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P. 08 GE - Advanced Materials
SilPruf* SCS2000 silcone sealant & adhesive
Installation
Sealants may not adhere or maintain long-term adhesion to
substrates if the surface is not prepared and cleaned properly
before sealant application. Using proper materials and following
prescribed surface preparation and cleaning procedures is vital
for sealant adhesion. IN ALL CASES IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONFIRM
THE ACCEPTIBILITY OF EACH SEALANT-SUBSTRATE COMBINATION
WITH A LAB OR SITE ADHESION TEST PRIOR TO PROCEEDING WITH
PROJECT INSTALLATION. GE - Silicones can provide lab and field
adhesion testing information and suggestions to user upon request.
Surface Preparation
Porous Materials (Concrete, Masonry, Brick, Stone, etc.)
• Joints must be clean, dry and sound prior to application of
the sealant. All contaminants, impurities, or other adhesion inhib-
itors (such as moisture/frost, oils, concrete form release agents,
old sealants, asphalt and other surface treatments, etc.) must
be removed from the surfaces to which the sealant is intended
to adhere.
• Clean where necessary by wire brush, mechanical abrading,
grinding, sanding, saw cutting, blast cleaning (sand or water),
or a combination of these methods to provide a stable clean
surface for sealant application.
• Remove dust and other remaining loose particles with a soft
bristle brush or by using an oil-free air blow.
• Polished stone surfaces and smooth sawn edges can be cleaned
using a solvent dampened rag (allow sufficient time for solvent
to evaporate prior to application of the sealant). When handling
solvents, refer to manufacturer’s MSDS for information on han-
dling, safety and personal protective equipment.
• Cleaning of surfaces should be done within 1 to 2 hours of when
the sealant is to be applied.
• Since porous materials can absorb and retain moisture, it is
important to confirm that substrates are dry prior to application
of the sealant.
Non-Porous Materials (Glass, Metals, Plastics, Ceramics, etc.)
• Clean by using a two-rag wipe technique → wet one rag with
solvent and wipe the surface with it, then use the second rag
to wipe the wet solvent from the surface BEFORE it evaporates
(allowing the solvent to dry on the surface without immediately
wiping with a second cloth can negate the cleaning procedure
because the contaminants may simply be re-deposited as the
solvent dries). In all cases where used, solvents should be wiped
dry with a clean, white cloth or other lint-free wiping materials.
Change the cleaning rags frequently, as they become dirty. It is
easier to see the dirt accumulating on the rag if white rags are
used. Do not dip used cleaning rags into the cleaning solvent as
this can contaminate the solvent (cleaning with contaminated
solvent can result in sealant adhesion issues). Always use clean
solvent-resistant containers for solvent use and storage.
• When cleaning deep, narrow structural glazing cavities, wrap
the cleaning cloth around a clean, narrow-blade putty knife. This
permits force to be applied to the cleaned surface.
• Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) is a commonly-used solvent and has
proven useful for most non-porous substrates encountered in
architectural construction applications. Xylene and Toluene have
also been found useful on many substrates. When handling
solvents, refer to manufacturer’s MSDS for information on
handling, safety and personal protective equipment.
• Architectural coatings, paints and plastics should be cleaned
with a solvent approved by the manufacturer of the product or
which does not harm or alter the finish.
• Cleaning of surfaces should be done within 1 to 2 hours of when
the sealant is to be applied.
• Difficult or nearly impossible to see on a joint substrate, frost is
likely to develop on substrates when temperatures drop near the
freezing point. Since frost and moisture will interfere with proper
sealant adhesion, it is important to confirm that substrates are
dry prior to application of the sealant.