EpoxyÉlite EVO

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Fields of Application

Suitable for the acid-resistant installation and grouting of ceramic tiles and mosaics with 1 to 15 mm wide joints, on indoor and outdoor floors and walls. Suitable for applications where the surfaces are exposed to aggressive chemical substances (see Chemical Resistance Table) such as dairies, abattoirs, pubs, food factories in general. Suitable for applications subject to heavy-duty operating conditions, such as swimming pools, hammams, whirlpools, heavy-traffic floors, and tiles exposed to extreme temperature variances. Typical applications include:

• Grouting of ceramic tiles and mosaics on wooden kitchen tops.
• Bonding and grouting of ceramic tiles and mosaics in swimming pools, including surfaces waterproofed with Elastocem, Coverflex or Aquamaster.
• Grouting of ceramic tiles, mosaics and natural stones installed on metal surfaces for the construction of prefabricated bathrooms.
• Grouting of ceramic tiles, thin reinforced slabs, mosaics, natural stones or resin agglomerates installed on heated floors.
• Grouting of glass or ceramic mosaic joints installed on structures and templates of extruded polystyrene panels used in Turkish baths, hammams and wellness centres.
• Grouting of ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and thin slabs, including large slabs with or without reinforced back, installed on external façades.
• Also recommended for grouting swimming pools or pools containing spring water.

Preliminary Checks and Joint Preparation

Make sure that the ceramic tiles can be cleaned easily and their surface is not absorbent. In fact, some types of tiles (e.g., polished porcelain tiles) or natural stones feature micro-porosities and surface roughness that can cause surface staining and make cleaning very difficult. In these cases, it is advisable to perform a spot test and, in any case, avoid using sealants with contrasting or very dark colours. Check that the adhesive or mortar used for bonding the tiles is completely hardened and dry. The joints must be clean and free from dust and any debris. Any traces of adhesive or mortar flowing between joints and plastic spacers must be removed.

Mix Preparation

Pour component B (catalyst) onto component A (paste). We recommend pouring all the catalyst contained in the bag. Mix with the help of a drill mixer to obtain a smooth, lump-free mix. Hand mixing is not recommended. The two parts are pre-batched in their packaging, avoiding , this way, all risk of mixing errors.

MIX RATIO
Part A: 93.7 parts by weight
Part B: 6.3 parts by weight
The two parts are pre-batched in their respective packaging.

Tiled Surface Grouting

Apply the paste in the joints using a green rubber float (item 946GR), removing any excess product. For large surfaces, it is possible to use a single electric brush equipped with an abrasion-resistant rubber trowel. The product’s working life and hardening time is strongly dependent on the ambient temperature. The optimum application temperature is between +18°C and +23°C. Under these conditions, the product is soft, easily workable and with a working life of approximately 1 hour. It is ready for foot traffic after 24 hours. The surface can be commissioned after 7 days at a temperature of +23°C. At temperatures between +8°C and +12°C, the product is highly consistent and difficult to apply. The hardening time is also lengthened considerably. Do not add water or solvents to improve workability. In hot weather it is advisable to apply the product to the floor as quickly as possible so as not to shorten further the working life due to the reaction heat in the container. In particular, this requirement applies to 10 kg packs.

CLEANING AND FINISHING
The grout work must be cleaned and finished while the product is still wet and, in any case, in the shortest possible time.Take care not to remove product from the joints or leave stains on the tile surface. This operation can be performed either manually or by using a special electric single brush with felt.

MANUAL METHOD
First sprinkle clean water over the grouted surface. Perform an initial cleaning with a trowel equipped with a damp white felt (item 109 GBNC) to remove excess product, making circular movements clockwise and anticlockwise, in order to perfectly seal the sides of the tiles and to remove any excess sealant from the tile surface. Complete a second cleaning cycle with a sweepex sponge (item 128G0001) for smooth and gap-free grout, completely removing the product from the tiles, making sure that you do not remove any grout from the joints, and drying any excess water. For easier cleaning operation, we recommend using two bucketfuls of water, one for rinsing felt and sponge and to collect any dirty water, and the other to use clean water for the final surface cleaning. When felt and sponge are impregnated with resin and can no longer be used, they must be replaced. Any product residue left behind on the surface of ceramics can be removed using Litonet and Litonet Gel detergents after about 24 hours and in any case once the grout has hardened.

METHOD WITH SINGLE BRUSH
After removing any excess grout from the surface, sprinkle plenty of clean water over the grouted surface. Then start cleaning with the single brush equipped with felt. Remove and collect the water-sealant emulsion from the floor with a rubber rake. Replace the felt disc when it is fully impregnated with product.

USE AS ADHESIVE
Apply the paste onto the substrate using a notched trowel with suitably sized teeth and lay the tiles exerting strong pressure. In the case of floors subject to heavy traffic or swimming pools, apply the tiles with the back-buttering method, in order not to leave gaps between substrate and tile.