Cold tarmac - is jointing spray or primer needed

WobblyDog

I've bought a bag of "cold repair tarmac" to fill in some small potholes in a lightly-used driveway. The new tarmac will need to stick to the existing base of worn tarmac or concrete.

Should I also buy a joint spray such as
http://www.diy.com/departments/tarmac-bitumen-edging-jointing-spray-150ml/147427_BQ.prd
to improve adhesion of the new tarmac to the existing material?

Altertnatively, I've already got a couple of cans of black, sticky, bitumen-based roofing felt adhesive. Would that work as a primer?

phill99

What does it say on installation instructions?

nja-nja

I have done both methods (with and without the spray).

With the spray seems better for me. Both seem to work, but the 'without' have sunk slightly whereas the 'with' seems to be level still, and the 'with' seemed to go down easier.

I don't know whether any old bitumen spray would work, but the fact it is a spray means it probably would (it would need to be quite liquid when sprayed though, as the 'real' spray is)

Additional tip, when 'tamping' down the tarmac have a bucket of water handy and keep dipping the implement you are using for 'tamping' in it as it will stop the tarmac sticking to it.

WobblyDog

phill99 wrote: »

What does it say on installation instructions?

Thanks for the replies. The instructions advise the use of primer of some kind for best results. I've got a shelf full of half-used cans of special-purpose paints, sealants and adhesives, and I was hoping to not to add to it. I guess I'd better buy a can of the spray anyway, as I don't want the tarmac lifting.

phil24_7

Leave the bag in the sun for a bit before using it. It says 'cold lay' but it is a pig to use when cold and a lot better to use with a bit of warmth in it.

fezster

The guys who did my driveway had to repair the pavement afterwards. They used cold lay macadam, but they used some spirit to light it to warm it up, as they said it's much easier to work with then.

arbrighton

Husband left ours in the sun for a day before laying the other week- much easier when it was HOT rather than Warm weather too- a week difference in July

He didn't use any priming etc