Is Armstrong Vinyl Floor Tile Adhesive Water-Soluble?

S-515

• Armstrong's Clear Thin Spread Floor Tile Adhesive is a water and rubber-resin based product. It has a 24-hour working time, but is usually dry to the touch after about 30 minutes. Armstrong recommends using only a clean white cloth for cleaning adhesive off the tiles after installation. If the adhesive is still wet, use a solution of water with a small amount of a neutral detergent added. If the adhesive has dried, soak your cloth in a bit of mineral spirits and wipe the excess adhesive away.

S-750

• Armstrong's Premium Floor Tile Adhesive is a grade above the S-515. It contains the same base, but has a much shorter working time at only six hours. The same cleaning methods apply as with the S-515. Like the S-515, this adhesive can be used over old adhesives without the old first being removed chemically. It is less desirable for use with self-adhesive tiles as it does not dry clear so chalk lines may not be visible through it. It releases slightly more VOCs (volatile organic compounds) than the S-515.

Removing Adhesive

• If replacing an old vinyl floor with a new one, it is necessary to remove at least most of the old adhesive. Since it is old and dried, it is no longer water soluble. You may use the above adhesives over a small amount of older adhesive, but this can be a problem if the old stuff creates a wavy or bumpy surface. In that case, smooth the old adhesive out by using mineral spirits and rubbing out the imperfections. Dried globs of adhesive may be chiseled off the surface, and then smoothed out by rubbing.

Self-Adhesive

• The sticky portion of Armstrong's self-adhesive tiles sometimes makes its way onto the top of the tiles during installation. It can be transferred unknowingly if some gets on a hand, glove or knee and is then deposited onto the tile surface. They are water-soluble and can be cleaned up with nothing more than a wet cloth. Use a white cloth that is free of dyes and is clean to avoid adding new marks to the flooring.