DAP® 3.0TM Frequently Asked Questions

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How is new DAP® 3.0TM different from old DAP® 3.0TM?
Featuring high performance chemistry, the new DAP® 3.0TM provides even better performance and time savings. The new DAP® 3.0TM Window, Door, Siding & Trim and Kitchen, Bath, & Plumbing products are water resistant in just 30 minutes, can be painted in just 30 minutes and have a wider application temperature range than many silicones. In addition, the new DAP® 3.0TM Kitchen, Bath & Plumbing boasts a 10 year mold resistance, backed by Microban® Antimicrobial Product Protection.
What is the benefit of new DAP® 3.0TM being water resistant in 30 minutes?
Traditional latex and silicone sealants may require a 24-36 hour waiting period before exposing to water. New DAP® 3.0TM allows you to caulk and expose the bead to water in just 30 minutes without it washing out, offering time-savings by drastically reducing the wait between caulking and using the area. For outdoor window, door, and siding applications, this means no waiting for ideal weather conditions to begin or complete a project. And for kitchen, bath or plumbing projects, there is less wait time between applying the sealant and being able to use the sinks, tubs and showers again. With new DAP® 3.0TM the risk of washout by premature water exposure is greatly reduced which means no worries for the job, done right.
 

DAP® 3.0TM Won't Washout


DAP® 3.0TM allows for exposure to water after just 30 minutes without washing out.


Most other caulks and sealants wash out completely and may require a 24-36 hour waiting period before exposing to water.

Can I really paint new DAP® 3.0TM in only 30 minutes?
Absolutely! To paint new DAP® 3.0TM window, door, trim & siding or Kitchen, Bath & Plumbing in 30 minutes, use a high quality acrylic latex/waterborne coating with a 3/8" maximum diameter bead. Ensure that the temperature is at least 70°F and relative humidity is 50%.
 

Best Paintability & Ease of Use


DAP® 3.0™ provides outstanding paintability with both latex and oil-based paints.


Premium silicone cannot be painted.

I am looking for a true crystal clear sealant. Is there a DAP® 3.0TM for that?
DAP® 3.0TM offers two crystal clear products - one designed for Window, Door, Trim & Siding projects and another for Kitchen, Bath & Plumbing projects. Unlike many silicones, these products are opaque or cloudy, DAP® 3.0TM is truly crystal clear and allows the beauty of the surface to shine through.
 

Crystal Clear

How durable is new DAP® 3.0TM?
DAP® 3.0TM products meet ASTM C920, a industry standard that measures flexibility, durability and adhesion. DAP® 3.0TM high performance sealants perform with outstanding results in conditions where the sealant expands and contracts and the sealant will not crack.
 

Best Flexibility Won't Crack


 
DAP® 3.0TM ensures a permanently waterproof and weatherproof seal that won't crack or shrink due to its outstanding flexibility and adhesion.
Where can I use DAP® 3.0TM "self-leveling" sealant?
This DAP® 3.0TM has been designed to provide the best solution for a specific project. This sealant is ideal for use in horizontal cracks or gaps in concrete. To fill these small cracks, apply the sealant; there is no tooling is required. DAP® 3.0TM Self-Leveling Concrete Sealant should only be used on horizontal surfaces.
Can DAP® 3.0TM be applied on a surface with residual latex, silicone or urethane sealant?
For best results, the removal of all old products is recommended. The surface should be clean, dry and free of all old caulk, dirt, dust and grease. Before applying sealant, always read the back panel instructions carefully before starting your project.
At what temperature should I apply DAP® 3.0TM?
New DAP® 3.0TM can be applied in temperature conditions from 20°F to 120°F. If you notice a cold draft entering your home in the winter, you can seal the gap or crack (up to 1/2" width) where cold air is entering the home with outside temperatures as low as 20°F. Likewise, if chilled air is escaping your home in the summer, new DAP® 3.0TM can be used to seal small air leaks even if the outside temperature is as high as 120°F. DAP® 3.0TM is a high performance sealant and can be used in many extreme conditions where many other types of sealants cannot.
Why do DAP® 3.0TM Advanced Sealants come in a different style of cartridge?
To accommodate for the time saving water resistant and paintable features of new DAP® 3.0TM and to ensure that your DAP® 3.0TM is of the highest quality, we have packaged it in a thicker-walled container. The nozzle style may also be different than caulk cartridges you are familiar with. To open the sealant, simply unscrew the outer nozzle and cut the inner nozzle at the thread point furthest away from the base of the nozzle. Re-attached the outer nozzle and cut it at a 45° angle to desired bead size.
What is the approximate coverage from one cartridge of DAP® 3.0TM?
One 9 fl. oz. cartridge can cover up to 49 linear feet at a 3/16" bead. For kitchen & bath projects, one cartridge will seal around a bathtub, shower walls or two sinks with countertops. For window & door projects, one cartridge will seal around three 3 1/2" x 7 1/2" standard doors or four standard windows.
If I only use half of a cartridge, can I use the other half at a later date? If so, what are the proper storage conditions?
Yes. You should use the remaining product as soon as possible, preferably within a month after the cartridge is opened if stored properly. The cartridge should be stored below 80°F in a dry place. When ready to use again, remove the cured material at the tip or cut the tip back to reveal fresh product.
How is DAP® 3.0TM different from a polyurethane sealant?

While both of these types of sealants are paintable, new DAP® 3.0TM can be painted in just 30 minutes where some polyurethanes require up to 7 days to cure before they can be painted so DAP® 3.0TM saves time and helps you to complete your project sooner.

Also, polyurethanes typically require 24 hours before they can be exposed to water while new DAP® 3.0TM can be exposed to water in just 30 minutes which means you can still seal up exterior gaps and cracks even if rain is in the forecast.

One difference you will notice when applying these two types of sealants is the ease of application: polyurethanes are stiff and difficult to gun in low temperatures while new DAP® 3.0TM can be applied in extreme temperatures from 20°F to 120°F. DAP® 3.0TM also offers a solution for Kitchen & Bath applications and also clear sealants, where polyurethanes have no product solution.

There are some silicones that have 30 minute water resistance - how is new DAP® 3.0TM different from those products?

Silicone sealants that offer 30 minute water resistance are great for some jobs, but DAP® 3.0TM certainly offers benefits over these products.

If you are choosing a clear product, these silicone products will give you an opaque, milky seal whereas DAP® 3.0TM offers true crystal clear clarity to allow the surface of the sealant to shine through.

If you are planning on painting the sealant... ever... then a traditional silicone sealant will not work as silicones are not paintable whereas DAP® 3.0TM is paintable in 30 minutes!

DAP® 3.0TM also offers a wider application temperature range, it can be applied over itself whereas silicone will not adhere to itself, and silicone is typically more stringy to apply, making the application challenging, especially for new users. DAP® 3.0TM really is the best sealant on the market!