15 Mixing Station Do's and Don'ts

Whether you're installing a coating in a 1,000-square-foot garage or a 100,000-square-foot warehouse, a properly organized mixing station will minimize delays and potential errors. 

Here are our top 10 Do's and Don'ts for setting up a mixing station on your next job site: 

1. DO read all safety information, product documentation, and mixing and application instructions before you begin.
   
2. DO select a well-ventilated area outside of the application area out of direct sunlight. Use a portable pop-up tent to cover materials if working outside. In extreme conditions consider garage containers/coolers full of ice to help cool the materials.
   
3. DO organize products, equipment, and installation and application tools to minimize delays. Set the Part A components on one side and the Part B components on the other to help avoid the potential of a bad mix.
   
4. DO separate all color packs and additives, ensuring each is clearly labeled and that colors and batch numbers are the same. If the batch numbers do not align make sure to pre-mix the color side and blend batches together to ensure color consistency.
   
5. DO NOT use broken or wet aggregate or wet/misty bags of aggregate. 
   
6. DO ensure your aggregate is temperature controlled! Hot or cold aggregate can cause adverse reactions.
   
7. DO mix in clean buckets and small (manageable) batches.  
   
8. DO NOT mix more material than can be applied in under 10 minutes.
   
9. DO record your ambient, floor, and product temperatures.  Cross reference your product data sheets and only mix as much material as can be applied in the timeframe indicated.
   
10. DO NOT leave material in the bucket! Once mixed, pour in a ribbon on the floor.  The concentration of volume in a confined container will accelerate the chemical reaction.
    
11. DO NOT pour hot/smoking material on the floor! If the bucket becomes hot or starts smoking, get it outside immediately! It's gone! Pouring it on the floor will cause catastrophic disaster.
    
12. DO use a variable speed drill and clean mixing blade. 
    
13. DO mix at a slow speed.  High speeds will create a vortex and whip air into your material increasing the chances of off gassing.
    
14. DO NOT mix materials by hand. 
    
15. DO NOT mix materials that are warmer than 85°F. 
    

For more tips and advice on how to set up your mixing station to maximize efficiency, call 800-556-6366 to speak with one of our Concrete Experts on what you need for your next job.