I planned on self-levelling portions of the concrete subfloor with Ardex V 1200. The instructions recommends that one use Ardex's mixing paddle, mixing drum, spreader, and smoother. What makes these tools so special? What are your experiences using the Ardex slc with or without these tools as compared to other generic tools? Thanks.

Well, its basically the same priciple that is used by some flooring manufacturers that insist you use "their" glue and/or "their" underpad. Simply a money grab in most cases, but their theory is that it gives them more control over how their floors are installed. Most of the products they offer with their own banner is just packaged for them by the same manufacturers that make the "generic" types, as you called it.

Have you used the special mixing bucket and mixing paddle that Ardex sells? Design-wise, the mixing bucket has a curved edge towards its base, thus theoretically, preventing sediment from getting stuck in the corners when mixing. As for the mixing paddle, it "allegedly" reduces the amount of bubbling that occurs when you are mixing. However, I'm looking for someone that has actually done a good job of mixing the slc without the need for these specialized tools.

I am just a desk jockey these days, I will check with my installers in the morning and get their thoughts on what tooling works best for them.

Thanks, Dennis.

No one I know uses those tools unless they exclusively do large commercail jobs. Then theeres always the mixer/pumper. lol

I just use a 3 1/2 gal bucket. I burned up a couple hammer drills mixing to much at once, be careful and if you smell that burning electrial smell while mixing, stop!!! Ya gots to push it to the "plane" you want, unless your actually going for level.

Thanks for your input. I went ahead and called the Ardex company and asked them about their installation instructions. In their instructions, they talk about mixing "two Ardex bags at a time" and I didn't understand why they asked for that. The technical service rep told me that they did this for "large" jobs, which prompted him to ask me how big a job I needed to level. Since the largest puddle I have is about 2'x5' and about 1/8" at its deepest point, the Ardex guy recommended just trowelling in their Ardex Feather Finish instead of applying the slc. How practical/easy is it to trowel the feather finish in a depression of that size and stay relatively level with the rest of the floor? Can the Ardex Feather Finish be screeded like the slc can? Any techniques are more than welcome.

It's pretty easy and I believe there is an extensive thread here on this very subject.

Could you point me out to the thread you are referring to? I've tried the search string "feather finish" to no avail.

It might be this article

floor-flatness-t7375.html?hilit=screed

Keith

Thanks Keith for the link. The thread basically talked about what people used for screeding. However, my question was directed towards the use of Ardex Feather Finish to level some small problem areas as opposed to using traditional slc. Can Ardex Feather Finish be screeded?

Any patching compound can be screeded. To many it's a prefered method of patching, depending on the installer and situation. Some installers feel more comfortable strictly screeding, troweling, or a little of both. Iv'e seen installers using a wide broad knife.

Just run a line in front where your going to fil, put yer level down or something other than a warped 2x4 that spans the area and pull while pressing down.

It's also very important to point out these areas to the consumer/client, especially the ladys cus men generally kinda know what yer talking about. But the ladies look best...errr....I mean feel more comfortable....ummm yea if they bend over real low so's they can see the gap under the straight edge properly. That way they do not think yer foolin with them about floor prep.














I kidding

Man, I think I better put that in my mental ladies manuel

[quote="floormeintucson"]Just run a line in front where your going to fil, put yer level down or something other than a warped 2x4 that spans the area and pull while pressing down.

It's also very important to point out these areas to the consumer/client, especially the ladys cus men generally kinda know what yer talking about. But the ladies look best...errr....I mean feel more comfortable....ummm yea if they bend over real low so's they can see the gap under the straight edge properly. That way they do not think yer foolin with them about floor prep.



Stephen, you're hilarious man! Thanks for the laugh. Hey, while we're on the topic of screeding Ardex feather finish, I needed some advice as to the type of mixing paddle that is best for the job. The instructions call for using Ardex's T-2 Ring Mixing Paddle. I tried to look for a picture of this type of paddle, but it's nowhere on the web. I did see one that they sell at Home Depot called:

"BRUTUS Universal Mixing Paddle, for Thinset and Grout, Designed for use with Portable Hand Drills Model # 61210 Internet/Catalog # 100506913
Store SKU # 437545"

Is that somewhat equivalent to a ring mixing paddle?