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As VOC regulations have changed and become more restrictive, product manufacturers have had to rethink formulation of solvent-based concrete curing and sealing compounds.\u00a0 Solvents that were typically used in the past must now be partially or totally replaced with solvents that are considered VOC-exempt.<\/p>\n Incorporation of these VOC-exempt solvents into formulas has altered the physical properties and performance features that you may have been used to with traditional formulas from the past.<\/p>\n VOC-exempt solvents have very low flash points, producing finished products that are extremely flammable.\u00a0 Read and follow ALL literature, MSDS, and label environmental health, safety, and handling instructions\/precautions PRIOR<\/u><\/strong> to use.<\/p>\n VOC-exempt solvents also have a tendency to evaporate or \u201cflash-off\u201d very quickly.\u00a0 This is even more evident in high temperature, windy conditions that are often encountered when applying concrete curing and sealing compounds.\u00a0 Common application problems can include:<\/p>\n RESIN STRINGS<\/strong><\/p>\n This is also known as \u201cspider-webbing\u201d or \u201ccotton candy.\u201d\u00a0 Resin strings are caused when the liquid portion of the sealer (solvents) evaporate before the sealer has a chance to \u201cwet out\u201d and properly form a film on the concrete.\u00a0 This is typically seen when applying with a roller or fine-tipped sprayer.\u00a0 To avoid:\u00a0 Apply sealer when temperatures are low, not in direct sunlight, and when there is little wind.\u00a0 Use a larger sprayer nozzle, such as a 1.9 LPM (0.5 GPM,) and don\u2019t overwork (over-roll) application when using a roller.<\/p>\n BLISTERS\/BUBBLES<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n These are caused when the top surface of the sealer dries (skins over), trapping solvents before they can properly evaporate.\u00a0 To avoid:\u00a0 Apply sealer when temperatures are low, not in direct sunlight, and when there is little wind.\u00a0 Multiple thin coats are better than a single, thick application, DO NOT OVER APPLY.<\/p>\n DIFFUSION\/HAZE<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n This can appear as white to light gray \u201chaze\u201d in the sealer film.\u00a0 This haze can appear immediately when sealer has dried, or days, weeks, or months after application.\u00a0 Haze is caused by the sealer \u201clifting\u201d off the concrete surface.\u00a0 When the sealer begins to lift or pull off, a \u201cgap\u201d is formed between the sealer film and the concrete surface.\u00a0 When light is reflected off this air void (gap), it becomes diffused \u2013 causing a hazy appearance \u2013 instead of the clear, colourless reflectance that is seen if the sealer is properly adhered.<\/p>\n ROLLER MARKS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Just as when painting or staining, roller marks will be evident wherever the sealer has been overlapped on drying material.\u00a0 This pattern can appear very quickly with the new VOC-exempt solvent formulations.\u00a0 The amount of pressure placed on the roller can also affect the finished film appearance.<\/p>\n The following should be considered a guide to aid in the proper application of curing and sealing compounds and concrete sealers containing VOC-exempt solvents.\u00a0 Due to the increased difficulty related to applying products containing VOC-exempt solvents, W. R. MEADOWS recommends that the products be applied by experienced contractors\/applicators.\u00a0 Spray application is the preferred method of application and will help minimize the chance of over-application and the subsequent bubbling or whitening\/haziness cloudiness that may result<\/strong>.<\/p>\n GENERAL CONDITIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n APPLICATION – SPRAYER<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Use a low pressure, high solids, industrial\/commercial-grade sprayer that is suitable for use with high concentrations of VOC-exempt solvents. (Do NOT<\/u><\/strong> use garden sprayers or form oil sprayers.)\u00a0 The sprayer must be clean and dry prior to application.\u00a0 It\u2019s also important to read and follow all instructions provided by the sprayer manufacturer, PRIOR to use.\u00a0 For best results, W. R. MEADOWS recommends a spray nozzle that provides a 1.9 LPM (0.5 GPM) application rate. When applying, keep the spray tip within 30 cm (12\u201d) of the surface at all times.<\/p>\n While simple spraying of the product onto the concrete is an option, optimum performance is typically achieved by first spraying the product on the concrete, followed by back-rolling using a roller.<\/p>\n To accomplish this, one (1) applicator will spray the concrete curing and sealing compound or concrete sealer onto the concrete using the recommended coverage rate and a second (2nd<\/sup>) applicator will quickly follow behind and IMMEDIATELY back-roll the product into a uniform film on the concrete surface.\u00a0 It\u2019s important to do these steps quickly, as these products will dry extremely fast.\u00a0 If puddles or over-application occur, it\u2019s critical to immediately brush or roll them out. In hot and windy conditions, you may need to back roll using SEALTIGHT SOLVENT from W. R. MEADOWS (or straight\u00a0solvent, such as xylene) to obtain a clear, uniform film.<\/span><\/p>\n If spraying is not an option and you are considering using a roller, care must be taken not to over apply or create roller marks;<\/span> alternatively, consider a water-based formulation, such as VOCOMP\u00ae<\/sub>-25<\/a> or DECRA-SEAL\u2122<\/sub> W\/B<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Application – Roller<\/u><\/strong>: Use caution. Recommended for experienced\/professional applicators\/contractors. <\/strong><\/p>\n Use a short nap (1\/4\u201d is ideal; 3\/8\u201d on patterned concrete) mohair roller. Note:\u00a0 Roller must be solvent-resistant.\u00a0 To ensure proper film formation, the following steps should be followed carefully:<\/p>\n PRECAUTIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n W. R. MEADOWS recommends that applicators have a pail of SEALTIGHT SOLVENT and a separate, clean roller present on the jobsite at the time of the sealer application. If SEALTIGHT SOLVENT is not available, xylene may be used. If problems occur during or after application, such as diffusion, blister\/bubbles, lap lines, etc., apply a light coat of SEALTIGHT SOLVENT (using a solvent-resistant roller) over the film. Once the SEALTIGHT SOLVENT evaporates, the sealer dries, leaving a uniform, clear, colourless film, resulting in optimal appearance and protection qualities for the concrete.<\/p>\n Regardless of which application method is used, a small test application is ALWAYS recommended, PRIOR<\/u><\/strong> to the full-scale application.\u00a0 It is critical to use the same equipment, personnel, techniques, coverage rates, temperatures, conditions, etc. for the test application that will be used\/encountered during the full-scale application to ensure proper performance and appearance of the sealer.<\/p>\n For optimum performance, apply the first coat at 14.7 m\u00b2\/L (600 ft.\u00b2\/gal.).\u00a0 After the first coat has thoroughly dried, apply a second coat at a right angle to the first, again at 14.7 m\u00b2\/L (600 ft.\u00b2\/gal.).<\/p>\n 11-2015<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As VOC regulations have changed and become more restrictive, product manufacturers have had to rethink formulation of solvent-based concrete curing and sealing compounds.\u00a0 Solvents that were typically used in the past must now be partially or totally replaced with solvents that are considered VOC-exempt. Incorporation of these VOC-exempt solvents into formulas has altered the physical…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26511,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"content-sidebar","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-15335","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Click](\"https:\/\/can.wrmeadows.com\/pics\/pdfclick.gif\")
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