Sila-Tek™ 3500

Surface Preparation

1. New “green” concrete must be properly cured. Concrete should obtain 80% of design strength, typically achieved within 28 days.

2. The concrete substrate must be structurally sound and clean of oil, grease, dirt, wax, curing compounds, efflorescence, paints, previous sealers, adhesives and other contaminants that might interfere with the penetration of the sealer. Power wash, acid etch or mechanically scarify as necessary to achieve the desired surface condition. If acid was used to clean the concrete, neutralize the surface and rinse with water prior to application. Allow for proper dry time before application. The surface-zone moisture content of the concrete should not exceed 4% wt. Do not apply if standing water is visible.

3. Surface and air temperatures must be at least 40°F during application. Surface and air temperatures should not exceed 95°F. Do not apply when temperatures are expected to fall below 32°F within 8 hours or when rain is expected within 12 hours following application. Keep material from freezing. If freezing conditions exist before application, let the substrate thaw before application. Do not apply during inclement weather or when inclement weather is expected within 12 hours.

4. Crack, patching and expansion joint sealants can be applied after application; always test for compatibility and adhesion.

5. Protect people, property, vehicles, window glass, roofing materials, plastic products, shrubbery, landscaping and all surfaces not set for treatment from overspray.

Application - Primer

1. Always test a small area before application to ensure desired performance, aesthetics, coverage rates and to verify application technique. Let test area dry thoroughly, 5-7 days, before inspection.

2. Always mix the concentrate with 4 parts water prior to application. Distilled water is recommended for maximum performance. Stir material throughly before and during application.

3. Two uniform coats are needed to ensure complete coverage. Apply a second coat approximately 5 minutes after the first coat has been applied. Apply with a roller, brush or low-pressure non-atomizing sprayer. Apply to saturation and roll or broom out any puddles until the sealer penetrates the substrate. Do not over apply. If applied too heavily, an unreacted white residue may develop on the surface. If it starts to rain, stop treatment and cover the treated areas.

Application (Polishing)

1. Always test a small area before application to ensure desired performance, aesthetics, coverage rates and to verify application technique. Let test area dry thoroughly, 5-7 days, before inspection.

2. Always mix the concentrate with 3 parts water prior to application. Distilled water is recommended for maximum performance. Stir material throughly before and during application.

3. Two uniform coats are needed to ensure complete coverage. Apply a second coat approximately 5 minutes after the first coat has been applied. Apply with a roller, brush or low-pressure non-atomizing sprayer. Apply to saturation and roll or broom out any puddles until the sealer penetrates the substrate.

Dry Time

Typical drying time is 4-6 hours at 70°F and 50% relative humidity. Cooler temperatures or higher relative humidity can extend the drying time. Treated surfaces will be ready for pedestrian and vehicle traffic within 24 hours.

Clean Up

Clean equipment and tools with hot soapy water. Unused or old material may be disposed of in a waste disposal site in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

Precautions/Safety

Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing, do not take internally. Use appropriate safety equipment during application and handling. Please refer to the safety data sheet (SDS) for additional precautionary instructions before use.

Best Performance

• Proper application is the responsibility of the user.

• Do not use on extremely porous concrete or masonry such as CMU block.

• Do not over apply. Sealer is highly reactive. Excess material may result in a a white residue or discoloration on the surface.

• Does not protect against equipment leaks such as oils and hydraulic fluids.

• Make sure the most current versions of product data sheets and SDS are being used.

Coverage

Sila-Tek™ 3500 is concentrated. 1 coat: Up to 1000 square feet. Variations in texture and porosity of substrate may affect the coverage and performance of the product.

What is the difference between the Lithi-Tek 4500 and Sila-Tek 3500? The Lithi-Tek 4500 is of a lithium silicate chemistry, whereas the Sila-Tek 3500 is of a sodium silicate chemistry.

What do you mix the concentrate with? The Sila-Tek 3500 concentrate is mixed with water. 1 gallon of Sila-Tek 3500 is mixed with 4 gallons of water.

Can I paint after sealing? Yes, you can paint after applying the Sila-Tek 3500.

Does the concrete need to be dry before sealing? Yes, the concrete needs to be as dry as possible before sealing. We recommend the moisture content of the concrete be less than 4%wt. It is recommended to wait at least 24-48 hours after rain and pressure washing before sealing.

My floor turned white after sealing, what happened? This is a common result of over application. Once the concrete reaches its point of absorption any material that was unable to penetrate reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air. This reaction leaves a white, powdery residue on the surface of the concrete. This can easily be removed by sweeping the concrete with a wire brush.

Why cant I use this product on brick or concrete blocks? This product is not recommended for use on brick because the Sila-Tek 3500 is a penetrating, reactive sealer. Bricks do not contain enough free lime and calcium for the sealer to react with and this causes the bricks to dry with a white, powdery residure. This product is not recommended on concrete blocks because concrete blocks are extremely porous. The best product to seal bricks and concrete blocks is the Siloxa-Tek 8500.

How many gallons do I need to treat 1000 square feet? You will need 1 gallons to treat 1000 square feet. Each concentrated gallon of Sila-Tek 3500 will cover up to 1000 square feet.

What can I use to apply this product? The Sila-Tek 3500 can be applied with a garden variety pump sprayer, 3/8" nap paint roller or a brush.

How do I mix the product with water? The Sila-Tek 3500 is a concentrated product that needs to be mixed with water prior to application. Pour the 1 gallon of Sila-Tek 3500 into a 5 gallon bucket. Next add 4 gallons of water into the 5 gallon bucket. Mix the water and 3500 mixture well. You can then pour the mixture into a sprayer to spray apply, or you can dip a nap paint roller into the bucket and roll apply.

How do I clean out the sprayer after sealing? Since the Sila-Tek 3500 is a water based product you can use regular soap and water to clean out the sprayer and other application tools.