Bomanite® SUGGESTED THINSET SPECIFICATIONS
NOTES:
1. A specifier is within his rights to issue a proprietary specification which names only one brand. If in the informed and professional judgment
of the specifier, his client's needs will be best served by naming a particular brand, then he has the responsibility to limit his specification to
one source. This practice is even acceptable on publicly funded projects. This principle of proprietary specification has found legal support in
the case of Whitten Corp. v. Paddock Pool Builders, Inc., a Federal District Court case from Massachusetts (376 F. Supp. 125). Further
support came in 1975 when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected further appeal and review.
2. This specification applies only to thin toppings bonded to subslabs. BOMANITE is most often installed as a monolithic slab on grade with a
thickness of 4"or greater (which is covered by separate specifications from these). The only cases where thin toppings are usually
recommended are:
a. Renovation projects where there is an existing slab and an increase in grade of more than 1/2" or 1" is not possible.
b. Interior flooring in new construction where there are good reasons to install a rough slab first and later a thin topping.
The licensed BOMANITE Contractor is normally a subcontractor, and the BOMANITE Thinset concrete is called out in a section separate from
the regular concrete section. (Section 9P Special Flooring recommended).
Scope:
All work in this section shall be designated BOMANITE Thinset in the plans. The work shall include all labor, material, equipment and
transportation required to install BOMANITE Thinset. The Contractor for this work shall be licensed, tooled and trained by BOMANITE
Corporation to utilize the BOMANITE process and tools. The Contractor shall be required to provide a foreman or supervisor who has done at
least three BOMANITE Thinset installations of high quality.
For additional information, contact:
Bomanite Corporation
P.O. Box 599
Madera, California 93639
Tel: (209) 673-2411
Fax: (209) 673-8246
Contractors licensed by BOMANITE are:
The BOMANITE Thinset shall be bonded to an existing structural concrete subslab (installation of subslab not included in this section). Work
provided by the BOMANITE Contractor shall include:
1. Provide materials: BOMANITE Thinset Bonding Agent, BOMANITE Thinset Additive, topping mix, BOMANITE Color Hardener, BOMANITE
Integral Color (optional), BOMANITE Cure & Seal and grout (optional).
2. Provide BOMANITE/BOMACRON imprinting tools.
3. Prepare surface of subslab for bonding agent.
4. Apply BOMANITE Thinset Bonding Agent.
5. Mix Thinset topping mix using BOMANITE Thinset Additive.
6. Place topping mix (average 1" thick).
7. Apply BOMANITE Color Hardener and finish.
8. Apply BOMANITE Release Agent (optional)
9. Apply BOMANITE/BOMACRON imprinting tools.
10. Apply BOMANITE Cure & Seal.
11. Grout joints (optional).
12. Perform final clean-up.
Notes: BOMANITE Cure & Seal is not required for Bomacron toppings.
Concrete Subslab Requirements:
1. Subslab shall appear to be structurally sound and free of substantial cracking and/or movement.
2. Subslab shall have minimum compressive strength of 3000 psi (4000 psi in freezing areas where applicable).
3. New subslabs shall be properly cured for a minimum of 28 days.
Materials:
BOMANITE Thinset Bonding Agent: A two-component epoxy adhesive system specially formulated for use with the BOMANITE process to
ensure permanent adhesion of the topping mix.
BOMANITE Thinset Additive: A modified acrylic with several components to ensure hydration of the cement in the topping mix and to
improve tensile and flexural strength.
Topping Mix: The topping mix shall be designed for low shrinkage and have minimum compressive strength of 3000 psi (4000 psi in
freezing areas). Portland cement shall conform to ASTM C 150, Type I, II or IV. Sand shall be ordinary washed concrete sand and shall
conform to ASTM C 33. Mixing water shall be fresh, clean and potable and shall be mixed with BOMANITE Thinset Additive in proportions as
directed by manufacturer. Nothing containing calcium chloride is permitted in the mix.
BOMANITE Color Hardener: Specially formulated for installation of BOMANITE. The color(s) shall be:
The grade shall be (Regular Grade of Heavy Duty):
1. For areas subject to very large amounts of pedestrian traffic, BOMANITE Heavy Duty Color Hardener is recommended
2. While not usually required, integral color may be used as a supplement, but not as a substitute for BOMANITE Color Hardener).
BOMANITE Release Agent (optional): Specially formulated for installation of BOMACRON. The color(s) shall be:
BOMANITE Cure & Seal: Curing membrane complying with ASTM C 309 and with all applicable air pollution regulations.
Grout: A mixture of sand, cement and water (and optionally, color pigments).
Installation Process:
1. Any dirt, oil, soap or grease shall be removed from subslab with caustic soda or Trisodium Phosphate wash. Any chemical coatings on
concrete shall be removed. Subslab shall be prepared for bonding agent by acid etching. If powdery or soft (punky), floor shall be scarified or
sandblasted instead of acid washed. Floor shall be clean and free of surface water prior to application of bonding agent.
2. Subslab shall have a minimum surface temperature of 40° F throughout application of the bonding agent and until the topping mix has been
placed and reached its initial set.
3. BOMANITE Thinset Bonding Agent shall be applied by spray, stiff brush, squeegee, roller or steel trowel. Two components of bonding
agent shall be mixed together and applied at a coverage rate in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
4. Special topping mix shall be placed and screeded to the proper grade and floated to a uniform surface in the normal manner.
5. BOMANITE Color Hardener shall be applied evenly to the plastic surface by the dry-shake method using a minimum of 60 pounds per 100
square feet. It shall be applied in two or more shakes, floated after each, and troweled only after the final floating.
6. While topping is still in the plastic stage of set, BOMANITE/ BOMACRON imprinting tools shall be applied to make the desired patterned
and/or textured surface. BOMANITE Release Agent should be applied to the surface prior to the use of BOMACRON tools.
7. BOMANITE Cure & Seal shall then be applied uniformly for curing with a roller or sprayer. The coverage shall be approximately 200 square
feet per gallon.
8. After initial curing, the impressions may be grouted. A slurry of grout shall be spread over the surface with a squeegee, and the surplus
grout shall be removed.
9. When grouted, the surface shall be polished by a fine brush which removes residual dust or grout from the surface.
10. From date of installation of BOMANITE Thinset, slab temperature shall be maintained at a minimum of 40° F for the first 15 days and a
minimum of 33° F for the second 15 days. There shall be no deviation from this most important temperature requirement.
Limitations:
BOMANITE Thinset is a thin cementitious topping which is strongly bonded to a structural concrete subslab. As such, it is subject to the
structural limitations of the subslab and its sub-grade.
If the subslab has cracks and is subject to movement due to temperature changes and/or ground movement, then these cracks may transfer
through the BOMANITE Thinset. Therefore, BOMANITE Thinset should not be installed over a subslab that has substantial cracking and
evidence of movement.
BOMANITE Thinset cannot bridge a control joint in the subslab without cracking in that vicinity. Therefore, a similar control joint should be
located in the BOMANITE Thinset exactly over the one in the subslab.
BOMANITE Thinset has high strength and proven ability to withstand heavy loads when installed on a subslab that has suitable structural
capacity. However, if the subslab should crack and move under load, such cracking may transfer through the BOMANITE Thinset.
If BOMANITE Thinset is to be installed under cold weather conditions, the slab temperature must be kept safely above freezing during the first
30 days. Temporary heat should be provided if needed. BOMANITE Thinset should never be installed unless these temperature conditions
can be maintained.
Maintenance:
Acid or caustic solutions should not be used over the finished BOMANITE surface. Interior floors should be maintained the same as with any
tile or masonry floor with vacuuming and dustless mopping. If a gloss is desired, the surface may be coated with BOMANITE sealers. Any
standard commercial paste or liquid clear wax may be applied and buffed for interior applications for future maintenance. Appearance is
enhanced if it is cleaned and resealed annually with BOMANITE sealer. Annual resealing is especially recommended in freeze-thaw locations.
Many BOMANITE Contractors offer resealing services, and all will advise owners on maintenance.
