1. PROPER PREPARATION OF SURFACE
The wall must be firm, levelled, dry and clean. Uneven surfaces greater than 2 mm must be levelled with specific products. All cracks and imperfections should be repaired, so that the wall is completely smooth. The moisture content of the surface must be under 2%.
2. INSTALLATION MATERIAL
For a correct installation, several factors must be taken into account: Material kind of the wall to be tiled (synthetic pannels, plaster, wood, etc.), wall stability, environmental conditions, kind of surface to be covered , speed of carrying the work, etc. All the above parameters determine the choice of the adhesive kind.
All the adhesive materials recommended by DUNE have been previously tested in our facilities, in controlled environmental conditions and on rigid brick and/or concrete walls. Under different conditions from the above mentioned, it is recommended to test firstly and if in doubt, please contact DUNE or the adhesive distributor.
DUNE always recommends to test first the material with minimum two pieces before placing all the material.
DUNE recommends placing with C1 cement based or C2 cement based adhesive. Do not use fast setting epoxy.
Make sure that the chosen adhesive is apt for the material to be installed.
3. INSTALLATION
We recommend starting the installation from the floor to the ceiling, continue in phase to allow the adhesive the necessary time to get dry. This will avoid vertical displacements. Extend a thin layer of adhesive on to the surface where the piece will be installed (3mm approx.) Then, use a notched trowel no. 3 to make incisions into the adhesive layer. Place the piece while the adhesive is still soft and before a dry layer of film forms on the adhesive surface. Once the piece is placed, press carefully to obtain a correct adhesion and to cover possible areas without adhesive.
Important: make sure that the distance between one sheet and another is the same as the one among the components so that all the joints look alike.
For irregular mosaics, we recommend pulling out some components and relocating them in the joint between two sheets. This will improve the finish of the mosaic.
Before installation, we recommend always sealing the stones with our product SELLADOR ANTIMANCHAS. Wax is not suitable for this product, therefore our CERA LIQUIDA cannot be applied on it.
Important: Check the stones before installation, mix the sheets from different boxes to obtain a more homogeneous tone variation. For a better choice, get 5% additional quantity to the one needed.
As we are dealing with natural materials, shade variation depends on the stone composition, which will be defined by the area of the quarry from which stone are extracted.
Models manufactured with resin components (DUENDE ICE, DUENDE METAL, DUENDE PLATINUM and DUENDE COPPER should not be installed in areas close to a heat source, such as behind radiators, in saunas, near burners, etc.
SHOWER and damp areas: we recommend the use of an insulating layer.
Important: Natural stone products are not suitable for covering swimming pools.
IMPORTANT REMARK
ESTRATOS tends to rusting due to its own nature, so it is mandatory to use a protective product after installation. This protective product must be waterproof, consolidating and avoid filtering.
If rust has already appeared on the surface of ESTRATOS, DUNE recommends to clean pieces thoroughly by applying PHZERO without dilution on the surface of pieces and leave it acting for 20 minutes. After that time, the product must be removed by scrubbing the pieces with a brown scourer and then deeply cleansed with water. This process can be repeated with a longer time of action if needed. After the cleaning process done, DUNE recommends using a rust stain remover like NORUST on the possible critical areas. Finally, a protective product with waterproof, consolidating and anti filtering properties like SALVATERRAZZA should be applied.
4. GROUTING
Before grouting the pieces, they should be treated with our STAIN RESISTANT SEALER that maintains the original appearance of the stone, or the PROTECTIVE WAX, which enhances the colors and brightness of the stone.
All joints must be perfectly clean and dry and having a minimum depth of 2mm. Use a flat rubber trowel to spread the paste, being sure that the joints are completely covered. Use a wet sponge or neutral PH products – never abrasive products – to wash off immediately the excess of grouting paste from the surface before it dries.
Do not use epoxy grouting pastes
Consult the grouting materials table.
Important:The colour of the grouting paste might change the product’s appearance. We recommend to test with some pieces before grouting the entire surface. We recommend light grouting tones for walls and dark tones for floors.
POEME: have a decorative application on its surface, thus we recommend applying the grout with the aid of a flat rubber trowel to avoid scratching. For these pieces it is especially recommended to remove the paste before it dries on the surface of the piece. Once dry, the only option to eliminate the excess of grouting paste is using abrasive products that will damage the surface.
References with resin protection (DUENDE ICE, DUENDE METAL, DUENDE PLATINUM and DUENDE COPPER) cannot be cleaned with specific epoxy resin cleaners.
5. CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
For everyday cleaning, use regular pH neutral cleaners. Do not use abrasive products.
To facilitate cleaning it is recommended to periodically apply STAIN RESISTANT SEALER or PROTECTIVE WAX
