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Frequently Asked Questions...
1) How long have these products been around?
The coating technologies of "Granite®", HardRock®", and "FlexRock®" have a 20 year proven record for exterior performance in all extreme climates. In partnership with Home Hardware, these products are now exclusively available as a part of the Beauti-Tone® line of quality coatings.
2) Do I have to wait 24 hours between each coat if I am applying two coats?
Absolutely not. All the Beauti-Tone® Spreadable Stone coatings (HardRock®, Granite® and FlexRock®) are water-based products that usually dry within an hour (or faster in warm, exterior conditions with good air flow). The only step that requires you to wait 24 hours after previous coats is the application of sealer. That means that you can generally apply primer, wait 30 - 60 minutes, apply following coats of HardRock, etc. (usually one to two hours apart) and then leave it alone until application of sealer the next day.
3) Why do I have to wait 24 hours before applying sealer?
Moisture in your decorative Spreadable Stone coating needs to escape before application of sealer. Applying sealer before your finish has cured can result in trapped moisture in the finish and possible performance problems.
4) What is the difference between "dry time" and "cure time"? Aren't they the same thing?
No. Drying time refers to the time it normally takes for the surface of your finish to be dry to the touch and hard enough to allow foot traffic and subsequent coats. "Curing" means the process of your coating releasing all internal moisture and achieving full hardness. "Dry time" can be as little as 30 minutes in dry, warm conditions. Cure time is usually 24 hours in dry, warm conditions. If the weather is cool and damp, dry and cure times will be longer, since evaporation of water from the coating will take more time.
5) What is the most important part of my project?
Apart from applying the product in a visually appealing manner, surface preparation is the most important part of the job. The installation surface needs to be clean and dry -- and free of old coatings and debris that may impede adhesion of your finish. Please consult and follow all surface preparation instructions that come with your product. You can also consult surface preparation instructions available here on this web site. You can also download our Concrete Preparation Tip Sheet.
6) What kinds of exterior surfaces can I coat with the Beauti-Tone® Spreadable Stone coatings?
You can cover concrete, wood, brick, ceramic tile, vinyl, stone, concrete, laminates. You may even cover an existing Spreadable Stone finish. For exterior applications, stable porous surfaces that will allow the coating to penetrate and lock in are generally best. For surfaces which are smoother, non-porous and synthetic in nature, a "transition coat" of Weather Shield Flex is recommended before proceeding with HardRock®, FlexRock® or Granite®. These surfaces may include metal, plastic and fibreglass.
7) How thick can I apply the Spreadable Stone coatings?
As a rule, they can be applied at about 1/16" thick per coat. If you wish to build the finish thicker, it would need to be applied as additional coats. Do not attempt to fill large holes and cracks with the coatings. Applying any coating too thick will usually result in longer dry time, as well as mud cracking and other undesirable effects. Follow spread rates shown on product packaging for best results.
8) What's the best sealer to use on my Spreadable Stone finish?
For optimal long-term protection and results, HardRock® High-Build Clear Coat is best due to it's high quality resins and greater "solids content." Higher solids sealers are thicker and add a heavier top coat to the completed job, protecting it from water, chemicals, stains and traffic. It costs a bit more, but requires fewer coats to protect your project -- and your overall investment.
9) Can I vary the slip-resistance of my final finish?
With the Spreadable Stone finishes, you can customize the level of foot traction as required. In other words, what you see is what you get. If you leave greater texture in your final finish, it will stay that way. In general, rougher finishes should be reserved for exterior applications that will be easier to clean.
10) Should I pre-blend coloured products like Granite® if my cans show different batch numbers?
Yes. Small colour variations that can occur between different batches can affect the final appearance of your project as various cans are opened and used. To ensure consistent colour throughout your job, pre-blend material in a larger container before use.
11) Can the Beauti-Tone® Textured Primer™ be used as a simple stand-alone product?
Yes it can. Textured Primer is more than just "primer." It's also a durable, weather resistant acrylic coating that's excellent as an anti-slip floor coating as well. It can be tinted to numerous colours and is excellent on exterior concrete and walls, as well as interior floor surfaces requiring slip resistance. Simply apply primer and seal it the following day.
1) How fast can I coat my exterior concrete?
Most average sized jobs can be completed in one day. The surface just needs to be washed (and possibly etched) and then allowed to dry for an hour or two prior to application of your desired finish. Then you let the installed finish cure fully until the next day (24 hours) before application of sealer. That's it.
2) I want to coat my plywood deck with one of the "Spreadable Stone" coatings. What do I need to do?
Before you apply your decorative finish to your plywood surface, you will need to isolate all moving seams, holes and cracks in the wood surface with Weather Shield Flex™ Damp Proof Rubber Membrane and its corresponding fibreglass seam mesh and/or reinforcing fabric. When correctly applied, Weather Shield Flex™ will waterproof the surface and also lock down all the wood fibres and help prevent cracking and checking in the wood surface. Watch the informational videos in the Weather Shield Flex™ product section for complete step-by-step directions.
Once the WeatherShield Flex™ surface preparation is done, application of any of the stone coatings over top is a simple process from there.
3) What if it is going to rain this week? Do I need to worry?
Not at all. You only need a few hours of dry weather to install your favourite Beauti-Tone® Spreadable Stone coating. Once the coating is dry after a few hours, it will not be damaged by rain. If it rains before you have had a chance to seal your job, just wait 24 hours after the rain has stopped and apply sealer as usual. If rain seems imminent right after your application, have a tarp handy to protect the surface until it has had a chance to dry.
4) Can I apply the products in very hot weather?
Avoid applications in very hot weather with strong sunlight. Excessive heat will speed up dry time, resulting in an improper cure process. Recommended application temperatures are between 10ºC and 30ºC. On very hot days, installations are performed best in the morning or evening -- or at least in the shade.
5) Can I use Beauti-Tone Epoxy Clear Coat for exterior applications?
Epoxies are not designed for use on exterior surfaces. Epoxy coating exposed to continual UV light will yellow and "chaulk" (haze) over time.
The coating technologies of "Granite®", HardRock®", and "FlexRock®" have a 20 year proven record for exterior performance in all extreme climates. In partnership with Home Hardware, these products are now exclusively available as a part of the Beauti-Tone line of quality coatings.
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