Alliance Gator Rock Bond is a liquid binding agent that you mix with clean, dry decorative stone to make a durable, porous surface that stays where you put it. Loose decorative stone migrates: it ends up in the lawn, in the drain and everywhere except the bed you put it in. Rock Bond locks it into a solid layer that water still passes through, so the surface drains rather than running off.
It is for homeowners and landscapers building garden paths, tree wells, banding and edging details with small decorative stone, on pedestrian surfaces only. This guide covers what Rock Bond is, the stone and base it needs, the mixing and troweling steps, how much stone and binder a job takes, and common questions, using figures from the Alliance Gator Rock Bond technical data sheet and our product page.
Quick answer
- One 1 gallon container binds 320 lb of clean, dry stone and covers 80 sq ft at 1/2 in thick. The stone is a separate purchase.
- Use riverstone, granite, limestone or marble from 1/8 in to 3/8 in, clean, dust free and 100 percent dry, over at least 4 in of densely compacted crushed stone.
- Mix for a full 4 minutes and trowel within 20 minutes of mixing, at a minimum 1/2 in thickness.
- Apply above 60°F with no rain for 24 hours. Pedestrian use only.
What Gator Rock Bond is
Alliance Gator Rock Bond is sold as a single 1 gallon container. Here are its headline traits:
| Trait | Per Alliance |
|---|---|
| What it does | Binds loose decorative stone into a durable bonded surface |
| Drainage | Porous and permeable. Water passes through rather than running off |
| Maintenance | Keeps stones in place and reduces the cleanup of loose gravel |
| Durability | Durable in extreme conditions |
| Appearance | High gloss look when first applied, fading within about three months without affecting the bond |
| Traffic | Pedestrian only |
Alliance lists riverstone, granite, limestone and marble from 1/8 in to 3/8 in as compatible stone. Because the bonded layer stays porous and permeable, Alliance also lists it for areas where erosion and drainage are both a concern, such as tree wells and garden paths.
Gator Rock Bond specifications
| Specification | Per the data sheet |
|---|---|
| Container | 1 US gallon (3.78 L) |
| Mix ratio | 1 gallon to 320 lb (145 kg) of dry, clean stone |
| Coverage | 80 sq ft at 1/2 in (13 mm) thickness |
| Minimum thickness | 1/2 in (13 mm) |
| Compatible stone | 1/8 in to 3/8 in (3 to 10 mm), clean, dust free and 100 percent dry |
| Base required | Minimum 4 in (10 cm) densely compacted crushed stone |
| Mixing time | A full 4 minutes |
| Working time | Must be troweled within 20 minutes of mixing |
| Minimum temperature | Above 60°F (16°C) |
| Rain | Must not be rained on for 24 hours |
| Traffic rating | Pedestrian only |
| Cleanup | Xylene |
| Shelf life | 1 year unopened |
The full mix ratio, coverage, base requirements, working time and limitations are in the Gator Rock Bond technical data sheet, also listed in our TDS and SDS library.
Where to use it (and where not to)
Alliance rates Gator Rock Bond for pedestrian surfaces:
- Garden pathways and walkways
- Banding, edging and trimming details
- Tree wells
- Areas where erosion and drainage are both a concern
The manufacturer's limits:
- Pedestrian use only. It is not rated for driving on.
- Stone condition. The stone must be clean, dust free and 100 percent dry. Dust on the stone is the usual reason a batch fails to bind.
- Weather. Do not apply below 60°F (16°C), and it must not be rained on for 24 hours after application.
- Working time. You have 20 minutes from mixing to get it troweled. Mix only what you can place.
Rock Bond is for loose decorative stone, not paver joints. For joints between pavers, compare our polymeric sands instead.
How to use Gator Rock Bond
This is the shape of the job, in the order Alliance gives it. The full step by step is in the data sheet, and the listing recommends testing a small area first.
- Build the base. Densely compact at least 4 in of crushed stone over the native soil.
- Mix. Mix 1 gallon of Rock Bond with 320 lb of approved stone for a full 4 minutes, in a masonry mixer, a wheelbarrow or on a plywood sheet.
- Trowel it out. Spread it at a minimum 1/2 in thickness, within 20 minutes of mixing.
- Let it cure. Leave it 24 hours without rain to cure.
Expect a high gloss look when it is first applied. Alliance says the shine fades within about three months without affecting the bond. Clean tools with xylene.
What makes a bonded stone surface fail. Almost every failure traces back to one of four avoidable things:
- Dusty or damp stone. The binder cannot grip stone dust.
- A weak base. Without 4 in of densely compacted crushed stone underneath, the bonded layer flexes and cracks.
- Mixing too much at once. Batch it to what two people can trowel in the 20 minute window.
- Rain inside 24 hours. Check the forecast before you open the container.
How much Gator Rock Bond you need
Alliance's figure is one gallon plus 320 lb of stone for 80 sq ft at 1/2 in thick. To size a job at that thickness, measure the area of your path or bed in sq ft and divide by 80 for the number of gallons, rounding up. Multiply the gallons by 320 for the pounds of stone to buy. The 80 sq ft figure is at the 1/2 in minimum thickness, so a thicker layer covers less area per gallon.
Remember the stone is a separate purchase. The product page pairs Rock Bond with Gator Aqua Rock, an ASTM No. 9 granite aggregate. Whatever stone you use, it has to fall within the 1/8 in to 3/8 in range and be clean, dust free and completely dry. Call (856) 418-4895 if you want help working out the tonnage.
Safety and storage
- Wear gloves. The binder sticks to skin.
- Do not store below freezing.
- Shelf life is 1 year unopened.
- Clean tools with xylene.
For anything else, follow the label directions and the Alliance data sheet.
Watch the manufacturer's video
Frequently asked questions
How much stone does one gallon of Gator Rock Bond bind?
320 lb of dry, clean stone, which covers about 80 sq ft at 1/2 in thick.
What size stone can I use?
1/8 in to 3/8 in. Riverstone, granite, limestone and marble are all listed, provided they are clean and completely dry.
Can I drive on it?
No. Alliance rates it for pedestrian use only.
Is it permeable?
Yes, that is the point. It binds the stone while leaving the surface porous so water drains through.
Why is it shiny?
It has a high gloss look when first applied. The shine gradually fades within about three months and the bond is unaffected.
Tired of stone wandering out of the bed? Order Alliance Gator Rock Bond, or browse our stabilizers and binders and the full Alliance Gator range. It ships same day from our New Jersey warehouse. Call us 24/7 at (856) 418-4895 with stone or quantity questions.