SURFACE PREPARATION
Concrete Floors
All concrete must be sound, stable, clean and free of any bond breaking materials (silicates, curing compounds, laitance, dirt). Mechanically remove weak surfaces, and any contaminants to sound concrete. Priming is not required. Apply from feather edge to 1” in depth. Polyskim is not recommended for use on on-grade and below-grade concrete slabs. Consult Technical Services for details.
Adhesive Residue
Non-soluble adhesives must be scraped to a well bonded residue. Water soluble and pressure sensitive adhesives must be removed mechanically to the substrate. Verify type of adhesive prior to mechanical removal to ensure adhesive containing asbestos is not introduced into the environment. Follow all local, state and federal laws for removal and disposal of adhesive or flooring materials containing asbestos. Test to ensure any existing adhesive will not bleed through to new adhesive, or finished flooring. If the substrate under the adhesive is weak or poorly bonded, remove such areas down to well bonded, sound, clean substrate.
Wood
Polyskim is suitable for skimcoating well bonded (screwed & glued) APA rated, exterior grade wood floors free of deflection. Wood floors are required to be a minimum of ¾”, L/360 and comply to local building codes. No primer is required. Do not install over OSB, chipboard, Masonite, or surfaces non-APA rated, and/or non-dimensionally stable materials subject to swelling or movement.
Quarry & Ceramic Tile
Ensure waxes or sealers are stripped from the surface of the tiles. Abrade to a dull finish. Remove dust by vacuum. Consider utilizing Primer A for additional bond.
Gypsum Substrates
Test the substrate for porosity prior to installing Polyskim. Prime the floor with Primer A prior to installing Polyskim, consult the primer’s data sheet for priming instructions over gypsum concrete.
MIXING
FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY
Mix Polyskim either in a full bag, or by 2 to 2 1/2 parts Polyskim to 1 part water. ALWAYS use a clean drill and bucket mix until material is homogeneous and lump free. Overwatering or under watering will result in different application characteristics and potentially weaker than desired compressive strengths. Add clean potable water into the designated vessel and mix mechanically. Do no mix more material than can be applied in 10 minutes or less. Do not attempt to remix by adding more water.
PLACEMENT
Utilize a clean trowel to place the material across on the surface of the substrate. No minimum thickness is required. For deeper areas, allow initial coat to reach partial set prior to building layers. Once dry, material may be sanded to remove placement imperfections prior to installation of floor covering.
DRY TIME PRIOR TO FLOOR COVERINGS
POLYSKIM® dry time will depend on thickness. Depth of placement and ambient conditions (temperature and humidity) will greatly impact the dry time of the material. Material is typically dry between 30-60 minutes, and ready for sanding prior to application of flooring, or direct application of flooring. Expect longer dry times for especially thick applications.
Follow the directions of the flooring and adhesive manufacturer to determine the maximum allowable moisture content (RH) or transmission of the substrate. If the moisture content (ASTM F-2170) or moisture vapor transmission rate (ASTM F-1869) of the substrate exceeds the requirements of the flooring system, utilize Dependable’s VAPORSEAL HM PLUS prior to installation of the White Skimcoat. White Skimcoat will not inhibit transmission of moisture to the finished flooring.
All Substrates must be sound, clean, dry and free of contaminants (oil, dirt, laitance etc.) that may interfere with adhesion. Do not use solvents, acids, chemical adhesive removers to prepare the substrate. All bond breaking substances (cure residues, excess salts from silicates etc.) must be removed prior to priming. Completely vacuum all dust and debris from the substrate prior to material application. Honor all moving joints. Complete crack and substrate repairs prior to installation.
POLYSKIM® does not self dry, you may use fans to accelerate drying. Depth of placement and ambient conditions will impact the dry time of the material. Material is typically dry in 30-45 minutes and ready for light sanding prior to application of flooring, or direct application of flooring.
