b'TECHNICALAttend training. Be educated. Oil/grease Substrate preparationits always Asphalt/tarat the top of the list Forwetormoistcured(bur- Using the right tools nished)concretewherenocuringUse your resources compoundshavebeenused,andUseTrowel&Error(bitly.com/ superficial contaminants have been trowelanderror) removed, you can use the appropri-ate primer to prepare the substrate. Preparing the substrate: weak orWhen you are dealing with seal-soft top layers ingcompoundsonconcrete,you ANSI A 108.01 general require- mustbeabletodeterminewhat mentsmandatethatsubstratestype of sealer was used and how to must be: proceed before priming.Clean,structurallysoundand Acrylicorepoxycompounds solidly bonded remove superficial contaminantsFreeofbond-breakers(sealers, Urethanecompoundsremove curing agents and form release) downtoclean,absorbentcon- Flat and smooth creteFree of excess movementAcrylicnon-dissipatingcuring Softorweaktoplayersposecompounds MUST be defined as problems in structural integrity andACRYLIC. Theres no mechani-bondingandmustberemovedcal prep necessaryjust remove to achieve a strong, lasting bond.superficialcontaminantsand The most effective way to removeprime as necessary. a weak top layer or contaminationYoucanonlyremoveadhesive fromconcreteisbymechanicalresidues on concrete. The adhesive means.Whenmechanicallypre- must be scraped down to a well-paring a substrate, be sure to usebonded thin layer or residue. But proper tools and protective equip- if the adhesive is water soluble, it mentandpreparejointsinwoodmustbeCOMPLETELYmechani-subfloors prior to the installation ofcallyremovedbeforeproceed-self-leveling materials.ing.Dontuseadhesiveremovers Bond breakersForconcretesubstrates,always mechanically remove: Release agents (tilt up construc-tion) Paint Drywall mud Sweeping compounds94TileLetter | May 2020'