When applying soft porcelain materials, the following points need attention:
The surface of the sub - base must be flat, solid, and dry. If the sub - base is made of concrete, cement mortar, etc., its strength should meet the requirements, and dust, oil stains, loose materials on the surface should be removed. For example, for a concrete wall with residual release agent, it needs to be cleaned thoroughly with a detergent; otherwise, it will affect the adhesion between the soft porcelain and the sub - base.
For an uneven sub - base, the deviation should be controlled within a certain range. If the sub - base flatness deviation is too large, problems such as hollowing and warping are likely to occur after the soft porcelain is pasted. Generally, the deviation of sub - base flatness should not exceed 4mm/2m.
Before construction, check whether the specifications, models, and colors of the soft porcelain materials meet the design requirements. There may be color differences between different batches of soft porcelain. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the soft porcelain used in the same construction area comes from the same batch or batches with similar colors.
Inspect the quality of the soft porcelain, including whether there are cracks, missing corners, and other damage. Defective soft porcelain will affect the decorative effect and service life and should be avoided.
The construction environment temperature should be between 5℃ - 35℃. If the temperature is too low, the flexibility of the soft porcelain material will decrease, and the curing speed of the adhesive will also slow down, which may lead to poor adhesion; if the temperature is too high, the adhesive will dry too quickly, affecting the bonding effect.
Avoid construction under adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, and strong wind. Rainwater will wash away the adhesive, making it impossible to firmly paste the soft porcelain; strong wind will displace the soft porcelain during the pasting process, affecting the construction quality.
Selecting the right adhesive is very important. The performance of the adhesive should be compatible with the soft porcelain material, and it should have good water resistance, weather resistance, and bonding strength. For example, the adhesive used in a humid environment should have good anti - mildew and moisture - proof properties.
Accurately prepare the proportion according to the adhesive's instruction manual. If the proportion of the adhesive is improper, it will result in insufficient bonding strength. For example, if there is too much glue in the adhesive, the soft porcelain may flow and deform after pasting; if there is too much powder, the adhesion will be insufficient.
The adhesive should be applied evenly, with a thickness generally controlled at about 3 - 5mm. Uneven application will cause local hollowing of the soft porcelain, and an excessive thickness will increase the self - weight of the soft porcelain, affecting the pasting effect.
Pay attention to the layout when pasting soft porcelain to ensure the continuity and symmetry of the pattern and texture. For soft porcelain with patterns, splice it according to the design requirements to avoid pattern confusion.
Paste the soft porcelain from bottom to top and from left to right in sequence. Use a special tool (such as a rubber mallet) to gently tap the soft porcelain to make it fully adhere to the sub - base and the adhesive, expel air, and prevent hollowing. During the pasting process, pay attention to the width of the gap between the soft porcelain, generally leaving a 2 - 3mm gap for caulking.
At the inside and outside corners, special treatment of the soft porcelain is required. It can be cut, bent, etc., so that the soft porcelain can closely fit the shape of the corners. For inside corners, the soft porcelain can be overlapped with each other; for outside corners, the soft porcelain can be bent or treated with an outside corner strip to ensure the decorative effect and waterproof performance at the corners.
After the soft porcelain is pasted, do a good job in finished product protection. Before the adhesive is completely cured (usually 24 - 48 hours), avoid people walking around and collisions to prevent the soft porcelain from shifting or being damaged.
For parts such as doors and windows that are prone to collision, protective fences or warning signs can be set up. During subsequent construction processes (such as installing lamps, sockets, etc.), also pay attention to avoiding damage to the soft porcelain.
When cleaning the surface of the soft porcelain, use a neutral detergent and avoid using corrosive detergents such as strong acids and alkalis, so as not to damage the luster and color of the soft porcelain surface. For example, do not use a detergent containing hydrochloric acid to clean the soft porcelain.
Regularly check the pasting condition of the soft porcelain. If problems such as hollowing and falling off are found, repair them in a timely manner. Clean the stains on the surface of the soft porcelain in a timely manner to prevent the stains from penetrating into the soft porcelain and affecting the aesthetics.