Gator Dust Bond is a polymeric stone dust, not a sand. Alliance formulated it for the wide, irregular joints of flagstone and wet cast stone, where the gaps run far past what a polymeric sand can fill. It is rated for joints from 1/2 in to 6 in, the widest rating Alliance publishes, and Alliance states it will not haze wet cast or natural stone, which is the main reason to choose it over a sand.
The trade-off is traffic. Dust Bond is for pedestrian surfaces only, never driveways, and it needs warmer weather and a longer dry window than the Gator polymeric sands. This guide covers what it is rated for, the base Alliance requires, the fill-and-strike installation sequence, coverage per 50 lb bag and the warranty, using figures from the Alliance Gator Dust Bond product page and technical data sheet. Anything the product page does not state, we leave to the data sheet in our TDS and SDS library.
Quick answer
- Gator Dust Bond is a polymeric stone dust sold in 50 lb bags in Sahara Beige and Stone Grey, for flagstone, natural stone and wet cast joints from 1/2 in to 6 in.
- Pedestrian use only. Not for vehicles or driveways, and not over a concrete slab or base.
- Install above 59°F on dry stone with no rain forecast for 24 hours. Rain safe 24 hours after water activation.
- Coverage: about 20 to 30 sq ft per bag on 1 in to 2 in joints with stone 2 in to 2-1/2 in tall. 15 year residential warranty, 1 year commercial.
What Gator Dust Bond is
Alliance Gator Dust Bond Polymeric Stone Dust is a water-activated jointing material graded as a stone dust rather than a sand. Here is how it compares with the Gator polymeric sands, per Alliance:
| Feature | Gator polymeric sands | Gator Dust Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polymeric sand | Polymeric stone dust |
| Joint width | 1/8 in up to 1 in, 2 in or 4 in depending on grade | 1/2 in to 6 in |
| Natural stone and wet cast | Rated for natural stone on some grades | Compatible with all types of wet cast and natural stone, and does not haze them |
| Traffic | Driveways and parking on the sands rated for vehicles | Pedestrian only |
| Minimum temperature | Above 32°F | Above 59°F |
| Rain safe | 15 minutes to 1 hour on a traditional base, by grade | 24 hours |
Alliance also states that Dust Bond stops weeds, insects and erosion in joints far too wide for ordinary jointing material, and that it works with Gator Base panels as a panel-based foundation.
Gator Dust Bond specifications
| Specification | Per the Alliance product page and data sheet |
|---|---|
| Bag weight | 50 lb (22.7 kg) |
| Colors | Sahara Beige, Stone Grey |
| Joint width | 1/2 in to 6 in (13 mm to 15 cm) |
| Traffic rating | Pedestrian only, not for vehicles |
| Installation temperature | Above 59°F (15°C) |
| Rain safe | 24 hours after water activation |
| Base required | Maximum 1 in sand bed over a minimum 6 in of compacted crushed stone |
| Joint fill height | At least 1/8 in below the top of the stone |
| Coverage | 20 to 30 sq ft per bag on 1 in to 2 in joints, stone 2 in to 2-1/2 in tall |
| Warranty | 15 year residential, 1 year commercial |
The product page does not state a minimum joint depth, a full cure time or a wait before pressure washing. Check the manufacturer data sheet in our TDS and SDS library for those figures.
Where to use it (and where not to)
Alliance recommends Gator Dust Bond for pedestrian traffic on traditional bases:
- Flagstone and irregular natural stone patios
- Wet cast stone walkways
- Pool decks and footpaths
- Garden paths and stepping stone joints
The manufacturer's limits, straight from Alliance:
- Pedestrian use only. Do not use for vehicular traffic of any kind, including driveways.
- Not over a concrete slab or base. Alliance prohibits it because the slab stops the joint draining.
- Above 59°F only, and only if no rain is forecast for 24 hours. Minimize walking on the stones for 24 hours after installation.
- Never leave product lying on the stone surface. Moisture will activate it there and it will stain.
- Avoid excessive watering. Too much water at activation undoes the compaction you just did.
- Pool coping blocks require mortar. Do not sweep it over asphalt, and do not apply if the stone or joints are damp.
Stone dust or polymeric sand? Alliance says the deciding factor is joint width and what your stone is:
| Your joints and surface | Alliance product |
|---|---|
| Joints under 1/2 in | A polymeric sand such as Gator Super Sand Bond or Gator Super Sand G2 |
| Joints 1/2 in to 4 in on concrete pavers | Gator Maxx G2, which carries a vehicular rating |
| Joints 1/2 in to 6 in on flagstone or wet cast, pedestrian only | Gator Dust Bond, because it will not haze natural stone |
| Driveways and anything with tires | Not Dust Bond. Use a vehicle-rated polymeric sand |
Our guide to polymeric sand for flagstone and natural stone goes deeper on wide-joint stone work.
How to install Gator Dust Bond
Alliance publishes the full strike-and-fill sequence in the technical data sheet. Everything must be dry, the temperature above 59°F, and the forecast clear for 24 hours. Here is the shape of the job as Alliance describes it:
- Set the stone on the right base. A maximum 1 in sand bed over at least 6 in of compacted crushed stone.
- Fill the joints dry. Sweep the dust in on natural stone, or pour it with a scoop on wet cast to keep it off the faces.
- Strike the stones. Tap each stone with a rubber mallet to settle the dust and drive out air pockets, then repeat the fill and strike at least twice more.
- Sweep off. Use a soft fine-bristle broom, leaving the dust at least 1/8 in below the top of the stone, then leaf-blow all residue clear. Never leave product lying on the stone surface.
- Water in sections. Starting at the low point of the surface with the hose gun on a shower setting, shower a 50 sq ft area for 90 seconds, work across the whole surface, rinse the residue off and blow the excess water away. Avoid excessive watering.
The joints are rain safe after 24 hours, and Alliance asks you to minimize walking on the stones for those 24 hours. For a product by product look at temperature minimums, see polymeric sand temperature limits.
How much Gator Dust Bond you need
Alliance publishes one coverage figure for Dust Bond, and warns that it varies a lot with how irregular your stone is:
| Joint width and stone height | Coverage per 50 lb bag |
|---|---|
| 1 in to 2 in joints, stone 2 in to 2-1/2 in tall | 20 to 30 sq ft |
Wider or deeper joints use considerably more. Wide flagstone joints eat material, so estimate with our polymeric sand calculator and then call (856) 418-4895 and we will help you size it. The Gator Dust Bond color samples let you hold Sahara Beige and Stone Grey against your stone before you order.
Warranty and testing
Alliance backs Gator Dust Bond with a 15 year residential warranty and a 1 year commercial warranty. Alliance states the product is compatible with all types of wet cast and natural stone and does not haze them. Even so, sweep the surface clean and never leave product on the stone, since moisture will activate it there and stain.
The Alliance technical data sheet, with coverage, the strike-and-fill sequence, watering method and limitations, is listed in our TDS and SDS library.
Watch the manufacturer's video
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Gator Dust Bond on a driveway?
No. Alliance rates it for pedestrian traffic only. Any surface that takes vehicles needs a vehicle-rated polymeric sand instead.
What joint width does it fill?
From 1/2 in up to 6 in wide, which is the widest joint rating in the Alliance range.
Will it haze my flagstone?
Alliance states it does not haze wet cast or natural stone, which is the main reason to choose it over a sand. Still sweep the surface clean and never leave product lying on the stone.
What temperature do I need, and how soon can it rain?
Above 59°F (15°C), noticeably warmer than the polymeric sands, which go down to 32°F. Rain has to hold off for 24 hours, so only install it if the forecast is clear for a full day.
Can I use it over a concrete slab?
No. Alliance prohibits it because the slab stops the joint draining. Stones need to sit on a maximum 1 in sand bed over at least 6 in of compacted crushed stone.
Jointing an irregular flagstone patio or a wet cast walkway? Order Gator Dust Bond Polymeric Stone Dust, which ships same day from our New Jersey warehouse, or browse the full Alliance Gator range. Call us 24/7 at (856) 418-4895 to talk through your stone and quantities, or reach us through the contact page.