03 05 00

DATA SHEET 3300-900

Application Instructions Spectrum Series Product Catalog Specification

SPECTRUM ECO-PREP
Eco-Friendly, Water-Based, Concrete Surface Preparation Gel

DESCRIPTION
SPECTRUM ECO-PREP is a water-based, environmentally and user-friendly surface preparation gel for concrete and masonry substrates.  SPECTRUM ECO-PREP is designed to provide a moderate surface texture to concrete and/or other masonry surfaces prior to the application of concrete stains, sealers, penetrating surface treatments, etc. SPECTRUM ECO-PREP is formulated to offer a safe, easy-to-use alternative to corrosive, hazardous, and organic acid-based, concrete/masonry surface preparation products. SPECTRUM ECO-PREP is non-corrosive, low odour, VOC-compliant, and contains no hazardous organic acids.

USES
SPECTRUM ECO-PREP is specifically formulated to prepare concrete or masonry surfaces by providing a moderate surface texture/profile. SPECTRUM ECO-PREP was initially formulated to be used prior to applying SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN from W. R. MEADOWS, but it can be used anywhere a moderately textured/profiled concrete/masonry surface is desired. 

NOTE:  SPECTRUM ECO-PREP is not designed to remove any material(s) that would inhibit the proper adhesion/bond of SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN (or alternative product) to the concrete/masonry surface. This includes, but is not limited to:  grease; glues/mastics; paints/coatings; concrete curing compounds; adhesives; form release; and penetrating products such as silicates, silanes, siloxanes, etc. Use an appropriate, commercially available chemical and/or mechanical concrete/masonry stripper as needed to completely remove previous product(s), treatment(s), coating(s), etc.

PACKAGING
7.58 L (2 U.S. Gallon) containers
18.93 L (5 U.S. Gallon) pails

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE - VOC
SPECTRUM ECO-PREP meets all applicable federal, state, district, and local AIM VOC regulations.

COVERAGE*
Approximately 6.1 m²/L (250 ft.²/gal.)
*Coverage will vary due to porosity, profile, application technique and condition of the concrete/masonry substrate, etc.

APPLICATION
Interior Applications … The following instructions are to be used to prepare the concrete/masonry surface to receive SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN.  If a product other than the SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN will be applied, please consult the product manufacturer for recommended surface preparation, application instructions, etc.

1. Thoroughly protect all adjacent areas, including, but not limited to: exposed metal, door knobs, walking strips, etc. - anything that is not going to receive SPECTRUM ECO-PREP.
2. Using an appropriate, commercially available chemical and/or mechanical concrete/masonry stripper, thoroughly remove any paint, coating, concrete curing compound, adhesive etc. from the concrete PRIOR to applying SPECTRUM ECO-PREP.  Follow all manufacturers’ instructions regarding use, health and safety information, etc.
3. Using a ½” nap roller, liberally apply SPECTRUM ECO-PREP to a 20’ x 20’ section of the slab. A 4 - 5 mil wet film thickness is recommended.
4. Allow the SPECTRUM ECO-PREP gel to remain on the slab for a minimum of 20 minutes. Additional “soak” time may be necessary for substrates such as extremely dense surfaces, burnished concrete, etc.
5. If a power washer is available, remove SPECTRUM ECO-PREP from the surface using an overlapping pattern for complete removal. [A 0° rotating nozzle, with 12,000 work units (work units = gallons per minute x psi) system is recommended.] 
6. If a power washer is not available, agitate SPECTRUM ECO-PREP on the surface using an industrial floor buffer (for smaller areas) or an auto-scrubber equipped with brush attachments (for larger areas).  Continue agitation/scrubbing action while rinsing the surface with clean, potable water.
7. Remove all residual rinse water and residue from the surface using a wet/dry vacuum, or if using an auto-scrubber, lower the squeegee uptake bar. 
8. Continue to agitate, flush, rinse, and remove residual water and residue from the surface until the rinse water is clear and no gel residue remains on the concrete. 
9. If additional profiling is desired, repeat steps 2 – 8 as needed.
10. After the surface is thoroughly cleaned, has achieved the desired profile (as described earlier), and has no standing water present, apply several 1’  strips of high quality 2” packaging tape to multiple locations/sections throughout the slab.
11. Aggressively press the tape onto the floor with the heel of your hand.
12. Fold one end of the tape into itself and pull it off of the floor as vigorously as possible.
13. Examine the underside of the tape in a well lit area to determine if there is any dust, residue, or other foreign material/particles present.  The tape should contain very little (if any) dust or foreign material/particles.
14. For sections of the slab in which the tape does contain visible dust, foreign material/particles, etc., repeat steps 1-14 as needed.
15. If tape does not contain any dust or foreign material/particles, proceed to the DILUTION and APPLICATION sections of the W. R. MEADOWS publication guide DETAILED APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN.

Exterior/Broom-Finished Applications … The following instructions are to be used to prepare the concrete/masonry surface to receive SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN.  If a product other than the SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN will be applied, please consult the product manufacturer for recommended surface preparation, application instructions, etc.

1. Using a straight edge, shovel, or other tool, remove and  “level” any peaks or high profiles present on the surface. This method of scraping/levelling is typically sufficient to produce a level surface. If left on the surface, these peaks/high profiles will erode faster than the remainder of the slab, producing unstable areas which will adversely affect the adhesion of SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN.
2. Thoroughly protect all adjacent areas that are not to receive SPECTRUM ECO-PREP.
3. Using an appropriate, commercially available chemical and/or mechanical concrete/masonry stripper, thoroughly remove any paint, coating, concrete curing compound, adhesive, etc. from the concrete PRIOR to applying SPECTRUM ECO-PREP.  Follow all manufacturers’ instructions, regarding use, health and safety information, etc.
4. Using a ½” nap roller, liberally apply SPECTRUM ECO-PREP to a 20’ x 20’ section of the slab. A 4 - 5 mil wet film thickness is recommended.
5. Allow the SPECTRUM ECO-PREP gel to remain on the slab for a minimum of 20 minutes. Additional “soak” time may be necessary for some substrates.
6. If a power washer is available, remove SPECTRUM ECO-PREP from the surface using an overlapping pattern for complete removal. [ A 0° rotating nozzle, with 12,000 work units (work units = gallons per minute x psi) system is recommended.]
7. If a power washer is not available, agitate SPECTRUM ECO-PREP on the surface using an industrial floor buffer (for smaller areas) or an auto-scrubber equipped with brush attachments (for larger areas).  Continue agitation/scrubbing action while rinsing the surface with clean, potable water.
8. Remove all residual rinse water and residue from the surface using a wet/dry vacuum or, if using an auto-scrubber, lower the squeegee uptake bar.
9. Continue to agitate, flush, rinse and remove residual water and residue from the surface until the rinse water is clear and no gel residue remains on the concrete.
10. If additional profiling is desired, repeat steps 1-10 as needed.
11. After the surface is thoroughly cleaned, has achieved the desired profile (as described earlier), and has no standing water present, apply several 1’ strips of high quality 2” packaging tape to multiple locations/sections throughout the slab.
12. Aggressively press the tape onto the floor with the heel of your hand.
13. Fold one end of the tape into itself and pull it off of the floor as vigorously as possible.
14. Examine the underside of the tape in a well lit area, to determine if there is any dust, residue, or other foreign material/particles present.  The tape should contain very little (if any) dust or foreign material/particles.
15. For sections of the slab in which the tape does contain visible dust, foreign material/particles, etc., repeat steps 1-15 as needed.
16. If tape does not contain any dust or foreign material/particles, proceed to the DILUTION and APPLICATION Sections of the W. R. MEADOWS guide DETAILED APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN.

CLEANUP
While SPECTRUM ECO-PREP is still wet, immediately clean work area, application equipment, tools, etc.

LIMITATIONS/PRECAUTIONS

• Use SPECTRUM ECO-PREP as supplied – no dilution necessary.
• For optimum appearance and performance, it is recommended that new concrete or other porous surfaces be a minimum of 28 days old prior to the application of SPECTRUM ECO-PREP.
• Prior to using SPECRUM ECO-PREP with SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN, please carefully read and follow the data sheet, MSDS, and W. R. MEADOWS guide DETAILED APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN.
• If SPECTRUM ECO-PREP is used to prepare a surface that will be treated with any product(s) other than SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN, please consult the product manufacturer for recommended surface preparation/application instructions etc.
• SPECTRUM ECO-PREP is not designed to remove paint, coatings, adhesives etc. Use an appropriate, commercially available chemical and/or mechanical concrete/masonry stripper to thoroughly remove any paint, coating, concrete curing compound, adhesive, etc. from the concrete PRIOR to applying SPECTRUM ECO-PREP.  Follow all manufacturers’ instructions regarding use, health and safety information. etc.
• Paints, coatings, adhesives, etc. must be thoroughly removed prior to the application of SPECTRUM WATER-BASED STAIN.
• Prior to a full-scale application, ALWAYS test a small section of each surface to be treated, using the same applicator, equipment,  temperatures/conditions, surface preparation,  application techniques, etc.
• Not recommended for dense surfaces, such as glazed tile, marble, granite, dense brick, dense slate, terrazzo, etc.
• Inconsistencies in jobsite conditions, application techniques, porosity of the substrate, temperatures, weather conditions, etc., may produce variations in the appearance and/or adhesion of the final product being applied to the substrate
• Not recommended for (including but not limited to): metal, resin, fiberglass, vinyl, rubber, glazed tile, non-porous substrates.
• Do not combine with acid-etching as a cleaning/surface preparation method.
• Thoroughly protect all adjacent areas that are not to receive SPECTRUM ECO-PREP.
• KEEP FROM FREEZING

SHELF LIFE (TYPICAL)
One (1) year in unopened, factory-sealed container.  Store in a dry area away from moisture at 4 - 43° C (40 -110° F).

2009-04