Crane Composites Seam Sealant - Manual (Page 2)

Loose Particles
Check to see if loose particles (like drywall joint compound) are on the adhesive. If so, the
substrate was not clean and adhesive bonded to only the loose particles. (Figure 6)
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Common Installation Errors
Preparing Wall Surface for Optimal Adhesion
Make certain that wall surfaces are fl at and even. Remove high spots and fi ll in low spots removing excessive amounts of joint
compound. Remove wallpaper, soluble or loose paint along with any other foreign mater that may interfere with the adhesive bond.
The wall substrate must be dry and free from dirt, dust and grease.
The surface must be fl at enough that adhesive beads will properly transfer from the FRP panel surface to the bonding surface.
Our adhesive recommendation chart doesn’t address cement directly but all cement surface types that are listed we recommend
advanced polymer only and suggest we do the same here and with any cement based substrate.
Choosing an Appropriate Adhesive
Failure to choose the right adhesive could result in the adhesive not drying or curing.
• DO
NOT use Fast Grab FRP Adhesive with fi re rated or pressure treated plywood substrates. Only use Advanced Polymer Panel
Adhesive.
• DO NOT use Fast Grab FRP Adhesive for non-porous substrates. Only use Advanced Polymer Panel Adhesive.
Inappropriate Trowel Selection & Use
The inappropriate use of a trowel could result in incorrect trowel ridges and spacing, creating bare
spots or drag spots on the back of the FRP panel.
•
Depth of trowel notches needs to accommodate unevenness and bridge gaps between the
wall surface and the installed FRP panel. The trowel notches will help accommodate wall
imperfections. (Figure 7)
• Size of bead produced affects adhesive working time. The smaller the bead, the less working
time you have.
• Please refer to the comparison guide for exact trowel coverage.
Application of Adhesive
• DO
NOT apply adhesive directly to the wall surface. Apply it to the FRP panel.
• DO NOT wait longer than the manufacturer’s recommended open-time. Doing so could allow
the adhesive to dry or cure and create weak bonding to the substrate.
• Be sure to spread the adhesive over the entire back of the panel using the recommended trowel.
• Keep trowel notches clean and free of adhesive build-up to insure proper application.
• After the adhesive is applied to the FRP panel, adhere the panel to the wall surface. Failure to
adhere the panel to the wall surface within the recommended open-time will result in weak
bonding or bubbles.
• Please refer to the open-time recommendations under the comparison guide.
Allowing for Expansion Space Around Panels
FRP changes dimension with temperature and grows as temperature increases.
FRP panels expand and contract due to fl uctuating temperatures and humidity. Always allow for
adequate space between and around the panel, allowing for proper expansion and contraction.
Always refer to the panel manufacturer’s spacing guidelines before the installation. (Figure 9)
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8: Example of properly
troweled adhesive application
Figure 9
EXPANSION JOINT CHART
PANEL SIZE 4′ x 8′ 4′ x 10′
Gap at ceiling 3/8" 3/8"
Gap at fl oor 3/8" 3/8"
Gap between panels at the inside corner 3/8" 3/8"
Gap between panels at the outside corner 3/8" 3/8"
Gap between panels at the center lines 1/8" 1/4"