OUTDOORconcretepro-formula

CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula allows you to make designer-quality concrete in an array of colors for outdoor projects – such as planters, benches, fire tables, barbeque surrounds, and countertops – just like the pros.

Fu-Tung Cheng first developed Outdoor Pro-Formula for his own award-winning design projects, blending the finest grade fade-resistant color pigments, crack-prevention fibers, freeze-thaw and water-reducing additives. When added to common bagged concrete, CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula creates a superior, designer-quality, more durable concrete specially designed for outdoor living environments.

Each unit – or (1) bag – of CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula requires 120 lbs. (54 kg) of 5,000 PSI concrete mix and water to yield 1 cubic foot of concrete (see Fig. 1 above).

Mix Calculation. Determine the amount of material you’ll need by calculating the volume of your form, or mold, in either cubic feet (see Fig. 2 above).

Multiply: Length × Width × Depth of your mold in inches OR in meters

For Cubic Feet: Divide the total by 1,728 (the volume of 1 cubic foot) to calculate the volume of your mold in cubic feet.

Water Calculation. You’ll need about 1 to 1½ gallons (3.8 – 5.7 L) of clean water per cubic foot (28L) of mixture, enough to achieve a workable mix.

Just Add Bagged Mix + Water

MIXING CONDITIONS TEMP: Between 60°F and 90°F (15°C and 32°C), IDEAL TEMP: 75°F (24°C)

HUMIDITY: Greater than 25%

Use CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula as directed. Using or modifying CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula in proportions differing from instructions may result in less than ideal results.

STEP 1: Be Prepared! A. Depending on the size of your project, it’s ideal to have two or three people assisting with the

pour. Two people can work the concrete into the form while the third cleans the mixer and tools to keep things moving. Pro-Formula sets quickly, so it’s important to plan ahead!

B. A wheelbarrow can be used instead of a concrete mixer for projects 2 cu. ft. or less.C. If mixing more than 2 cu. ft. at a time, a larger mixer is recommended to allow for actual rather

than nominal capacities. D. Check to ensure the inside of your form is clean. E. Keep your vibrator, screed board, and other tools close at hand.

STEP 2: Dry Mixing A. Wear a dust mask and place the bagged concrete mix into the mixer followed by CHENG Outdoor

Pro-Formula (See Fig. 3).B. Cover the mouth of the mixer with a plastic tarp and a bungee cord or rope to prevent the dry

materials from becoming airborne (See Fig. 4).C. Run the mixer for 3 minutes to tumble and blend the dry materials.D. Stop the mixer. Check the dry materials to ensure there are NO CLUMPS of unmixed materials. If

the fibers or other materials are clumped, break them up with your gloved hands.

STEP 3: Creating a Workable Mix A. Start the mixer again and SLOWLY add 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water per cu. ft. () of mixture.B. Run the mixer for about 5 minutes and check the consistency of the mix. A “Workable Mix” looks

and feels like thick, runny oatmeal. If necessary, slowly add more water in 1-cup increments. After each additional cup, let the mixer run about 2 minutes before adding another cup.

IMPORTANTa) AVOID A SOUPY MIX! Excess water reduces strength and durability and can cause

cracking. CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula is ready-blended with a water-reducing agent providing greater strength and durability; therefore, DO NOT follow the printed water recommendations on your bagged concrete mix packaging;

b) DO NOT EXCEED 1½ gallons (5.6 L) of water per cubic foot;c) In cold weather, use warm water to accelerate the set. In hot weather, use cold water to

slow the set.

STEP 4: Slump Test Check A. When you’ve achieved a workable mix (or “runny oatmeal”), turn the mixer off. A mix that is too

dry creates air pockets and is hard to pour; a mix that is too wet is likely to be foamy and leads to excessive cracking.

B. SLUMP TEST: A simple method to check for a workable mix is to perform a basic slump test.a) Poke a ¼" hole in the bottom of a plastic cup, 15 oz. (450 ml) or larger, to allow air to escape; b) Fill the cup with the freshly mixed concrete and pack it well; c) Place the filled cup upside-down on a flat, rigid surface; d) With your hands, carefully vibrate the cup in a steady lifting motion without stopping.

The slump is the vertical distance the concrete settles. The ideal slump of your “runny oatmeal” mix should be about half the height of the plastic cup. (See Fig. 5.)

C. Congratulations, you should now have a workable mix! If your mix is too dry, or stiff (Fig. 6), you need to slowly add small quantities of water by the cup while the mixer is on. If your mix is too wet (Fig. 6), you’ll need to slowly add more bagged concrete mix by the cup. Take note of the exact amount of water required and keep using the same water ratio throughout the project for consistent results.

STEP 5: Resting + Moving the Mix A. Finally, turn the mixer off, letting the mixture “rest” for 5 minutes allowing the concrete to “temper.”B. The mixture will stiffen a bit while resting. C. Turn the mixer back on for a final two minutes.D. Turn the mixer off and pour the mixture into a clean wheelbarrow.

TIPS: FILLING THE FORM

• SAFETY FIRST! Wear safety glasses, rubber gloves and protective clothing to prevent wet concrete from coming in contact with your skin. Wet concrete is caustic and can cause skin irritations.

• Fill the form, or mold, until it is half full by working the material into voids. Vibrate this first layer of the mixture for about 3 minutes by immersing the head of the vibrator horizontally into the mixture, or until the mixture flows evenly across the entire bottom of the mold. Be careful not to displace any decorative inlays you have placed in the form.

• Fill the rest of the form by working the material into voids and up to the top of the form. Vibrate the outside (sides and ends) of the form for about 5 minutes, or until only a few air bubbles are still rising to the surface. If needed, screed excess concrete off the top of the form with a clean, straight piece of wood.

• After filling and screeding the form, cover (or tent) the form with painter’s plastic to keep humidity in. Concrete needs moisture during the first four days of the cure process (particularly in hot weather climates).

• The ambient temperature for curing should be between 65°F – 85°F. DO NOT leave your filled form to cure in direct sunlight.

• Low temp casting: NEVER cast concrete below 45°F. If casting in temperatures between 45°F and 70°F, insulate castings after the concrete starts to harden with a layer of insulation (like furniture blankets) followed by painter’s plastic. Concrete generates its own heat during the cure and capturing this heat with insulation will accelerate the curing process.

TIPS: RELEASING FROM FORM

• Allow four full days or more after the pour for the casting to cure, then release from the form.

• Remove all positioning screws that are used to fasten the form together as well as any screws used to secure it to the table or other support structure.

• Remove the walls of the form by gently prying them away from the casting. Slow, constant pressure is the best way to remove the form walls. If using a prying tool, DO NOT pry between the walls and concrete as this may chip the casting!

• To remove the bottom of the form, you’ll need to turn the entire structure over. Carefully slide the casting to the edge of your casting table so that one-third of the casting hangs over the edge. Place strips of rigid foam across the surface of the table for cushioning. Tilt the casting up on one side and carefully turn it over onto the foam strips. While turning your casting over, securely hold the casting itself, NOT the form, as it may release in mid-air leaving the concrete casting to free fall.

• After releasing the casting from the form, consider doing a rough polish before the concrete fully cures and hardens (it’s fully cured at 28 days).

• After the initial 6 days of curing, you can polish or grind the surface to achieve your desired finish.

OUTDOOR CONCRETE PRO-FORMULA MIX

PRECAUTIONS: Wear protective clothing and safety goggles during handling. Wear a NIOSH approved respirator during use.

FIRST AID TREATMENT: If splashed in eyes or skin, flush thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes. Consult a physician immediately.

WARNING: This product can contain small amounts of crystalline silica, which has been listed as a human carcinogen. Also, repeated inhalation of crystalline silica can cause silicosis, a disabling and potentially fatal disease. Some colors contain carbon black. Carbon black has been listed as a potential human carcinogen and can affect the respiratory system, eyes and skin. Keep out of reach of children. Refer to material safety data sheet for further information.

FOR PROFESSIONAL USE.

Manufactured in Canada by: / Fabriqué au Canada par : / Fabricado en Canadà por:Interstar Pigments, Admixtures & Fibers4255 Portland, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1L 3A5

1-800-567-1857 • 819-563-9975www.interstar.ca

00

2