Short answer: National Synthetic Enamel Gloss II is a fast-drying, alkyd-based enamel with a tough, flexible, high-gloss film. National lists it for metal, wood and masonry inside and out, and for heavy equipment and vehicle repaint. It is touch dry in 1 hour and ready to recoat in 8 hours at 30°C. It covers about 12.5 to 16.5 m² per litre. National’s steel system is Red Oxide Primer, Synthetic Undercoat and two coats of Gloss II.
Why choose Gloss II
Speed. Gloss II is touch dry in an hour and recoatable in 8, against 6 and 18 hours for Gloss I. That lets a crew put two finish coats on in one working day and limits how long fresh paint collects dust on a site or workshop. It is also the gloss National specifies over Zinc Phosphate Primer, and the base of its MIO topcoat.
| Gloss II | Gloss I | Industrial QD Enamel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touch dry | 1 h | 6 h | 5 to 10 min |
| Recoat | 8 h | 18 h | 4 to 6 h |
| Undercoat in system | Yes | Yes | No (straight over primer) |
| Volume solids | 50% | 45% (decorative sheet) | 50% |
Key facts
| Type | Special fast-drying alkyd enamel, single pack |
| Surfaces | Metal, wood, masonry; heavy equipment, vehicle repaint; interior and exterior |
| Finish and colours | High gloss; National shade card |
| Volume solids | 50 ± 2% |
| Specific gravity | 1.10 ± 0.05 (white and pastels) |
| Spreading rate | 12.5 to 16.5 m² per litre (theoretical) |
| Film per coat | 30 to 40 microns dry (60 to 80 wet) |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch dry 1 h; recoat 8 h; hard dry 24 h |
| Application | Brush, roller or spray (airless 2200 psi, tip 0.015 to 0.020 inch; air 50 psi) |
| Thinning | Airless 5 to 10%, air 10 to 15%, brush 10%, with National G.P. Thinner |
| Shelf life | 18 months, sealed |
Step 1: prepare the surface
- Steel: degrease, then clean to St 2 or blast to Sa 2.5, per National’s surface preparation guide.
- Old enamel, vehicles and equipment: wash off grease and dirt, sand to a dull key, and spot-prime bare metal. This is general repaint practice; the data sheet asks for a dry, dust-free surface.
- Wood: dry, clean, smoothed with glass paper, then Wood Primer.
Step 2: the same-day schedule
| Day | Coat | Dry film |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 morning | Red Oxide Primer | 40 µm |
| Day 1 evening or day 2 | Synthetic Undercoat (after 8 to 12 h) | 40 µm |
| Day 2 or 3 morning | Gloss II, first coat (after 12 h) | 35 µm |
| Same day, +8 h | Gloss II, second coat | 35 µm |
What the numbers mean
500 ÷ 30 ≈ 16.7 and 500 ÷ 40 = 12.5 m² per litre, which is the sheet’s range. A 35-micron coat needs about 70 microns wet (35 ÷ 0.50).
How much to buy
| Area | 2 coats of Gloss II |
|---|---|
| 10 m² | 1.2 to 1.6 L |
| 50 m² | 6.1 to 8 L |
| 100 m² | 12.1 to 16 L |
Frequently asked questions
Is it suitable for car bodywork?
National lists vehicle repaint as a use. For an automotive lacquer system with putty and primer surfacer, see N.C. Auto Lacquer Topcoat.
Which thinner?
National G.P. Thinner: 10% for brush, 5 to 10% airless, 10 to 15% conventional spray. See which National thinner to use.
Buy in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised National Paints retailer in Bu-Tina, Sharjah. Message us on WhatsApp with your shade.
Sources
- National Synthetic Enamel Gloss II, decorative data sheet (PDF)
- National Synthetic Enamel Gloss II, protective data sheet (PDF)
- National Paints surface preparation guide, Sec. A-2 (PDF)
All via AEC Online, retrieved 4 November 2026. Quantities and schedule are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
