Case Study
Tile and Cutback Glue on Concrete Floor
When Lisa Murray decided to replace her old basement carpet and install an epoxy coating, it did not seem at first to be a complicated project. She had a contractor remove the old carpet. What she then discovered were 9″x9″ VCT tiles glued to the floor.
One of the tiles were loose, and it revealed a black mastic glue that held the tiles in place.
The contractor told her that this cutback glue would have to be removed if she wanted to put her epoxy or painted floor. He also explained that since this house was over 40 years old, that the glue most likely contained asbestos as well. This would require an abatement contractor to remove it, at an estimated cost of $ 5,000.00-$9,000.00.
Lisa spoke with other contractors who said that they could grind up or use soy gel to remove the glue. What they did not tell her was that removal would be messy, expensive, toxic, illegal, and could leave her with a floor that still could not be coated with epoxy.
Lisa did not like the direction this project was taking. She wanted a safer, simpler and more economical solution. After speaking with an engineer and visiting Inspectapedia.com, she decided to take his advice to seal, and prime the mastic without disturbing it, as OSHA recommends.
She purchased PerfectPrimer from Specialty Solutions Manufacturing, Inc. Her and a friend washed the floor, then rolled on the PerfectPrimer. After that her contractor returned to install her epoxy floor.
Process:
She cleaned the floor, then replaced the loose VCT tiles areas with new tiles. She could have applied the PerfectPrimer over the cutback glue directly, but since most of the VCT tiles were tight, so she chose not to do so. Application of the PerfectPrimer ran smoothly and was painted on using a trim brush and roller in just one coat.
Cost & Time Savings:
Her contractor estimated at least $15 per sq. ft. to remove the asbestos, then resurface the floor with new cement so it would be ready for an epoxy coating. With her 1,000 sq. ft. basement, that would have cost almost $15,000.00, and taken a few weeks.
The cost of the PerfectPrimer was less than $400.00, and she rolled it on herself, in one day.
Lisa saved over 90% of the time and money for the project, and never exposed herself or her family to dangerous asbestos. In addition, her project met OSHA and EPA guidelines to not disturb the asbestos glue,
PerfectPrimer was supplied by Specialty Solutions Manufacturing, a leader in the paints and coatings industry providing the highest-quality paints, coatings and environmental remediation solutions for the architectural and building industries.
FAQ’S
Uses: Do’s and Don’ts
Can I use PerfectPrimer to seal my VCT, then to install a click system floating floor?
For this application, use our PerfectPaint over your VCT tiles. Then apply your floating floor, or click system
Do I paint over PerfectPrimer with oil or acrylic paint.
You can use whatever paint you like.
Can I tint PerfectPrimer? What kind of tint do I use?
PerfectPrimer comes in a light -medium grey color. Generally, there is no reason to color it further since it is a primer and needs to be covered over with a paint or epoxy. If you like, you can darken it by mixing in some;liquid tints that would be used to tint any latex paint.
PerfectPrimer comes in medium gray. It can be made darker by adding liquid tint used to color acrylic paint. These are available at any paint store.
Can I use PerfectPrimer as a stand- alone floor finish?
No. You have to put a finish coating on PerfectPrimer, such as epoxy, paint or decorative cement.
If you use PerfectPaint, you do not need to coat anything on top for a complete job.
Floor preparation
How do I clean or prepare mastic, epoxy, concrete, or VCT before applying PerfectPrimer or PerfectPaint?
no answer to be provided
How do I clean or prepare the floor for PerfectPrimer?
Pour the packet or PerfectCleaner into a mop bucket of warm water and stir.
Clean the floor with the PerfectCleaner and a mop or stiff brush.
Rinse with clean water and allow to visibly dry before applying PerfectPrimer or Paint.
On tile floors with wax or floor finish on them: First strip the wax using some ammonia mixed into hot water. You can also use a wax stripper available at a janitorial supply house.
For professionals: You can “dry clean” a tile, epoxy or linoleum floor by lightly sanding the floor with a 100 grit scrubber pad. Once done, sweep or vacuum the floor and then clean it with a swiffer pad and denatured alcohol. When the floor is visibly dry, you can then apply PerfectPrimer.
Why should I use PerfectCleaner instead of any other soap or detergent?
PerfectCleaner is a safe to use, nontoxic formulation that you can use indoors without concern. It does not interact with the mastics in any way.
PerfectCleaner also contains a pretreatment that readies the mastics to bond with the PerfectPrimer. It is an important part of this two part system, and guarantees you a successful installation.
Do I need to remove or sand black mastic before applying PerfectPrimer?
No. Some people sand or scrape down some of the high spots to make a more level surface, but it is not required before applying the PerfectPrimer.
How do I prepare low areas and missing tile areas before applying Perfect Primer?
After cleaning the floor, apply one thin coat of PerfectPrimer to the areas you need to fix. Then use a cement patching product to fill in low areas or missing tiles. Let cure before applying PerfectPrimer to the entire floor.
How do I prepare small cracks and seams before applying PerfectPrimer?
You can use Acrylic caulk, polyurethane, or epoxy to fill small cracks and seams. Let cure before applying PerfectPrimer to the entire floor. Note: PerfectPrimer will not bond to silicone based caulk.
Can I apply PerfectPrimer directly over 9” vinyl tiles ( VCT) tiles that are firmly glued down ?
Yes PerfectPrimer will bond to your tile, and then you can paint over it using any acrylic floor paint you like. Over tile or linoleum, we recommend applying two thin coats of PerfectPrimer.
What do I do if some Vinyl tiles are loose or missing?
If some tiles are loose, re-glue or replace them or patch those areas using patch cement over PerfectPrimer.
What do I do if my floor seems to “sweat” or has a thin film of water on it. Will PerfectPrimer seal that problem?.
Basement floors and any concrete slab on grade can sometimes have moisture problems with water or water vapor beneath them. Water can also come from underneath the slab or through the walls.
In moist, damp environments, condensation can gather on the floor tile or exposed mastic. To cure, run a dehumidifier, a fan, or open a window and see if the problem goes away.
If the problem goes away, or if there is a slight amount of moisture that comes through the slab, then on parts of the floor where the pores are open, ( no paint, or mastic etc.) then you should first apply our SlabTight shield.
You can apply PerfectPrimer over the entire floor after that.
If the problem continues, you may want to do a calcium chloride test, or check for the slab with a moisture meter. Look for signs of black mold as well to indicate vapor issues.
If there are structural water problems, you should consult a local contractor to cure before applying any floor coatings.
General Information:
When should I use PerfectPrimer or PerfectPaint?
Use PerfectPrimer to seal your floor before applying a new paint or epoxy coating.
Use PerfectPaint when you want to prime and paint the floor or apply a tile, wood or floating floor system on top.
Is PerfectPrimer dangerous to use?
No, it is non-toxic and cleans up with water.
According to the EAP , asbestos and black cutback mastics and glues are safe to be around as long as they are not dissolved, sanded, or removed.
Is it safe to seal mastic with PerfectPrimer?
Yes. PerfectPrimer seals mastic safely in place without disturbing it.
How many coats of PerfectPrimer do I need? What is the coverage?
Apply one coat evenly using a ⅜” NAP roller for surfaces such as concrete, mastics, or wood. Do not allow the material to puddle. Very smooth floors such as ceramic tile or linoleum. may require a second coat. It is better to apply two thin coats over these surfaces. Apply to a coverage rate of 200- 300 sq. ft per gallon.
Can I use PerfectPrimer with SlabtTight shield? How should I go about applying them?
SlabTight, or any moisture blocking product needs to get into the open pores of concrete in order to work. It does nothing if it’s sitting on top of black mastic. If you currently had moisture issues you would see it in the form of loose, wet glue and a lot of mold. As a rule, the mastic seals the pores and generally stops minor moisture issues anyway.
To use SlabTight, you need to remove the mastic, then apply SlabTight. If not, all you need is PerfectPrimer to seal the floor, then apply your epoxy or choice of coatings onto that.
What causes primers or paints to “bubble up”?
This condition is caused by the same pressures that cause a balloon to expand when you fill it with air or water. The bubbling you see is caused either by the vapor issue site conditions, or by applying new application of deck coatings over an incompletely cured primer coat (trapped moisture) or by water that is entering the underside of the slab.
Will PerfectPrimer bond to latex based floor paint?
Yes. PerfectPrimer will bond to latex paint. Just make sure the paint itself is clean and well bonded to a stable surface.
Is PerfectPrimer supposed to still be sticky after 24 hours?
Normally PerfectPrimer will be dry after 24 hours but may still be tacky to the touch. In humid or damp conditions it will take longer to dry.
Can I coat over PerfectPrimer with a self leveling concrete?
Yes, PerfectPrimer bonds well with self levelers, decorative and all modified cements
Are there any installers you can recommend in my area for PerfectPrimer?
PerfectPrimer simply applies as a paint. No special training needed. It is designed so that any handyman, contractor or do it yourself person can apply it. The floor is cleaned with PerfectCleaner, then painted with PerfectPrimer.
Is the cured PerfectPrimer supposed to be a bit soft?
Yes. This is normal for any thin elastomeric type coating. It is flexible so it moves rather than cracks as the floor moves and bends.
Will PerfectPrimer work over cutback glue that is not asbestos?
Yes, Perfect Primer works with any glue, mastic, tar, adhesives, friable and non friable asbestos.
We just applied one coat of Perfect primer to a basement floor with black mastic. Is it recommended to apply a second coat? We have enough product left to put down a second coat but want to be sure that it does not affect the layer we already applied.
Yes, once the first layer is dry to the touch, you can apply a second layer. It will only make the system even better.
I can still see some yellow stains through the PerfectPrimer. Why is that? Is it ok to apply my paint or epoxy even when I see these stains?
You might want to apply a second coat of PerfectPrimer, especially over these yellow or areas where the primer looks too thin.
You can test the surface by rubbing a tissue onto the stained area on the primer. If the tissue stays dry, then you can safely apply your finish coatings. If not, then clean the area with some soap and water. Then apply another coat of PerfectPrimer in those areas.
How long must PerfectPrimer dry before I can apply my coating to it?
An overnight (12 hours) period is sufficient cure time when you will be installing a concrete overlay or any other breathable topcoat.
Is PerfectPrimer guaranteed to work?
In over 20 years, the product has not failed after being properly installed. As long as you prepare the floor using our PerfeCleaner and apply according to our instructions, it is guaranteed to work .
Shipping and Delivery Information
What are PerfectPrimer’s application Temperatures?
If you have consistently high humidity levels, (above 70%) we recommend that you wait 24 hours for the Primer to cure before applying your top coatings
You can also use a dehumidifier or place fans over the work area, to facilitate curing.
Note: This is a water-based coating which will freeze and become unusable at temperatures below 32°F. PROTECT PRIMER FROM FREEZING DURING SHIPMENT AND STORAGE.
Do not store material at temperatures below 50°F. Do not apply ambient air and substrate temperatures fall below 45°F or when there is a possibility of temperature dropping below 32°F within a 24-hour period after application.
Once I order, when will I get my PerfectPrimer?
We ship, Mon-Fri within 24 hours of receipt of the order.
The typical UPS delivery time from our warehouse in PA is 2-5 days.
Is there any way to speed up my order?
You may choose to use expedited shipping. These rates are visible on our website when you are checking out the order.
PerfectPrimer can freeze, so if there is cold weather shipping may be delayed.
What countries do you ship to?
We ship via UPS or Fed anywhere in the world. If you are outside of the 48 lower states (U.S.), place your order online and check the option “will pay by check”. We will provide you with a complete shipping quote for your approval.
Return Policy
What is your return policy?
Customers who cancel an order before it is shipped out will receive a full refund.
All products are warrantied against defects.
Unopened merchandise can be returned within 48 hours of delivery. Once material is received by us in good condition, a refund will be credited, minus a 20% restocking fee.
The complete terms and conditions can be seen in the footer of our website.
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