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Use Gap Filla for: Sealing gaps in window and door frames, cornices, plasterboard, sidings, vents, tiles, and general construction joints.
Gap Filla is a high-quality acrylic gap sealant specifically formulated to provide a flexible and durable seal in various construction and renovation projects. Its unique formulation allows it to accommodate minor movements without cracking, making it ideal for joints where flexibility is required. Gap Filla's excellent adhesion to a wide array of substrates, combined with its paintable surface and easy water clean-up, makes it a preferred choice for both professional and DIY users.
Key Features of Gap Filla Acrylic Gap Sealant
- Flexible: Accommodates minor movements without cracking, ensuring a long-lasting seal.
- Paintable: Can be painted over, allowing for seamless integration with existing finishes.
- Water Clean-Up: Easy to clean with water, simplifying the application process.
- Good Adhesion: Adheres to a wide range of surfaces, including glass, ceramic, wood, brick, metal, and concrete.
- Versatile Application: Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, providing a reliable seal in diverse environments.
- Low VOC: Complies with Californian South Coast Air Quality Management Rule 1168, ensuring low volatile organic compound emissions.
Technical Overview
Gap Filla is formulated to provide a smooth, consistent paste that is easy to apply and tool. Its acrylic polymer base ensures flexibility and durability, while its water-based formulation allows for easy clean-up. Gap Filla is designed to cure through water evaporation, forming a flexible seal that can withstand minor movements.
Chemical Properties: Acrylic Polymer, water-based.
Application Temperature Range: +5°C to +35°C (41°F to 95°F). Ensure surfaces are clean, dry, and free from contaminants before application.
Application Information
- Required Tools: Caulking gun, spatula or putty knife, damp cloth for clean-up.
- Trade-Specific Tips: Apply a smooth, even bead. Tool the sealant within 15-20 minutes for a professional finish. Use a damp cloth to remove excess sealant before it cures.
- Common Issues and Solutions: Cracking can occur if the sealant is applied too thinly or if movement exceeds 5%. Ensure proper surface preparation for optimal adhesion.
Storage and Shelf Life
- Storage Requirements: Store in a cool, dry place between 10°C and 35°C (50°F and 95°F).
- Shelf Life Information: 24 months in original packaging.
- Temperature Considerations: Avoid freezing and exposure to extreme heat.
Certifications
- Complies with WorkSafe Australia standards (non-hazardous classification).
- Low VOC: 22 gm/Lt (Californian South Coast Air Quality Management Rule 1168).
Frequently Asked Questions About Adheseal Gap Filla
Q: Can I use Adheseal Gap Filla to fill gaps in an outdoor undercover patio area?
A: Adheseal Gap Filla can be used in sheltered exterior locations, like an undercover patio, provided it's not directly exposed to heavy rain or prolonged dampness. For best results in such areas, ensure it is fully cured and then well-painted with a quality exterior paint to provide additional protection against weathering and moisture. For fully exposed outdoor joints, a more weather-resistant sealant like Adheseal ProFlex or a silicone sealant would be more appropriate.
Q: How wide a gap can Adheseal Gap Filla effectively fill?
A: Adheseal Gap Filla is best suited for gaps up to approximately 10mm wide and 10mm deep. For significantly larger gaps or deeper voids, it's recommended to first use a backing rod or fill the bulk of the void with a suitable backing material before applying Gap Filla as a finishing sealant. This ensures proper curing and prevents excessive shrinkage.
Q: Is Adheseal Gap Filla mould resistant for use in a laundry or kitchen?
A: While Adheseal Gap Filla is primarily for general interior gaps, it does not contain specific potent fungicides for high-humidity areas. For areas prone to mould and mildew like bathrooms, laundries, or kitchen splashbacks, it's better to choose a dedicated sanitary silicone sealant (e.g., Adheseal Kitchen & Bathroom Silicone) which contains fungicides to inhibit mould growth. Gap Filla can be used for dry area gaps in kitchens/laundries that will be painted.
Q: How long do I really have to wait before painting over Gap Filla? The TDS says 24-48 hours.
A: 24-48 hours is a general guideline for full cure under typical conditions (25°C, 50% RH, moderate bead size). The sealant should be firm, dry to the touch, and not easily dented. In cooler or more humid conditions, or with larger beads, full cure may take longer. Painting too early, especially with solvent-based paints, can lead to paint cracking or poor adhesion. If unsure, it’s always safer to wait a little longer, especially in winter.
Q: Can I use Gap Filla to seal around tiles in a dry area, like a decorative tiled skirting?
A: Yes, Adheseal Gap Filla can be used to seal the top edge of decorative tiled skirtings or similar dry, tiled areas against a wall before painting. It adheres well to ceramics and can be painted to match the wall. However, it is not a tile grout and should not be used to fill joints between tiles, especially in floor or wet area applications.
Applications Where Adheseal Gap Filla Excels:
- Sealing Gaps Around Skirting Boards & Architraves: Its primary use. Creates a clean, flexible line between timber or MDF trim and plasterboard walls, preventing paint cracks and improving the finished look in homes and commercial interiors throughout Australia.
- Filling Along Cornices: Ideal for sealing the joint between cornices (plaster or foam) and walls or ceilings, providing a smooth, paintable finish that hides imperfections and minor movement.
- Internal Window & Door Frames: Perfect for sealing the perimeter of internal timber or metal window and door frames against plasterboard or masonry, ready for painting.
- Cracks in Plasterboard: Suitable for filling minor, non-structural cracks in plasterboard walls and ceilings before painting, offering more flexibility than hard plaster fillers.
- Built-in Furniture & Cabinetry: Useful for sealing gaps between built-in wardrobes, kitchen cabinets (in dry areas), or shelving units and adjoining walls for a neat, integrated appearance.
- DIY Home Renovation Projects: An excellent, user-friendly choice for home renovators looking to achieve professional finishing touches on interior painting and decorating projects.
Top Benefits of Using Adheseal Gap Filla on Your Projects:
- Achieve Flawless, Crack-Free Paint Finishes: Its flexibility prevents unsightly cracks where rigid fillers fail, especially around trim and frames, ensuring your meticulous paint job stays looking professional for longer.
- Easy to Use & Clean Up: Smooth application and simple water clean-up save you time and hassle, making interior finishing tasks quicker and more pleasant. No harsh solvents needed!
- Perfectly Paintable for Seamless Integration: Dries to a surface that readily accepts most paint types, allowing the filled gaps to disappear into your chosen colour scheme for a truly polished look.
- Versatile for Most Interior Gaps: Adheres well to a wide range of common interior building materials, making it a handy all-rounder for many cosmetic sealing tasks from skirting boards to cornices.
- Low Odour & Very Low VOC: A user-friendly and environmentally considerate option that contributes to better indoor air quality, making it ideal for occupied homes and sensitive environments.
Step-by-Step Application Guide for Adheseal Gap Filla:
- Preparation is Paramount: Ensure all surfaces are clean, dry, sound, and free from dust, dirt, grease, oil, loose paint, or old sealant. For best results, vacuum out gaps. No priming is usually needed for common interior surfaces.
- Nozzle & Gun Setup: Cut the tip of the 300ml cartridge's threaded outlet. Screw on the supplied nozzle. Cut the nozzle at a 45° angle to achieve a bead size slightly smaller than the gap you intend to fill. Insert the cartridge into a standard caulking gun (e.g., Adheseal Skeleton Gun).
- Application Technique: Hold the caulking gun at a consistent 45° angle to the joint. Apply steady, even pressure to the trigger, pushing a continuous bead of Adheseal Gap Filla into the gap. Ensure the sealant makes good contact with both sides of the joint. Move the gun smoothly along the length of the gap.
- Tooling for a Professional Finish: Within 5-10 minutes of application (before it skins over too much), tool the sealant smooth. Use a lightly wetted (water only) gloved finger, a specialised caulking tool, or the back of a wet spoon. Apply light pressure to press the sealant into the gap and create a neat, slightly concave profile. This ensures good adhesion and a clean look.
- Clean-Up: Immediately remove any excess uncured Gap Filla from surfaces and tools using a damp cloth or sponge and water. If you've used masking tape for neat edges, remove it carefully while the sealant is still wet. Cured Gap Filla is difficult to remove and requires scraping or sanding.
- Curing Process: Allow Adheseal Gap Filla to cure fully before painting, typically 24-48 hours at 25°C, depending on bead size, temperature, and humidity. It will be tack-free in about 15-20 minutes. Protect from water contact during early cure.
- Painting: Once fully cured, Adheseal Gap Filla can be painted with most common water-based (acrylic/latex) or oil-based paints. Follow paint manufacturer's recommendations. A primer is generally not needed over the Gap Filla itself if the surrounding areas are already primed/painted.
Important Limitations & Safety When Using Adheseal Gap Filla:
Product Limitations:
- Not for water immersion: Adheseal Gap Filla is not recommended for applications involving constant water immersion (e.g., inside showers, swimming pools, fish tanks). For wet area sealing, use a dedicated waterproof silicone like Adheseal Kitchen & Bathroom Silicone. This is because acrylics can soften or break down with prolonged water exposure.
- Not for use in chemical environments: Avoid use where the sealant will be exposed to harsh chemicals, solvents, or strong cleaning agents, as these can degrade the acrylic.
- Not suitable for food contact: Do not use Adheseal Gap Filla on surfaces that will come into direct contact with food.
- Not for high-temperature applications: Avoid use near sources of high heat such as stoves, fireplaces, ovens, or flues, as the acrylic material is not designed to withstand elevated temperatures and may discolour or fail.
- Limited exterior use: While it can be used in very sheltered exterior spots if well-painted, it is not recommended for general exterior applications exposed to significant weathering, UV radiation, or rain. Use a dedicated exterior-grade sealant for such purposes.
- Movement capability: Suitable for joints with only minor movement (approx. ±5%). Not for dynamic structural joints or gaps experiencing significant expansion and contraction.
Safety First – Protecting Yourself and Your Workspace:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Eye protection (e.g., safety glasses complying with AS/NZS 1337.1) is recommended during application to prevent accidental splashes into the eyes. While not classified as hazardous, wearing gloves can prevent skin drying if prolonged contact occurs, especially for sensitive individuals.
- Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation when using indoors, especially for larger jobs. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air circulation.
- Safe Handling Practices: Avoid contact with eyes. If using contact lenses, remove them before use and do not handle lenses until all traces of sealant are removed from hands and nails. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after use. Keep out of the reach of children.
- First Aid Essentials: Eyes: If contact occurs, immediately flush eyes with plenty of clean water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Skin: While skin irritation is uncommon, if it occurs, wash affected area with soap and water. Ingestion: If swallowed, rinse mouth with water and seek medical advice. Do not induce vomiting. Please consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Adheseal Gap Filla for complete safety information.
Adheseal Gap Filla Adhesion Profile – Compatible Substrates:
- Plasterboard (Gyprock™): Excellent adhesion for sealing gaps between sheets, around cornices, and where trim meets plasterboard. Ensure surface is dust-free.
- Wood (Timber Trim, Architraves, Skirting Boards): Bonds well to most timbers (pine, MDF, hardwoods) used for interior fit-outs. For oily or very resinous timbers, ensure they are clean; priming timber before applying Gap Filla can improve the overall finish when painting.
- Brick (Internal): Good for sealing gaps where internal brickwork meets other materials like frames or ceilings, provided the brick is clean, dry, and sound.
- Concrete (Internal): Suitable for filling minor cracks or gaps in cured, dry internal concrete elements that are to be painted. Ensure concrete is free of dust and laitance.
- Ceramic Tiles (Dry Areas): Can be used to seal perimeter gaps around tiles in dry applications, such as the top of a tiled splashback against a wall (if the area is not subject to heavy water contact) or decorative wall tiling. Not for grouting between tiles.
- Glass (Internal Frames): Adheres to glass, suitable for sealing internal fixed panes into timber or metal frames where paintability is desired and high movement/weathering is not a factor.
- Metal (Internal Frames, Vents): Good adhesion to common metals found in door frames or vents for internal use. Ensure metal is clean and free from rust or oils.
- Painted Surfaces: Will adhere to most existing clean, sound painted surfaces, making it ideal for renovation work where you're filling gaps before repainting. Flaking paint must be removed.
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