ACCLIMATION AND SITE CONDITIONS
- Building climate control system must be functioning with a temperature of 18-35ºC and maximum relative humidity of 65% for 72 hours before flooring is installed, during installation, and for 72 hours after installation. Ideal conditions are 18-35°C and 45-55% RH. Acclimate Bona QUANTUM R851 adhesive to room temperature of the installation, usually overnight.
- Moisture testing: For concrete slabs, using standard application, conduct moisture testing per ASTM test methods F 1869 Test for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (MVER) of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride, and/or F 2170 Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using In Situ Probes. Contact ASTM International to obtain copies of the test methods before proceeding. MVER using ASTM F 1869 (Calcium chloride test) shall not exceed 12 lbs/24 hours/1000 square feet. Relative Humidity using ASTM F 2170 (RH Probe test) shall not exceed 85%. If MVER readings exceed 12 lbs. or 85% but are less than 18 lbs. or 95%, use the Bona R540 Moisture Barrier/Primer (See label for detailed instructions) or use a Moisture Barrier Plus (MBP) clip-on trowel with any Bona trowel and spread the adhesive at a coverage rate of 30-35 square feet per gallon.
- For maximum moisture protection ensure 100% transfer of adhesive to both subfloor and flooring. To ensure proper coverage use a new clip-on trowel for every pail of adhesive.
- When using a Tramex measuring device to identify moisture levels in cementitious based substrates, find the highest reading in the area to be installed. As a general guideline for floors with no infloor heating system, if the Tramex reading is below 4%, the Bona Moisture Barrier Clip-On Trowel or the Bona R540 Moisture Barrier/Primer will not be necessary. If the reading is between 4% and 6%, either use the Moisture Barrier Plus (MBP) Clip-On Trowel or apply Bona R540 Moisture Barrier/Primer prior to adhesive application.
- For wood substrates, follow flooring manufacturer’s guidelines including moisture content and required moisture measuring methods.
SUBSTRATE PREPARATION
- Substrate must be clean, smooth, dry, free of loose material and structurally sound, with the surface slightly textured (similar to a light broom finished concrete) for best adhesion.
- Remove adhesive residue, paint, concrete curing compounds or other contaminants that may affect adhesive bond. Sandblasting, shot blasting or scarifying may be necessary to completely remove some of these residues.
- Surface cracks, grooves, depressions, control joints or other non-moving joints, and other irregularities must be filled or smoothed with a Portland Cement based patching and leveling compound.
- Substrate must be level to 3/16” in a 10-foot span. Do not install wood flooring before the compound has fully cured. Do not install over expansion joints or other
moving joints in a concrete slab. Slab temperature must be between 12°C and
and 35°C.
- Suitable substrates include concrete, plywood, Warmboard, cork, particle or OSB, stone, ceramic, terrazzo, radiant heat flooring (refer to manufacturer’s recommended installation instructions), and dry above-grade gypsum underlayment, recycled-rubber underlayment.
PRODUCT LIMITATIONS
Bona QUANTUM R851 will not prevent moisture related damages to wood flooring originating from the top, sides or ends of flooring (water leaks, puddles, hydrostatic head, etc.) nor does it eliminate other moisture or installation related issues such as improper
acclimation of flooring or the effects of jobsite temperature and humidity.
DO NOT USE BONA QUANTUM™ R851
• On wet, contaminated or friable surfaces
• Over concrete curing compounds, sealers or other surface treatments that could affect
adhesion
• On areas subject to hydrostatic head
• On cutback residue, or over vinyl/VCT
• On chemically treated woods (stain, preservatives, etc.)
• As a leveling compound
SPREADING ADHESIVE AND LAYING FLOORING
- Spread adhesive on the substrate while holding the Bona trowel at a 90° angle, using a smooth semicircular motion. Do not leave any puddles of adhesive.
- Set the flooring into the adhesive while the adhesive is still wet. At the start of the job, pull a freshly laid board to ensure 100% transfer. This can be repeated a second time, mid-installation, to ensure consistency.
- Do not allow more than 60 minutes of open time before setting flooring into the adhesive. (at 21°C and 50% RH; higher humidity can decrease open time, lower humidity can increase open time).
- DO NOT SET FLOORING INTO ADHESIVE THAT HAS SKINNED OVER, REMOVE ADHESIVE AND REAPPLY.
BACK TROWEL METHOD
Utilizing the flat side of the Bona 1500g trowel or the Bona 1250g trowel, skim coat Bona QUANTUM R851 onto subfloor creating a smooth surface free of voids. While the skim coat of adhesive is still wet, apply Bona QUANTUM R851 with either trowel.
CLEAN-UP
Clean adhesive from the surface of the floor while wet. Use mineral spirits on a clean white cloth.
