Crommelin pond sealer taking long time to cure

hi guys I sealed my pond with crommelin pond sealer and a couple days later a part of it got a little wet I dried it up and left it for 7 days to cure when I first painted it but the part that get wet still hasn't cured will I need to coat this again or just wait longer for it to cure? thanks in advance for any help yous can give me

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redracer01

Hello @suley001

Welcome to Bunnings Workshop. There are always factors to consider for long curing times such as temperature, humidity and sunlight. Too much or lack of these elements causes unpredictable drying times. You could artificially hurry up the process by using a fan or heat gun but it would only dry the surface and it would still be soft at the bottom. To prevent accidental water from entering your pond I suggest covering it with a tarp, make sure it does not touch the pond sealer. In these instances if it still feels too soft to the touch you may have to wait a few more days with good sunlight until the sealer cures to full strength. At the back of the can are instructions for moisture cure test. You can give that a go to test if it's cured. If there is anything else we can help you with please post it here on workshop.

Cheers,

Red

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @suley001. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question on Crommelin pond sealers.

It's great to see the knowledgeable @redracer01 is already assisting.

Crommelin has a fantastic technical advice line, and I've always received amazing help, and my questions have been answered promptly. I'll make contact with them after the weekend to enquire about your issue.

Mitchell

suley001

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/13554#Comment_13554

that's great info thanks mate

suley001

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/13556#Comment_13556

cheers mate thanks for the help

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/69285#Comment_69285

Hi @suley001,

How's the area looking now, and has it cured at all? After speaking with Crommelin, they've suggested that the area will probably just take longer to dry. As long as the area isn't flaking or bubbling, it will be fine. If it doesn't cure or starts bubbling, you can cut the affected area out with a Stanley knife and peel it away. Ensure you dry the area thoroughly and apply two fresh coats of sealer over the cutout section.

Please let us know how you go or if you have more questions.

Mitchell

THowell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/13554#Comment_13554

Hello, I used the clear pond sealer about two months ago and followed all the instructions correctly but my project is still not dry when put in water.

How can I get it to dry?

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/72905#Comment_72905

Hello @THowell

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fantastic to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about the Crommelin pond sealer.

Four weeks is a long time to wait for the sealer to cure. As I've mentioned before in this discussion, the only reason there would be a delay in the cure time is because of the temperature, humidity and sunlight. Any of these factors would be enough to delay or retard the drying time of the product.

Would you be able to post a picture of the location of the pond? This will allow our members to assess its location. We can then make recommendations on what steps to take. Has there been a lot of rain in your area lately? Has it been very cold for the past few weeks? Is full direct sunlight reaching the pond that you sealed?

My only recommendation to accelerate the drying time of the pond sealer is to use a heat gun. However, too much use of the heat gun will damage the surface of the sealer.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your pond sealed and ready for use.

Eric

THowell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99867#Comment_99867

I used it to seal an ornament so it was safe to place in a fishtank.

I have kept it inside the whole time.

I even waited two weeks before putting it in water.

It wasn't dry so I tested it once a week only to have the same outcome.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116778#Comment_116778

Hi @THowell,

That sounds quite unusual for the pond sealer not to have cured. I'll contact Crommelins first thing in the morning to see if they can assist.

Mitchell

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116778#Comment_116778

@THowell,

I have had a chat with Crommelin Technical Assistance and the only time they've ever heard of the sealer not curing is if it has come in contact with water before it dried. This could be water touching it after it's been applied or water in the substrate that was coated.

Was the ornament in water before you applied the sealant? If so, did you let it dry fully for several days before applying the sealer?

If water has contaminated the coating, then it's recommended that you remove the un-cured coating and apply a new one.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

THowell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126495#Comment_126495

The ornament was never put in water before applying and I followed the directions on the container correctly.

I even waited two weeks after the last coat was applied to put it in water.

Think ill sand off the sealant and try a different product.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132965#Comment_132965

If no water was involved @THowell, then something strange has occurred. I'll be more than happy to facilitate a return on the product for you.

Please see one of our helpful team members at your local store's Returns Desk. Let them know that you've spoken to a team member who contacted Crommelin's technical assistance, and you need to return the product as it hasn't met expectations. Let me know if you have any issues returning the product, and I'll make contact with the store for you.

I apologise for the inconvenience.

Mitchell

davidg2

I have had the same problem, but also used two coats of the Crommelin

damp stop on the concrete prior as instructed and allowed 7 days to cure before putting on the pond sealer. When the damp seal had cured, there was some strange yellow discolouration along some areas along edges, which are now the same areas where the pond sealer has bubbled after some light rain about 4 days into the cure. (The remainder of the coat has survived the rain well and I have sponged off all the standing water.) Will this eventually dry and seal or do I need to remove and repaint these areas? Why didn’t the damp stop work?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/38918#Comment_38918

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, @davidg2. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about sealing a pond.

Were any products applied to the pond before adding the Dampstop? If there was a previous coating, the yellowing might have indicated a compatibility issue. Also, Pondsealer must not be applied when temperatures are outside 10 - 30 degrees Celsius. I would suspect that nighttime temperatures in many locations would be dipping below 10 degrees Celsius.

The bubbling indicates a moisture issue. So, the amount of rain you received might have been the problem. At this stage, it is just a waiting game, and I'd recommend you shield the area to prevent any more rain from contacting the product. Given the various issues that could have caused this, I'd recommend you discuss your application process and issue with the Crommelins technical team on Ph: 1800 655 711.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

davidg2

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/81645#Comment_81645

Many thanks Mitchell. Thanks for the advice. The Crommeliin damp stop was applied to new concrete so the only thing I can think of is the porous sandstone abutting the concrete. A little concerned now about the lower night temperatures during curing, but I guess it will be a waiting game as you suggested for it to fully cure. Just one final question, when will I know it is fully cured if I can’t count on it being 7 days?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/105552#Comment_105552

The surface not being tacky is a good sign of a successful curing @davidg2. I'd then wait a few more days after that.

Mitchell

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