IMPORTANT
Damaged finish due to excessive drying of the surface
Exposure to environmental conditions during application can cause cracking and colour inconsistencies.
- Do not apply the Product in strong wind or draughts.
- Keep the floor laying operation as clean and protected from the environment as possible.
IMPORTANT
Poor finish due to uneven application
Poor application practices can result in an inconsistent finish.
- Ensure an even application of the Product and use correct timing and trowelling techniques.
Low relative humidity below 40 %
Note: Efflorescence can appear on the surface at low relative humidity.
High relative humidity above 80 %
Note: Bleeding, slower curing and hardening can occur, and extended finishing operations may be required at high relative humidity.
Prevailing conditions affecting application time
Note: Application time for dry-shake products is influenced by every variable which affects the placing of concrete, and can therefore vary substantially, depending on the prevailing conditions.
Variability of concrete causing colour variations
Note: Variations in concrete characteristics such as water content and cement quality may lead to slight colour variations.
Note: Colour variation during the drying period is normal for this system and is to be expected.
Note: Dry-shake hardeners give a finish to concrete with some colour variation across the floor due to the natural variability of the concrete on to which they are applied.
Repeated power trowelling
Note: Repeated power trowelling brings tension into the surface and can result in fine cracks appearing on the floor. This is typical for all power-trowelled concrete surfaces and does not have a negative impact on the floor performance.
MECHANICAL APPLICATION: AUTOMATIC SPREADER IN CONJUNCTION WITH A LASER SCREED
Preconditions
The concrete has been cast, compacted and levelled.
- Start spreading the Product almost immediately after the concrete has been levelled, in one application only, to allow for the hydration of the dry shake.
- Trim the edges where adjoining slabs are to be poured. Note Using the Product results in the slab surface becoming stiff more quickly than usual.
- Perform the final finishing using walk-on or ride-on power trowels repeatedly in two perpendicular directions to achieve the final surface appearance.
MANUAL APPLICATION
Preconditions
The concrete has been cast, compacted and levelled.
- Depending on the conditions, remove the surface bleed water or allow it to evaporate.
- Determine whether the concrete is ready for the dry-shake application process. Note This process can start once the concrete can be stepped on without leaving a print deeper than 3–5 mm.
- Trowel the surface of the concrete with power trowels. Note Compaction with the trowel can start as soon as the weight of the power trowels is supported by the concrete.
- Evenly scatter two-thirds of the required material on to the compacted and levelled concrete. The Product is applied in two stages. The quantities applied in each stage depend on the desired overall consumption and layer thickness. Note Casting the Product further than 2 metres from point of casting reduces the consistency of the finish. Apply the Product without creating ripples in the concrete surface.
- Work the first layer of the Product into the slab using power trowels.
- Immediately scatter the remaining third of the required material.
- IMPORTANT Never add water to the surface where the dry shake has been applied. Work the second layer of the Product into the slab using power trowels.
- Trim the edges where adjoining slabs are to be poured. Note Using the Product results in the slab surface becoming stiff more quickly than usual.
- Perform the final finishing using walk-on or ride-on power trowels repeatedly in two perpendicular directions to achieve the final surface appearance.
