PRG, Inc. - Chip & Fill Kit

In the repair of stone, experience is important — and so is having the right materials and tools. With the Stone Art & Engraving Chip & Fill Kit, you will have the basic range of necessary materials available to you in one convenient container. The Chip & Fill Kit contains pigments, binder, stone powder, mixing tools and an instruction booklet with helpful hints.

The Chip & Fill Kit is a handy way to arrive on the job prepared to start work.

Each Kit Contains:

(7) One-ounce containers of stone dust

(7) One-ounce containers of
powdered pigment

(1) Plastic Kit Box

(2) Pumice Blocks

(1) Razor Scraper

(20) Single-edged Blades

(48) Mixing Cups

(80) Mixing Sticks

(2) Tubes of Component (A) Binder

(2) Tubes of Component (B) Binder

(1) Tube of Catalyst

(1) Instruction Booklet

Up to 40 repairs per kit.

Instructions

Mixing ratio is 1:1:1 or equal parts of stone dust, Last Patch TM Gel (part A) and Last Patch Tm Gel (part B).

Make sure the surface is dry and free of dust.

In a mixing cup, add a portion of pulverized stone dust that closely matches the material you are working on.

Using the mixing stick provided, add an equal amount from Tube (A) and mix it with the stone dust.

Add an equal amount of Tube (B) and mix it with the other ingredients. Compare the color match to the stone needing repair. (Using the tip of a mixing stick, you may add a small amount of pigment to create a closer match if necessary.)

Add one drop of catalyst to the mixture and stir. Using the mixing stick, push the mixture into the area needing repair. Make certain all air bubbles are removed by moving the material back and forth with the stick.

When the surface of the patch begins to harden (in a few minutes), use a razor blade to remove excess patch material (on polished surfaces). If the surface is honed or frosted, use the pumice stone to grind the surface.

Once the patch has hardened, it can be polished using abrasive pads and polishing compounds. Recommended grits start at 400, with gradual increases to 8500 grit. If the surface is frosted or honed, a surface grind with a pumice block should be sufficient. (see "Chip Tips" for additional information)

"Chip Tips"

Stones, like sponges, absorb water. The surface may be easily heated with a small blow torch or heat gun. Always remember to keep the flame outlet or direct heat source moving while heating the area. Concentrated heat will crack the surface of the stone.
If repairing a deep gouge or break, you may want to prepare several fills, layering one on top of the other until the desired height is reached. An accurate match will not be necessary until the last layer is mixed.
Keep pigments and pulverized stone dry.
When working with color pigments, start with a minute amount. A little bit will go a long way. You may mix colors together to form new colors if you wish. If you should spill any pigment powder on the stone surface, remove it. Pigments combined with water may create a stain that will be harder to remove later.
The more catalyst that you put into the patch mixture, the faster it will set up. Temperature and stone dryness will also affect reaction time.
Knowing the exact time to remove the excess patch material comes with practice. Often times, you may remove excess patch material while it is still loose or in a knife grade consistency. If the patch begins to pull out when using the razor scraper, simply change blades.
Always be careful when working on a marble surface. It is easily scratched and cannot withstand vigorous rubbing with pumice material.
When Last Patch Gel hardens, it leaves a polished appearance. Removing excess Patch material will dull the finish, but may be restored by simply mixing part A, part B, and catalyst, and coating the surface with the use of a brush. Other materials that may be used to restore a polish when polishing is not possible are liquid super glue or clear nail polish. Both will last for several years under normal conditions. If you are having trouble getting the exact match, specific paints are available which may be applied sparingly before a final coating is applied.
In dealing with Granites that have large crystal clusters of various colors, you may want to mix more than one patch for the same area. It is recommended that you get each patch mixed and ready before applying any catalyst. When you are ready, put the catalyst into each mixture and apply all of the prepared mixtures at the same time. For example, if you are repairing Diamond Pink (also called Krenshaw) where you have large clusters of black and pink, mix a black patch and a pink patch. Place the black on one side of the repair and the pink on the other. When they harden, they will naturally connect together. The whole patch may then be polished, ground, or influenced with an artificial polish.
Any patch will naturally lighten when a surface grind is done with the pumice block, something that needs to be taken into account when repairing a frosted or honed surface. Often times, no pigment is necessary.
Remember that pumice is softer than granite on the hardness scale. This means it will not scratch it and is often used for cleaning granite.