Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade

Component A (resin): 2 years when stored at -6 to 43 °C (20 to 110 °F);
Component B (activator): 6 months when stored at 21−35 °C (70−95 °F)
Precondition material to at least 15 °C (60 °F) before use.

Store out of direct sunlight, clear of the ground on pallets protected from rainfall.

89 %

-51 to 104 °C (-60 to 220 °F)

Weight 6.1:1 / Volume 7.7:1

Approx. 20 minutes dependent upon application method and temperature.

1.2 m²/L (50 ft²/US gal.) at 30 mil w.f.t. per coat, two (2) coats to 60 mil w.f.t. total recommended.

Coverage rates do not allow for surface profile, porosity or waste.

General
All substrates must be clean and dry with no oil, grease or loose debris. Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade is recommended for porous and non-porous substrates. Perform adhesion tests to confirm adequacy of surface preparation.

 
Concrete
Concrete surfaces must be clean, sound and dry. Remove any dust, laitence, grease, oil, dirt, curing agents, wax, detritus and contaminants from the concrete by appropriate mechanical means, in order to achieve a profile equivalent to ICRI / CSP 4 - 6, exposing aggregate. The compressive strength of the concrete substrate should be at least 20 MPa (3000 psi) at the time of application of Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade.

 
Steel
Steel substrates must be dry, clean and sound. Remove all materials which might impede adhesion, including corrosion products, dirt, dust, grease, oils, detritus and contaminants by appropriate mechanical means, such as abrasive blast cleaning, in order to achieve SSPC-SP10 / NACE No. 2 Near White Blast for immersion situations or SSPC-SP6 / NACE No. 3 Commercial Blast for non-immersion service. Minimum profile must be 3 mil. Use Sikagard® E.W.L. Bonding Agent for greater adhesion. (See separate Product Data Sheet.)

 
Other Metals
Metal substrates, other than steel, must be dry, clean and sound. Remove all materials which might impede adhesion, including corrosion products, dirt, dust, grease, oils, detritus and contaminants by solvent clean and then appropriate mechanical means, such as abrasive blast cleaning, in order to achieve SSPC-SP1. The surface must also be deglossed. Use Sikagard® E.W.L. Bonding Agent for greater adhesion. (See separate Product Data Sheet.)

 
Previous Coatings and Linings
Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade may be applied over some existing coatings and linings and achieve acceptable performance. Sikagard^® E.W.L. Bonding Agent is recommended for greater adhesion. (See separate Product Data Sheet.)

  
Finished system results will vary due to project specific factors, including service conditions and nature of exposure. Therefore Sika Canada cannot accept responsibility for determining the suitability of an existing coating as a substrate for Sika products. The Owner or their Representative shall perform adhesion tests on any existing coating or lining to determine suitability.

Priming / Surface Conditioning

Porous substrates subject to outgassing or metal surfaces requiring barrier protection after blast-cleaning should be primed with Sika® MT Primer (refer to separate Product Data Sheet). Minimum waiting time after application of Sika^® MT Primer and before applying Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade must be at least 12 hours at 21 °C (70 °F). Maximum waiting time for the same procedure will be at most 48 hours at the same temperature. Should the maximum waiting time expire but less than 30 days have passed, the primer must be examined for contamination, the pH value checked and the primer solvent wiped with Xylene, before reapplication.

Or:
Uneven, profiled and blowholed substrates and those where a temporary moisture barrier is required, should be levelled and sealed with Sikagard^®-75 EpoCem^®CA (refer to separate Product Data Sheet). The minimum waiting time between Sikagard^®-75 EpoCem^®CA and overcoating with Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade shall be 24 hours and where a moisture barrier is needed the maximum waiting time to overcoat will be three (3) days. Should a longer intercoat period be required, consult Sika Canada Technical Services for information.

Thoroughly stir Component A (resin) of Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade in its part-filled container using a slow-speed (200−300 rpm), 12 mm (½ in) drill to eliminate entrapping air. Use a 200 mm (8 in) mud or Exomixer^® type paddle suited to the volume of the container.

   
Important: Do not draw air into the mix and under no circumstances agitate (shake) or stir Component B (activator) before adding to Component A (resin).

  
Slowly add Component B (activator) to Component A (resin) while mixing and mix thoroughly for at least three (3) minutes. During the mixing operation, scrape down the sides and bottom of the container with a flat or straight edge at least once, to ensure complete mixing. When completely mixed Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade should be uniform in colour and consistency. Mix only the quantity that can be used within its pot life.

Apply Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade directly to the clean, dry and suitably prepared substrate using a trowel or brush. For thicker applications, mixed material should be allowed to stand and build viscosity for several minutes before attempting to apply. Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade will not self-level.

  
Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade may be sprayed with a properly configured plural component spray system. Contact Sika Canada for specific recommendations. Spray equipment must be flushed regularly with mineral spirits during application to prevent material from setting up in the hose and pump.

  
Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade may be recoated in one (1) hour, depending upon curing conditions, and must be recoated soon after the coating is touch dry (no longer comes off on polyethylene [typically within 4 hours of mixing]). If the coating has cured for longer than this time, the surface must be heavily abraded using a grinder or other mechanical means, and be free of dust and debris before overcoating. Use Sikagard® E.W.L. Bonding Agent for better adhesion only when the recoat window is missed. For immersion conditions, all coats must be applied within four (4) hours of each other, except at joint lines.

  
For applications, such as cant strips and expansion joints, where adhesion of subsequent coats is undesirable, allow 12 hours for Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade to cure prior to recoating or alternatively, use a bond breaker.

Curing

Before placing Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade into potable water service or similar applications, allow sufficient time for solvents to release from the coating.

 
The required time for a 60 mil wet film thickness is two (2) weeks at 15 °C (60 °F) but can vary if the thickness is greater or the curing conditions (ambient and substrate temperatures) are less conducive.

 
For many other applications, Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade may be placed into service after 24 hours have elapsed since the final coat was applied. Contact Sika Canada for specific recommendations.

Disinfection

The cured Sikagard® E.W.L. Trowel Grade coating must be washed, rinsed, and disinfected before being put into service in potable water and fish pond service. Consult Sika Canada for advice.

Clean all tools and equipment, of uncured material, after use with mineral spirits. Spray equipment must be flushed through regularly during application to prevent material from curing in the hose and pump. Once hardened, material is more difficult to remove; soaking in solvent will soften the material and may assist in its mechanical removal.