Plastic and Semi-Elastomeric: It is essential that all form liner is stripped with an equal time interval from concrete placement. Different time intervals will result in inconsistent coloring from different levels of moisture loss. For best results, forms should be stripped within twenty-four hours of concrete placement. Formwork should be stripped perpendicular to the form, […]
Spec Formliners, Inc. News
Plastic and Semi-Elastomeric:
It is essential that all form liner is stripped with an equal time interval from concrete placement. Different time intervals will result in inconsistent coloring from different levels of moisture loss. For best results, forms should be stripped within twenty-four hours of concrete placement. Formwork should be stripped perpendicular to the form, when possible.
Tilt-up Panels should not be lifted until the concrete has reached the specified concrete compressive strength. In most cases, the form liner will remain on the slab. Single-use liners can be discarded after stripping while multi-use liners can easily be cleaned by spraying with water and/or scrubbing with a brush.
Urethane:
As with plastic liners, ElastoSpec Liners should be stripped perpendicular to the form, with an equal time interval from concrete placement, and within 24 hours.
When stripping ElastoSpec Liners, the material resiliency can be used to allow the formwork to strip itself. Use a hydraulic jack to separate (push) the top of the formwork from the concrete. Allow the jack to remain in place for approximately 15 minuets. The formwork will slowly resume its original shape and strip itself away from the finished surface. If jacking is not possible, a stripping force can be used on the jack side of the form to separate (pull) the top of the formwork from the concrete. The stripping angle should always be as perpendicular to the form as possible.
The use of a form release is recommended in all liner types and applications. Spec Release works well to aid in stripping and ease clean-up of the form liner for additional pours. Release agents should be applied as closely as possible before concrete placement. For best results, the liner should be cleaned after each use and a new coat of form release should be applied before each concrete placement.
For more information on the application process:
Application Guide (PDF)
Odds are good that Spec Formliners’ semi-elastomeric material, ElastoSpec Lite, is the perfect material for your project. With the practical balance between cost effectiveness and re-use capabilities, ElastoSpec Lite is finding itself requested and spec’ed into more and more projects.
In a time when raw material ABS is difficult to come across, ElastoSpec Lite shines as a welcome alternative. High in re-use, priced between plastic and urethane, capable of custom tooling and custom sizes, meets specifications for semi-elastomeric material–this product does it all.
Benefits to using ElastoSpec Lite in substitute of ABS or solid urethane projects:
- ElastoSpec Lite gets multiple uses, often between 25-35
- Used and applied like plastic, but wears like urethane
- Easy to field trim
- Lightweight. Most patterns range between 1-3 lbs/sf
- Custom sized patterns near plastic pricing
- Reduced shipping costs
ElastoSpec Lite: An alternative to ABS and solid urethane
Odds are good that Spec Formliners’ semi-elastomeric material, ElastoSpec Lite, is the perfect material for your project. With the practical balance between cost effectiveness and re-use capabilities, ElastoSpec Lite is finding itself requested and spec’ed into more and more projects. In a time when raw material ABS is difficult to come across, ElastoSpec Lite shines […]
Spec Formliners, Inc., welcomes you to the launch of it’s newest product: Spec Release! Spec Release is a vegetable oil-based form release agent specifically engineered and manufactured to work with Spec’s form liners, GFRC, CRC, and composite reinforced concrete. The release is 100% biodegradable and is non petroleum based. Spec Release does not include emulsifiers nor is it diluted with water. It will not fun off form liners in light rain or evaporate from the form liner. It will maintain its release qualities for several days on forms placed awaiting casting. This effective release is available for purchase in pails, drums, and totes for your convenience.
Spec Release Facts:
- Spec Release is environmentally friendly and VOC compliant. It is non-hazardous and doesn’t require hazard warnings or DOT regulation.
- Spec Release will not separate and does not require mixing prior to use
- Spec Release does not use emulsifiers or solvents, so it will stay on your forms once applied.
- Spec Release will not stain concrete and paint and stain can be applied with no additional preparation.
- Spec Release is easily applied by brushing, spraying, or wiping.
To view the complete Spec Release product write-up and MSDS, click here
For pricing and more information, please call us at: 714.429.9500 or e-mail us.
Spec Release: Form Release for Use with Concrete Form Liners
Spec Formliners, Inc., welcomes you to the launch of it’s newest product: Spec Release! Spec Release is a vegetable oil-based form release agent specifically engineered and manufactured to work with Spec’s form liners, GFRC, CRC, and composite reinforced concrete. The release is 100% biodegradable and is non petroleum based. Spec Release does not include emulsifiers nor is it diluted […]
The World of Concrete came and went and we enjoyed the opportunity to put same faces and names together with the people who have made 2009 a success.
We look forward to implementing the new strategies and product ideas in 2010 and eagerly look forward to catching up with you all again at World of Concrete 2011.
To remain up-to-date on Spec’s newest products and production strategies, continue to check out our website and make sure you join our mailing list!
World of Concrete
The World of Concrete came and went and we enjoyed the opportunity to put same faces and names together with the people who have made 2009 a success. We look forward to implementing the new strategies and product ideas in 2010 and eagerly look forward to catching up with you all again at World of […]
It’s not every day you meet a 12-year-old who not only knows what she wants to be when she grows up, but is also actively pursuing that goal. This January, Spec Formliners enjoyed the privilege of a visit from Sophie, a bright and focused middle-schooler who knows exactly what career lies ahead for her: Sophie is going to be an architect. Through help from her school, family, and friends, Sophie is taking amazing initiative in submerging herself into the architectural world, soaking up as much knowledge as there is to offer.
When we first heard she wanted to see architectural engineering in action, we couldn’t wait for her visit. Sophie had never before seen a full set of blueprints, and she was new to CAD software. The timing of her visit couldn’t have been better. We had just delved into the CAD/CAM layout of two complicated and beautifully artistic murals over 38 feet wide. Sophie had the opportunity to see from the very beginning what steps go into the production of a mural of this scale. With 6 inches of positive relief in the concrete, these strawberry and artichoke murals are going to make a big impression on Salinas Road Overcrossing, as they already have with Sophie.
The highlight of the visit for Sophie was when we produced her own 3D nameplate. Using the skills and techniques we had demonstrated in the CAD software, Sophie was able to create her very first design. We sent the data from the CAD software to the CNC machine to produce a physical part from her design. Seeing her name being carved out before her eyes on precision machinery from a design she created may have been the highlight for Sophie,
but it was the inspiration and excitement in her eyes as she held up her first masterpiece that made her visit most memorable and rewarding for us.
Thank you, Sophie, for brightening our day, and best of luck with your architectural career!
Spec’ed in at an Early Age
It’s not every day you meet a 12-year-old who not only knows what she wants to be when she grows up, but is also actively pursuing that goal. This January, Spec Formliners enjoyed the privilege of a visit from Sophie, a bright and focused middle-schooler who knows exactly what career lies ahead for her: Sophie […]
Cast-in-place architectural concrete usually requires a mix which has very good workability. Proper vibration will reduce the risk of air bubbles, honeycombing, and surface blemishes. Architectural concrete should be placed using a pump and an elephant trunk to avoid mix separation splatter and trapped air. Most form liners cannot withstand a pour rate in excess of 4 to 5 feet per hour. Generally, the more texture and relief on the form liner, the slower the concrete must be placed. If a plasticizer is used, the rate of pour may have to be reduced to limit form pressures.
In placing concrete for tilt-ups, make sure that all joints are sealed and/or taped and avoid stepping on the form liner as much as possible. All dirt, debris, and water should be removed before placing concrete. Follow ACI recommendations for the vibration of the concrete.
For more information on the application process:
Plastic (PDF)
Urethane (PDF)
411 on Liner Application Featuring: Placing the Concrete
Cast-in-place architectural concrete usually requires a mix which has very good workability. Proper vibration will reduce the risk of air bubbles, honeycombing, and surface blemishes. Architectural concrete should be placed using a pump and an elephant trunk to avoid mix separation splatter and trapped air. Most form liners cannot withstand a pour rate in excess […]
Spec Formliners, Inc., is excited to provide you with a sneak peak of it’s newest budding creation, Spec Release: Form Release for Use with Concrete Form Liners!
We have engineered a form release that is designed to work specifically with our form liners and will be offering it in pails, drums, and totes for your convenience.
Stay tuned for updates on the availability of Spec Release: Form Release for Use with Concrete Form Liners.
Introducing: Spec Release
Spec Formliners, Inc., is excited to provide you with a sneak peak of it’s newest budding creation, Spec Release: Form Release for Use with Concrete Form Liners! We have engineered a form release that is designed to work specifically with our form liners and will be offering it in pails, drums, and totes for your […]
It’s that time of the year again: The World of Concrete is quickly approaching. This year, seminars will be held February 1st through February 5th, with exhibits February 2nd through February 5th.
Spec Formliners, Inc., staff is looking forward to checking out the show’s many informative and cutting-edge exhibits and hopefully seeing some of you! We will be perusing the World of Concrete February 2nd through 4th. Let us know if you will be there, too!
World of Concrete
It’s that time of the year again: The World of Concrete is quickly approaching. This year, seminars will be held February 1st through February 5th, with exhibits February 2nd through February 5th. Spec Formliners, Inc., staff is looking forward to checking out the show’s many informative and cutting-edge exhibits and hopefully seeing some of you! […]
All projects have budgets. The difference between a profitable project and an unprofitable one can come down to the very first phase of the project: the planning phase. Without proper planning, items can be overlooked until a critical phase in the construction, at which point the only solution is to go over budget in order to get it done.
The cost, weight, lead time, and functionality of form liners are factors which often go underestimated or overlooked at planning and bid time, and that comes back to haunt contractors and project owners during production. Through active involvement in the early stages of planning a project, Spec Formliners is able to save customers both time and money.
Spec Formliners offers a unique service to help minimize unforeseen costs by working closely with architects and contractors during the planning phase to accurately account for the often-overlooked details.
Spec Formliners’ staff includes a dedicated engineer with years of experience in designing Form liners systems that meet the vision and design intent of the architect while achieving the engineering and production requirements of the contractor.
The Spec Formliners “Personal Engineer” service is here to offer you pattern and material information specific to your job, design suggestions, drawings, and specification information. Spec Formliner’s “Personal Engineer” is also there to help you with submittal information. Just call and ask what we can do to help you with your project, or send us an e-mail letting us know how we can assist you.
Personal Engineer: Spec Formliners’ Customer-Oriented Engineering
All projects have budgets. The difference between a profitable project and an unprofitable one can come down to the very first phase of the project: the planning phase. Without proper planning, items can be overlooked until a critical phase in the construction, at which point the only solution is to go over budget in order […]
Plastic:
When attaching the plastic liners to the form, the first step is to identify the side to be poured against. The side facing the formwork has a smooth shiny surface; the concrete side has a slight “hair cell” appearance.
The most common method to attach the liner to the form is with screws or nails. Tek Drywall screws work well for this application and the nails or screws should be placed every 6″-12″on center around the perimeter and 18″-24″ in the center of the liner. Other options include pneumatic staples, which don’t hold as well so they should be applied closer together, and double sided tape. The recommended method for tilt-up application is wooden dowels inserted into the casting slab. “Formica top” adhesive is suggested for applying plastic liners to steel forms.
Urethane:
Urethane liners can be attached to the front or the back of the forms with bolts or lag screws. The head of the bolt can be screwed into the face of the liner and covered with a silicon or urethane caulking material. Or, for easy attachment, Spec Formliners can manufacturer your liners with T-Nuts according to your specifications where the head of the bolt can be screwed into the imbedded threads in the back of the liner.
For more information on the application process:
Plastic (PDF)
Urethane (PDF)
411 on Liner Application Featuring: Attaching the Liner
Plastic: When attaching the plastic liners to the form, the first step is to identify the side to be poured against. The side facing the formwork has a smooth shiny surface; the concrete side has a slight “hair cell” appearance. The most common method to attach the liner to the form is with screws or […]
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