HotTape™ APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
HotTape™ Preformed Thermoplastic Pavement
Markings
SURFACE
APPLICATION, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
Equipment:
• Magnum Torch or equivalent propane fueled torch with pressure
regulator and 25 ft. of hose
• Infrared Thermometer • Gas Powered Blower or Broom
•
Tape Measure • Chalk Sticks and Chalk Snap Line
• Adequate
Supply of Propane • Utility Knife, Putty Knife
Surface: Asphalt and concrete must be
free of dirt, dust, chemicals or significant oily substances. Portland cement
concrete must be free of all curing compounds. Any residual salts or other
deicing chemicals must be removed prior to application. HotTape™ can be applied
on new or old thermoplastic. Concrete substrates should be moisture free for 24
hours prior to application for best results. When applying on old thermoplastic
scrape off any loose material. Ensure that the remaining thermoplastic surface
is clean. If the old thermoplastic is oxidized (powdery surface), grind or heat
it and scrape the top surface so fresh material is exposed. Do not apply on top
of paint or cold plastic.
Material:
HotTape™ shall be kept dry at all times. Avoid
extreme storage temperatures. HotTape™ should be stored indoors at temperatures
between 35° F. and 90° F. Packages should be stored flat and stacked a maximum
of 25 high. HotTape™ should be handled with care in temperatures below 50° F,
as it will be less flexible in colder weather. Shelf life is 12 months. Note:
HotTape™ rolled goods will uncoil best when ambient temperature is above 55°F.
Temperature: HotTape™ can be applied at
ambient and surface temperature above 32°F.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
Protective clothing, consisting of leather boots, or
work shoes, long pants, gloves, and either safety goggles or a face shield, and
a safety vest should be worn while applying HotTape™. Note: portland cement
concrete surfaces may spall when heated with the torch; therefore safety
glasses must always be worn when applying HotTape™ onto portland cement
concrete surfaces. Avoid all contact with the molten HotTape™ material and heat
torch flame. If you do get molten material on your skin, flush the area
immediately with plenty of water and then seek medical attention. Do not
attempt to pull the molten material off of your skin.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION ON ASPHALT OR
NON-BITUMINOUS SURFACES:
1.
Clean
intended application area thoroughly. All loose particles, sand, dust, etc.
must be removed. Utilize a power blower or compressed air if available,
otherwise sweep completely.
2.
Position
all connecting parts of the HotTape™ (lines, legends, or symbols) on to the
pavement surface. There should be no gaps between the adjoining segments.
Delineate the area to receive the HotTape™ using a chalk line, chalk or crayon.
You may overlap the edges slightly. Check to ensure that proper layout and
alignment is obtained before moving to step 3. Once the marking has been
traced, or the area delineated, remove the marking from the pavement.
3.
Prepare
to pre-heat the pavement by positioning yourself with the wind at your back as
you face the delineated area. This will allow the wind to move the heat over
the unheated portion of the pavement while at the same time keeping the heat
away from your feet. Using a Magnum Heat Torch, or similar heat source, utilize
the pre-set pilot valve setting to get a blue flame with an orange or yellowish
tip. Then squeeze the torch handle to achieve maximum output. Hold the torch
nozzle 8 to 10 inches above the pavement. Using the torch in a circular motion
pre-heat the surface to a minimum temperature of 300° F. Extend the heating 3
to 6 inches outside the pre-marked area. Do not attempt to pre-heat an area
larger than 2 feet x 4 feet at any one time. Properly heated, asphalt should
turn a deep, solid black. Note: concrete surfaces may spall when heated with
the torch; therefore safety glasses must always be worn when applying HotTape™
onto portland cement concrete surfaces. Use the infrared thermometer to check
the surface temperature for a minimal reading of 300°F across the entire target
area.
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4.
Once
the surface temperature of the targeted area reaches 300° F immediately
position the first HotTape™ segment with exposed glass beads side up. Do not
apply HotTape™ in pieces larger than 2 ft. x 4 ft. at any one time. If using a
torch similar to the Magnum, the applicator should utilize the pre-set pilot
valve setting (do not squeeze the handle) to get an orange tipped flame to heat
the material. Do not operate the Magnum torch at maximum output while heating
the HotTape™ material. Hold the torch so that the torch nozzle is 6 to 8 inches
over the HotTape™ material. If material is splattering with the introduction of
the torch, the flame is too close to the material or the pilot valve needs to
be adjusted to lower the intensity and eliminate the spattering.
5.
Begin
heating the HotTape™ by moving the flame from your torch slowly, but steadily
over the material. The HotTape™ material must be heated to its melting
temperature to achieve a bond with the pavement. Insufficient heat will result
in inadequate bonding and failure. Overheating the material will sink the top
coating of beads into the HotTape™ material and the resulting marking will be
less retroreflective initially. To ensure that heat is evenly applied to the
entire marking, move the torch in a sweeping motion, approximately 2 feet wide,
keeping the nozzle of the torch about 6 to 8 inches above the material. Caution:
Maintain a minimum distance of 6 inches between the torch nozzle and the
material. Any closer will cause superficial scorching of the material without
adequate melting throughout. Note that 125 mil thick materials will require a
longer heating period than 90 mil and 90 mil longer than 75 mil. During
heating, the HotTape™ should soften and begin to conform to the pavement
surface to which it is applied. Additionally the material may bubble, and may
change color, turning slightly darker or pale. If the material does change
color move the torch to another section to avoid scorching the material.
HotTape™ material will exhibit a soft, “chewing-gum” appearance when properly
heated.
6.
Inspect
the recently applied HotTape™ to ensure that complete bonding has occurred over
the entire area. After the HotTape™ has cooled to near ambient temperature, cut
an area in the interior of the material with a chisel where it appears the
material received the least amount of heat. For white HotTape™ this will appear
the whitest in color.
6.1.
If
applied on asphalt: If the material can be lifted without evidence of asphalt
on the underside, insufficient heat has been applied.
6.2.
If
applied on portland cement concrete: When trying to lift the recently applied
HotTape™ material off of the non-bituminous surface it is unlikely that any
part of the pavement will be lifted up (with the HotTape™). Adequate bonding
has occurred if the HotTape™ separates and part of the HotTape™ remains stuck
to the pavement.
6.3.
If
upon inspection it has been found that insufficient heat has been applied,
simply reapply heat until adequate bonding has occurred. Note: Do not leave the
project until a sufficient bond has been established. Attempts to reheat at a
later date will be unsuccessful.
7.
HotTape™
is formulated with surface applied and intermixed glass beads to provide both
high initial retroreflectivity and better visibility throughout its service
life. HotTape™ can be supplied without pre-applied surface beads. When this
happens beads must be applied to the surface during application while the
material is in the molten state to provide adequate initial retroreflectivity.
This is also a very important step in obtaining the required skid resistance.
8.
HotTape™
will cool and set rapidly within a couple of minutes of application. If
desired, setting time can be accelerated with a spray of cool water.
NOTES:
HotTape™
is compatible with asphalt and concrete surfaces and can be applied on special
surfaces, i.e., bricks and cobble stones.
Do
not allow 2 pieces of non-beaded HotTape™ to remain in direct contact with each
other, as they will bond together especially in hot weather. Use the plastic
separation sheets to avoid this situation.
You
can "cut and paste" with HotTape™. Use a knife to score the material
and carefully break it along the score. In warm weather you can use scissors.