SURFACE PREPARATION
All supporting surfaces shall be structurally sound, solid, free of movement and well bonded. Make sure underlying surface is free of moisture and clean of any contaminants such as dirt, wax, paint, sealers, adhesive, chemical residue, oil products or foreign matter that may interfere with a proper bond. In any application where adhesion is in doubt, perform a test patch in an inconspicuous area. Do not proceed if dissatisfied with bond and contact Technical Services.
Concrete Floors
Remove all foreign matter by mechanical means. Floor must be free of efflorescence and excess moisture. To check moisture, test with a calcium chloride test (ASTM F1869-09), or relative humidity (insitu probe) test (ASTM F2170-09). To correct moisture problems, see DEPENDABLE’s moisture protection products.
Wood Floors
Ensure wood floors are free of movement and excessive moisture. Fasten any loose boards. Stripwood floors should be covered with underlayment grade quality board.
Underlayment Board Joints
To avoid “peaking,” do not butt sheets tightly. Leave a space the thickness of a matchbook cover (approx. 1/32”) between sheets. The installer may wish to seal the joints, hammer-indents and other “raw” spots with an appropriate brush coat of DEPENDABLE WHITE LATEX LIQUID. This will keep the moisture in SKIMCOAT™ and/or the adhesive from being drawn into the board, which may cause swelling and/or delamination.
Existing Ceramic Tile, Quarry Tile, etc. (Not Vinyl–VCT & VAT)
Must be well bonded. The surface must be clean and free of waxes and contaminants that might inhibit bonding. For best bond, prime with ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE™. Once primed, allow AREA to nearly dry and become tacky before covering with SKIMCOAT™.
Metal Floors
Remove any rust or contaminants. Wash and allow to dry completely. Prime with DEPENDABLE ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE™. Allow to nearly dry and become tacky.
Vinyl Floors
SKIMCOAT will work well over one layer of well adhered, full spread non-cushioned vinyl oor without a urethane wear layer. (For vinyl of cushioned construction or with urethane wear layer, DEPENDABLE SKIMCRETE XL with ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE makes an excellent embossing system). Thoroughly clean the surface of any foreign matter & wax buildup. WHILE THE FLOOR IS WET, lightly rough the surface with a cleaning pad to remove any remaining wax or dirt & scuff the surface. Rinse & dry surface. New wear layers being sold can be dif cult to bond to. While some wear layers may be bonded to with just a thorough cleaning, others may require abrading and/or priming the surface with DEPENDABLE ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE. ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE must be added to the powdered product to increase bonding characteristics. The installer is advised to always perform a test patch area over resilient goods to assure acceptable bond.
Adhesive Residue
Using mechanical means, remove loose, brittle or thick/heavy accumulations to a well-bonded residue. Sweep or vacuum area. Prime residue with DEPENDABLE ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE™ and allow to become nearly dry and tacky. Caution: Cutback adhesive may contain asbestos. Contact state or local authorities for proper removal and disposal procedures.
MIXING
Add 2 quarts of water for every 10 lbs of SKIMCOAT into cool, clean liquid. Use clean containers & mixing implements, as leftover residue can accelerate set and/or reduce pot life of new mix. Mix thoroughly to a lump- free trowelable consistency. Mixture will remain workable for approximately 15 minutes. Mix only what can be used in that time. Do not attempt to extend pot life by later adding water. Do not mix directly on oor. Use felt, scrap vinyl or mixing bucket. When using as an embossing leveler, or otherwise with DEPENDABLE ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE, mix 2 parts powder into 1 part liquid. ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE will extend working & drying time of SKIMCOAT. NOTE: DEPENDABLE WHITE LATEX LIQUID & ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDI- TIVE, used at full strength, contain mildewcides & other protections speci cally formulated for SKIMCOAT & are highly recommended for use in most applications. Use of water or latex not containing the protective qualities of DEPENDABLE WHITE LATEX LIQUID or ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE as an admixture for SKIMCOAT will void warran- ties, whether express or implied, for stain & mildew resistance, moisture resistance, adhesion & under vinyl sheet goods.
APPLICATION
Using a notchless trowel, force SKIMCOAT™ into joints, cracks, voids and deeper fills bearing down on the trowel, then smooth a thin covering over the prepared substrate and build any thicker fills or transitions to over 1 inch thick. Allow the SKIMCOAT™ to dry thoroughly before going over the surface with a second application if needed. When dry, scrape or sand smooth for a perfect finish.
Vinyl Floors – Apply SKIMCOAT™ mixed with DEPENDABLE ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE™, using a flat steel trowel. Draw the SKIMCOAT™ material across the pattern to be filled at angles to the pattern to ensure an even and complete fill.
Metal Floors – For best bond and flexibility, apply SKIMCOAT™ mixed with DEPENDABLE ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE™ over a surface primed with ACRYLIC EMBOSSING ADDITIVE™. Good bond and flexural strength can also be achieved by mixing SKIMCOAT™ with DEPENDABLE WHITE LATEX LIQUID® and applying over a surface primed with DEPENDABLE WHITE LATEX LIQUID®.
Setting Marble, Sills, Grouting Tile – Use a mortar mix (about 3 parts SKIMCOAT™ to 1 part liquid). When applying SKIMCOAT™ as a grout, use rubber float trowel, wipe all excess clean before it sets.
LIMITATIONS
Do not use…
• Where hydrostatic pressure (water) exists or moisture emissions exceed level permitted for installing floor covering. SKIMCOAT can tolerate any amount of moisture from a concrete slab so long as all of the moisture from the slab will escape past the floor covering. If the floor covering’s moisture permeability does not meet or exceed the moisture content of the slab, Dependable recommends moisture remediation. Use Dependable’s Vaporseal HM, or an approved alternative, to remediate moisture in concrete, consult the Vaporseal HM data sheet, or call technical services, for more details.
• Where surface or ambient temperature falls to or below 45ºF within 72 hours of installation
• Over presswood, particle board, masonite, chipboard, OSB, underlayment board not of APA underlayment (exterior) grade or similar dimensionally unstable materials susceptible to movement or swelling.
• Over single layer stripwood floors.
