MECHANICAL PROFILING TO ICRI CSP 2–3
Chemical adhesion cannot compensate for inadequate mechanical profile. Concrete substrates must be profiled by diamond grinding (medium 30/40 grit metal bond diamonds) or steel shot-blasting to produce a surface profile comparable to 60–80 grit sandpaper (ICRI CSP 2–3).
- Never Acid-Etch: Acid washing leaves latent salts, traps moisture, and fails to profile hard troweled concrete evenly.
- Dust Extraction: Vacuum entire floor with industrial HEPA filtration dust collectors before priming.
- Laitance Removal: Remove all curing compounds, grease, oils, efflorescence, and weak concrete surface crust.
THE 5-STAGE MULTI-LAYER INSTALLATION TIMELINE
Follow strict mixing ratios and application windows. Deviation from volumetric ratios voids manufacturer warranty.
Substrate Profiling & Joint Preparation
Grind concrete with planetary diamond grinders. Chase and rout all structural cracks and control joints with a diamond crack-chaser blade. Vacuum thoroughly. Fill dynamic joints with flexible polyurea or rigid epoxy joint filler and grind flush.
PRIMER 49 Deep Penetrating Base Seal
Mix 2 Parts A to 1 Part B by volume with low-speed spiral mixer (350 RPM) for 3 minutes. Pour immediately onto the concrete in ribbons to prevent exotherm heat buildup in the bucket. Spread with flat squeegee to force resin deep into micro-pores, then back-roll with 3/8" lint-free roller.
MVB 49 Moisture Vapor Barrier (High-RH Slabs)
Mandatory on slabs with MVER >3 lbs / 1,000 sq ft or RH >75%. Accurately blend 2 Parts A to 1 Part B. Empty bucket immediately in ribbons onto floor. Spread with 3/16" or 1/4" V-notched squeegee and immediately cross-roll. Creates a pinhole-free monolithic membrane that stops 25 lbs hydrostatic vapor pressure.
EPOXY 49 High-Build Basecoat & Broadcast
Mix 2 Parts A with 1 Part B for 3 minutes. If formulating metallic design, pre-disperse 1 jar (150g) Epoxy49 Metallic Pigment per gallon Part A before combining hardener. Pour ribbon immediately and pull with 18" magic trowel at 32–40 wet mils. For flake systems, broadcast vinyl color chips to rejection (100% refusal).
POLYASPARTIC 49 Aliphatic Wear Armor
Scrape and vacuum flake floor to remove unbonded chips. Verify substrate temperature is >5°F above calculated dew point. Accurately measure 1 Part A to 1 Part B by volume or weight. Mix 2 minutes at 350 RPM. Pour in ribbons and pull flat with squeegee; immediately cross-roll with 3/8" lint-free roller. Never exceed 12 wet mils per coat.
TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY & DEW POINT CONTROLS
Dew Point Compliance (>5°F Rule)
Substrate surface temperature must always remain at least 5°F (3°C) above the calculated dew point during application and the initial cure window. Condensation on curing polyaspartic causes micro-foaming, amine blush, and loss of clarity.
Exotherm Control (Ribbon Pouring)
100% Solids epoxy formulations generate significant chemical exothermic heat in concentrated masses. Never let mixed resin sit in the 5-gallon pail longer than 3–5 minutes after blending. Empty contents onto the slab immediately in continuous ribbons.
Intercoat Recoat Windows
Apply subsequent coats within 8 to 24 hours at 72°F. If the previous coat cures beyond 24 hours, mechanical chemical bonding is compromised. You MUST thoroughly screen or sand the cured surface with 80–120 grit abrasive mesh before topcoating.
Moisture Vapor Testing
Prior to system selection, test slab moisture using either ASTM F1869 Anhydrous Calcium Chloride or ASTM F2170 In-Situ Relative Humidity Probes. Any reading >3 lbs MVER or >75% RH mandates application of MVB 49.