" I am a financial and administrative person with a great love for construction projects and an old love for tennis. Building my own tennis court was just another of my lifetime dreams, but with most dreams an angel is always a welcome partner. Not all angels have wings - well maybe Allan Gardner has wings.

If Allan doesn't have wings then it's just one little thing he is missing because when you talk tennis, Allan had all the knowledge, expertise and supplies necessary for me to build my dream court.

My dream started with a search to understand the technical and financial elements to build a tennis court. I knew I wanted a Har-Tru surface. A local contractor scared me enough into my decision to be my own contractor when he gave me a proposal for $ 35,000.00 just for a stone wall around the court.

When I located Tennis Universal, I was calling them at unnatural hours, and even on weekends, almost always getting a real person and not a machine. After a few times I said to the person answering the phone, you must be the owner because no one but an owner works these hours. That's when Allan and I became friends in the summer of 2003.

I call Allan Gardner a friend, although I have never met him other then on the phone. A good friend is a person who is always there for you and is always ready to help. That's Allan!

Tennis Universal is a business but Allan runs it like a devoted father taking care of and educating his children. I came in a little late for the computer world so I'm still calling and talking to people. Allan always has the time to talk, educate and explain, even though almost everything I needed to know is on Tennis Universal's web site. Next week I will install the lines on my Har-Tru dream court, set the net posts and tennis net, and try out my new racquet, a gift from my son for my 58th birthday.

If you are lucky enough to have or want a tennis court, look for my angel. He's available for all that want to have a great tennis experience. Many thanks Allan."

Larry Feder, President
Madison Administrative Services
North Salem, NY

1. Surface Preparation

2. Mixing Location
Choose a location to mix materials that is close to the court entrance and will not require mixed materials to be carried over patios, walkways etc. A vinyl drop sheet is recommended to protect lawns and patios or sidewalks when mixing and spillage that may occur when transferring the material from the mixing drum to pails.

3. Amount of Water to Add When Mixing
It is important to add the recommended amount of clean water to each batch. Assuming you can obtain a clean 55-gallon drum, the following mixing ratios are based on 30-gallons of undiluted MultiMate Color with Sand per batch. If batch is smaller, maintain the same 50% ratio of water to color.

Mixing Ratios (55-gallon drum)

MultiMate	30-gallons (6 pails)
Water	15-gallons (3 pails)

4. Mixing
Mix MultiMate and water together until materials are blended to a smooth, slightly thick but free flowing homogenous consistency. A wooden paddle can be used, however, a ¾" electric drill and mixing shaft is available from most tool rental stores and is certainly much easier to use.

Watch the Weather

• Always check your local weather forecast before mixing materials or commencing coating applications.
• The temperature must be minimum 50 degrees F. (10 C) and rising. It is preferable that sunshine is predicted to warm the surface.
• Do not begin if rain is forecast or imminent
• Do not begin if there is less than 5 degrees Fahrenheit between the projected air temperature and the projected "dew point" temperature.
  Dew Point Explanation: If the temperature drops to the dew point level before coatings are dry, additional moisture in the air may influence the yet to dry material in a negative way. Some experts believe peeling can be related back to drying conditions when a court was resurfaced particularly in areas which may have been shaded by trees. You will find the dew point for your area displayed on your local weather channel.
• It is not recommended to start a coating application unless you are sure there will a minimum of two hours sunlight on the court after the coating application is finished.
• When extremely hot weather (mid 80's and above) is encountered it is best to apply one coat in the early morning (subject to the dew point restrictions) before the temperature rises and then wait until the next morning to apply the next coat.

Coating Multiple Courts

Assuming the court surface has had the final cleaning.

Step 1
When applying a two color application, both coats of color are applied to the playing box before starting the outbound (perimeter) color. Before starting, it is necessary to outline the perimeter edge of the box. If you followed the instructions on the "Applying a Base-Coat" section and made holes in the court or installed permanent galvanized nails at the tips of the four outer corners of the box you need to locate them at this time.

Using a chalkine, snap a line on the court surface from one corner marker to the next until you have created a four-sided chalkine perimeter of the box. You are now ready to start the color coating process.

Assuming the court surface has had the final cleaning.

Step 2
Follow mixing instructions and mix the first drum of color. After emptying six pails of color concentrate with sand into the drum, rinse the empty pails putting the rinse water into one or two pails. Rinse water can be used as part of the water to be added when mixing the next batch of the same color. The rinsed pails will be used to carry the mixed material to the court.

Step 3
Using a baling scoop, fill the empty pails from the drum about ¾ full and carry to the court, placing them at random locations near the application starting point. Place a lid over each pail to help prevent a skin from forming on the material while waiting to use. If a skin does form, return contents of pail to the drum and mix again.

Step 4
Starting near one of the corners of the playing box, pour a windrow (a long puddle of material about 6" to 12" wide) across the court (or the shortest distance of the area to be coated) about 3" away from and inside the chalkline.

Step 5
Using the long handled squeegee, apply color going outside the chalkline by 3"-6". Walk beside the windrow of wet material pulling the squeegee in even straight lines and on a slight angle to allow the material to flow in front of and off the rubber squeegee blade.

Although you will be using a 24" wide squeegee, you will only be applying new material to the suface in a 6" to 8" width with each pass across the court. The rest of the squeegee blade is wiping off excess material from previous passes. You cannot take off too much material with the squeegee. The thickness of the sand in the material will always allow a consistent thickness to remain on the court.

A slight downward pressure should be applied to the squeegee blade to prevent leaving unwanted small depressions of thick paint while applying a uniform coat from one side of the court to the other. Each return pass (pulling of material) should be parallel to the last.

When the end of each pass across the court is reached, pull material down at a 90 degree angle for 3' to 5' feet (see picture) along the fence or playing box sides when applying a 2 color application. Repeat this procedure until the coating application has been completed.

While applying the material, you will likely notice the occasional ridge of material from the end of the squeegee or small puddles  left in minor depressions. Don't worry, just reach out and make the same pass again, removing the spots with the squeegee. You cannot remove too much material by making a 2nd or even a 3rd pass.

When You Get to the Finishing Point of Each Coating Application
Use a shovel or dustpan and PICKUP EXCESS MATERIAL. DO NOT SPREAD IT AROUND! If material is applied too thick it will dry a darker shade with unsightly shrinkage cracks.

Step 6 Lock the court gate, to prevent an animal crossing the court area before the court has thoroughly dried.

Step 7. Clean Up:
Wash tools with water. If material has dried, use kerosene.

Step 8. GETTING READY TO START THE PERIMETER COLOR

Before starting application of the perimeter color it is necessary to apply masking tape onto the newly finished playing box to bring the two colors together under the 2" wide outside lines of the playing box. To do this you must again locate the four corner markers.

This time measure 1" in from each corner marker and put a mark on the court. Use the chalkline and again snap a new line to create another four sided box, this time 1" in from all corner markers on all sides. This line is actually the center of where each outside 2" wide white line will be.

When the new chalkline box has been marked out, use the 2" wide masking tape supplied, and lay on newly coated surface with the chalkline along the outside of the masking tape. You will now have a box created with the masking tape which will neatly create the point where the two colors will join.
Important: Do not place masking tape and then leave overnight. Tape just before you will be starting the first coat of the perimeter color.


YOU ARE NOW READY TO START THE 2ND COLOR

VERY IMPORTANT
Workers must be instructed that once the perimeter color application begins
ABSOLUTELY NOBODY WALKS OVER THE NEWLY COATED PLAYING BOX FOR ANY REASON. EVERYBODY MUST WALK AROUND THE BOX AT ALL TIMES UNTIL THE 2nd COAT OF PERIMETER COLOR IS COMPLETED AND DRY. Tracking the 2nd color onto the newly coated playing box can cause unecessary touching up of what would otherwise be a very attractive court surface.

Step 9. Applying First Coat of Perimeter Color
All mixing and coating guidelines apply for this coat. When coating along edge of playing box, carefully pull the material just over the masking tape edge being careful not to get onto the newly coated playing box.

Step 10. Applying Second Coat of Perimeter Color
All mixing and coating guidelines apply for this coat. Be sure to scrape any ridges left from the squeege while applying the 1st coat of perimeter color. When coating along edge of playing box, carefully pull the material just over the masking tape edge being careful not to get onto the newly coated playing box.

Step 11. Remove Masking Tape from Box
When color coating is finished and dry, remove masking tape.

Step 12. Layout Lines
Follow "Tennis Court Line Layout Diagram" to layout lines. If a line tape machine is being used to lay masking tape, all measurements are to the center of each line. All lines are 2" wide with the exception of baselines. Baselines can be 2" to 4" wide.

Cautions:

• Read the container label before using. Follow label instructions.
• When applying, air temperature must be a minimum of 50 degrees F. (10C) and rising. Do not apply if surface temperature exceeds 135 degrees F. (57C)
• Do not apply when rain is imminent or forecast
• When applying indoors, use with adequate ventilation during application and drying
• Close containers when not in use
• Do not store in direct sunlight or where temperature may exceed 100 degrees F.
• KEEP FROM FREEZING