Resistance	300°F (149°C) continuous · 350°F (176°C) non-continuous. Discoloration above 200°F — more pronounced than other epoxies, does not affect performance.
Immersion Temp. Limit	120°F (49°C) maximum. Cold-wall effect applies when cargo is warmer than steel.
Primer / Topcoats	Self-Priming; also over zinc-rich primers or epoxies. Topcoat with Acrylics, Epoxies, Alkyds, or Polyurethanes.
Limitations	Epoxies chalk in sunlight — discoloration more pronounced with this product. Immersion: factory-made material in special colors only. NOT for potable water.
Special Features	Continues to cure underwater · Moisture-tolerant · Low temp cure to 20°F · USDA facility suitable
Thinning	Non-immersion: Thinner #2 up to 12.5%. Immersion: Thinner #10 up to 12.5%. Not interchangeable.
Cleanup	Thinner #2 or Acetone
Flash Point	Part A: 91°F (33°C) · Part B: 80°F (27°C) · Thinner 2: 23°F (−5°C) — flammable
Shelf Life	Part A: 24 months · Part B: 12 months at 76°F. Part B is notably shorter — check date codes.
Storage / Weight	40°–100°F · 0–95% RH · Store Indoors · KEEP DRY · 1-gal kit: 15 lbs · 5-gal kit: 75 lbs

Curing Schedule

5–8 Mil DFT per Coat

Surface Temp.	Dry to Touch	Min Recoat	Max Recoat	Min Cure (Immersion)
20°F (−7°C)	10 hr	72 hr	60 days	45 days
35°F (2°C)	6 hr	17 hr	45 days	30 days
60°F (16°C)	5 hr	6 hr	30 days	14 days
75°F (24°C)	4 hr	2 hr	15 days	7 days
90°F (32°C)	2 hr	2 hr	7 days	6 days

16-Mil Single High-Build Coat

Surface Temp.	Dry to Handle	Dry to Recoat
35°F (2°C)	48 hr	2 days
60°F (16°C)	24 hr	40 hr
75°F (24°C)	8 hr	24 hr
90°F (32°C)	6 hr	24 hr

If max recoat time is exceeded, abrade by sweep blasting or sanding before recoating.

Surface Preparation by Substrate

Remove oil or grease with clean rags soaked in Carboline Thinner #2 or toluol before mechanical preparation.

Substrate / Service	Preparation Requirement
Steel — Immersion	SSPC-SP10 (Near-White Blast) · Profile: 1.5–3.0 mils (38–75 µm).
Steel — Non-Immersion	SSPC-SP6 (Commercial Blast) · Profile: 1.5–3.0 mils. SSPC-SP2 or SP3 acceptable for DFT up to 8 mils in certain situations.
Concrete or CMU	Clean and dry. Remove loose/unsound concrete. Cured min. 28 days at 70°F / 50% RH.
Non-Ferrous Metals	Dense angular profile 1.5–3.0 mils. SSPC-SP16 for atmospheric · SSPC-SP17 for immersion.

Source: Carboline Carboguard 690 PDS (August 2023, doc 1027).

Good to Know Before You Buy

⚠️ Critical Notes

NOT approved for potable water — no exceptions. Carboguard 690 is not NSF certified. It is for non-potable water, process water, salt water, and wastewater only — with an immersion temperature limit of 120°F. If your project involves drinking water contact, this is the wrong product. See Carboguard 635 VOC (NSF/ANSI/CAN 600 certified).
Part B shelf life is only 12 months — half of Part A’s 24 months. Always check the date code on Part B specifically. Expired Part B will not cure correctly regardless of Part A condition.
Moisture-tolerant ≠ skip surface prep. CG690 bonds to damp surfaces but SSPC standards still apply. For immersion, substrate must be above the dew point. For wet non-immersion substrates, brush and roller in multiple coats — not spray.
Use the right thinner for the service environment. Thinner #2 for non-immersion; Thinner #10 for immersion. Not interchangeable — using Thinner #2 on an immersion project may void the warranty. Note: Thinner #2 flashes at 23°F (−5°C) and is flammable at well below freezing.

Frequently Asked Questions — Carboguard 690

What is the coverage rate for Carboguard 690?

Carboguard 690 has 80% solids by volume. Theoretical coverage per PDS: 257 ft²/gal at 5 mils (6.3 m²/l) and 160 ft²/gal at 8 mils (3.9 m²/l). Reference rate: 1,283 ft²/gal at 1 mil. Up to 16 mils is achievable in a single high-build coat. Allow for application loss when calculating quantities.

Is Carboguard 690 approved for potable water?

No. Carboguard 690 is not NSF certified and may not be used for potable water contact. It is designed for non-potable water, process water, salt water, and wastewater — with a maximum immersion temperature of 120°F. For potable water, see Carboguard 635 VOC (NSF/ANSI/CAN 600).

Can Carboguard 690 be applied to damp or wet surfaces?

Yes — for non-immersion applications. Brush and roller is the preferred method over wet surfaces, applied in multiple coats. Remove excess water by blowing down first. For immersion service, the substrate must still be above the dew point. Moisture-tolerant does not eliminate SSPC surface preparation requirements.

What is the minimum application temperature?

Surface and ambient temperatures can be as low as 20°F (−7°C), with a material minimum of 45°F (7°C). Cure is slow between 20–40°F — plan recoat windows using the cure table. Below 35°F, dehumidify before, during, and after application to prevent ice on the surface.

Can Carboguard 690 be used for CUI (Corrosion Under Insulation)?

Yes — suitable for CUI service up to 300°F (149°C) continuous and 350°F (176°C) non-continuous. Apply to properly prepared steel before installing insulation. Discoloration occurs above 200°F but does not affect performance; discoloration is more pronounced with this product than standard epoxies.

What thinner should I use — and does it matter?

Yes, it matters significantly. Use Thinner #2 (up to 12.5%) for non-immersion applications. Use Thinner #10 (up to 12.5%) for immersion projects. Using the wrong thinner for immersion service may adversely affect performance and void the product warranty. Also note: Thinner #2 has a flash point of 23°F (−5°C) and must be handled with care in all weather conditions.

Why does Part B have a shorter shelf life than Part A?

Part A: 24 months at 76°F. Part B: 12 months at 76°F. The phenalkamine hardener in Part B is more reactive over time. Always check the Part B date code specifically before use — expired Part B will not cure correctly regardless of Part A condition.