Frequently Asked Question About ELMS^®

1. Why is the ELMS® line of products so different from conventional coating products?

The ELMS® line of products is based on agricultural oil polymer chemistry developed in conjunction with research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is possible today to utilize the base raw oil derived from plants to make byproducts that replace the use of petroleum byproducts. Conventional products such as acrylic, urethane, polyurea, EPDM, PVC and more are traditionally based on byproducts derived from petroleum. It is glaringly obvious that the solvent borne versions of these products are hazardous environmentally as well as flammable in nature, but most people don’t realize the amount of pollution and petroleum base components that are used and created to even make water borne products such as acrylic elastomeric. The ELMS® line fills the gap between the need for true environmentally friendly products and products that meet conventional building construction wisdom and applications. The majority of the ELMS® line of building coatings and paints are considered Agricultural products by the U.S.D.A. due to their high agricultural oil polymer content. No poisons or pollution are created in the manufacture, application, or even in the disposal of the ELMS® product line. Yet conventional construction speaking, the ELMS® line is:

·        100% waterproof with low permeability (less than 1 perm with ELMS® 50, ELMS® 150, Natural Masonry Jacket™, and Natural Metal Jacket™).

·        UL Tested Class A E-84-01 Interior Application Flame Resistant, the most stringent of the building component tests. The UL® test showed a flame spread of only 5 out of 25 allowed and a Smoke Development Index of ZERO out of a possible 450 ppm to gain Class A status.

·        Highly resistant to alkyds and acids

·        Low odor – does not displace building occupants for application

·        Highly resistant asphalt bleed through

·        Highly U.V. resistant. Does not lose mil thickness as it ages like other coating systems.

·        Energy Star® Approved

·        A single component, single coat application product with no primers needed for 90% of product applications.

2. Does ELMS® have Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C.) or solvents in it?

The ELMS® product line utilizes a small amount of California Rule 66 Mineral Spirits as a carrier agent in its constituents and is considered low in V.O.C. levels. California Proposition 66 was created to minimize pollutants, or smog, created in the State of California. This body of regulation was the basis for products nationwide to begin reporting their V.O.C. content on product labels. Traditional, high V.O.C. level products create Ozone which when mixed with automobile exhaust create the hazardous smog levels that are seen throughout major metropolitan areas. Though Rule 66 Mineral Spirits is a hydrocarbon and is still considered a V.O.C., it is highly denatured and does not produce Ozone, so it does not contribute to smog production. The State of California and the Federal Government are considering removing Rule 66 Mineral Spirits from the list of V.O.C. products. If and when this occurs, the ELMS® product line will be considered a 100% V.O.C. free product line.

3. What types of surfaces can be coated with the ELMS®?

ROOFING –ELMS® 50, ELMS® 150
Asphalt BUR, Modified Bitumen, EPDM, TPO, aged PVC, Single-Ply, Capsheet, Concrete, Foam, Metal Roofing Panels and more.

MASONRY – Natural Masonry Jacket™:
Concrete, Stone, Brick, Terra Cotta, Tile and more.

METAL – Natural Metal Jacket™:
Weathered and rusted metal rust proofing over structural steal applications even in high humidity conditions.

… AND MANY, MANY MORE APPLICATIONS!

4. Are there any surfaces that should not be coated with ELMS®?

Do not use ELMS® over fresh Coal Tar or newer PVC Single Ply roofing products. Test polyurethane foam and all PVC surfaces for compatibility before coating with ELMS®. Do not apply to surfaces with excessive latent moisture. Best building practices should always be adhered to. For questions, please contact Green Products, LLC at (877) 474-7481.

5. How do I prepare the surface?

All surfaces to be coated are to be cleaned using a minimum of 2,000 psi pressure wash and allowed to fully dry. Remove all loose material from the application surface including old loose coatings, caulk, loose gravel, dirt and dust. Power washing over leaking roofs may cause water problems, identify these before surface preparation and repair. Allow surface to dry thoroughly before proceeding. On gravel asphalt built up roofs, surface must be mechanically spudded to remove all loose and partially embedded gravel (see surface prep section under built up roofing applications in this guide). All problem seams (all seams on EPDM), splits, cracks, joints and problem areas should be patched with ENVIROGRIP™ web backed tape for a watertight seal prior to application of the specified ELMS® product. Once the surface is clean and patched, it can be coated with the specified ELMS® product for the application. Surface primers are unnecessary due to the incredible adhesion properties of our GP Polymers (see application technical data sheets for exclusions to this rule).

6. Do I ever need a primer coat?

Though a primer is not necessary on most applications, some applications do require a multi-coat application of the ELMS® system. One application in particular is mechanically attached or loose EPDM membranes due to temporary product swelling caused by a reaction to California Rule 66 Mineral Spirits. Green Products, LLC always recommends product testing for questionable applications. Contact Green Products, LLC at (877) 474-7481 for application and technical data regarding systems not discussed in this FAQ sheet.

7. How do I apply ELMS®?

ELMS® can be applied with a brush, roller, or spray equipment depending on the size and type of surface.

·        Brush - Use a brush for patching and for smaller product applications.
 

·        Roller - For smooth and semi-smooth surfaces like concrete, wood, foam, rolled roofing, etc. Use a minimum ¾” nap roller. Minimize back rolling of product as it may cause irregular aesthetics to the coating, especially in colder weather applications.
  

·        Spray equipment - ELMS® high solids formula requires a 3,000 psi or greater industrial roofing spray rig. Contact Green Products, LLC at (877) 474-7481 for equipment recommendations and specifications

8. What is the temperature range for application? What if it rains right after I apply it?

ELMS® is instantly waterproof, so rain will not affect its waterproofing qualities, but it will slow down the final cure time and may cause “orange peel” appearance to the surface which is not aesthetically pleasing. (Do not apply ELMS® if hard driving rain or hail is forecasted, as damage may occur to freshly applied product.) ELMS® can be applied freely between 32° F and 100° F ambient air temperatures. Warmer temperatures will speed up the set and ultimate cure time. If Applying ELMS® in weather conditions below 50° F, it is recommended that you utilize industrial barrel warmers or “hot box” equipment to keep product core temperature above 60°F. ELMS® products will not freeze, but product viscosity will become incredibly thick and need to be heated for proper application.  Optimum handling temperature of product is between 70°F and 100°F.

9. How fast will ELMS® dry?

Total dry time is very dependent on the thickness of the application, air movement, humidity and temperature. Initial skin forms in 2 - 4 hours. A thicker skin will develop in 24 - 48 hours and will continue to remain flexible for the life of the coating. The total dry time for this process will take anywhere from several days to several weeks. Avoid foot traffic if possible for 5 - 7 days after application. Once coating has cured, it is safe for normal maintenance traffic.

10. What do I use for clean up?

Green Products, LLC recommends California Rule 66 (Low Odor) Mineral Spirits for use in clean up of equipment and surfaces. Standard mineral spirits, paint thinner or other solvent-based cleaning fluids do work for this purpose.

11. Can ELMS® be tinted or painted?

Yes. ELMS® can be factory tinted to match any custom color. ELMS® products come in three standard colors, High White, Light Gray and Light Tan (Contact your Green Products Representative for color swatches or color samples). ELMS® can also be painted with any exterior paint (oil or latex) once a firm skin has formed. Green Products, LLC cannot guarantee color fastness or adhesion of third party products used over ELMS® or other Green Products, LLC products.

12. Can ELMS® be applied to vertical surfaces?

Yes. Most vertical applications are applied in single coat applications. ELMS® products have excellent sag resistance and can be applied at 20 – 25 mil thicknesses in a single coat. Contact Green Products, LLC at (877) 474-7481 for technical application data.

13. Can ELMS® be used over other coatings?

ELMS® is compatible with most other coating materials. Before applying, make sure that the existing material is firmly bonded to the substrate. For elastomeric (water-based products) coatings, check for adhesion. For aluminized asphalt coatings, it is best to remove all old, flaking layers before using ELMS® 50. These products lose adhesion between the layers and may flake off.

©2003 GreenProducts.net All rights reserved.
Designed by FDI Internet.