Cosentino Silestone User manual

INTENDED FOR: MARBLE WORKERS,
PROFESSIONAL FITTERS,
AND ARCHITECTS
Silestone®
Manual for
Professional
Use
On Top

Content
FABRICATION 3
CUTTING 3
PRECAUTIONS 4
EDGES 5
GENERAL SAFETY ADVICE 6
TECHNICAL DATA 6
ABRASIVES POSITIONING CHART 7
INSTALLATION 8
PROFESSIONAL CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 10
TECHNICAL ADVICE REPORT 11

Fabrication
Where more than one slab is required to make
the kitchen worktop, check that the slabs match
in colour and appearance by putting
them together.
To do this, the information on the specifications
label for each slab should be used. It is
extremely important to keep the Reference
Number for the slab, so as to be able to track
its traceability in future, and to submit a claim in
the event of receiving faulty material.
Cutting
The cutting table should be solid and robust. It
should also be perfectly flat and level. Check that
the surface where the slab is going to rest on the
cutting table is in good condition (i.e. that it is not
covered in cuts in any one area, which might
lead to the material moving about while being cut).
The cutting disk must be in perfect condition (no
missing parts, or worn disks, etc.).
Rate of advance:
For 2 cm slabs: between 3 and 3.5 m/min.
For 3 cm slabs: between 2.5 and 3 m/min.
Water flow: Direct plenty of water to the leading
edge of the disk as it cuts into the material.
Color
Table Nº
Dimensions
Factory Date
Tone
Finish
3

Precautions
• Over the years the colour and shade of
Silestone products may suffer from the effect
of the sun’s rays.
• Do not use water repellents or sealants to
bring out the lustre.
• Once it has been installed, the sheen on
Silestone® and ECO by Cosentino® is the
natural lustre of the product itself.
• Sealants and water repellents provide an
artificial, ephemeral shine.
• Do not use paint strippers, caustic soda or
any products with a pH of more than 10.
• If bleach or solvent is used, it should be
diluted with water and never leſt in permanent
contact with the product.
• Bleach and solvent can continue to affect
the product 12 hours later.
• Do not use chlorine-based products such as
dichloramine (present in paint stripper).
• The surface of the material should not be re-
polished, either on floors or on a worktop.
• Do not use degreasing agents such as those
used in oven cleaners.
• Keep Silestone® and ECO by Cosentino®
separate from sources of heat (deep-fat fryers,
etc.).
• We always recommend placing hot objects
on top of hot pads or tablemats.
To cut a Silestone® slab or one for ECO by Cosentino®, the first cut should
be made along the length of the slab, and the second on the width, as
shown in the diagram.
The cutting disk should be perfectly aligned with the cutting direction.
Rotational speed: 2500 rpm for 20 cm radius disk; 3500 rpm for 15 cm
radius disk.
SuedePolished
Do not sell
products That are
not originals and
identified with the
brand Silestone®
4

Edges
Bullnose and
half bullnose edges
The diamond generators should be in good
condition without any deformities to achieve
the
right profile.
6-motor machine: Sandpaper grits 60, 120,
220, 400, 800, 1500.
8-motor machine: Sandpaper grits 120, 220,
220, 400, 600, 800, 1500, 3000.
Speed*: Approximately 20-25 cm/min.
Pressure: Between 2 and 3 bar.
Polishing edges with
manual water polishing
machine
The polished abrasives must be in good
condition. The cutting table and the piece
being worked on should be well secured to
prevent any movement during polishing.
The polishing machine should turn at less than
4000 r.p.m.
The water flow must be high and properly
directed towards the polishing area to keep
the material cool and prevent it from burning.
Grind using a diamond disk.
Move the polishing machine gently over the
material without pressing against it. When
polishing, rather than remaining in the same
position on the edge, the machine should be
kept in constant motion.
Use diamond resin sandpapers. Use the
following sequence of grits: 50, 100, 200, 400,
800, 1500, 3000..
Polishing edges with
an automatic edging ma-
chine. Straight edges
6-motor machine: Sandpaper grits 60, 120,
220, 400, 800, 1500.
8-motor machine: Sandpaper grits 60, 120,
220, 400, 600, 800, 1500, 3000.
Speed*: Approximately 50-60 cm/min.
Pressure: Between 2 and 3 bar.
*for dark colours, the speed should be 40-50.
Polishing Suedelook
edges
Use abrasives for SUEDE finishes. These can
be obtained from any store or dealer
authorised by Cosentino.
Polishing by hand
The polishing should be done with water.
Ensure that the manual polishing machine
has a continuous supply of water so that the
product is kept cool.
The sequence of grit size that should be used
is as follows: 36, 36, 46, 46, 60, 120, 220, 400,
600.
For 36, 46, 60, 120 disks the rpm must be
between 1500-2000.
For 220, 400, 600 disks the rpm must be
between 2500-3000.
IMPORTANT: Do not apply pressure as it
breaks the teeth and is dangerous.
Polishing with an
automatic edgingmachine
The pressure of the heads on the edge should
be as low as possible to prevent the teeth on
the special abrasives from breaking.
For such purpose, a back pressure should also
be used to all but cancel out the pressure of
the heads, as shown in the chart.
The trays with the concentric coupling screw
are used for straight edges, whether it is
polished or leather finish.
The trays with and off-centre screw are used
for special edges.
IMPORTANT: Do not apply pressure as it
breaks the teeth and is dangerous.
5

General
Safety Advice
Always pay attention to the safety and prevention
measures set out in the “Guide to Good Practice
for working with Silestone® and ECO by Cosentino®
products” manufactured by Cosentino®.
Use cutting machines and tools with a “wet
method” (using water). Dust emissions can be
reduced and controlled using wet working methods
that avoid sending particles into the atmosphere.
Wash your hands and face carefully aſter handling
the product.
Do not eat, drink or smoke while using it.
Cosentino® does not accept responsibility for any
damage caused as a result of failing to observe the
instructions in this manual, or the precautions it
contains.
All claims must be accompanied by the serial
number of the slab(s) used to make the worktop.
The serial number is printed on the label that is
stuck to the slab.
Technical Data
It has been observed that the finish is better if
eccentric cutter heads are used.
The first 4 cutter heads will have a rotational speed
of 1500 r.p.m.
The last 4 cutter heads will have a rotational speed
of 1500 r.p.m.
Pressures for all cutter heads should be the same:
1.2 bar of pressure and 1 bar of back pressure.
NB: It should be borne in mind that these values
have been obtained using a COMANDULLI
machine. In other machines, attention should be
paid to their machining and functional features;
however, the operating principle should always be
borne in mind (namely, that the brushes are not
flattened against the edge being w orked on).
For this reason, we need to regulate the machine
to achieve optimum pressure, bearing in mind the
pressures required by our particular machine, or
where it is positioned.
6

Abrasives
Positioning
Chart
Straight Edge
Special Edge
PRESSURE GRAIN SPEED PRESSURE COUNTERPRESSURE
1st position 220 30 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
2nd position 220 30 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
3rd position 60 30 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
4th position 120 30 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
5th position 220 30 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
6th position 380 30 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
PRESSURE GRAIN SPEED PRESSURE COUNTERPRESSURE
1st position 36 70 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
2nd position 46 70 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
3rd position 60 70 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
4th position 120 70 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
5th position 220 70 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
6th position 380 70 cm/min 1,2 Bar 1 Bar
Common
Abrasive
Common
Abrasive
7

Installation
Step 1
The gap between the worktop and the hob
Should be as large as possible. Do not let
the elements for fixing the hob in place press
against the worktop (inasmuch as this is
possible).
Step 2
The radius of the holes at the corners
Should never be less than 4 mm. This can
be achieved by using an 8mm drill. Where
possible, the radius should be larger than 4
mm. For unit or column cut outs, a radius
should likewise be leſt at the corners.
Step 3
Do not cross cuts at the holes or the
Units or columns, these should be rounded
off.
Step 4
Ensure that the base units supporting the
Worktop are level by adjusting the legs on
the units. Special attention should be paid to
worktops with reinforced joints (2+2 or mitre),
which should be fitted with reinforcements at
the places indicated in the drawing, so that the
worktop rests on the walls of the kitchen units
properly. The corner should be levelled off and
properly supported. Check that the front of the
kitchen unit in the area around the sink is solid
enough and there is no possibility of bowing.
Step 5
Stick heat sink tape in all areas in direct
contact with heat. Remove the adhesive
Tape and stick the insulating tape on the edge
of the worktop cut out in the area around
the hob. Check that the seal runs all the way
round the hob. This should not be removed at
any time.
Step 6
Place the insulating tape in position and
use silicone to stick it to the underside of
the worktop, just above the dishwasher
and washing machine.
Step 7
Use “Juntax” pigments, solumastic and
Colorsil silicones, to achieve smooth,
even joints in the worktop. Contact your
distributor to obtain a supply.
Step 8
Silestone® y ECO by Cosentino® cannot be
fitted between walls, furniture, etc. Allow
for a 3mm expansion gap on either side. Use
COLORSIL.
Step 9
Supply your customer with a Cleanpack
(Care kit) to ensure correct use of the
worktop.
8

1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
No
Yes
9

Professional
Cleaning &
Maintenance
Prevention
For the correct manufacturing and fitting of
Silestone®, it is important to take increased
precautions, in order to speed up working times
and avoid unnecessary cleaning and stains.
Below, we have included two good practice
procedures to be followed during fitting:
Masking tape to avoid spreading the glue over
the surface of the material
Use of a spatula to correctly remove the excess
from the silicone rows
Cleaning of Silicone
and Glue
During manufacturing at the workshop (mitre joint,
laminated edges, general cleaning of the piece)
and the fitting of the countertop (connections,
joints, borders, etc.) where glue, adhesives and
silicones are used, we recommend cleaning
straight aſter application (maximum 30 minutes
aſter gluing). For this purpose, use clean cotton
cloths or failing this, paper towels.
Use Clean Colorsil (a supplementary product by
Cosentino) for cleaning silicone and adhesives;
failing this, you can use Isopropyl Alcohol
(Isopropanol) or ethanol.
Products that are
not advisable
Products such as solvent or acetone should not be
used to clean countertops or boards.
Scrubbers should not be used. It is advisable to use
a microfibre cloth or damp paper towel.
10