SUPERIOR WORKABILITY & ADHESION. MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY.

SPEC MIX® Thin Veneer Adhesion Mortar XP500 is a premium preblended polymer modified thin set stone mortar specifically designed to bond masonry thin veneer units including manufactured and gauged or ungauged natural thin stone and thin brick to substrates for interior and exterior installations. Its innovative, anti-sag formulation and optimized sand gradation provide superior workability, adhesion and durability crucial to the application.

SPEC MIX XP500 is engineered specifically to adhere thin cut natural and manufactured masonry veneer units utilizing performance additives to increase sag resistance to speed installation and increase bond strength to reduce callbacks. SPEC MIX XP500 exceeds ANSI A118.4 and ANSI A118.15 applicable requirements as well as TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures shear strength requirements when tested in accordance with ASTM C 482

PRODUCT FEATURES

• Engineered to adhere thin cut natural and manufactured masonry veneer units
• Performance additives increase sag resistance to speed installation
• Increased bond strength reduces callbacks
• Exceeds ANSI A118.4 and ANSI A118.15 applicable requirements
• Exceeds TMS 402/602 shear strength requirements when tested in accordance with ASTM C 482

SPEC MIX XP500 IS THE LOW-SAG, HIGH BOND ADHESIVE MORTAR THAT MAXIMIZES DAILY PRODUCTION

SUITABLE SUBSTRATES

When mixed with clean water, SPEC MIX Thin Veneer Adhesion Mortar XP500 can be used with the following:

• Interior and exterior thin veneer installations
• Hardened scratch coats
• Concrete (properly prepared and free of curing compounds)
• Concrete masonry units
• Cement backer boards
• Gypsum wallboard with or without primer (consult with primer manufacturer for suitability) (interior installation only)

General Surface Preperation

Concrete or Concrete Masonry Installation:

Surfaces must be structurally sound, clean, dry and free from grease, oil, dirt, curing compounds, sealers, adhesives and other contaminants that would prevent a good bond. Glossy or painted surfaces must be sanded, stripped and cleaned of waxes, dirt and other contaminants. Dry, dusty concrete walls or concrete masonry should be dampened and excess water swept off to remove dust. Installation may be made on a damp surface. These surfaces must properly prepared to ensure a mortar bond. Surface sand/bead blasting, pressure washing, or a combination of these methods may be necessary to achieve the required bondable surface. Wear proper personal protective equipment. If a bondable surface cannot be achieved, attach lath and scratch coat before installing thin masonry veneer. Follow TMS 402/602 hot and cold weather preparation and construction requirements. Fresh concrete surfaces do not require a minimum cure time before installation. Surfaces must be structurally sound and subject to deflection not to exceed the current ANSI standards.

Exterior Wood or Steel Stud Installation:

When installed over wood-based sheathing, such as plywood, OSB or asphalt impregnated sheathing, 2 layers of grade D building paper, complying with UBC Standards, drainage mat required. As an alternative, 2 layers of grade D building paper, 1 layer of grade D 60-minute paper and 1 layer of EPS or extruded polystyrene board with tongue and groove edges can be used prior to the installation of the wire fabric or self-furred metal lath. Open studs, non-rigid sheathing and metal siding must be prepared with 3.4 lb (1.5 kg) paper backed lath with a minimum 1/2 in (13 mm) thick scratch coat with 1/4 in (6.3 mm) to 3/8 in (9.5 mm) horizontal notches and allowed to cure for a minimum of 48 hours prior to thin masonry veneer installation.

Cement Board Installation:

All framing for cement board installations shall be not greater than 16 in (406.4 mm) on center. Plywood, OSB, or Gypsum Sheathing to be installed in accordance with design specifications, manufacturer’s recommendations, and applicable installation standards. Proper flashing around penetrations, as well as weep screeds must be installed per manufacturer’s recommendations. An approved weather resistive barrier must be installed per building code requirements. Cement Board to be installed horizontally or vertically with wafer head cement board screws through sheathing and water resistant barrier into wood framing. Fasteners must penetrate a minimum of 1 in (25.4 mm) into wood studs. Fastener spacing to be maximum 8 in (203.2 mm) on center along the perimeter and in the field of the cement board unless otherwise specified by the design. Screws at board edges shall be placed 3/8 in (9.5 mm) from the edge. Fastener heads are to be driven flush with the face of the cement board. All vertical joints of the cement board shall be staggered and terminate on framing. Offset horizontal cement board joints a minimum of 12 in (304.8 mm) from horizontal sheathing joints. Offset vertical cement board joints a minimum of one stud space from vertical sheathing joints. No joints in cement board to occur at corners of windows or doors. Offset cement board joints a minimum of 8 in (203.2 mm) from the corners of openings by “L” cutting the cement board around corners of openings. Treat joints in cement board with 4 in (101.6 mm) wide alkali-resistant fiberglass mesh tape embedded in polymer modified mortar.

Movement Joint Placement:

Expansion joints, control joints and cold joints should never be bridged with setting material. They must be brought through the finished masonry work and filled with an approved elastomeric sealant. Do not cover expansion joints with masonry units or mortar. Align veneer movement joints with movement joints in backing wall.

SPEC MIX Thin Veneer Adhesion Mortar – XP500 Installation/Application Best Practices

If installing on sheathed wood or steel frame construction with wire lath, use SPEC MIX Adhered Veneer Mortar or SPEC MIX Polymer Modified Adhered Veneer Mortar for the wall render prior to installing SPEC MIX Thin Veneer Adhesion Mortar XP500. When using a fluid applied air and water barrier follow manufacturer’s instructions. Prior to installation, make sure that the thin masonry veneer units are free from dust, cutting residue or any film that could impede proper bond to the substrate. A sample of the proposed product will be provided by the manufacturer for architectural approval and testing, if required. Preparation of a sample panel with all materials and masonry systems employed in the final project is imperative. Retain the mock-up or field sample through the completion of the project. SPEC MIX products must be kept dry, covered and protected from weather and other damage.

• SPEC MIX Thin Veneer Adhesion Mortar XP500 is not a replacement for a waterproofing membrane.
• Do not bond directly to metal, fiberglass, plastic or OSB panels.
• Do not use to install resin backed stone.
• Check building codes and structural requirements for adhering large and heavy thin veneer masonry units.
• Surfaces must be structurally sound and properly prepared to receive thin masonry veneers
• When setting moisture sensitive natural stone, check with Technical Services.

Additional Installation Instructions

• Follow proper cold-weather and hot-weather masonry construction practices in the concrete masonry handbook as published by the Portland Cement Association when air temperature is below 40˚f (4˚c) or above 100˚f (38˚c) respectively.
• Control joints can be installed to mitigate the effects of support movement typically caused by seismic conditions, change in weather, shrinkage, and deflection. These should be installed in accordance with specifications of engineer, architect, designer and local building codes. Refer to TCNA details EJ171.
• Prevent work from occurring on the opposite side of walls to which the veneer is being applied during and within 48 hours after installation.
• Where dissimilar materials about the veneer, such as wood, metal or vinyl, leave a 1/2 in (13 mm) space to install backer rod and sealant.

Adhered Veneer Installation Method

Apply a skim coat of mortar to the surface of the masonry veneer unit using a standard masonry trowel for thin veneer application to coat the entire thin veneer surface. Then apply additional mortar sufficient to completely fill the space between the unit and substrate when set (approximately 1/4 in (6.3 mm). Press the thin veneer unit firmly into place on a properly prepared substrate in a perpendicular motion, moving back and then forth into place using even pressure to make sure voids behind the unit are filled completely. Make sure to use enough mortar to see mortar extruding around the units, ensuring complete coverage. Remove any excess mortar from the unit surface, sides of units or areas where units are not applied while mortar is still wet. Mixed material will remain workable for approximately 2 hours depending on site conditions.

Thin Set Installation Method

Key SPEC MIX Thin Veneer Adhesion Mortar XP500 into the substrate thoroughly using a 1/4 in x 3/8 in (6.3 mm x 9.5 mm) or 1/2 in x 1/2 in (13 mm x 13 mm) notched trowel. Add additional thin set mortar to the substrate and then comb with a notched trowel to produce horizontal ridges. Work in small areas to keep the bond coat plastic while installing. Coat masonry veneer units fully with SPEC MIX Thin Veneer Adhesion Mortar XP500 to provide a full mortar bed when installing thin masonry veneer units. Place thin masonry veneer into the mortar bed and adjust into final desired location using firm pressure. Remove any excess mortar from the unit surface, sides of units or areas where units are not applied while mortar is still wet.

Jointing

Allow installation to cure for 24 hours before jointing. Joint thin veneer installation with SPEC MIX Polymer Modified Adhered Veneer Mortar or SPEC MIX Adhered Veneer Mortar; both mortars are specifically designed to flow through grout bags for ease of installation and are available in standard or custom colors.

Cleaning

Clean tools and stone work with water while the SPEC MIX XP500 Mortar is fresh. If XP500 gets on the surface of the units and is allowed to fully bond to the masonry units, the use of physical abrasion or chemical cleaning may be required for removal. If chemical cleaning is chosen, consult with the manufacturer of a national proprietary masonry cleaning solution company for the most appropriate solution.

Package Sizes and Delivery Equipment

SPEC MIX Thin Veneer Adhesion Mortar XP500 is available in 50 lb (22.6 kg) packages for easy hand loading. Also available in 3,000 lb (1,360.7 kg) reusable bulk bags to be used with the various SPEC MIX silo delivery systems. Once the bulk bags of mortar are delivered to the project site, load them into the portable silo with a jobsite forklift and dispense the product into a mechanical batch mixer.

Mixing Instructions

Wear Impervious Gloves, such as nitrile.
When mixing SPEC MIX XP500, use a mechanical batch mixer or an electric drill with a paddle to ensure homogeneity and good board life.
1. Add each 50 lb (22.6 kg) bag of SPEC MIX Thin Veneer Adhesion Mortar XP500 to 5 to 5.5 quarts (4.7 to 5.2 L) of clean, potable water.
2. Use a 300 to 500 rpm speed 1/2 in (13 mm) drill to achieve a smooth, paste-like consistency.
3. Let the mortar slake or stand for 5 to 10 minutes and then remix prior to use.
4. Stir occasionally during use, but do not add more water. When properly mixed, troweled ridges will stand without slump.