Rubber Stone Quick Sheet Installation Manual

Rubber Stone Quick Sheet Installation Manual

Surface Preparation

Step 1 - Prepare the substrate-must be clean and dry.

Regular Concrete
Pressure wash with at least 3000 psi to remove dirt and debris.

Sealed Surfaces
For going over sealed surfaces like fresh/sealed stamped concrete, sealed or non-porous tile, or paint/epoxy coatings-grinding the sealer/coating off is recommended for best adhesion.

Wood
Rubber Stone is not waterproof!!!
If you need the area to be waterproofed you must waterproof the wood prior to installation. Peel/stick membranes that come in a roll are ideal. Do an adhesion test, prior to installation, if you are not sure about bond to the product you find locally.

Step 2 - Apply Rubber Stone primer

Thin the Rubber Stone binder with xylene or acetone (add 20-25% and mix with a drill on low speed) Brush/roll the primer over the area to be installed making sure not to apply too thick-do not leave puddling areas big or small. Avoid pouring primer onto cracks or pitting areas-use a roller tray for these
sections. Too much primer can cause “bubbling” in heavy areas, too much binder in pitting, and even from binder expanding out of cracks.

Step 3 - Mix the Rubber Stone

Use a Collomix TMX 1000, or equivalent approved mixer for mixing Rubber Stone. For batch sizes 2 gallons or less use a ½” drill with an egg beater style grout mixing paddle and a 5 gallon bucket.
  1. First, “dry mix” the Rubber Stone for 1-2 mins when using multiple colors…be sure to note lot numbers and ensure the project color will remain consistent. For new installers mix size should not exceed 1 bag.
  2. Add binder to the dry mix and mix well (2 - 3mins)
Add between 17-20% by weight (depending on binder, weather conditions and mixture of EPDM vs tire rubber).

For 100% EPDM 17-18% by weight. For 100% black tire rubber 20% by weight.

The maximum recommended mix size is 60lbs of rubber.

Step 4 - Spread the mixture out over the area that has been primed

Using a rake, shovels, trowels, or screed box to spread the Rubber Stone over the area at the desired thickness. For areas requiring evening/levelling out use a straight edge/level where required.

For best results and improved speed and efficiency use the Rubber Stone Applicator.  You can search for it in the online order system here.

Step 5 - Trowel the Rubber Stone to a thickness of approximately 3/8”.

Trowel in both directions applying firm but even pressure. Use spray bottles filled with soap and water or Rubber Stone trowel spray to mist/lubricate trowels as you are troweling. Each final pass “polishing” the Rubber Stone must be done with a well lubricated trowel otherwise inconsistencies “rough spots” in the finish may occur. Inspect each pass/pour for imperfections before spreading out the next pass/pour.

Check from as many sides/directions as possible. You may not see any imperfections looking from one direction but likely will see multiple imperfections from the opposite angle.
Trowel spray can discolor and deform certain plastics/vinyl's. Use sparingly with caution and read
all safety warning labels.
Too much water can accelerate the cure and if too heavy can increase the risk of bubbling. If you
spill a water bottle on the primed surface, use a rag to soak up the water before installing the rubber.

Binder selection

Always choose the right temperature cure profile binder for the weather the day of the job and the cure period.
For any installation from 50-70F (or 10-20C) use standard cure.
For any installation from 70 to 85 (or 19-30C) use extreme slow cure binder.
For any installation from 90-110F (32-43C) use high heat binder.
You can blend different cure profile binders to account for big rises or drops in temps during
install/cure period. This can increase working times and decrease overall curing times if done properly.
Recommended to do any blending before you start installation-mix each bucket before blending with
another and mix the blended buckets before use.
Allow 24-48hrs or more to cure before foot traffic (based on temperature, humidity, sunlight, and type of binder used-see detailed specs on binders for more information). You can mist the area with water to accelerate the cure if needed…a light mist is all that is required.

Vertical installations

Use Rubber Stone vertical primer, Vertical Sierra Stone Epoxy, or Rubber Stone binder thickened with fumed silica for vertical primer.
  1. Prep as required
  2. Mix the primer with ½” drill with an eggbeater style grout mixing paddle and a 5 gallon bucket.
  3. Use a trowel or your hands (put layers of gloves on first) to spread the primer – the surface should be “slimy” or “pasty”. Be sure to go over areas that are too heavy and remove access binder-add more to areas that are dry or just wet looking.
  4. Trowel Rubber Stone onto the primer, no thicker than ¼”, but as thin as possible without seeing the primer through the rubber.Step 5-Inspect the vertical areas for imperfections, falls, bubbling, and primer bleed through before moving on to flatwork - timing is everything!
  5. Touch-up where necessary before the binder sets.
Plan your installation to eliminate/minimize cold seams between vertical/flatwork.

Tips and Tricks

Spraying equipment with cooking spray/vegetable oil daily prior to use can reduce buildup
of binder/rubber.
Use acetone or xylene to clean the mixer and tools or use a pressure-washer, if possible.
Clean up immediately after the job is complete - do not wait to get back to the shop.
Keep lots of tarps/drop cloths in the trailer to cover areas not being worked on to prevent footprints/binder stains. Accidents on concrete, brick and pavers can be spot cleaned with rag/acetone…do not use acetone on asphalt just use a dry rag as soon as possible.
Always bring at least 10% more product than you need to lay the Rubber Stone at 3/8” (use 25 sqft per
bag for coverage amount to order/bring to job plus 10%). Most dealers see actual coverages rates up to
35sqft per bag.

Maintenance

  1. Pressure wash the surface using at least 3000psi. Let dry at least 24 hrs.
  2. Blow off any leaves/grass/debris and confirm area is dry.
  3. Mix small amounts of sealer at a time pour into a roller tray. Add 20-25% acetone or xylene to the Rubber Stone binder as sealer or purchase High-Performance Top Coat(add5-10% acetone or xylene)
  4. Using a brush “cut in” areas with the sealer where you will not be able to apply with a roller. Lightly load the brush each time and do not apply too much pressure. Always brush from un-sealed rubber to your last brush stroke.
  5. Using a thin mil roller to apply the sealer-make sure the roller is not heavily loaded-roll it out in the tray prior to placing on the surface (some 3/8 roller are thicker than others-beginners should try 1/4” roller first until more experienced with maintenance).
When placing wet roller on the surface do not apply pressure-if anything, lift slightly and remove some pressure. Like painting, apply a “W” pattern to a small area (say 3’x3’) then back roll at least twice across that 3’x3’ area (at least once in each direction).
Each time you start and stop the roller on each pass note that line location. On the next pass over that area or the next passes up to that area avoid changing directions/starting and stopping in the same spot…this can create bubbling/pasty glue lines that can be quite noticeable.
 Always start a new “w” away from areas already sealed and do not go over existing/just sealed areas with a heavily loaded/fresh roller. Always start next to the last spot rolled and don’t blend/go over the last area until roller is lightly loaded. As the roller empties you may apply more pressure as needed to get an even coat.