Mick's Notes
Tech-Dry® Earth Binder is the dust-binding sealer we use for all our interior walls. It’s an acrylic-based surface binder for internal and external rammed earth walls. This product dries to a clear, matte film. Earth Binder has some water resistance, so it’s ideal for use in wet areas, such as the kitchen, bathroom or laundry.
We use Earth Binder to strengthen and reduce dusting on internal walls, but also on loose or dusty external walls prior to applying our Stabilised Earth Water Repellent W.
Please see Aussie Built's Rammed Earth Sealing Process for superior wall construction and presentation.
Description
Tech-Dry® Earth Binder is an acrylic-based surface binder used to dust seal and strengthen the internal or external surfaces of earth structures. The product penetrates the capillaries of earth substrate surfaces providing the substrate with resistance to surface abrasion.
Earth Binder is especially recommended for dust sealing the internal surfaces of rammed earth buildings. It may also be used for external surfaces of earth structures or other permeable masonry substrates and can be used as a primer before rendering for earth buildings or other porous substrates, to strengthen the surface and to improve the adhesion of the render.
Features
- Water-based, non-toxic formulation
- Provides dust sealing and resistance to surface abrasion
- Don’t significantly change the surface appearance
- Improves the strength and adhesion of earth renders
Dosage
For internal use:
Earth Binder should be shaken before use.
- The consumption of Earth Binder depends significantly on the permeability of the substrate.
- Earth Binder must first be diluted 1:4 before application. Earth Binder at a ratio of 1:4 will achieve a clear non-breathable finish.
- 1 gallon Earth Binder to 4 gallons water to make 5 gallons of diluted, ready-to-use solution.
- 5 gallons of Earth Binder diluted at 1:4 (depending on the permeability of substrate and desired finish) will produce 25 gallons of ready-to-use, dust-binder solution.
- 25 gallons of diluted Earth Binder solution will cover approximately 3,750 sq/ft of rammed earth surface (wet-on-wet)
- 1 gallon diluted Earth Binder will cover approximately 150 sq/ft of rammed earth surface (wet-on-wet)
For external use:
For dusty external walls, Earth Binder can be applied in conjunction with Stabilised Earth Water Repellant W, providing excellent dust-sealing and water-repellent properties to a loose surface.
Earth Binder is firstly diluted with clean water at 1:8, then applied. Earth Binder at a ratio of 1:8 penetrates into the capillaries and also forms a thin film over the masonry surface while still leaving most of the capillaries open to allow water vapor to pass through. This dilution binds the surface but still allows the product to penetrate into the surface without affecting breathability.
- The consumption of Earth Binder depends significantly on the permeability of the substrate.
- Earth Binder must first be diluted 1:8 before application. Earth Binder at a ratio of 1:8 will achieve a clear breathable finish.
- 1 gallon Earth Binder to 8 gallons water to make a 9 gallon of diluted, ready-to-use solution.
- 5 gallons (20lt) of Earth Binder diluted at 1:8 (depending on the permeability of substrate and desired finish) will produce 45 gallons of ready-to-use, dust-binder solution.
- 45 gallons of diluted Earth Binder solution will cover approximately 6,750 sq/ft of rammed earth surface (wet-on-wet).
- 1 gallon diluted Earth Binder will cover approximately 150 sq/ft of rammed earth surface (wet-on-wet).
Instructions
Before application
The surface to be treated should be dry, firm and free from grime, oil or any previous coatings/sealers. Please see Aussie Built's Rammed Earth Sealing Process for how to clean your walls.
All cracks should be properly filled and allowed to cure before application. Don’t apply if rain or extreme weather conditions are expected and/or the temperature is below 50°F. Opalescent (milky) appearance may occur if the temperature is below 50°F or if the fresh coating film is in contact with water during application and drying. Close the container as soon as possible so the remaining sealer within the container avoids possible skin formation.
For internal use:
Earth Binder must first be diluted 1:4 before application.
- Earth Binder should be stirred before use.
- Earth Binder should be diluted with clean tap water at a range of 1 part Earth Binder to 4 parts water before use. The dilution ratio should be determined by pilot testing in a small area to obtain the desired surface finish.
- 1 gallon diluted Earth Binder will cover approximately 100 sq/ft of rammed earth surface (wet-on-wet).
- Earth Binder can be applied using a brush, roller or spray. However, the product is preferably applied by using a hand pressure spray or airless spray equipment. The sealer should be applied as a liquid thin film stream that runs down the surface. A second application should follow immediately after the first coat is absorbed by the surface while the wall is still wet. This is termed a "wet-on-wet” application. The object is to saturate the surface to allow better penetration. The emulsion should soak into the earth surface leaving the wall with a matte, wet appearance. On drying, there should be little discernible color change.
- The number of coats depends on the permeability of the substrate. For very permeable substrates, more coats may be required. If necessary, allow the sealer to dry before further coats.
- Avoid any excessive accumulation of the sealer or runs by backrolling the wall with a ½” nap roller to avoid streaking or an uneven finish.
- Don’t spray the product onto any area you don’t wish to treat. If splashing occurs the product should be removed with a damp cloth before the sealer dries.
For external use:
For dusty external walls, Earth Binder can be applied in conjunction with Stabilised Earth Water Repellant-W providing excellent dust-sealing and water-repelling properties to a loose surface.
Earth Binder is firstly diluted with clean water at 1:8, then applied. Earth Binder at a ratio of 1:8 penetrates into the capillaries and also forms a thin film over the masonry surface while still leaving most of the capillaries open to allow water vapor to pass through. This dilution binds the surface but still allows the product to penetrate into the surface without affecting breathability.
Instructions:
- Earth Binder should be stirred before use.
- Earth Binder should be diluted with clean tap water at a range of 1 part Earth Binder to 8 parts water before use.
- 1 gallon diluted Earth Binder will cover approximately 100 sq/ft of rammed earth surface (wet-on-wet).
- Earth Binder can be applied using a brush, roller or spray. However, the product is preferably applied by using a hand pressure spray or airless spray equipment. The sealer should be applied as a liquid thin film stream that runs down the surface. A second application should follow immediately after the first coat is absorbed by the surface while the wall is still wet. This is termed a "wet-on-wet” application. The object is to saturate the surface to allow better penetration. The emulsion should soak into the earth surface leaving the wall with a matte, wet appearance. On drying, there should be little discernible color change.
- The number of coats depends on the permeability of the substrate. For very permeable substrates, more coats may be required. If necessary, allow the sealer to dry before further coats.
- Avoid any excessive accumulation of the sealer or runs by back rolling the wall with a ½” nap roller to avoid streaking or an uneven finish.
- Don’t spray the product onto any area you don’t wish to treat. If splashing occurs, the product should be removed with a damp cloth before the sealer dries.
- Once dried, Stabilised Earth Water Repellent W dilution is applied to make the surface water-repellent (wet-on-wet). If the external wall surface is sound and firm, then Earth Binder may not be required.
Once dried, Stabilized Earth Water Repellant-W dilution is applied to make the surface water repellent (wet-on-wet). If the external wall surface is sound and firm, then Earth Binder may not be required.