Frequently Asked Questions

Here you can find answers to your questions
PreStain Color Application

STAGE 1 – PREPRATION OF SURFACE

  • HOW : Lightly sand the surface with a 60 grit sanding disk. Clean all debris

PURPOSE : Removes excess texture and ensures chemical bond

 

STAGE 2 – APPLICATION OF NATURAL STAIN

  • HOW : Using fine pump sprayer, spray light coat of PreStain Base on to surface and avoid large drops. Work in 2 man teams side by side(1 with Pump Sprayer and 1 with HVLP). For concrete surfaces spray thin coats with HVLP.

         PURPOSE : Ensures chemical reaction of Natural Grain effect

  • HOW : While still wet apply PreStain Color (PreStain Base and PreStain Activator combined, always stir the contents, avoid shaking) with an HVLP, airless sprayer with tip size 17, or a sprayer that is capable of atomizing liquids. (DO NOT ALLOW PUDDLING)

          PURPOSE : Do not shake to avoid in container reaction. No puddles for even color, must spray with low pressure for a pigment reaction

  • HOW : Move across area from left to right as you work your way down the surface, avoid missing any areas of the surface. Avoid stepping in Natural Stain

          PURPOSE : Ensures the finish and color stay consistent

  • HOW : The PreStain Color will then begin to dissipate and as the product forms to the contours of the X-Bond surface.

          PURPOSE : Chemical reaction creates the Natural Grain look

  • HOW : After drying, check if any area requires touch up. If necessary, lightly fog PreStain Color over areas that require touch up

          PURPOSE : Ensures a nice finish

Stabilization of substrate for SEMCO Liquid Membrane™

For deteriorating and crumbling surfaces we recommend to prime the entire surface with X-Bond Liquid first and then apply a scratch coat additionally. The reason for this is : The X-Bond Liquid will solidify the surface and the Scratch Coat will give the SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ the optimal surface to bond to.

How can SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ be applied?

SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ can be applied with a paintbrush or roller on to the surface. 2 coats are required for optimal performance.

Satin Stone Application

STAGE 1 – REMOVAL OF DEBRIS

  • HOW : Sweep debris off surface

PURPOSE : Ensures there is no debris in the sealer

  • HOW : Use Satin Stone (for interior and exterior surfaces)

PURPOSE : Creates natural satin finish for commercial floors and walls, kitchens, medical and industrial spaces

 

STAGE 2 – SEALER MIXING AND APPLICATION

  • HOW : Mix 2 parts of Part A and 1 part of Part B (included in your product order) with a low speed mixer and an epoxy mixing paddle (at only 200 – 300 RPM for 20 seconds) or by hand, stirring thoroughly, avoid mixing more product than can be applied. Product pot life is up to 35 minutes depending on temperature (MARK TIME ON CONTAINER)

PURPOSE : Low speed mixture, less air in mix reduces dry time to avoid wasted product. Since product is water-base will not get hard in container

  • HOW : Use airless sprayer with tip size 21 at 850-1,000 PSI. Position the airless sprayer gun at 18” away from the floor

PURPOSE : Smaller tip size and high pressure can cause a lot overspray. Allows product to lay down evenly on the surface

  • HOW : OPTIONAL: use magic trowel  to spread the product or roll product on with a 3/8″ soft woven roller. Do not go back and forth

PURPOSE : Allows product to lay down evenly on the surface

  • HOW : Minimum of 2 coats is required to ensure 20 mils film thickness in total

PURPOSE : Ensures long lasting surface protection from industrial and commercial vehicle and foot traffic

What makes X-BOND Seamless Stone more durable than micro-topping?

Compared to the traditional microtopping, X-BOND Seamless Stone is stone based polymer mix which bond onto the existing surface on a molecular level instead of “normal adhesion”. The stone in the mix gives the entire surface more volume and hardness to it compared to being just fine cement which is prone to cracks.

What is SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ used for?

SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ is the perfect self adhering membrane for waterproofing concrete and wood substrates. Use it for your shower, fountain, pool interior and protect it from long term water or moisture damage.

What are the GREEN benefits of SEMCO’s X-BOND Seamless Stone?

Our X-BOND Seamless Stone is designed mainly with water-based products and are environmental friendly. There is almost no odor present and low in VOC content. Green materials that can provide LEED points for the U.S. Green Building Council. Furthermore our products have been tested according to the strict regulations of the European Union and lab results present an equivalent to the EC 1 PLUS which is the best result for green building and indoor air quality.

How do I protect my new X-BOND Seamless Stone floor?

We are only using high quality materials for our seamless surfaces but still they are not indestructible.For you to enjoy your beautiful new floor, it is best to use felt pads under your furniture. For you to enjoy your beautiful new floor, it is best to use felt pads under your furniture. The use of foot mats by the entrance will prevent up to 85% of the dirt to enter your house.

What does “Remodel Without Removal” mean?

With SEMCO’s unique REMODEL WITHOUT REMOVAL™ system you can remodel any solid surface without the cost, inconvenience and potential environmental damage associated with the removal of the existing surface. SEMCO surface engineers have perfected this method through the use of the X-Bond Seamless Stone, which chemically adheres to any existing surface. This system saves clients time and cost on their projects, while offering significant “GREEN” benefits.

The Titan Shield Gloss Application

STAGE 1 – REMOVAL OF DEBRIS

  • HOW : Sweep debris off surface

PURPOSE : Ensures there is no debris in the sealer

  • HOW : Use The Titan Shield Gloss (for interior and exterior surfaces)

PURPOSE : Creates natural gloss finish for commercial floors and walls, kitchens, medical and industrial spaces

 

STAGE 2 – SEALER MIXING AND APPLICATION

  • HOW : Use airless sprayer with tip size 17 at 600 PSI. Position the airless sprayer gun at 18” away from the floor

PURPOSE : Smaller tip size and high pressure can cause a lot overspray. Allows product to lay down evenly on the surface

  • HOW : OPTIONAL: use magic trowel  to spread the product or roll product on with a 1/2″ nap roller. Do not go back and forth

PURPOSE : Allows product to lay down evenly on the surface

  • HOW : Minimum of 3 coats is required to ensure 20 mils film thickness in total

PURPOSE : Ensures long lasting surface protection from industrial and commercial vehicle and foot traffic

Is the X-BOND Seamless Stone suitable for wet rooms or pools?

Yes, X-Bond Seamless Stone is waterproof and it can be safely applied in wet rooms, steam rooms and swimming pools.

On which surfaces can X-BOND Seamless Stone be applied?

X-BOND Seamless Stone can be applied over any existing hard surface which makes a removal of your existing surface unnecessary.

Can X-Bond Seamless Stone be applied on stairs?

Yes, X-Bond Seamless Stone is suitable to be applied on new or existing stair cases as long as it is a solid surface.

What are the key benefits of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™?
  • Easy to use – can be applied with a roller or brush
  • Rated for heavy duty service
  • Suitable for waterproofing pools, water features, showers and wood surfaces
  • 400 % stretch and elongation. Stabilizes wood substrates to receive surface finish products
  • 500 PSI or 3.44 N/mm2 adhesion
  • Quick drying time allows you to proceed within 2 hrs of application with your finish
Can X-Bond Seamless Stone be installed on an existing underfloor heating?

X-Bond Seamless Stone has a perfect molecular bond on any surfaces with underfloor heating systems. It is fundamental to choose a suitable support for the heating system installed.

Can the X-Bond Seamless Stone System stop or prevent cracks?

The X-Bond Seamless Stone can bridge and fill cracks, as well as suppress future cracking from occurring. However as a superficial coating/layer over an existing condition it is not guaranteed to stop cracks/breaks or prevent previously covered cracks from reoccurring, nor will it prevent those cracks/breaks from transferring though to the X-Bond Seamless Stone.

What are the advantages of having a seamless surface compared to other traditional products like tiles?

With seamless surfaces like our X-BOND Seamless Stone you get a perfectly seamless surface meaning, easier to clean and maintain. Additionally you will not have any grouts to keep clean or where bacteria can nest in. Additionally your X-Bond Seamless Stone surface is handcrafted and therefore truly unique.

Are there any laboratory test results for SEMCO Liquid Membrane™?

Yes, SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ has undergone the following tests:

ANSI 118.10 – Breaking Strength ( ASTM D751, Procedure B )

Pass

ANSI 118.10 – Dimensional Stability ( ASTM D1204 )

Pass

ANSI 118.10 – 7-Day Shear Strength ( ASTM C482-9.8)

173 PSI / shear

ANSI 118.10 – 7-Day Water Immersion Shear Strength

132 PSI

ANSI 118.10 – 4-Week Shear Strength

234 PSI

ASTM E96 – Water Vapor Transmission

1.52 (g/hr-m2)

ASTM E96 -Water Vapor Transmission : Permeability

0.135 (perm-in)

ISO 37 – Tensile Strength ( ASTM D412 ) : Maximum Stress

390 PSI

ISO 37 – Tensile Strength ( ASTM D412 ) : Ultimate Elongation

400%

Does the surface has to be cleaned before using SEMCO Liquid Membrane™?

Yes! The surface of the pool shell must be clean. This step is often overlooked and can lead to problems. The first step is to remove any surface contamination left from the placement of the concrete such as form release agents, laitance (the weak, powdery cement fines which can appear on the surface of a poured, vibrated concrete wall), dust, dirt, oil, paint, concrete sealers, and curing compounds or any other material that can act as a bond inhibitor.

What is the thickness of the X-BOND Seamless Stone?

Depending on your substrate, the minimum thickness of the X-Bond Seamless Stone is 1/4″. The minimal thickness allows us to coat your existing surface without having to alter any heights of your doors.

How can I bridge cracks with SEMCO Liquid Membrane™?

For cracks up to 1/4” wide you must fill the crack first with X-Bond mixture before applying the SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ over it.

For cracks wider than 1/4” or control joints, apply SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ first into the crack or control joint, fill it up and then apply another coat of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ followed by fabric reinforcement and put a second coat of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ over the fabric for maximum adhesion.

Which substrates are suitable for SEMCO Liquid Membrane™?
  • Concrete, cement mortar, masonry
  • Cement Backerboard
  • Exterior Plywood and OSB
  • Exterior Decks
  • Post-Tension Concrete
  • Lightweight Concrete 
  • Gypsum-Based cement topping
  • Existing tile and resilient flooring
What is the coverage of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™?

sq ft/gallon @ 2 coats

Open pore substrates

25 – 50

Closed pore substrates

35 – 65

X-Bond Scratch Coat

100 – 150

Natural Shield Application

STAGE 1 – REMOVAL OF DEBRIS

  • HOW : Sweep debris off surface and loose surface

PURPOSE : No debris in sealer

  • HOW : Use Natural Shield (water-based penetrating sealer)

PURPOSE : Creates flat finish:

1. Penetrating seal w/ chemical reaction
2. Waterproof
3. Moisture mitigation

STAGE 2 – SEALER APPLICATION

  • HOW : Apply the sealer with a 1/4” nap roller, HVLP sprayer, pump sprayer, or airless sprayer with tip size 17. Minimum of 3 coats are required to ensure maximum performance

PURPOSE : Ensures proper application. Does not allow to puddle, will create a white haze if puddled

  • HOW : Apply the first coat and DO NOT ALLOW THE SEALER TO DRY BEFORE APPLYING SECOND AND THIRD COATS. Do not allow to puddle

PURPOSE : Ensures penetration. If sealer dries before additional coats it may not bond properly

  • HOW : Repeat the application to a minimum of 3 coats. Additional coats may be required depending on the porosity of the surface (X-Bond requires, 3 coats only, other surfaces such as concrete or block may require additional coats)

PURPOSE : Avoids hazing – ensures penetration

VERTICAL SURFACES

  • HOW : Apply the sealer with a 1/4” nap roller, HVLP sprayer, or airless sprayer with tip size 15. Start application from bottom to top to avoid runs in the sealer. Avoid over-spraying. Minimum of 3 coats is required to ensure maximum performance.

PURPOSE : Ensures proper sealing application, avoids runs in the sealer

How can I clean and maintain my X-BOND Seamless Stone surface?

You can easily clean your X-BOND surface by diluting 1 parts STONE SOAP with 9 parts water and mob your floor for general maintenance.

Cracks & Control Joints
  • TYPE A: FRACTURES UP TO 1/16 INCH CRACKS ( 1.6 mm )

HOW : Apply minium 2 coats of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ to achieve a thickness of at least 30 mil to retard future reoccurrence of crack. 30 min at 70 °F between coats

PURPOSE : Repair process will aid lessening the chance for a crack to reform

  • TYPE B: CRACKS BETWEEN 1/16 – 1/4 INCH ( 1.6 mm – 6.3 mm )

HOW : Roll or brush SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ inside the crack. ALLOW IT TO DRY. Roll X-Bond Liquid as a primer coat. DO NOT ALLOW IT TO DRY. Apply X-Bond mixture (1 part X-Bond Liquid : 3 parts X-Bond Stone) to fill up the cracks. ALLOW MIXTURE TO DRY. ONCE DRY roll 2 coats of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ to achieve a thickness of at least 30 mil to prevent future reoccurrence of crack. 30 min at 70 °F between coats

PURPOSE : Repair process will aid lessening the chance for a crack to reform

  • TYPE C: CRACKS OR OPENINGS EXCEEDING 1/4 INCH ( 6.3 mm + )

    STEP 1

    HOW : Roll or brush SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ inside the crack. ALLOW IT TO DRY. Roll X-Bond Liquid as a primer coat. DO NOT ALLOW IT TO DRY. Apply X-Bond mixture* to fill up the cracks. ALLOW MIXTURE* TO DRY. ONCE DRY roll 1 coat of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™. While still wet imbed 6” wide anti-fracture fabric to surface, and immediately roll an additional 2 coats of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ to fully encapsulate Fabric Reinforcement.

    PURPOSE : Repair process will aid lessening the chance for a crack to reform

    STEP 2

    HOW : When applying the next line of anti-fracture fabric overlap the new sheet over the existing sheet a minimum of 2”

    PURPOSE : Creates a single surface to deter future reopening

    STEP 3

    HOW : Allow surface to dry and proceed to X-Bond Ensures there are no imprints and the surface is Brown Coat

    PURPOSE : Ensures there are no imprints and the surface is Brown Coat ready to receive the next step

     

Are there any hazardous materials in SEMCO products?

Majority of our products are water-based and not harmful to the applicator and the environment. Our products are low in emissions and do not give off any odor once it has cured and additionally our products have been tested according to the strict European Standard for low emissions and to the US LEED point system.

SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ Application Procedure
  • STEP 1

HOW : Sweep debris off of surface and loose surface

PURPOSE : Ensure proper bond to substrate

  • STEP 2

HOW :Use a 1/2″ nap roller. Allow any pre-treated areas to dry to the touch. Apply a generous coat of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ with brush or roller over substrate including pre-treated areas. Apply another generous coat of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ over the first coat of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™. Let topcoat dry to the touch, approximately 1–2 hours at 70 °F (21 °C) and 50% RH. When last coat has dried to the touch, inspect final surface for pinholes, voids, thin spots or other defects. SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ will dry to bright orange color when it’s dry to touch. Use additional SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ to seal the defects. Required thickness is 30 mil

PURPOSE : Suitable of all sizes of installations, and ensures best performance of the SEMCO Liquid Membrane™

  • SPRAYING APPLICATION

HOW : The sprayer being used for the application of SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ should be capable of producing a mini- mum of 2,500 psi (17.2), maximum of 3,300 psi (22.8 MPa) with a flow rate of 0.95 to 1.6 GPM (3.6 to 6.0 LPM) using a 0.521 or a 0.631 reversible tip. Keep the unit filled with SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ to ensure con- tinuous application of liquid. The hose length should not exceed 100’ (30 m) in length and 3/8” (9 mm) in diameter.
Required thickness is 30 mil

PURPOSE : Reserved for exceptionally large areas, and ensures best performance of the SEMCO Liquid Membrane™

  • Precautions
    • For clean up use warm water to clean brush or roller right after use.
    • For optimal bonding we highly recommend preparing the surface as mentioned above for best results.
    • Stir up the product well before use in order to mix up the color pigments.
    • Avoid application in direct sun light in the afternoon or temperatures of over 85F as it might cause the product to dry too fast before it can adhere to the substrate
    • Before applying next coat, ensure RH is max. 25% on the surface
    • For applications where the product is fully submerged 3 coats @0.02 inch thickness per coat is required and  allow a curing time of minimum 6-7 days. It is required to apply SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ in a continuous manner until above the water line. We do not recommend partial applications that are submerged.
    • Coverage may vary depending on porosity of the substrate and also the thickness of coat being applied.
    • For applications on fiberglass and metal, it is recommend to apply thinner coats (15mil thickness) in order for product to dry more evenly.
How many colors are available or what sort of textures can be done?

We offer over 1,000 colors which are organic and UV-stable. We offer 4 signature textures: Polished Bond, Natural Grain, Color Bond and ADA Safety Floor but we can always customize everything to your liking.

What is X-Bond Seamless Stone?

A seamless stone and polymer based surface coating that can be used interior/exterior, vertical/horizontal, above and below grade. SEMCO’s X-Bond Seamless Stone forms a mechanically bond, while interlocking its own molecules to the surface it is applied creating a “Perfect Bond” on any existing hard surface.

What is SEMCO Liquid Membrane™?

The SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ is a single component waterproofing and anti-fracture membrane. It is a self-contained elastomeric fluid suspended in a copolymer adhesive, this revolutionary blend enables easy application while providing excellent bridging, and waterproofing. SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ creates a continuous waterproof membrane barrier with outstanding adhesion and reduces crack transmission in tile, concrete and stone floors.

Where can X-Bond Seamless Stone be applied to or in which areas can I have it?

We can apply the X-BOND System to any existing hard surface in interior or exterior applications and even below grade.

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