Sikasil® GP

Allow treated wood to age for at least six (6) months before application of the sealant.

Sikasil® GP is not intended for long-term immersion or for horizontal vehicular traffic.

Do not apply to surfaces that are to be painted, as the sealant surface will not hold paint.

Sikasil® GP is not intended for structural glazing.

Sikasil® GP is not intended for porous substrates such as concrete, stone, marble, and granite.

Apply by caulking gun, dispensing equipment, or trowel. Use enough adhesive to one or both substrates to provide designed contact area. If needed, use fasteners or temporary support to hold substrates until adhesive has cured. Cure times vary with temperature, humidity, and porosity of joined substrates.

For best performance Sikasil®GP should be gunned into joints when joint slot is at the mid-point of its designed expansion and contraction. Do not open the product container until preparation and, where necessary, priming work has been completed. When installing during time of large temperature fluctuations, such as spring or fall, and in joints designed for movement greater than ± 12.5 %, be aware that significant joint movement before the cure, may cause aesthetic issues such as ripples in the sealant surface. Performance will not be affected. Apply the sealant using a professional caulking gun or dispensing equipment. Place the nozzle deep into the joint and gun with a steady and even flow of sealant preceding the nozzle to avoid air entrapment. Also avoid overlapping of the sealant as this also entraps air. Extrude in one continuous operation with consistent positive pressure to force the material into the joint. Tool the sealant at once after the application and before a skin forms (approximately 10 minutes). Tool to a concave shape and ensure adequate pressure to achieve maximum adhesion with the joint walls. Dry tooling is recommended. Note: Do not use spray water or other liquids when tooling.

Sikasil®-GP is designed to obtain adhesion without the use of a primer; however, certain substrates may require a primer. A field test is recommended to determine the adhesion of the sealant and/or primer and sealant combination, to confirm results and the suitability of the proposed application. Consult Sikasil® Primer Data Sheets or contact Sika Canada Technical Services for additional information on priming. NOTE: Priming is never a substitute for proper surface cleaning and preparation.

Non-porous substrates should be cleaned by using a solvent wipe method, applied by lint-free and clean rags and allow the solvent to evaporate before installing the sealant. Xylene or an approved commercial solvent can be used, ensuring the solvent manufacturer’s instructions are strictly followed. Soap or detergent and water cleaning treatments are not recommended. Cleaning of all surfaces should be done just prior to the sealant application.

Porous substrates should be cleaned by mechanical methods, such as grinding, saw cutting, blast cleaning (sand or water), or wire brushing. Dust, loose particles, etc. should be blown out of joints with oil-free compressed air or vacuum cleaned to remove all material which may interfere with adhesion.

All joint surfaces must be clean, sound, dry, and frost free. Joint walls must be free of oils, asphalt, tar, bituminous materials, grease, paints, coatings or sealers. Curing compounds, release agent residues, glazing compounds, and any other foreign matter must be removed.

To control the sealant depth, use a closed cell polyethylene, non-gassing polyolefin or open cell polyurethane backer rod. Closed cell backer rod should be 25 % larger than the joint width; do not compress more than 40 %. Open cell should be compressed 40 %. Do not use open cell rod in horizontal on grade joints. If the joint depth does not allow for a backer rod, use polyethylene bond breaker tape to prevent three-sided adhesion.

The minimum sealant depth is 3 mm (1/8 in), the maximum is 13 mm (1/2 in).

20 minutes

The recommended application temperature of air and substrate is -26 °C à +49 °C (-14 °F à 120 °F)

The recommended application temperature of the material is -32 °C to +40 °C (-25 °F to 40 °F).

Colours of the Standard Grade version of Sikasil® GP are: Almond, aluminum, black, bronze, clear/Translucent, Metallic Aluminum, white. While the colour of the HT Grade is red.

Sikasil® GP may be applied with ease in all seasons and is also available in a high temperature (HT) grade.

Sikasil® GP may be applied with ease in all seasons and ideal for cold climates. Also, the Sealant may be applied at below-freezing temperatures, but surfaces must be dry, frost free and clean. Sealant should be installed when the joint is at the mid-range of its anticipated movement. Contact Sika Canada Technical Services for more information.