ARDEX AM 100 Rapid Hardening One Coat Tiling Render Grey 25kg

• Product ID: 18463
• Suitable For: rendering properly prepared in-situ concrete walls, brickwork, and blockwork
• Area of use: INT & EXT
• Application Method: trowel
• Time to full cure: 2 hours
• Volume: 25kg
• Container Type: bag
• Type: render
• Brand: Ardex
• Manufactuer: Ardex
• Box Size: 1

ARDEX AM 100 is a versatile, rapid-setting render capable of being applied in a single coat from 2mm up to 30mm in thickness. This product excels in scenarios where conventional sand and cement renders cannot meet the required drying times or thicknesses. It is suitable for rendering properly prepared in-situ concrete walls, brickwork, and blockwork. ARDEX AM 100 is ideal for both internal and external applications, including in demanding environments like swimming pools.

Surface Preparation

Ensure that all surfaces are stable and that any movement joints are carried through to the tiling surface. The areas to be rendered must be clean, firm, and free from dust, dirt, oil, grease, paint, gypsum plaster, and other contaminants that could impair adhesion. Mechanical preparation equipment may be necessary to achieve this. Allow sufficient drying time as specified in BS 5385: in-situ concrete walls, brickwork, and blockwork should be allowed to cure and shrink for at least 6 weeks. For concrete substrates, expose the aggregate surface as recommended in BS 5385. Settlement cracks should be filled with rendering mortar, though cracks caused by structural movement may not be fully resolvable. Small cracks should be cut out and widened to improve adhesion. Metal components must be protected against corrosion, and anchored reinforcements should be installed and mechanically fixed to backgrounds such as dense surfaces (e.g., glazed bricks or ceramic tiles), timber frames, old paint finishes that cannot be removed, weak surfaces, and areas above the first floor externally. All reinforcement and mesh must be secured according to the manufacturer’s instructions and/or BS 5385. Note: Proper substrate preparation is essential for ensuring the adhesion of the render mortar.

Mixing

The recommended mix ratio is approximately 3.5 parts ARDEX AM 100 powder to 1 part clean water by volume. A 25kg bag of ARDEX AM 100 requires about 5 liters of water. For slightly improved workability, an additional 0.5 liters of water per 25kg bag can be added, making a total of up to 5.5 liters per bag. Mix the ARDEX AM 100 powder with water in a clean container, stirring thoroughly until a slump-free mortar is achieved. Using an ARDEX mixing paddle with a 10mm chuck and a variable-speed electric drill makes mixing easier, or a forced action mixer can be used for larger batches. The pot life of the mixed mortar is approximately 30 minutes at 20°C, with variations depending on temperature.

Application

Apply ARDEX AM 100 at temperatures above 5°C. Start with a 1-2mm thick skim coat or bonding layer, then apply the remaining thickness (up to 30mm) while still fresh. For greater thicknesses, the material can be applied in two layers. For instance, for a total thickness of 30mm, apply a 25mm layer, allow it to set, and then apply a 5mm top layer. Always ensure that the top layer is thinner than the initial layer.

Treatments & Tiling

Depending on the porosity of the background, additional treatments such as wood floating can be performed between 40 minutes to 1 hour after application at 20°C. If needed, ARDEX waterproof coatings, such as ARDEX WPC and ARDEX S 7 PLUS, can be applied typically after 2 hours at 20°C, following the relevant product data sheets. Tiles can generally be installed as soon as 2 hours after application using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive. Note that these times may vary based on site conditions, with extended times at lower temperatures and shortened times at higher temperatures.