Liquid Rubber provides immediate waterproofing, fast drying, and when cured, can adhere to both horizontal and vertical surfaces. This makes it an ideal solution for an incredibly wide range of uses, from repairing roof leaks to creating moisture barriers in your basement. It can also be applied in several ways, including by spraying.
Rolling and brushing are the two simplest ways to apply this product, but Liquid Rubber spray applications can be useful in many situations. In this post, we want to provide some tips to help ensure that you’re able to apply Liquid Rubber quickly, easily, and correctly with spraying equipment.
Surface Preparation Is Key
Just as with any other type of application, spraying Liquid Rubber successfully requires the right surface preparation. You need to thoroughly clean the surface, making sure to remove dust, dirt, debris, and anything else that might compromise the coating. As a note, you must also remove any oil-based coatings that might have been applied to the surface. Porous surfaces should be allowed ample time to allow all moisture to evaporate before applying Liquid Rubber spray.
Primer or No Primer?
Some EPDM rubber applications require that you use a flexible primer before you can apply the rubber coating. However, this is not true for all of them. Liquid Rubber actually requires no primer coat, and firmly adheres to the underlying substrate immediately, providing a secure hold that will last for decades to come.
Replace Caulking
In the past, caulk was used around fasteners, flashing, HVAC units, vents, and other elements. However, with Liquid Rubber spray, there is no need for caulk. In fact, EPDM rubber provides a longer lasting solution than any brand of caulk on the market, helping to keep your interior safe and dry.
What about Fabric Reinforcement?
With Liquid Rubber spray applications, many seams and other overlaps do not require fabric reinforcement the way they do with other coatings. This is true for standing seams, as well as for any overlaps under 1/16 of an inch. However, if there are overlaps larger than 1/16 of an inch, or any that are corroded, you will need to use fabric reinforcement to ensure that Liquid Rubber can create a seal over the area. To do this, simply follow these steps:
- Apply a very thin layer of Liquid Rubber to the area.
- Position the fabric correctly.
- Make sure there are no wrinkles or folds.
- Tamp down the fabric.
- Spray Liquid Rubber over the fabric.
- Roll over the fabric with a short-nap roller.
Be Aware of Overspray
It is important to understand that Liquid Rubber spray can be carried a very long way by even a light breeze. The area immediately downwind from the work site should be evacuated – no vehicles should be left there, unless covered with protective sheeting. If Liquid Rubber does contact a surface where it is not wanted, mineral spirits can be used to remove it. However, make sure that mineral spirits are safe to use on the surface in question.
Thinning the Material
Directly from the container, Liquid Rubber is a viscous liquid that is not well-suited to spraying. However, adding in a little solvent can help to thin it to a consistency that is sprayable. Make sure to use xylene solvents only, and you should mix the two in a 5:1 ratio (5 gallons of Liquid Rubber to one gallon of xylene solvent).
Conclusion
Liquid Rubber spray allows you to apply a layer of rubberized material to large areas in a very brief amount of time. The tips we’ve covered here will help ensure that you have a positive experience. Also, remember that Liquid Rubber can also be applied with rollers, brushes, and squeegees.