Acratex® BondFree Concentrate

Identify Bond-Breaker
Firstly identify the bond-breaker used on your project (Barrier or Chemically Reactive), this may be as simple as asking the foreman / builder of the project. The builder or a subcontractor usually constructs tilt panels. There may still be a drum present on site.

Test barrier Type Bond-Breaker
The Barrier Type Bond-Breaker will either be water or solvent-based.

Test a small area using a spray bottle and a 1:5 mix of Bond Free Concentrate rinse with water allow to dry and test water beading/ how well the concrete wets (darkens). Compare to the uncleaned area. (Always add BondFree to the water)

Solvent-Based Bond-Breaker
With a solvent-based Bond-Breaker there are two tests:
1: Water-Bread Test Spraying the panel with water and observing a beading of the water as it is sprayed onto the panel (just like water on a freshly waxed car). This indicates the presence of Bond-Breaker. If the panel does not bead, the concrete should take on a darker appearance. This is where the water has absorbed into the panel, if this happens perform the second Bond-Breaker test.
2: pH Indicator Test Fill a small spray bottle with clean water. Immerse a pH indicator strip* into the water to test the pH level. This should read 6.5-7.5.If it reads any higher the water may be contaminated. Try sourcing water directly from tap. Hold a fresh indicator strip on the concrete panel keeping the indicator pads in contact with the concrete at all times. Spray the tested water above the strip so that the water trickles down over the indicator strip. Let soak for approximately 1 minute. Align the indicator strip with the coloured scale on the packet and read the pH level of your concrete. If the reading is the same or very similar to your previous reading of clean water, you know there is still Bond-Breaker on the panel. If the reading is high (8+) the pH is being read directly from the panel meaning there is no Bond-Breaker present.

Note: Bondfree in not suitable to remove chemically reactive bond-breakers / Form Release Agents A chemically active form release agent contains an active ingredient that combines with the calcium hydroxide (lime) in fresh concrete to form a metallic, waterproof soap which prevents concrete adhesion to the treated surface. For this type of Bond-Breaker use a detergent solution consisting of 225 grams of Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) in 3.8 litres of water is recommended followed by high pressure washing (4000 psi)

A sample should be trialed first then checked for the presence of bondbreaker.
Suitable substrates: Barrier Type Form Release Agent treated Tilt Up/ Off Form Concrete/ Pre Cast Concrete

Application procedure and equipment
Product should be thoroughly mixed before use. Commence application, working from bottom of panel upward. Apply using an airless spray unit (eg Graco 695 with a .0015 - .0019 tip at 1000 psi) or a low pressure knapsack spray unit.

Large panels should be articulated into manageable work areas, always maintaining a wet edge ensuring rinsing of Bondfree is actioned prior to the area drying.
If BondFree dries, re-apply BondFree to the affected area and rinse thoroughly.

Flood the area with an excess of material with a heavy spray rather than a thin jet or light mist. This will produce a foaming wave of excess material descending down the panel.

As BondFree is applied the panel should take on a darkened appearance. Should this not happen, apply a second coat of BondFree and consult with Dulux AcraTex if the panel does not darken (excessively applied water based bondbreaker may be the cause).

Notes:
1. Chemical goggles, gloves and a mask should be worn at all times whilst pouring and applying BondFree.
2. Application of BondFree should be with an airless spray unit or low pressure knapsack spray only.
3. Application of BondFree on large panels is a 2-man procedure, one to apply BondFree the other rinsing with water. Never allow BondFree to dry before rinsing.

Rinsing Bondfree
Rinse panel with a flood of water (heavy spray not jet) deluging panel from top to bottom. Ensure extra care is taken whilst rinsing to ledges, sills and all fixtures on panels. A second rinse should be performed whilst panel is still wet from initial rinse. This is to make sure all remnants of Bond-Breaker and BondFree are removed. This product should not be released into any watercourses, drains or gutters neat or diluted and should be contained and disposed of under local waste management procedures. An environmental duty of care must be executed at all times whilst using this product.

Notes:
1. Do not wait until BondFree is drying on panel before rinsing. Rinsing must occur whilst BondFree is still wet and active to remove all traces of bond-Breaker and BondFree.
2. Water pressure should be at least 80 psi or 28 kpa.
3. A second rinse is imperative to the performance of BondFree.

At Commencement of coating system application to the substrate it shall be deemed that the Applicator has certified that the surface which it is to be applied to is fit to receive the specified coating(s) system. When the Applicator is preparing the site sample for approval he should advise the Project Superintendent if the substrate condition is not of sufficient standard to produce the specified finish.

Prior to full coating application test site sample
Cross- hatch adhesion and pH tests must be performed as per Australian Standard AS2311-Painting Buildings and AS1580-Methods of Testing Adhesion (current editions) prior to commencing full-scale works.
pH readings must be below 10 before coatings can be applied.