Surfaces to receive the application must be sound and free of dust, grease, compounds and other foreign particles. Concrete substrate is prepared by either sandblasting, water blasting or wire brushing. Allow concrete to dry completely. Cracks greater than 0.010″ (0.25mm) must epoxy injected, and other surface irregularities may need to be ground down or repaired per engineer’s inspection.

If specified, anchor holes should be drilled per specifications.

STEP 2 – PRIME

A. MIX EPOXY PRIMER

Hand mix or use Automatic Mixer to mix parts A and B from Hex-3R Epoxy A and B component drums. Mix thoroughly for 5 minutes, as per instructions, using paddle-style mixer. Be sure to refer to resin data sheets for information on pot life and mixing ratios.

B. APPLY EPOXY PRIMER

All areas to be treated should be primed with Hex-3R Epoxy. Use a roller to apply one coat of the Epoxy to the wrapping area. Wait a minimum of 1 hour for the surface to become “tacky” and sufficient substrate penetration to occur.

STEP 3- PREPARE FABRIC

A. CUT FABRIC

Fabric should be pre-cut to appropriate lengths or cut using commercial heavy-duty scissors/shears. Care should be taken to clean cut the edges as frayed or worn fabric can degrade performance.

B. SATURATE FABRIC

The fabric is fully impregnated with Epoxy resin (See Resin Selection Table or refer to engineer’s specifications for appropriate product selection) mixed according to the instructions in Step 2, A. and applied by hand or by using a mechanical Fabric Saturator.

Hand Saturation

Cover a smooth flat level surface with polyethylene sheeting (0.5mm [20mil] plastic film) approximately the same length as the Hex-3R Wrap Sheets to be used. Pour a bead of the mixed Epoxy down the center of the sheet and spread, using a spatula, to cover the entire surface.

Lay the cut Hex-3R Wrap Sheet onto the primed plastic sheeting, and apply another bead of Epoxy to the top surface.

Fully saturate the Wrap sheet by using either a spatula or roller to smoothly spread the Epoxy over the fabric surface. Saturation is achieved when the fiberglass appears clear and transparent or the surace of the carbon fabric has a sheen to it yet still appears to have some texture.

Fabric Saturator

Refer to the Operating Instructions for the mechanical Fabric Saturator. (See Optional Equipment for the Hexel Fabric Saturator instruction sheet)

Saturated fabric should be used immediately.

STEP 4 – WRAP FABRIC

The wet fabric is applied to the surface as per the engineering specifications. Fabric should be wrapped applying uniform pressure using a spatula or surface roller to eliminate air bubbles. Where specified, multiple layers should be applied individually waiting a minimum of 1 hour between each application. (Check Applications section for information on specific strengthening applications and details on installation recommendations.)

Immediately after each layer is applied, use a wetted roller to apply additional epoxy in any areas that do not appear to be fully saturated.

STEP 5 – FINISHING

Dependent upon the application and engineer’s specifications, one or more of the following finishing options may be used:

A. SURFACING (For aesthetic value)

The following surfacing should be applied within the cure time of the prior layer (see Data Sheets), while the surface is tacky. If the prior layer has cured, sand or bead blast before surfacing:

For concrete textured surface: trowel Hex-3R Epoxy 301T over final layer of reinforcement.

For smooth surface: roll or brush Hex-3R Epoxy 301 over final layer of reinforcement.

For a canvas textured surface: roll or brush one layer of Hex-3R 106 Fiberglass saturated with Hex-3R Epoxy 300 resin. While tacky, coat with Hex-3R Epoxy 301.

B. FIRE COATINGS (For increased fire resistance)

While the prior layer is tacky, (within the cure time as shown on the product data sheets) trowel on Hex-3R FireLam 505 37 mils thick. Allow to cure 20 hours, and then brush, roll, or spray Hex-3R FireLam 506 in 3 coats at .04 pounds per square foot, waiting until each coat dries (at least 4 hours) before applying next coat.

C. PAINT (For aesthetic value and UV protection)

While prior layer is dry but still tacky, paint surface with acrylic or linear urethane paint. If the surface has completely cured before painting, sand or bead blast prior to painting.