Preparation and Planning
Thorough preparation and planning of the operations will ensure a smooth and trouble-free production cycle. Early definition of the materials and analysis of the surface finish are the basis for selecting the right type of adhesive and the surface preparation required. Release agents, will affect the adhesion properties of the final joint. If in doubt it is strongly recommended to carry out preliminary adhesion and compatibility tests by contacting your local Sika company.

The Workplace
A clean, clearly arranged workplace, in a bright, well ventilated working area is a prerequisite for success and assures a pleasant working place at the same time. During application the ambient temperature should be minimum +5°C and not higher than +35°C. Ideally temperatures should be between 15°C and 25°C. The preparation area for general cleaning and abrasion should be separate from the priming and bonding area. Make sure that the appropriate tools and materials are in place in each working area and adequate cover can be provided from the elements.

Preparation Check List

• Clean work place, stable work table; marking material to indicate the bonding area on the substrates
• Oil-free compressed air (or vacuum cleaner) to remove the dust from the surfaces to be bonded
• Cleaning paper or clean lint-free cloth
• A new brush or felt pad for each primer type or application
• Non-absorbent, silicone-free, tear- resistant, smooth masking tape
• Working gloves
• Adequate ventilation

Bonding Check List

• Reliable manual or compressed air gun (see equipment and accessories)
• Pressure-reducing valve on com- pressed air gun to regulate the extrusion rate of the adhesive
• Screwdriver or pliers to open the adhesive container
• Sharp knife to trim the nozzle
• Elastic spacers, possibly of identical shore hardness to the Sikaflex® adhesive/sealant to be employed ensuring the correct thickness.
• Fixing aids (clamps, weights) to hold assembled parts in place and prevent slippage
• Spatulas for removing excess adhesive
• Sika® Remover-208 to wipe away uncured adhesive residues