Preliminary Testing
Before using the product for your entire project, try it out on a small, hidden area of the surface you'll be working on. This will let you see how it looks and if it's the right fit for your project.
Pre-Application
- Clean & Dry: EasyTint™ should be applied to a surface that is completely clean and dry. If the surface was cleaned with water or pressure washed, allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before sealing. Ensure the surface is free from dust, dirt, oil, grease, paints, glues, non-solvent-based acrylic sealers, curing agents, efflorescence, chemical contaminants, rust, algae, mildew, and other materials that might prevent proper bonding.
- Cured: The concrete or overlay must be fully cured before application. It is recommended that cement-based products cure for at least 28 days to achieve optimal results.
- Temperature: or optimal results, apply EasyTint™ when temperatures are between 40°F (4°C) and 95°F (35°C). Application should ideally occur in the early evening when air and surface temperatures are cooling, and the sun is no longer directly overhead. To prevent bubbling and hazing, avoid application during the morning or midday.
- Sound: Apply only to cement-based products that are not flaking or spalling. The substrate must be structurally sound. For surfaces showing signs of delamination, employ diamond grinding, shot blasting, or similar mechanical methods for removal.
- Profiled: Perform an absorption test to check if the concrete is ready for staining. Pour water onto the concrete surface and wait for 3-5 minutes. If the water is not absorbed, the surface will need to be cleaned and etched with CitrusEtch™ to open the pores of the concrete. Detailed instructions can be found in the CitrusEtch™ Technical Data Sheet. If the concrete absorbs the water, it is ready for EasyTint™ application.
- Ventilation: When applying, be aware that odors can be strong. Ensure the area is properly ventilated during application to maintain a safe and comfortable working environment.
Application
Solvent Control: Block HVAC ducts to prevent solvent spread and odors. Ensure all ignition sources, like pilot lights, are extinguished before starting.
Personal Safety: Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment as recommended in the Safety Data Sheet.
Tool selection & application technique:
For Spraying:
- Remove all filters from the pump-up sprayer to prevent clogging.
- Apply the product in a circular motion to ensure even coverage. It is important to apply thin layers to avoid puddling and ensure uniform drying.
- Start and stop spraying into a bucket or off the work area to prevent drips. Back roll afterwards to smooth out any puddles or overlaps, maintaining a thin, even layer.
For Rolling:
- Use a ⅜” nap roller with a solvent-resistant core. Allow the roller's weight to apply the product without adding extra pressure, which could cause streaks and uneven coverage. Focus on applying thin, consistent layers.
- Before adding more product to the paint tray, shake the bottle for even consistency.
Drying and Recoating:
- Dry Time Between Coats: Wait 6 to 12 hours, depending on environmental conditions.
- Testing Dryness: To check if the surface is ready for the next coat, press it with a thumbnail. If the surface doesn't dent or scratch, it is sufficiently dry for recoating.
- Coat Application: Ensure the first coat is thoroughly dry before applying a second thin coat. The emphasis on thin coats is crucial for achieving the best finish and performance.
- Recommended Coats: Two thin coats are advised for best performance and durability.
- Application Caution: To prevent bubbling, hazing, and other imperfections, it is essential to apply the product in thin coats rather than heavy applications.
- Foot Traffic: Keep the area free from foot traffic for at least 24 hours to allow the topcoat to properly set.
- Vehicle Traffic: Avoid vehicle traffic for 48-72 hours to ensure the sealer fully cures and offers maximum protection.
Limitations
- The sealer is not resistant to brake fluid, gasoline, and many other similar chemicals. Avoid contact with these substances to maintain the integrity of the seal.
- EasyTint™ may face adhesion challenges on hard-troweled (machine-smoothed) surfaces or surfaces with pores smaller than the sealer's particles, leading to poor adhesion and ineffective sealing.
- Avoid application on wet surfaces, surfaces with moisture issues, or before the stain has fully cured to prevent white spots (blushing) and premature delamination or failure.
- Application in early morning or when morning dew is present is discouraged to avoid adhesion issues.
- Applying during the morning or middle of the day can lead to hazing and bubbling; schedule application times accordingly.
- Do not apply over existing sealers, water-based acrylics, acrylic latex, paint, or any film-forming coatings other than a solvent-based acrylic. If an existing solvent-based acrylic is deteriorating, it must be repaired or removed before application.
- This product does not prevent hot tire pickup or tire marks. Take precautions to minimize these effects where applicable.
- Material Interactions: Be aware that plasticizers in rubber mats and rubber-based materials may react with and bond to the cured coating, potentially leading to damage or disfigurement of the surface finish.
- Color Accuracy: While efforts are made to accurately represent colors in product literature, photos, and sample color chips, the actual color achieved on concrete can significantly differ. This discrepancy stems from the stain's translucent nature, allowing the color of the concrete base to affect the final shade.
Topcoat
Exterior Surfaces: Use EasySeal™ as a topcoat to deepen color and extend durability of high traffic areas. For detailed information on sealer application, refer to EasySeal™ Gloss TDS and EasySeal™ Satin TDS.
Interior Surfaces: Use ProWax Polish™ as a topcoat to improve the durability and finish of indoor surfaces. For detailed information on sealer application, refer to ProWax Polish™ Gloss TDS and ProWax Polish™ Satin TDS.
Coverage
Estimated coverage is around 200 square feet per gallon, varying with surface conditions and application methods.
Clean-Up
For cleaning tools and equipment after using EasyTint™, use Xylene.
Disposal
Dispose of unused product according to local environmental or hazardous waste regulations.
Shelf Life and Storage
Use EasyTint™ within one year of purchase and store it in a cool, indoor location away from sunlight and heat.
Maintenance
- Exterior Surfaces: Regularly inspect sealed areas for signs of thinning or wear due to foot or vehicular traffic. Reapply the sealer as needed to maintain protection and appearance.
- Interior Surfaces: Regularly examine surfaces coated with ProWax Polish™ for wear or thinning, especially in high-traffic areas. Reapply the coating as necessary to preserve the surface's integrity and aesthetics.
Safety & Precautions
DANGER: VAPOR HARMFUL, HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. FLAMMABLE. EYE & SKIN IRRITANT. Do not swallow. Do not breathe fumes. Do not use near heat, sparks or flames. Do not smoke. Do not get in eyes. Do not get on skin or clothing. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Wear a mask. Wear safety glasses and chemical resistant gloves. Use only in a well-ventilated area.
Contains: Xylene, Petroleum distillates, Trimethylbenzene and Ethylbenzene
FIRST AID TREATMENT: If swallowed, call physician immediately. Do not induce vomiting. If in eyes, rinse with water for 15 minutes. If on skin, rinse well with water. If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Ethylbenzene and Isopropylbenzene which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Toluene, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
Warranty
EasyTint™ is guaranteed for uniform quality within manufacturing tolerances. No warranty is provided for its application effects. Liability for defects is limited to refunding the purchase price. Users bear all other risks and liabilities. For inquiries, contact Direct Colors customer service.
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