Using POR-15 on Concrete
Concrete is a versatile construction material, but one with several disadvantages.
* It is an alkaline substance and as such not only highly susceptible to chemical attack, but also chemically threatening to alkali-sensitive materials, like alkyd based paints.
* The porosity of concrete allows potentially damaging agents to penetrate more readily, increasing the likelihood and seriousness of damage.
* Concrete has relatively poor abrasion resistance and cohesive strength, allowing physical deterioration and leading to difficulty in daily cleaning and, ultimately, to failure.
Of course, concrete can be protected. Its inadequacies can be reduced, and years can be added to its service life by coating with a material capable of withstanding the stresses put on it. Many coatings types are available for use on concrete. None, however, is as versatile as POR-15.
Diversity of POR-15 for Concrete
It might seem to some that the many different expectations of end users for concrete coating performance would make it very difficult to find one coating technology capable of meeting their wide ranging needs. But P0R-15 is versatile. It is used as primers and sealers, patching materials and topcoats. POR-15 is used as a moisture barrier and heavy-duty wear surface. POR-15 is available as a single component moisture-cured (or air dried), or two-component reactive formulation. It can be brushed, rolled, sprayed, squeegeed, or troweled.
POR-15 is an outstanding moisture-curing single component formulation highly recommended to prime and seal porous substrates. POR-15 is a very effective dust-binding impregnant as well as sealer for cement and other substrates, because it can protect the substrate from water, chemicals, deicing salt, and mineral oils. Because of its high degree of flexibility, POR-15 also can serve as a bridge over cracks. As a corrosion-resistant primer, POR-15 is formulated to contain aluminum pigments that provide barrier protection.
POR-15 is tack-free after 3-5 hours and through-hard in 72 hours, after which a film with a thickness of 40 um has a pendulum impact hardness of about 170 seconds. The abrasion loss (Taber Abrader CS 10, 1000 rpm, 1000 g) is about 5 mg. A fully cured POR-15 film is characterized by remarkable hardness and flexibility, and by good resistance to water and chemicals, though it yellows under light POR-15 is a good binder for synthetic resin-based concrete. A mixture consisting, for example, of quartz sand and POR-15 cures from the surface by contact with atmospheric humidity. Pronounced yellowing and chalking must be expected in outdoor applications; therefore, it is recommended that the coating be topcoated with POR-15 2-component coatings (HardNose Paints in 8 colors) within 24 hours of the POR-15 coatings drying to the touch.
Comparison of POR-15 with Epoxy coatings
While many epoxies will equal the hardness of POR-15, serious differences exist. Epoxies have a far greater tendency to chalk than does POR-15, and as they age, epoxies become brittle and often crack. POR-15, strengthened by moisture, remains flexible permanently! Epoxies, once mixed, cure rapidly, and two-component mixing often tends to be wasteful with a huge waste factor because pot life is limited and cure can take place before the material is used up. Because of its' tighter molecular structure, POR-15 is a far superior moisture barrier than any presently existing epoxy system.
Application Procedures / Suface Preparation
Suface to be coated should be clean, dry, and dust free. Newly laid concrete should be swept and vacuumed thoroughly. Grease or oil spots should be scrubbed with POR-15 Solvent, then rinsed with water. Older concrete should be treated with a muratic acid solution (HCL) of about 10% to remove calcium salts and to etch the concrete. After the contaminated areas are treated and cleaned, the entire concrete surface should be washed thoroughly with water and then allowed to completely dry. The use of portable heating equipment may be required. If oil and grease spots are fresh and pronounced, dry the area first and then treat them with a coat of white shellac before applying POR-15. POR-15 CAN ONLY BE APPLIED TO A CONCRETE SURFACE THAT IS BONE-DRY TO A DEPTH OF TWO (2) INCHES. If there are painted areas, the paint should be stripped off and the stripped area should be treated with muratic acid. If large areas of concrete are painted and it is not practical to remove the paint, a small test area should be coated with POR-15 to determine the adhesion quality, which in most cases should be acceptable. If you are uncertain of how to proceed in a special area, call The PRP-PORShop at 877 684-7878.
Application Procedures / Applying POR-15
If you are applying POR-15 to a concrete surface in an enclosed area, you MUST use an air-supplied respirator at all times when spraying POR-15. If the application is by roller or brush in a well ventilated area, an organic vapor particle respirator, NIOSH/MSHA approved should be used. Under no circumstances will a paper dust mask alone provide adequate protection when applying POR-15.
Surface to be coated must be bone-dry. Apply in full, covering coats so that the concrete is saturated with POR-15. The paint will seep into cracks and crevices and fill voids to provide maximum, permanent protection. Coverage will depend upon the surface tightness and quality of the concrete, but a general rule of thumb is about 200 square feet per gallon. A properly coated surface will not require a second coat. Read directions on can carefully for application details. If any moisture or water is mixed with POR-15 before application - perspiration dripping into the can, accidental spillage, etc.. POR-15 will begin to cure and may not adhere properly to the concrete surface. Be careful to avoid liquid contamination of any kind.
