SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus
Acrylic primer for use with Sika® Level products on porous substrates
SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus is a one-part, water-dispersed and solvent-free, acrylic-based solution used to prime floor surfaces prior to the application of Sika® Level products.
- Particularly suitable as an adhesion performance promoter
- Water-based and solvent-free
- Penetrates substrate to reduce the formation of pinholes in self-leveling underlayments
- Prevents water loss from the underlayment into the substrate
- 30 minutes drying time on concrete
- Low VOC and low odour
- For interior use only
Usage
- Concrete
- Engineered approved plywood underlayment
Advantages
- Particularly suitable as an adhesion performance promoter
- Water-based and solvent-free
- Penetrates substrate to reduce the formation of pinholes in self-leveling underlayments
- Prevents water loss from the underlayment into the substrate
- 30 minutes drying time on concrete
- Low VOC and low odour
- For interior use only
Packaging
1 L (0.26 US gal.)
3.78 L (1 US gal.)
18.9 L (5 US gal.)
Colour
Liquid / Mint Green
Product Details
Shelf Life
12 months in original, unopened container. Protect from high heat and freezing; if frozen, discard.
Storage Conditions
Store dry at temperatures ranging between +5 °C and +25 °C (41 °F and 77 °F), if frozen, discard. Condition material at temperatures between +18 °C and +24 °C (65 °F and 75 °F) before using.
Density
1.01 g/mL
Solid content by weight
30 %
Volatile organic compound (VOC) content
< 5 g/L (EPA method 24)
Pull-Off Strength
| Over properly prepared concrete | ≥ 2 MPa (286 psi) |
| Over BC Fir CSA-0121 plywood | ≥ 1 MPa (143 psi) |
Using direct pull test method
Application
Ambient Air Temperature
+13 °C to +30 °C (55 °F to 86 °F)
Relative Air Humidity
Maximum: 65 %
Substrate Temperature
+13 °C to +30 °C (55 °F to 86 °F)
Curing Time
| Substrate | Dilution | Coat | Drying Time |
| Concrete | 1:3 | 1 | 30 min |
| Extremely porous Concrete | 1:3 then 1:1 | 2 | 30 min between coats |
| Engineered approved plywood | Undiluted | 1 | 1 h |
To ensure proper adhesion, SikaLevel® products have to be applied within 24 hours of the application of the SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus, but only once the primer is clear (without milky spots) and tack-free.
Lower temperatures and/or humid conditions may extend the drying time between priming coats or before the installation of the underlayment.
Consumption
| Coverage per 3.78 L (1 US gal.) jug | |
| Undiluted | ~46.5 m2 (500 ft2) |
| Dilution - 1:3 (primer: water) | 55.7 – 92.9 m2 (600 – 1 000 ft2) |
(Coverage figures do not include allowance for surface profile and porosity or material waste)
SUBSTRATE PREPARATION
- All substrates must be dry, stable, sound and free of all contaminants such as dust, grease, oil, paint, wax, dust, curing and sealing compounds or any contaminants or conditions that may interfere or prevent the penetration of the primer.
- Weak surfaces should be removed. All cracks and holes should be similarly filled to prevent seepage. Repair with an appropriate Sika® repair material prior to priming and leveling.
- The compressive strength of the concrete substrate should be at least 20 MPa (2 900 psi) at 28 days with a minimum tensile strength of 1.4 MPa (200 psi) at the time SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus is applied.
- For installation in commercial or institutional areas. Prepare concrete substrates by mechanical means, such as shot blasting or diamond grinding or other appropriate methods, to achieve an open-textured, fine-gripping surface (equivalent to ICRI / CSP 3 - 4)
- Eliminate fine particles in the concrete pores using an industrial vacuum with a brush attachment.
- Immediately following mechanical preparation on some excessively porous substrates, outgassing will increase for a short period of time (around 48 hours) until equilibrium in slab vapour pressure and the ambient environment is reached. Two (2) days should be allowed to the substrate after mechanical preparation before the application of the primer.
- Plywood underlayments (only for interior residential floors and in dry locations) must be a Group 1 exterior grade plywood, Select (SEL) or Select Tight Face (SEL TF) CANPLY classified exterior grade plywood conforming to CSA-0121 standard for Douglas Fir (DFP).
- Moisture vapour emission rates of the substrate should comply and meet the requirements of the proposed floor covering. Consult the manufacturer of the final floor finish for recommendations.
- Before overall installation begins, Sika recommends the application of several small test patches to determine primer application requirements and acceptability of final product performance.
MIXING
- Before applying SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus, thoroughly shake the container in which the material is supplied in to agitate the contents
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On approved plywood surfaces: Apply SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus undiluted. (No water addition).
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On absorbent or mechanically-profiled concrete surfaces: Dilute one (1) part of SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus with three (3) parts of potable water (water temperature: +21 °C (70 °F), approx.) into a suitable-sized, clean mixing container. Mix for one (1) minute with a low-speed drill (300 rpm) and a paint mixing paddle.
APPLICATION
- For residential applications, the product is best applied with a paint roller. For larger scale applications, such as in institutional or commercial projects, SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus must be applied with a push broom, working the diluted SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus onto the surface. Brush off puddles and excess primer. Sika does not recommend the use of spray equipment.
- Over engineered approved plywood, apply the undiluted SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus evenly using a 10 mm (3/8") nap roller.
- When first applied, SikaLevel®-03 Primer Plus appears light green; once dry, it is clear. This facilitates quality control in terms of complete coverage and clearly confirms when the self-levelling underlayment can be installed.
- Where temperatures exceed +30 °C (86 °F), refer to and follow ACI hot weather application and protection guidelines.
CLEAN UP
Clean application tools with water immediately after use. Once hardened, the product can only be removed mechanically.
