Crane Composites Seam Sealant - Manual

Adhesive Installation Guide
FRP Installation Tips
• As a natural result of exposure to moisture and high heat conditions, a thin layer of cured adhesive may form on top of Advanced
Polymer adhesive while in the pail. Discard layer before using adhesive.
• Trowel adhesive to the back of the panel - not the wall substrate.
• Check wall surface for irregularities that might deter adhesion: high/low spots, dirt, dust, oil, paint, excessive joint compound, etc.
• Acclimate panels to room temperature and lay panels fl at for 24 hours before installation.
• Check to make sure the climate of the room, adhesive, panel and wall substrate are all above 50°F at least 24 hours before,
during, and after installation. Avoid large temperature swings during the fi rst 24 hours after installation.
• Use correct trowel size as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Create oversized holes to allow for panel movement if any permanent fasteners are drilled through the panel, such as drop
ceilings, cabinets, sinks and machinery.
• Press and roll entire panel against the wall substrate.
• Clean up adhesive with water while still wet.
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Trouble Shooting
If you are experiencing bubbles or other weak bonding points on the FRP panels, reinstallation may
be required. To help determine the cause of these problems and to prevent future recurrences,
please review the following information below. If you cannot identify the cause of the problem, circle
the affected area with a permanent marker and take photos before taking down the panel. Send
samples of the affected area to the manufacturer along with samples of the adhesive and a lot
number to have the issue analyzed by an expert.
Vertical & Horizontal Bubbles
If there are long vertical bubbles down the middle, check right and left moldings for proper
expansion space. (Figure 1)
If there are long horizontal bubbles, check the top and bottom moldings for proper expansion space.
(Figure 2)
Incorrect Trowel Ridges
Check trowel ridges and spacing to determine if correct trowel size was used and if trowel marks
are on the panel. If there are bare spots or drag spots on the panel, then the adhesive was applied
to the wall, not the panel as indicated in the instructions. (Figure 3)
Look for skips in the adhesive trowel pattern. Low trowel ridges (less than full depth) where the
adhesive never made contact with the wall substrate could cause a failed installation. (Figure 4)
Undisturbed Ridges
Check to see if there are normal undisturbed ridges that never reached the wall, where lack of
pressure or extreme unevenness in the wall prevented a good bond between the wall substrate
and the panel. (Figure 5)
Flattened Beads
A fl attened bead on back of the panel with no adhesive transfer shows that the open time of the
adhesive was exceeded and the panel was not applied to the wall substrate in time. Only one panel
at a time should be troweled and immediately applied to the wall.
For Advanced Polymer and Fast Grab Adhesive
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5