Technical Information

DESCRIPTION
ARDEX CD Concrete Dressing is a surface treatment for re-dressing worn, spalled, indoor or outdoor concrete surfaces to provide a "new concrete" finish. ARDEX CD is easy to apply, hardens quickly, is freeze-thaw resistant, and produces a surface finish which is suitable for foot and rubber tire traffic.
ARDEX CD mixes with water to a creamy, smooth slurry consistency for application over existing concrete surfaces including sidewalks, patios, walkways, driveways, garage floors, pool decks and most vertical concrete surfaces.  ARDEX CD is engineered with Portland cement and select high-performance polymers.  It readily bonds to concrete surfaces, and can be applied by trowel, squeegee, or broom. Once applied, ARDEX CD can be  broom textured before it sets for a reduced-slip surface.

RANGE OF APPLICATION
Use ARDEX CD for applying over the surface of existing concrete to produce a new wear layer, as well as to fill in small surface defects such as spalls, gouges, and cracks.  Use ARDEX CD to re-surface walkways, patios, pool decks, concrete stairs, and driveways. ARDEX CD can also be used to resurface vertical concrete surfaces.
ARDEX CD is recommended for residential and commercial use only. ARDEX CD is not intended for industrial uses such as loading docks, heavy manufacturing or areas with heavy truck traffic.

Installation Instructions

SUBSTRATE PREPARATION
All existing concrete surfaces must be structurally sound, solid and completely clean to include the removal of sealers, curing compounds, patching compounds, dust, dirt, oil, or any other contaminant which may act as a bond breaker.  Where required to obtain a solid surface, substrate preparation must be by mechanical means such as a scarifier or by the use of high pressure power washing. Do not use sweeping compounds, solvents or acid etching as a means of surface preparation.  Prior to installing the ARDEX CD, the substrate must be completely dry and a minimum of  50°F. 

CRACK REPAIR
All moving joints such as expansion joints must be carried up through the dressing.  Moving cracks should be repaired using traditional concrete repair techniques and materials prior to dressing the surface with ARDEX CD.  Saw cuts, control joints and non-moving cracks should be "V'd" out and filled with an acrylic caulking compound prior to installing ARDEX CD.
ARDEX CD is a topical application and is not intended to be used for permanent crack repair.  Existing cracks  in  the  concrete  can  "telegraph"  up  through the dressing.   Although repairing cracks in the substrate is always recommended prior to installing ARDEX CD, we cannot warrant that cracks won't reappear.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Mixing bucket, margin trowel, steel trowel, a medium-bristle finishing broom, and a 3" paint brush for 
edging.   A fine-bristle broom, a squeegee,  or a hopper gun can also be used for application.  For best mixing results, we recommend the use of a mechanical mixing paddle and a 1/2" heavy-duty drill.

MIXING
STANDARD:  The recommended mixing ratio is 5 quarts of water for each 40 lb. bag of ARDEX CD (2½  quarts for a 20lb. bag).  For less than a full bag, use 2 3/4 parts of powder to 1 part water by volume.  Additional water will weaken the dressing and lower its strength.
Place the water in the container first.  Add the powder while mixing to a lump-free consistency.  The use of mechanical mixing will produce a smoother and creamier consistency with better workability. 
PATCHING:  For filling small holes, gouges or spalls (1" diameter and up to 1/2" deep), use a mix ratio of 4 parts powder to 1 part water by volume and apply to the prepared surface with a flat steel trowel or putty knife.  Repair areas should be allowed to set firmly (30-45 min. at 70°F) before applying the finish coat of the dressing.  Cooler temperatures will slow setting time.

INSTALLATION
ARDEX CD is easily applied to any prepared concrete surface.  Mechanically remove any loose or contaminated concrete, then broom-sweep and vacuum the area to be resurfaced thoroughly to remove any fine dust or dirt.  Make sure that the concrete is completely dry to avoid the possibility of discoloration of the dressing during cure.  Clean out debris from expansion joints and tape or mask the joints off to prevent ARDEX CD from filling the joint.  Use a lawn edger to clean around the walk or driveway, as well as around planter boxes and landscaped areas.
Repair any deep spalls cracks using the patching mix described above.  Using a flat, steel trowel, apply sufficient pressure to fill in all surface defects.  Allow these patches to harden for 30 - 45  minutes prior to placing the dressing.
Pour the slurry mix onto an area of concrete and flat trowel, squeegee or broom it into the surface while applying enough pressure to ensure good dressing-to-concrete contact.  Once you have achieved the proper coverage, lightly broom-finish the surface to achieve the desired texture.
Use the least amount of material possible to obtain complete coverage over the concrete surface.  For maximum coverage, use the flat trowel application technique and then broom-finish.   Work in areas small enough so that you can reach the newly applied surface easily to apply the broom finish without walking on it.  Broom finish as you go but certainly before the dressing takes a firm set (usually 10-15 minutes depending upon jobsite conditions).  Maintaining a "wet edge" as you work will help to minimize natural color variations which can occur between sections.
On vertical surfaces such as walls or stair faces, trowel, brush or spray the dressing directly onto the prepared area.  Smooth or brush the material to the desired finish. 

THICKNESS OF  INSTALLATION
ARDEX CD Concrete and Sidewalk Dressing can be applied at a thickness of up to 1/2" in small, well-defined areas such as gouges, spalls, etc.   Please note that thick areas will take longer to set than a dress coat and will reduce the overall coverage.

TRAFFIC
ARDEX CD can receive light foot traffic after just 2 hours, and can be driven on after 6-8 hours.

CURING
Although ARDEX CD requires no special curing procedures, avoid applying this product if rain is expected within 6-8 hours or freezing temperatures could occur within 24 hours of application.  As with any cementitious material, the above conditions can alter the appearance and performance of the dressing.

SEALING
As is the case with all concrete surfaces in general, ARDEX CD should be sealed with a water-borne,  breathable concrete sealer such as ARDEX Concrete Guard to prevent dusting and to help resist damage from standing water, salt, oil as well as staining and marking.  Sealing of the ARDEX CD can proceed 24 hours after installation.

COLOR
ARDEX CD is formulated from Portland cement and is a light gray color when dry.  As concrete color and jobsite conditions vary widely, it is not intended that this product will match the color of the concrete being resurfaced or an adjacent concrete pad.
Jobsite conditions such as direct sunlight and wind, as well as the dressing being exposed to moisture before it completely sets, can lead to minor color variations in the appearance of the dressing.  Should this condition occur, it can often be completely corrected by pre-wetting the surface of the discolored dressing and misting it with a vinegar solution diluted with 3 parts of water. Allow the vinegar to stand on the surface of the dressing for 10 minutes, misting it again should it dry out before that time.  After 10 minutes, simply rinse the surface with water and allow it to dry.  Consult the ARDEX Technical Department for additional information if the discoloration persists. 

COVERAGE
Coverage can range from 2 1/2 - 3 sq. ft. per lb. using a steel trowel and a light broom finish.  Other application methods and the texture of the concrete being coated will affect this rate. 

POT LIFE
Approximately 30 minutes at 70°F.  Pot life will vary with ambient temperatures.  If the product begins to set in the bucket, try re-mixing using an electric drill and mixing paddle.  Do not add more water!  In warm weather, use cold mixing water to extend the working time.

NOTES
ARDEX CD is a cementitious material.  Observe the basic rules of concrete work.  Do not install below 50°F substrate temperature, when rain is expected within 6-8 hours, or when freezing temperatures are expected within 24 hours.  At temperatures above 70°F, it may be necessary to work quickly and broom finish the surface immediately after placement.  Using ice cold water to mix the product will help to extend the working time.  Do not mix with additives.  DO NOT OVERWATER!
ARDEX CD  is intended for resurfacing interior and exterior concrete subject to foot and rubber-wheeled traffic.  Do not use in fountains, inside swimming pools or any areas that will be permanently submerged.
Keep out of reach of children.  This product contains Portland cement.  Avoid prolonged contact with skin.  In case of eye contact, flush eyes repeatedly with water and consult nearest physician.

PACKAGING
Individual 40 lb. and 20 lb. units net weight. 
STORAGE
 Store in a cool, dry area.  Do not expose bags to direct sun. 
SHELF LIFE
12 months.

TECHNICAL DATA

Coverage:  A 40 lb. bag covers up to 120 sq.ft., a 20 lb. bag up to 60 sq. ft.

Mixing Ratio: (Parts by volume) 1 part water to 2¾  parts powder

Working Time: Approx. 30 minutes at 70ºF

Initial Set, ASTM C191: Approx. 90 minutes at 70ºF

Final Set, ASTM C191: Approx. 2 hours at 70ºF

Compressive Strength, ASTM C-109/mod.(air cure): 4000 psi after 28 days

Flexural Strength, ASTM C348: 1,000 psi after 28 days

Flammability, ASTM E84:  Flame Spread 0  Fuel Contribution 0  Smoke Development 0

All data based on a mixing ratio of 1:2.75 p.b.v. at 70ºF.

LIMITED WARRANTY: 
ARDEX, L.P. warrants that if this product proves to have manufacturing defects and ARDEX is notified of such within six months from the date ARDEX shipped the product, ARDEX will replace the defective product f.o.b. factory.  Such product replacement shall constitute the sole and exclusive remedy for any claim under this warranty.  ARDEX does not authorize anyone, including ARDEX Representatives, to make any statements which supersede, modify or supplement the information provided on its printed literature or package labels without written confirmation from the ARDEX Technical Service Department.  Any installations proceeding without this confirmation, or mis-installations of the product will void this warranty.  THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY AND IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO ITS TERMS.  ARDEX MAKES NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR SUITABILITY OF ITS PRODUCTS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  All product demonstrations are placed for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a warranty of any kind.  ARDEX SELLS ITS PRODUCTS UPON THE CONDITION THAT CUSTOMERS SHALL CONDUCT THEIR OWN TESTS TO DETERMINE THE SUITABILITY OF THE PRODUCTS FOR THE CUSTOMERS' INTENDED PURPOSES.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ARDEX BE LIABLE FOR ECONOMIC, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR OCCASIONED BY THE SELECTION, USE, INSTALLATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THESE PRODUCTS.