Product Usage Guidelines
These procedures are designed to ensure that iQuip Timbabuild® products are applied correctly, delivering maximum performance for any repair application. Careful and thorough adherence to these working procedures will guarantee complete satisfaction and a durable, high-quality finish.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
To prevent skin sensitisation, which can occasionally occur when working with epoxy-based products,
we recommend the following:
Gloves: Wear nitrile rubber gloves such as iQuip OctaGrip or iQuip Black Nitrile Gloves ([link to product page]). After use, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Safety Goggles: Essential when routing out damaged timber or sanding down Timbabuild® and joinery units in preparation for over-painting ([link to goggles]).
Dust Masks: Required when sanding with power tools ([link to 32DMP2V dust masks]).
Safety Helmets: Always wear a helmet when working on ladders ([link to 24LD range]) or scaffolding ([link to 24SFAK range]).
Recommended Tools
Routing tool or hammer and chisel for removing damaged timber.
Perspex mixing board for EHB60 or ERC10.
Set of three mixing knives or decorator’s scraper for mixing and applying resin.
Plastic cup for mixing 2:1 ratio EWS formulation.
Disposable brushes for EWS application.
Nitrile gloves for hand protection.
Timbabuild® extrusion tool.
Solvent-free dry wipes for cleaning hand tools.
Electronic moisture meter.
Abrasive sanding paper (various grades: 40–120 grit).
Hot air blower for drying affected surfaces.
Perspex pieces for shuttering during certain repairs
iQuip Timbabuild® E.W.S. (Epoxy Wood Stabilizer) is supplied pre-measured in two small plastic bottles at a ratio of 2:1. One bottle contains the base component the other contains the activator.
Small amounts may be prepared using the built-in measuring chambers. Having first removed all of the decayed timber and establishing that the moisture content of the timber is less than 18%., the products should be mixed thoroughly and applied to the repair area liberally using a disposable brush.
General Preparation - Ambient Temperature Must Be Above 5°C
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Ensure the correct PPE is worn at all times.
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Remove paint at least 10mm from around the area to be treated.
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Remove all decayed timber using a router or chisel. Clean and sand inside the routed areas to remove all loose fibres.
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Ensure the moisture content is no higher than 18% using a standard moisture meter.
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If the moisture content is too high, apply heat using a heat gun to the affected areas at 60- 80°C, until below 18%.
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Mix the two components of EWS together in an accurate 2:1 ratio.
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The mix should be applied immediately & liberally to the repair area, using a disposable painting brush.
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Leave for minimum 20 minutes or until tacky to allow full penetration.
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ERC10 / EHB60 must be applied within 4 hours before the EWS hardens.
iQuip Timbabuild® ERC10 & EHB60 are specialist epoxy formulations, both variants are supplied in a 1:1 ratio
of resin and hardener. The extrusion tool and cartridge are specially designed to ensure that a very accurate amount of resin and hardener are extruded, however subsequent mixing on a flat board is essential to the proper curing and ultimately the strength and longevity of the repair.
Extruding & Mixing
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Ensure the correct PPE is worn at all times.
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Insert the single unit ERC10 / EHB60 cartridge, label side up, into the Timbabuild® extrusion tool.
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Extrude the 1st 5cm of resin to waste. Then extrude the required amount of material onto a flat perspex board. Release trigger back pressure after extrusion.
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Immediately commence mixing using a wide blade scraper or knife.
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It is imperative that the mixture is entirely lifted from the board at least once during mixing.
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Once an homogenous mix is achieved, use the filler within the working time, typically around 5 minutes for ERC and 20 minutes for EHB60. Avoid air pockets when applying the filler.
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Tools and utensils can be cleaned using Timbabuild® wipes, within the gelling period. After the gelling time, the material can only be removed using mechanical means.
Timbabuild® is used to either build up and mould to shape, to fill gaps and voids, or for splicing in new wood sections. These specific work instructions are described later. Below is a general guide to applying Timbabuild to any repair.
Application
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Apply using a wide blade scraper.
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Take care to completely fill all open voids.
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Mould the filler to the approximate shape using the knife.
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Always leave the repair slightly proud of the surface.
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EHB60 can be easily moulded and shaped and used to depths of up to 60mm in a single layer, there is no restriction on length of repair.
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For deeper repairs, pieces of softwood can be used to pack the inside of the repair area.
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Ideally allow 24 hours to cure before finishing, where time allows. Otherwise consult the indicative cure time chart before proceeding to finishing and painting.
iQuip Timbabuild® ERC10 & EHB60 once cured, display the same characteristics, in that they may be sanded, planed, screwed, drilled and over-painted. Also, due to their excellent adhesive qualities and flexibility they will “move” with the surrounding timber. Both formulations are effective with all known primers both solvent and water based and all-known paint and varnish finishes, including linseed oil paint, often used in heritage projects.
Finishing & Painting
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The repair must be fully cured.
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Surface voids or gaps may now be perfected using Timbabuild® FINISH, and allowed to cure for approximately 20 minutes.*
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Sand the surface flat using a 40-60 grit abrasive paper, and finishing with 120 grit.
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Electric sander must excercise caution, not to overheat the surface.
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Remove all dust and fine debris with a damp cloth and allow to dry.
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Apply any paint primer / undercoat or gloss paint system.
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Please ensure all steps have been carefully adhered to, particularly sanding, before applying the primer and final paint finish.
* Cure time may vary according to the amvient conditions and mass of resin extruded.