Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


beddy

94 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 8


#302854 28-Dec-2022 19:01
Send private message

Has anyone had any experience with this?
I tried using it yesterday to resurface an approx 10m2 piece of concrete, but it didn't go too well.
The instructions say to mix a full bag with a max of 4 litres of water, but the consistency was really thick.
I poured some out and spread it OK, but when I tried pouring some more out I couldn't so had to add more water and mix it again, and then scoop it out as it was still too thick to pour.
So I continued on like this, scooping it out of the bucket, and by the time I'd finished the coat the concrete in the bucket, which was around half a bag, was pretty much solid and unusable.
It really needs a second coat, so I'm trying to figure out what I did wrong.
I did it at 7AM, so it shouldn't have been too hot, and I was going as fast as I could so I don't think I was taking too long.
There's a video on the Cemix website and it looks quite runny, but I don't see how it's possible to get this consistency by using the amount of water that they say to use.
Should I just add more water so that it resembles the consistency in their video, or should I mix up smaller amounts instead of the full bag?


Create new topic
Bung
6733 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2926

Subscriber

  #3014775 28-Dec-2022 20:17
Send private message

The technical section on its Web page says use 270ml water per kg, that would be 5.4l for 20kg. The video says start at 3l/20kg and add water to get right consistency, about 4l in total.Looks like instructions are not consistent. It is intended to go on at about 1mm per coat so it would have to be pourable.


PS working time is only 15 minutes so no time to faff about.



Mehrts
1112 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 984

Trusted

  #3014776 28-Dec-2022 20:32
Send private message

Bung: The technical section on its Web page says use 270ml water per kg, that would be 5.4l for 20kg. The video says start at 3l/20kg and add water to get right consistency, about 4l in total.Looks like instructions are not consistent. It is intended to go on at about 1mm per coat so it would have to be pourable.


PS working time is only 15 minutes so no time to faff about.


Their DIY guide states no more than 4L per 20Kg bag.

I think they may have updated some details, but not others, and hence the confusion.


beddy

94 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 8


  #3014779 28-Dec-2022 20:50
Send private message

Bung: The technical section on its Web page says use 270ml water per kg, that would be 5.4l for 20kg. The video says start at 3l/20kg and add water to get right consistency, about 4l in total.Looks like instructions are not consistent. It is intended to go on at about 1mm per coat so it would have to be pourable.


PS working time is only 15 minutes so no time to faff about.

 

Totally inconsistent instructions. The bag says it has a working time of 1 hour at 20 degrees.




insane
3324 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

ID Verified
Trusted
2degrees
Subscriber

  #3014780 28-Dec-2022 20:59
Send private message

I've had similar issues in the past with both self-leveling compound and tile grout from Dunlop. After two struggles i've just decided to add water until the consistency is right - no problems since. On both occasions I needed at least 2x the amount of water prescribed.




tweake
2641 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1137


  #3014783 28-Dec-2022 21:16
Send private message

to throw a curve ball in, i wonder if a viscosity improver would help. i've used viscoline (i think its called) when doing concrete. that helps keep it runny and avoids over doing the water.


Bung
6733 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2926

Subscriber

  #3014851 28-Dec-2022 23:20
Send private message

beddy:

Totally inconsistent instructions. The bag says it has a working time of 1 hour at 20 degrees.



Are you sure that was working time? One of the available pdf docs refers to working time 15 minutes and recoat after a minimum of 40 mins. Quikrete's similar product says only mix what you can apply within 20 minutes.

 
 
 
 

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).
beddy

94 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 8


  #3014921 29-Dec-2022 07:34
Send private message

Bung:
beddy:

 

Totally inconsistent instructions. The bag says it has a working time of 1 hour at 20 degrees.

 



Are you sure that was working time? One of the available pdf docs refers to working time 15 minutes and recoat after a minimum of 40 mins. Quikrete's similar product says only mix what you can apply within 20 minutes.

 


Bung
6733 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2926

Subscriber

  #3014933 29-Dec-2022 08:55
Send private message

I can't believe they mean working time as in pot life. All the other equivalent products stress the fact that it starts going off as soon as mixed so get on with it. A tip from Sakrete is use chilled water to slow it down a bit.

I went through similar hell with levelling compound and tile adhesive, time just speeds up on you.

Create new topic








Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.