Cleaning your Concrete Surface
Preparing your concrete surface is a critical step to ensure StencilCoat bonds properly.
Read this easy-to-follow instruction guide for general cleaning, follow the steps and ensure your surface is properly prepared and ready for StencilCoat.
Print a copy of these cleaning instructions so you have them handy throughout the preparation process.
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You'll need the following items to properly clean your asphalt surface:
(you can also refer the online shopping list we have provided)
De-Greaser (Tuff-Stuff, Simple Green, are two examples) a stiff broom, a plastic sprinkling can, a garden hose with a pressure washer nozzle, household bleach, muriatic acid, pH test strip, non-sudsing household ammonia.
Broom The Complete Driveway
Using a stiff push broom, broom the entire driveway surface that will be coated.
This will remove larger residue and allow you to move on to the cleaning of grease and oil stains.
Cleaning Grease and Oil Stains
When grease or oil is present on the surface:
Thoroughly saturate your surface with the de-greaser.
Follow all safety instructions on the de-greaser label.
Using a stiff broom, agitate the entire surface to make sure the de-greaser removes all the stains.
Let the solution sit for at least 10 minutes.
Using a garden hose with a pressure washer nozzle, rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water so that no cleaning mixture remains.
Repeat this procedure on stubborn oil stains.
Removing Mildew or Mold
When mildew or mold is present on the surface:
Important: Wear protective glasses or goggles, waterproof gloves and protective clothing. Quickly wash off any of the mixture that comes in contact with your skin. Do not add detergents or ammonia to the bleach/water solution.
In the plastic sprinkling can, mix 1 part bleach to 3 parts warm water.
Caution: make sure to always pour the bleach into the water so the bleach doesn't splash on you.
Sprinkle the solution evenly on your surface.
Scrub the mildewed areas with a stiff broom.
Let the solution sit for at least 10 minutes.
Using your garden hose, rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water so that no cleaning mixture remains.
Etching your Concrete Surface
When applying StencilCoat on new and old Concrete surfaces.
Important: Wear protective glasses or goggles, waterproof gloves and protective clothing. Quickly wash off any of the mixture that comes in contact with your skin.
Note: New concrete should cure for at least 45 days before applying StencilCoat.
With a new surface, etching is critical to a successful job because etching opens the pores in the concrete allowing the coating to form a long lasting, strong shield.
You'll need: Concrete Etching Solution, (muriatic acid, generally sold at approximately 35% strength) a stiff broom, a plastic sprinkling can, a garden hose with a pressure nozzle, a piece of dark cloth and a piece of 150-grit sandpaper.
Before you begin the next step, read and follow the manufactures instructions listed on the etching product.
Before etching, remove dust particles by sweeping thoroughly or washing using high volume low pressure garden hose.
High pressure washing should only be used on very heavy residue buildup and keep nozzle at least 16 inches off the surface.
Use your hose to saturate the surface with clean water.
In your sprinkling can, mix 2.5 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid (check % of muriatic on label, after mixing with water you will want a 10% to 12% mix).
Some people prefer to mix in a 5 gallon plastic pail, pouring the mixed solution onto the floor and working into the surface with a long handled brush.
One gallon of mixed material covers about 75 to 100 square feet of surface area.
Caution: make sure to always pour the etching solution into the water so the etching solution doesn't splash on you. The fumes of this mixture will be strong, do not inhale over the pail.
Sprinkle the mixture evenly over a small area at a time. The objective is to just cover the surface with liquid, which will bubble or "fizz" on contact. You do not need to put enough to create puddles.
Scrubb this area with a stiff brush until the bubbling stops, which should be after about 10 minutes. Let stand for another 10 minutes.
Using your garden hose, thoroughly rinse the surface with water. If etching a large area, a system of rinsing can be developed where a second worker follows 20 minutes behind the etching worker, using a hose with a closeable nozzle and a squeegee to prevent the new applications from being diluted prematurely.
After etching, the surface should be at least as rough as 150 grit sandpaper, if not repeat the etching process in these areas.
Neutralizing the Surface
The final step is neutralizing the surface.
Mix one quart of non-sudsing household ammonia per 5 gallons of water.
Spread this with a mop to mix all around for uniformity (this step involves more liquid, and can be allowed to puddle).The surface should fizz when the solution contacts the surface.
If no bubbling occurs, this means the surface is still contaminated with grease, oil or a concrete treatment, all of which interfere with proper etching. Refer to the cleaning directions above and remove the contamination, then etch the surface.
The pH of the remaining liquid should be between 7 and 13. The pH can be tested using a common paper pH test strip.
Some surfaces require repeating the etching process.
Squeegee and allow to dry thoroughly before applying StencilCoat.
Ensuring the Surface is Dry
The concrete surface must be dry before applying StencilCoat. StencilCoat will not bond properly to a wet or damp surface.
After the final rinse, let the surface dry for 24 hours, this will ensure a dry surface ready for coating.
To check to ensure the surface is dry enough, place several small pieces of poly (about 12" x 12") randomly on the area you are about to coat.
Wait 1 hour and check for condensation on the under side of the poly. If condensation is visible, allow more time for the surface to dry and repeat the poly test.
Before applying your coating, give the surface one last sweeping with a stiff broom to remove any remaining residue.
You are now ready to apply StencilCoat.
Environmental Note:
In most municipalities muriatic acid wash water cannot be legally washed down the drain. Ensure run off is re-directed to an area away from storm drains.
The user is responsible for compliance with all local, state and federal laws in the location of use.
The risk of damaging grass and plants can be reduced if you first sprinkle lime or soda ash on any part of the plants where the liquid may contact and continue to rinse with water afterwards. Again, this adjusts the pH.
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