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Installation of ESD Epoxy Floor Paint for Static Control Floors
Notes: Preparation of the substrate is a critical component of this system and the most time consuming portion of installing the ElectraGuard esd epoxy floor paint system. Take your time and be thorough!
Draft revisions are currently under review that will provide modifications to install techniques and pre testing requirements for use of ElectraGuard in covering existing VCT and floor paints. Please contact us direct for information when covering these 2 types of substrates until formal revisions are posted.
For a printer and paper friendly version of this document please visit: Print Friendly To contact us immediately for live tech support with this document please visit: Live support via Text or Voice or call 719 676 3928 (option 8).
Application on Concrete:
1) Test concrete for porosity: Prior to full scale usage evaluate the concrete for porosity. Test the slab for it's ability to absorb liquids. Place a few drops of water on the cement and see if it absorbs into the concrete, if the concrete is semi porous, unsealed and contaminate free the water will soak in.
2) Bond strength testing: Even if your substrate looks perfect it's always best to pre-test. Utilizing one of our sample kits apply the material over the section you have prepared and allow to cure for 24 to 48 hours. Test bond strength as follows: With a razor knife etch a 1" x 1" "tic-tac-toe" pattern on the epoxy. Cover this pattern with standard masking tape, wait 5 minutes and quickly pull masking tape from pattern. Observe the tape. When a good bond is achieved minimal material will be removed with the tape. Remember, the bond strength of this material will continue to improve for about a week. If your test area appears sound and well bonded and the conductivity meets your specifications for electrical resistance follow the full scale application instructions that follow.
3) Porous concrete: Simply sweep (do not use any type of floor sweep compounds, vacuum (to remove dust from pours and deviations such as saw cuts and expansions joints) and damp mop with ElectraClean prior to applying the ElectraGuard. 4) Non porous concrete: For concrete that does not readily absorb water, is highly contaminated, oily or slick (from concrete finishing process or the use of concrete curing compounds). A Muriatic acid wash and water rinse, light diamond grinding or (in some cases) an abrasive screen disking may be required prior to use of ElectraGuard. An acid etch is the most economical. Before deciding on an acid etch as an acceptable method for your project place a few drops of muriatic acid or our ElectraEtch etching solution diluted with 50% water on the concrete. Should it bubble and open the pours of the concrete the acid etch is acceptable as a preparation method for your project. Should it NOT bubble your slab has a sealer that is resistant to the etchant. In this scenario the floor should be lightly diamond ground. Note: United SCP does not recommend shot blasting (sand blasting) as a method appropriate for preparation of the concrete slabs. United HIGHLY recommends a light diamond grinding as the preparation method of choice when covering heavily sealed concrete that does not respond to a muriatic acid wash and in all cases of existing thick set epoxy flooring. A bond strength test prior to full scale application is highly recommended.
Photo of all the various grinding and shot blasting preparation profiles Most acid washes are concentrated liquid containing Hydrochloric (Muriatic) Acid, detergents and surfactants for use in preparing "problem" concrete, terrazzo, unglazed stone or even ceramic tile flooring prior to coating with ElectraGuard. When using over concrete, diluted Muriatic acid dissolves contaminates, opens pours and loosens cementious dust. In addition acid washes chemically "abrade" (etches) substrates providing a surface texture similar to that of 360 grit sandpaper. Careful use of the ANY Muriatic acid is essential. Over application, inconsistent application or leaving the product on the substrate for too long can over etch the concrete. ElectraGuard is a thin set epoxy, improper use of the Muriatic acid washes and the resulting over etched surface texture can "shadow through" the ElectraGuard leaving a blotchy inconsistent look to the finished product. Note: An abrasive screen disking or light diamond grinding is generally preferable to Muriatic acid wash and rinse. 5) Vapor Emissions from Slab: since this product features a microscopically porous polymeric base it maintains an excellent resistance to high concrete vapor emission levels and does not (typically) require Calcium-Chloride vapor emission testing. If your slab emissions have caused flooring failures in the past or you suspect emission levels higher than 5.0 lbs per 1000 sq/ft contact our technical support hotline for recommendations at 719 676 3928 (option 8). 6) Deviations in concrete: may be filled utilizing a standard latex modified Portland based patching compound like Mapei Plain-Patch (available at most Lowes and Home Depots) but the slight variance in surface texture and profile may tend to shadow through the finished epoxy coating. ElectraGuard bonds reasonably well to latex based caulks and seam fillers (occasionally used to fill saw cuts and expansion joints). Avoid ElectraGuard usage over rubber or silicon based fillers and additives. 7) Removal of old flooring adhesive: Diamond grind or scrape prior to installation of ElectraGuard. Application over standard VCT and vinyl:
8) Preparation
of Substrates:
Strip floor finish
from substrate using E Strip.
Instructions and product information. Lightly sand substrate
using standard floor sanding equipment and 40 to 80 grit (course)
abrasive pad or disk (Note: Do not sand VCT installed prior to
1980). Vacuum substrate to
remove abrasive residue.
9) Bond Strength Test: Utilizing one of our sample kits apply the material over the section you have prepared and allow to cure for 24 to 48 hours. Test bond strength as follows: With a razor knife etch a 1" x 1" "tic-tac-toe" pattern on the epoxy. Cover this pattern with standard masking tape, wait 5 minutes and quickly pull masking tape from pattern. Observe the tape. When a good bond is achieved minimal material will be removed with the tape. Remember, the bond strength of this material will continue to improve for about a week. If your test area appears sound and well bonded and the conductivity meets your specifications for electrical conductivity follow the full scale application instructions that follow. 10) Electrical Grounding prior to application of coating over all substrates:
1) Locate AC power outlet. Remove electrical face plate cover (typically plastic). Starting at a location about ½” beneath the outlet cutout (on the drywall) run a piece of our 2" wide aluminum foil ground tape down wall and onto floor about 2 or 3 inches. Note: for a great looking attachment cut any wall base, peel back base and run strip behind re-glued base.
2) Run another aluminum foil strip (about 36” long piece) over this 2" or 3" piece that you've placed on the floor. Run this strip parallel to the wall and stick to the flooring substrate (concrete, VCT, etc).
3) Lightly sand the foil on the floor with 320 grit emery paper or course scotch bright. Remove abrasive residue with a clean piece of paper towel. Paint over this strip with a thin layer of ElectraGuard ESD epoxy or cover with flooring adhesive.
4) Replace plastic AC electrical face plate cover with a metal face plate cover making sure metal face plate cover contacts the aluminum strip.
5) Your floor is now grounded. The ground foil on the wall may be painted if desired.
The way it works: Charge flows across the ElectraGuard to strip placed parallel to the wall. Charge goes up strip (on wall) through metal face plate cover and is grounded via center screw of AC electrical face plate cover. Note: The ElectraGuard system only requires 2 ground connections for small floors (under 3,000 sf) and one additional ground for every 4,000 sf thereafter. More grounding attachments will not raise the conductivity of your flooring system.
11) Masking: Mask encumbrances such as walls, equipment, etc using high quality standard blue painters tape.
12) Application of
ElectraGuard: Catalyzed ElectraGuard should be used
within six hours of mixing, therefore prepare only the quantity
necessary for immediate use. Add the pre-measured catalyst to
epoxy base. Stir gently using a low speed drill with rotary
mixing attachment until the catalyst has been thoroughly mixed
into the base. Allow catalyzed mixture to stand 5 minutes.
Pour into appropriate size paint tray. NOTE:
United SCP recommends using a high quality 18", 3/8 nap roller
for application of ElectraGuard. Apply catalyzed material in
thin uniform coating pattern. Note: Wet paint rollers and
roller assemblies not exhibiting wear may be stored overnight in
airtight clean trash bags and reused the next day. Allow 1st
coat to cure and dry 24 hours. Lightly scrape cured 1st coat to
remove any paint splatters or minor imperfections. Apply second
coat using 3/8 nap rollers and thin even coating pattern, allow
to cure 24 hours, lightly scrape the next day to remove paint
splatters and minor imperfections. Application of a third
coat generally provides optimum esthetics.
13) Coverage and average daily yield: The initial coat will cover approximately 250 to 500 ft 2 per gallon. Allow the initial coat to dry overnight or longer and apply a second coat. Second coat coverage is approximately 500-600 ft2 per gallon. Application of second coat is much faster. A third coat will provide optimum esthetics. Finished floors may be opened to light traffic, under normal curing conditions, after 12 hours. Complete curing with maximum durability, chemical resistance and electrical conductivity will take 5-7 days. Average daily yield is about 10,000 SF per day per person.
14) Sealing your ElectraGuard ESD Epoxy floor for ultimate shine and scuff resistance: As applied, coatings of ElectraGuard provide optimum conductivity and a matte type (low glare) finish. Optimum wear performance, scuff resistance and high gloss is achieved by use of the following sealers. NOTE: sealers should not be applied until the ElectraGuard has cured for at least 72 hours after last application of ElectraGuard). The ElectraThane and ElectraGlaze or ElectraSheen Sealers raise the insulative properties of ElectraGuard epoxy, use them sparingly and apply in thin even coats.
14 A): ElectraThane Thoroughly remove loose dirt and dust cured ElectraGuard via sweeping (do not use sweeping compounds). Remove imperfections if any (such as bubbles and splatters) from ElectraGuard via light scraping followed by vacuuming. Agitate ElectraThane sealant in container prior to use, pour into clean contaminant free bucket and mop on one thin even coat using non linting synthetic finish mops. Allow coat to dry (depending on humidity and temperature) for 60 to 90 minutes before re-application of second thin coat. Two coats are recommended. ElectraThane does not readily lend itself to high speed polishing but has a good as applied luster and excellent slip resistance. Allow coats to cure for a minimum of 12 hours prior to proceeding to step 14B (topical coatings of ElectraGlaze Floor Finish).
14 B): ElectraGlaze or ElectraThane Using a clean Rayon finish mop or wax applicator, apply one thin even coat of either product allowing finish to dry 2 to 4 hours prior to allowing traffic on floor. Buffing is not required but provides optimum shine and micro finish. Use only ElectraShine as a spray buff solution.
NOTE! ElectraSheen is now recommended as a replacement for ElectraGlaze as a final coat for the ElectraGuard Tri-Layer Flooring System. ElectraSheen provides a significantly higher shine, wear resistance and longevity. ElectraSheen ONLY available from United Static Control Products!
15) Typical Maintenance: Dust Mop Daily. Damp mop weekly using a diluted solution of ElectraClean and water. Note: Never use plain water or other floor cleaning chemicals as this may leave an insulative residue. Auto Scrub every two months or as needed to remove ground in dirt and contaminants (start with using the lightest pad available. As needed: high speed polish using a white or champagne colored pad and ElectraShine polishing spray. As needed (about every year or two): Follow the ESD floor care procedure as listed at: How to maintain an esd floor
NOTES: Chair casters can act as tiny ball mills and may damage all hard surface esd floors including tile, thick set epoxy, rubber and ElectraGuard. Our HSSB esd floor mats may be used should chair caster wear become an issue. ElectraGuard ESD Epoxy Floor Coating has a lower odor than any other epoxy coating on the market but adequate ventilation is desirable. If opening bay doors for ventilation be sure to not allow wind blown dust to contaminate the prepared area or the wet epoxy. Ultimate slip resistance may be achieved by adding fine Aluminum Oxide sand blast grit to the catalyzed mixture and blending well prior to application. Use latex gloves during application for easy cleanup. Testing of ElectraGuard Conductivity is typically accomplished 1 week after final coat has been applied. Typical testing is accomplished via EOS/ESD test method 7.1 and ANSI S20.20-2007 97.1 (conductivity of technician heel grounders and flooring). The following results are typical when installed on the vast majority of cement substrates, however your conductivity may vary somewhat depending on the conductivity of the existing concrete slab and other conditions encountered in your installation (ambient humidity etc). Note: Accurate representations of your floors final conductivity should be ascertained prior to full scale application by electrically testing sample installed for bond strength test.
A properly installed ElectraGuard Epoxy Flooring System will post very consistent electrical resistivity readings allowing the floor to comply with the latest specifications for even the most stringent of static control applications. NOTE: This resistance range is typical on concrete surfaces. If used to coat standard epoxy the electrical resistance may post higher results. Coating the ElectraGuard with topical layers of floor finish will slightly raise the insulative values of the ElectraGuard.
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