Polymer-Modified Cement Waterproofing Coating & Bonding Agent

Cem-Kote Barrier Cote

Two-component cementitious coating for concrete where waterproofing, traffic resistance, chloride protection, and dependable bond to difficult substrates must be handled in one specified material.

Technical basis CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100
  • Bonds to clean, structurally sound concrete and is used as a bonding agent on highly contaminated substrates, including oil-contaminated concrete.
  • Functions as a heavy-duty, high-impact traffic coating with excellent UV resistance for parking garages, industrial floors, loading docks, and similar concrete surfaces.
  • Reduces chloride penetration, resists freeze-thaw cycling, and can be used for positive- or negative-side waterproofing and chemically protective applications.

Decision Summary

When to specify Cem-Kote Barrier Cote

  • The concrete substrate is difficult, damp, or contaminated and a conventional coating may be at risk of poor bond.
  • A cementitious coating must also perform as a traffic surface for parking decks, loading docks, industrial floors, or resurfacing work.
  • The system must reduce chloride penetration and protect reinforcing steel from corrosion risk.
  • Positive- or negative-side waterproofing is required on concrete subject to moisture exposure.
  • A first coat is needed under compatible chemical protection systems, including Gemite wastewater or secondary containment assemblies.
  • UV exposure, freeze-thaw cycling, salt scaling, and abrasion are part of the service environment.

Core Uses

Product role, application fit, and specification context

Bonding Agent

CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100 is used as a bonding agent for highly contaminated substrates, including oil-contaminated concrete. It is applied to properly prepared, saturated surface-dry concrete to create a durable cementitious interface before subsequent repair or protection materials.

Traffic Coating

The product is suitable as a heavy-duty, high-impact traffic coating for new concrete and resurfacing of parking garages, industrial floors, loading docks, and similar areas. Standard application is two coats at 30 mils each, for a total thickness of 60 mils / 1.6 mm.

Waterproofing and Chemical Protective Layer

CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100 can be used for positive- and negative-side waterproofing and as a chemically protective cementitious coating. Official Gemite data identifies resistance to concentrated salt solutions and alkalis, with continuous water immersion possible after proper curing.

Comparison Block

How the material changes the specification

Conventional Coatings: Common Limitations

  • Sensitive to substrate moisture, high relative humidity, and vapor drive from below the slab.
  • May require extended concrete cure time and surface dryness before application.
  • Can be vulnerable to debonding when moisture transfer continues behind non-breathable coatings.
  • Often require tight application windows and more restrictive site conditions.
  • May need separate primers, moisture mitigation layers, or additional substrate conditioning.

CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100: Practical Value

  • Cementitious, moisture-tolerant barrier coat that reduces moisture transfer from below.
  • Provides strong bond even on difficult or contaminated concrete when surface preparation is performed correctly.
  • Can serve as bonding agent, traffic coating, waterproofing layer, or first coat in selected Gemite protection systems.
  • Compatible with spray, trowel, or brush application.
  • Provides abrasion resistance, freeze-thaw resistance, salt scaling resistance, and chloride penetration reduction in one product.

Technical Data Table

Reported product data and test references

PropertyValueSource / test
System typeTwo-component: dry Component A + liquid Component BOfficial product description
Component A packaging50 lb / 22.7 kg bagProduct data sheet
Component B packaging1.8 gal / 6.8 L unitProduct data sheet
Standard coating coverage100 ft2 at 60 mils per kit / 8.7 m2 at 1.6 mm per kitTwo 30 mil coats
Bonding agent yieldApprox. 200 ft2 / 20 m2 per kitActual yield depends on substrate
Modulus of rupture1570-1710 psi / 10.8-11.8 MPaASTM C438
Ultimate tensile strength680-770 psi / 4.7-5.3 MPaASTM D412 Modified
Compressive strength6380-6610 psi / 44-45.6 MPaASTM C109
Freeze-thaw resistance0% weight loss after 300 cyclesASTM C666, Procedure A
Direct tension bond170-350 psi / 1.2-2.4 MPaFailure in concrete substrate
Chloride penetrationNo chloride penetrationAASHTO T259
Rapid chloride permeability300-400 coulombsAASHTO T277
ColorLight greyProduct data sheet
VOC content0 g/LU.S. product data sheet
Shelf life12 monthsStored on pallets in a dry, cool area

Application / Specification Notes

Preparation, installation, curing, and limitations

Substrate Preparation

Prepare concrete in accordance with ICRI Guideline 310.2. Mechanically roughen or high-pressure water-jet the substrate, typically at 5000 psi / 34.5 MPa minimum water pressure, to achieve ICRI CSP-4 or higher. Remove unsound concrete and provide a profiled, porous, structurally sound surface free of dust, grease, oil, dirt, curing compounds, release agents, coatings, and other bond-inhibiting materials. Sanding, power-washing, grinding, and wire-brushing are not approved preparation methods in the product data sheet.

Pre-Wetting

Pre-saturate concrete for two hours before installation. Apply to saturated surface-dry concrete with no standing water.

Mixing

Use a clean mortar mixer or a heavy-duty, high-torque, low-speed drill at 400-600 rpm with a suitable paddle. Pour the liquid Component B into the mixing container, then gradually add dry Component A while mixing until smooth and lump-free.

Thickness and Coats

Apply by spray, trowel, or brush at 30 mils / 0.76 mm per coat. Standard system thickness is two coats totaling 60 mils / 1.6 mm. When spraying, brush each coat to reduce pinhole risk. Apply the second coat after the first coat has taken initial set but before it has dried.

Reinforcing Fabric

Use REINFORCING FABRIC HD over cracks or throughout where required by the project. REINFORCING FABRIC NW is used only over cracks on elevated slabs. Embed fabric fully into the first coat and cover with the second coat. Fabric must maintain full substrate contact, without air pockets, and must not protrude through the surface. Minimum applied thickness with REINFORCING FABRIC HD is 80 mils / 2 mm.

Curing

Air dry for a minimum of three days before continuous water exposure or before applying non-breathable coatings such as urethane or epoxy. Protect fresh applications from rain, strong wind, and intense sunlight for 12 hours.

Temperature and Limitations

Do not apply when temperature is expected to fall below 45 F / 7 C within 48 hours or when rain is imminent. Use hot-weather concreting procedures above 77 F / 25 C. Do not apply above 95 F / 35 C. Protect Component B from freezing. Do not bridge moving cracks. Continue existing control and expansion joints through the coating. Avoid steel-wheeled traffic and high point loading in thin applications.

System Compatibility / Related Product Notes

Related Gemite system interfaces

CEM-KOTE FLEX ST

Dynamic or moving substrate cracks should be treated before applying CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100. Gemite identifies CEM-KOTE FLEX ST reinforced with REINFORCING FABRIC HD or REINFORCING FABRIC NW as the treatment method for moving cracks.

CEM-KOTE FLEX CR

In Gemite wastewater protection System #2 for closed structures with hydrogen sulphide exposure between 20 and 50 ppm, CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100 is specified as the first coat at minimum 40 mils / 1 mm, followed by CEM-KOTE FLEX CR at minimum 40 mils / 1 mm.

REINFORCING FABRIC HD / NW

REINFORCING FABRIC HD may be used over cracks or throughout the surface, depending on project requirements. REINFORCING FABRIC NW is identified for cracks on elevated slabs. Fabric must be fully embedded and fully covered.

FIBRE-PATCH OV

Gemite notes that in some instances cracks can be routed out and filled with FIBRE-PATCH OV before CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100 application.

Gem-Cote EP 100

For some chemical protection assemblies, Gemite identifies CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100 as the first coat used to reduce moisture transfer before application of 100% solids epoxy protection.

FAQ

Specification questions

Can it be used on oil-contaminated concrete?

Yes. Gemite identifies CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100 as a bonding agent for highly contaminated substrates, including oil-contaminated concrete. The substrate still requires approved mechanical preparation and must be structurally sound.

Is it a traffic coating or only a waterproofing product?

It is both. The official data sheet describes it as a waterproofing coating and as a heavy-duty, high-impact traffic coating for areas such as parking garages, industrial floors, and loading docks.

What thickness should be specified?

For standard coating use, specify two coats at 30 mils / 0.76 mm each, totaling 60 mils / 1.6 mm. Where REINFORCING FABRIC HD is included, the minimum applied thickness is 80 mils / 2 mm.

Can it be used before epoxy or urethane coatings?

Yes, but observe cure requirements. Gemite states a minimum three-day air cure at 75 F / 23.9 C before most standard coatings or epoxy overlays, and 28 days before urethane overlays unless an epoxy or suitable primer is used or the coating manufacturer recommends otherwise.

Does it bridge moving cracks?

No. The data sheet states not to bridge moving cracks with CEM-KOTE BARRIER COTE 100. Dynamic cracks should be treated with CEM-KOTE FLEX ST reinforced with REINFORCING FABRIC HD or REINFORCING FABRIC NW before application.

Next Step

Need technical guidance for this system?

Send the substrate condition, exposure, traffic, crack profile, and coating sequence. Gemite can help confirm whether this product fits the project conditions.

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