Dipping into the Mailbag to Answer Your Resilient-Related Inquiries
Q: Is it better to remove cutback adhesive, or use a cementitious skim-coat over it?
A: My inclination is to remove the cutback adhesive with a removal product formulated specifically for the job. However, if an adhesive remover is used improperly or not thoroughly cleaned up, it can create a subsequent bonding problem. Any adhesive remover residue on the surface of the substrate will attack the new adhesive.
A skim-coat, consisting of a cementitious smoothing compound, is sometimes used in in lieu of total cutback removal. The cutback adhesive should be scraped down to a thin residue, with all of the trowel ridges removed, before the skim-coat is applied. A skim-coat should not be used in areas subject to heavy traffic. Note: the potential for bond failure increases in proportion to the number of layers of existing residuals left on the substrate.