Fundamental
Caulking
Application
Guidelines:
·
Proper
substrate preparation and application are imperative for product longevity.
Read this entire Data Tec (CNL 002) before applying any product.
- Make certain there is
compatibility between your stain and Conceal. Best results are obtained
when Conceal is applied to clean, stained wood. Call Sashco for guidance
if in doubt.
- Check the weather forecast.
Finishing products are best-applied in moderate weather conditions, i.e.,
out of direct sunlight, in dry conditions and warm.
- Check the log surface
temperature. The ideal application range is between 50-90 degrees F.
- It is always best to use a bond
breaker (usually backer rod) before caulking (and Sashco always advises
its use). Especially if the home is new and/or the logs are subject to
significant movement. If a bond breaker is not used, then expect more
caulking repairs.
- Tool Conceal to help ensure
good contact with log surfaces, especially to the upper log; this will
greatly aid adhesion.
- Ideal sealant depth is ½ of the
joint width, but no less than ¼”.
- Assemble tools and equipment:
- Backer rod
- Caulking guns
- Trowels, spatulas, or foam
brushes for tooling
- Clean water and rags
- Plastic sheets to cover the
caulking if wet weather moves in
- Staple gun & staples
- If you have any questions about
application, please call us before proceeding
at
1-800-767-5656.
Application
Surface Preparation
Best
results are obtained when Conceal is applied to wood that has been previously
coated with a compatible stain. If newly stained, the coating should be
thoroughly cured before Conceal’s application. If the stain is older but still
intact, clean the log surfaces thoroughly to remove dirt, pollen, bird
droppings, and other surface contaminants.
The
USDA Forest Products Laboratory and other researchers around the world have
recently reported that surface wood exposed to sunlight for as little as 1-2
weeks can become sufficiently damaged and unsound which may lead to premature
adhesive failure of coatings. Such
surface wood damage has the potential to also hurt Conceal’s (or any caulk’s)
adhesion. So, once bare wood has been properly cleaned and prepped to remove
unsound wood, Conceal should always be applied as soon as possible.
A
few sealers, especially those high in wax content, or non-drying oils, may
interfere with adhesion. Additionally, some of these coatings can hurt any
caulk’s adhesion – whether applied before or after the caulk, so we
advise against their use. Sashco maintains a list of some of the treatments
that should be applied after applying Conceal, making sure Conceal is
thoroughly cured before application. Check with Sashco for a more complete
listing of compatible coatings.*
*Sashco
can also test the compatibility of stains. Please allow a minimum of 6 weeks
for testing.
If
a stain is applied over Conceal, it will typically be tinted the stain color,
but will be affected differently than the surrounding wood. Test appearance
before widespread use.
*Call
Sashco for more information.
Joint Design
Joint
width should be a minimum of ¼”, but no larger than 2”, and 4 times the
anticipated joint movement. For example, if you anticipate log movement of
1/8”, bead width should be about ½”.
For
joints 1” or more, the depth should be 3/8” to ½”. The depth of joints less than
1” wide should be half the width but no less than ¼”. (Joint depth, overall,
should be between ¼” and ½”.)
Methods of Application
When
using 5-gallon pails, Sashco’s patented Snorkler Pumping System, grout bags, or bulk loading guns may be used. Use
a caulking gun when using either the 29oz. Or 10.5oz. cartridges of Conceal.
Conceal requires no heating prior to application, but will dispense easier when
kept warm before use.
When
using a cartridge, cut the spout at a 45 degree angle to desired bead size. In
severe conditions (under 50 degress F and/or 70% humidity), full rain
resistance may take longer. Cover exterior walls with plastic if rainfall is
expected within 24 hours after installation (especially if it will be a long,
sustained rain). Not recommended for continuous submersion or areas exposed to
foot or vehicular traffic.
Tooling
Conceal
should be tooled directly after application to ensure good adhesion and a
smooth looking bead. Conceal may be tooled with ordinary masonry-type tooling blades,
a wetted finger, or a damp polyethylene foam brush.
Work
the material smooth, tooling Conceal tightly to the surfaces, keeping a rag
handy for clean up.
Checks and Cracks
Because
of the logs’ tendency to take on water from rain and snow through cracks and
checks, it is important to pay close attention to these openings and prep and
seal them properly. Note: Most small
checks should not be caulked. Only the larger ones, which admit the greatest
volume of water, (1/4” or larger) should be sealed with
backer
rod and caulk.
Clean-up & Disposal
Clean
excess product off surfaces (before it cures) with a putty knife and/or a damp
rag. Dispose of Conceal in accordance with local regulations. Do not dispose of
in drinking water supplies. Water may be used for cleaning hands, surfaces and
equipment. Toxic solvents are not required for clean-up.
Maintenance
Occasionally,
a small number of logs on any home may undergo extreme movement due to their
changing moisture content as they come to equilibrium in their new settings as
part of a log home. Most logs, as they dry (or go through the repeated process
of taking on and giving up moisture), will undergo moderate levels of stress on
sealants applied to them. An occasional log (randomly and unpredictably) will twist,
shrink or warp – in response to changes in its moisture content – in an extreme
way, moving more than any sealant can possibly handle.
When
this extreme movement occurs it will cause the sealant to fail either
cohesively or adhesively. If the failure is cohesive (sealant splits apart),
then the repair is performed by simply cleaning the surfaces of the failed
sealant and reapplying more. If the failure is adhesive (sealant pulls cleanly
away from the substrate), then the sealant usually needs to be removed and
completely redone.
Important Notice
Because
of many varying conditions affecting use and application, manufacturer warns
buyer that these conditions may impair or vary the results and effects of the
use of this product. Therefore, application and performance of this product are
not guaranteed. Neither the manufacturer nor the seller shall be liable in
respect to any injury or damage suffered by reason of use of this product for a
purpose not indicated on the label or when used contrary to the directions or
instructions herein. There are no warranties which extend beyond the
description on this container or related literature including any implied
warranty of merchantability.
Lifetime Limited Warranty
Sashco
Sealants warrants that Conceal will stretch up to 100% of original joint size
(plus or minus 50%) and will not pull away or center tear when applied in
accordance to the Conceal Data Tec (CNL-002).
If you are dissatisfied at any time with Conceal’s performance in these
areas, return proof of purchase to Sashco.
Limited
to product replacement only.