CTi Products and The Cold Weather

by Ethan Schneider

Winter is here and mother nature's grip on the northern states can be ferocious. It is very important for CTI dealers to pay attention to temperatures for two reasons:

Installation limitations and specs.

Storage of materials.

Even though the outside temperatures are below freezing in many areas it does not mean that you can't continue to do some exterior work. There are ways to create acceptable work conditions even when the temperatures are below freezing. Areas can be tented and heated with propane heaters such as Salamanders or torpedo type heaters. Also bare concrete slabs can be heated with a propane torch just prior to skim coating . When working in colder temperatures remember to use 111 Quickset modifier. Note: 111 Quick set modifier can be combined with CTI's new 112 modifier at a 1 to 1 ratio. In other words ½ and ½.

Working with sealers in colder temperatures can be a bit more challenging. Both epoxies and urethanes should not be applied below 50 degrees. This is referring to the temperature of the slab, which is usually at least 5 degrees lower than the ambient air temperature. Since both of these types of products are usually installed inside, there are a few points to keep in mind.
The spec sheets provided for CTI sealers on the dealer website contain cure time information that is based on an average temperature of 77 degrees in a perfect laboratory environment. If you are applying epoxies or urethanes on interior jobs at lower temperatures between 50 and 77 degrees the cure and re-coat window times will be extended. The extended times may be twice as long depending on temperature, humidity, air movement, and ventilation. The point is to allow for additional cure time when working in lower temperatures.

Be careful when driving around with product in your truck or trailer when the temperatures are below freezing. Exposure to freezing temperatures even for a relatively short period of time may result in damaged product. Products such as modifiers 110,111,112 modifiers, 190 colorants, Aquathane 6000, 5000 Binder, Rapid Armor, Super seal 210, Eurobond colorants, Eurobond liquid bonding agent are all susceptible to damage from freezing. This applies to your product storage location as well. The storage location should kept above freezing.

If you have any questions about installation or storage of products in cooler temperatures please call the CTI tech department.

To Seal Or Not To Seal ?
by Ethan Schneider

Bad weather is coming soon. Should I go ahead and put a coat of sealer down?

A lot of dealers call CTI with this exact scenario and question. If you are working on a hallmark system, Stone trowel, Acrylistain, or the new Spray mark system then sooner or later your are going to find yourself in this predicament.

If the job is done and dry enough to walk on without causing damage and rain is on the way then you will have to make a calculated decision. There are several factors you will want to consider.

1. Is your coating surface dry enough to apply sealer over?
2. Can you walk on it without damaging it?
3. How much time do you believe you have before the rain will start?

If the product is dry enough and you believe you have enough time to get a coat of 150 or 155 texture enhancing sealer down then usually it is a better decision to go ahead and apply the sealer. If it is already starting to rain or snow then do not apply the sealer. Ideally you want the sealer to be relatively tack free by the time the rain begins.

The pro’s and con’s of applying the sealer.

If you don’t apply at least one coat of sealer before a significant rain fall, a Hallmark or Spraymark system may lose some color or the color may wash out in some areas depending on the severity of the rain. If an Acrylistain that has not been sealed gets rained on it will most likely wash out and blend the colorants altering the look you originally created.

If you go ahead and apply either 150 or 155 sealers and it begins to rain before the sealer has had a chance to completely cure then it may appear slightly clouded or blotchy when it finally dries out. This cloudiness will usually disappear when a second coat of sealer is applied. If any cloudiness remains even after the second coat of sealer is applied it can usually be corrected with a light application of xylene on the affected areas. Be aware that even if you get one coat of sealer down before the rains begin, the job may still be jeopardized due to the sealer still being soft and the severity of the rain.

Always consult the CTI tech department before taking any corrective measures,.