What is Selleys Point Works, and where should you use it?
Selleys Point Works Gen III is a flexible roof pointing compound — a styrene-acrylic material applied with a trowel over the cement bedding mortar to fasten hip and ridge roof tiles and to give the ridge line a neat, colour-matched finish. It qualifies as an Adhesive Mechanical Fastener for hip and ridge tiles in accordance with AS 2050:2018, and it has passed the fatigue loading for both Cyclonic Conditions C3 and C4 after conditioning by prolonged water saturation, as per Australian Standard AS 4046.8-2015.
The property that matters most on a roof is flexibility: it flexes with normal roof movement without cracking or breaking away. Traditional rigid pointing eventually cracks as the roof structure moves and the tiles heat and cool, and once it cracks, water gets behind it. Point Works is designed to move with the roof instead. It is suitable for new roofs and for roof repairs, and it cleans up with water.
Technical specification
| Property | Typical result |
|---|---|
| Technology | Styrene-acrylic |
| Colour | Various, including Neutral |
| Density | Approximately 1.40 |
| Application temperature | 10 °C to 40 °C |
| Working time | 10–20 minutes at 40 °C, before the product starts to skin |
| Cure time | 24 hours |
| Withstands light rain | After 2 hours curing in good weather |
| Coverage | Approximately 22 metres of ridging per 10 litre pail |
| Packaging | 10 L pail, made of recycled plastic |
| Shelf life | 18 months |
| Standards | Passes AS 4046.8-2015 C3 & C4 cyclonic conditions; qualifies as an Adhesive Mechanical Fastener under AS 2050:2018 |
Indicative data only, not intended for the preparation of specifications.
What the key numbers mean in practice
Working time of 10 to 20 minutes at 40 °C is a hot-day figure, and it is the reason the directions tell you to trowel in small runs. On a roof in summer you have well under half an hour before the surface starts to skin, so laying out a long run and then coming back to finish it will leave you tooling a skinned surface.
Two hours to withstand light rain, 24 hours to cure. These are two different thresholds. Two hours of curing in good weather is enough for the pointing to survive light rain; curing times extend in cold and wet conditions, and full cure is 24 hours. The gap between them is where the weather risk sits, and it is why the rain restrictions below matter.
Coverage of about 22 metres of ridging per 10 litre pail is quoted on a specific condition: the bedding has been finished vertically or slightly under the ridge and is free of holes and defects. Badly finished bedding swallows product, so the figure is a benchmark for correct preparation as much as it is a purchasing guide.
Trowel thickness of 3 to 5mm pairs with the preparation requirement that bedding be finished at least 3mm under the hip and ridge tiles. In other words, the pointing is meant to occupy a deliberate recess with full contact to both the roof tiles and the underside of the hip and ridge tile edges — not to be smeared on as a surface skim.
Colours
Point Works Gen III is available in a range of colours to match all available roof tiles supplied by CSR, Boral and Bristile, including a Neutral. The product page lists these colours alongside their Monier equivalents:
- Burnt Orange / Monier Earth
- Charcoal / Monier Soho Night
- Crimson / Monier Aurora
- Dark Grey / Monier Barramundi
- Grey / Monier Saber
- Jet Black / Monier Sambuca
- Kava / Monier Silver Perch
- Mahogany / Monier Bungalow
- Mid Grey / Monier Babylon
- Midnight Blue / Monier Camelot
- Olive / Monier Caraway
- Outback Red / Monier Saffron
- Rainforest / Monier Wollemi
- Ruby Red / Monier Chilli
- Terracotta / Monier Cottage Red
- Walnut / Monier Ariseed
Surface preparation
The instructions here are as important as the application itself, because Point Works is a pointing compound over bedding mortar, not a substitute for it.
- Install hip and ridge tiles in accordance with AS 2050:2018, using a bedding mix of 4 to 1 (sand to cement).
- Ensure the bedding is free of all holes and defects, and has been finished at least 3mm under the hip and ridge tiles. Raking the wet bedding immediately under the hips and ridges with the head of a screw is one way to achieve this.
- Ensure the surfaces are clean and free of loose material, and that the edges of the hip and ridge tiles and the roof tiles next to the bedding are free of powdery bedding mortar.
- Allow the bedding to cure for at least 12 hours at 15 °C or higher, or at least 24 hours at 10–15 °C, before applying Point Works.
How to apply it
The manufacturer is explicit that the following is a guide only, and that the installer should apply all Australian Standards, BCA/NZBC requirements and best practices when pointing roofs with Point Works Gen III.
- Trowel Point Works Gen III to a thickness of 3 to 5mm, ensuring the pointing has full contact with the roof tiles and under the edge of the hip and ridge tiles.
- Trowel in small runs to ensure a neat and clean finish.
- Sweep down each hip and ridge as the pointing is completed, to prevent excess product adhering to the tiles.
- Use a wet trowel to get a smooth finish, cleaning the trowel regularly with water. Do not brush or sponge the product — this will damage the finished appearance.
- In cold and damp conditions, use Point Works Accelerant Spray to speed up the drying. To be effective it must be applied within 30 minutes after the pointing has been applied.
- Install weepholes in the pointing and the bedding mortar. Weepholes may be put in as you go, or on completion of the job.
Working out of the pail
- Regularly mix the product in the bucket to avoid skinning.
- If the product has been left open and a crust has formed, discard the dried crust material — the material below it will be satisfactory.
- Keep unused product closely covered with the plastic sheet inside the bucket and replace the lid firmly. On re-opening, remove the plastic sheet and any skin formed around the edges, then mix and use as normal.
- Before use, the product may be stirred to attain the desired trowelling consistency. Never add water to restore trowelling ability.
- If mixing colour into the product, place the colour as deep as possible into the centre of the bucket and mix with a power-driven mixing wand at low speed until the colour is consistent throughout.
The instruction never to add water is worth taking seriously. Thinning the compound to make it easier to trowel changes the material you have relied on for the cyclonic fatigue performance, and a stir is the sanctioned way to recover consistency.
Limitations — where Point Works should not be used
- Do not use when the surface temperature during application or curing is 10 °C or lower, particularly if humidity is greater than 80%.
- Do not use if rain is likely within 2 hours (technical data sheet). The product page states the restriction more conservatively as do not apply in wet conditions or if rain is expected within 12 hours — on a roof, the cautious figure is the one to plan around.
- Not suitable for application on wet or frozen surfaces.
- Expect a working time of only 10 to 20 minutes at 40 °C before the product starts to skin.
- Do not brush or sponge the finish.
- Never add water to restore trowelling ability.
- Ensure adequate ventilation during use (product page).
Clean up and storage
Spills and tools can be cleaned up with water before the product has dried. Stubborn material can be removed with mineral turps.
Store unopened pails below 30 °C in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Unopened pails can be stored for 18 months from the date of manufacture. Opened pails may skin at the surface — discard any lumps or skin, and the remaining product can be used.
Hazard classification
Classified as hazardous under Safe Work Australia GHS 7, with the signal word Warning.
- Skin sensitisation — Category 1. H317: may cause an allergic skin reaction.
The safety data sheet declares all ingredients as non-hazardous or below reporting limits, so no composition table is reproduced here — the classification stands on its own.
Skin sensitisation is not irritation. Irritation settles once contact stops. Sensitisation is the immune system learning to react to the material: generally permanent once acquired, triggered thereafter by far smaller exposures, and worsening with each contact. It builds from repeated casual contact rather than one dramatic exposure, which is why gloves matter on every job and not just the big ones.
The exposure pattern matters for this product in particular. Point Works is a bedding compound for hip and ridge tiles, supplied in 10 litre containers and used across a whole roof rather than a single joint. That is a long day of repeated hand contact, which is precisely the pattern that causes sensitisation. Wear gloves for the duration, not just when opening the pail.
Protection
- Gloves — nitrile rubber for intermittent contact.
- Eye protection — safety glasses or goggles.
- Ventilation — work in a well-ventilated area.
- Wash hands after use, and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
First aid
| Exposure | What to do |
|---|---|
| Eyes | Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, removing contact lenses if present and easy to do, then keep rinsing. If irritation persists, get medical advice. |
| Skin | Wash with soap and water. If a rash, redness or itching develops — including hours later — get medical advice, as that may indicate sensitisation rather than simple irritation. |
| Inhalation | Move to fresh air. If irritation persists, seek medical advice. |
| Swallowed | Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the mouth and seek medical advice. |
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre — 131 126 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand — with the container to hand. Selleys emergency line: 1800 220 770 in Australia, 0800 220 770 in New Zealand.
Common questions about Selleys Point Works
Does it replace the bedding mortar?
No. Point Works is applied over the cement bedding mortar. Install the hip and ridge tiles to AS 2050:2018 with a 4 to 1 sand-to-cement bedding mix first.
How long does the bedding need to cure before I point?
At least 12 hours at 15 °C or higher, or at least 24 hours at 10 to 15 °C.
How thick should the pointing be?
3 to 5mm, with full contact to the roof tiles and under the edge of the hip and ridge tiles.
How long before it can take rain?
Two hours of curing in good weather is sufficient for the product to withstand light rain. Curing times are extended in cold and wet conditions, and full cure is 24 hours.
Can I point on a cold day?
Not if the surface temperature during application or curing is 10 °C or lower, particularly at humidity above 80%. The application temperature range is 10 °C to 40 °C.
Can I speed the drying up?
Yes. Curing times can be reduced with Point Works Accelerant Spray, applied within 30 minutes after the pointing has been applied. It is the recommended approach in cold and damp conditions.
How much does one pail cover?
Approximately 22 metres of ridging per 10 litre pail, provided the bedding has been finished vertically or slightly under the ridge and is free of holes and defects.
How long can I leave it before finishing a run?
Working time is 10 to 20 minutes at 40 °C before it starts to skin. Trowel in small runs rather than laying out a long section.
Can I sponge or brush the surface to smooth it?
No. Brushing or sponging will damage the finished appearance. Use a wet trowel, cleaned regularly with water.
The product has thickened in the pail. Can I add water?
Never. Stir it to attain the desired trowelling consistency instead. If a crust has formed, discard the crust and use the material below it.
Do I still need weepholes?
Yes. Install weepholes in both the pointing and the bedding mortar, either as you go or on completion.
Is it rated for cyclonic areas?
It passes the fatigue loading for Cyclonic Conditions C3 and C4 after conditioning by prolonged water saturation, per AS 4046.8-2015, and it qualifies as an Adhesive Mechanical Fastener for hip and ridge tiles under AS 2050:2018.
What colour do I need?
Colours are matched to roof tiles supplied by CSR, Boral and Bristile, and a Neutral is available. The colour list above gives the Monier equivalent for each shade.
How long does an unopened pail keep?
18 months from the date of manufacture, stored below 30 °C in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
What is Selleys Point Works used for?
Selleys Point Works is a tile pointing compound applied with a trowel and used to fasten (point) hip and ridge roof tiles. It forms an incredibly strong and durable bond between the tiles and the ridge, and its smooth non-slumping consistency makes it easy to mix and apply.
What technology does Selleys Point Works use?
Selleys Point Works uses Polyurethane Construction Adhesive Sealant technology.
How long does Selleys Point Works take to cure and what is its skin time?
Selleys Point Works has a cure time of 24 hours (depending on conditions) and a skin time of 30 minutes.
What is the recommended trowel thickness when applying Point Works Gen III?
Point Works Gen III should be trowelled to a thickness of 3 to 5 mm, ensuring full contact with the roof tiles and under the edge of the hip/ridge tiles, applied in small runs for a neat, clean finish.
How should you finish and clean Point Works Gen III during application?
Use a wet trowel to get a smooth finish and regularly clean the trowel with water. Do not brush or sponge Point Works Gen III, as this will damage the finished appearance.
What should be done in cold and damp conditions when applying Point Works Gen III?
In cold and damp conditions, use Pointworks Accelerant spray to speed up the drying.
Can you add water to restore the trowelling consistency of Point Works Gen III if it starts to skin?
No. Before use, Point Works Gen III may be stirred to attain the desired trowelling consistency, but water should never be added to restore trowelling ability. If a crust forms, the dried crust material should be discarded and the material below used.
What movement capability and service temperature range does Selleys Point Works have?
Selleys Point Works has a movement capability of +/- 25% and a service temperature range of -20°C to 80°C.
What surfaces is Selleys Point Works suitable for?
Selleys Point Works is suitable for metal, masonry, brick, concrete, tiles, and timber.
Is Selleys Point Works paintable and mould/UV resistant?
Yes, Selleys Point Works is paintable after curing and offers mould and UV resistance.
What are the application limitations for Selleys Point Works?
Selleys Point Works is not suitable for application on wet or frozen surfaces. Application should be avoided if rain is imminent, and it should not be applied in wet conditions or if rain is expected within 12 hours.
What is the recommended application temperature range for Selleys Point Works?
The recommended application temperature range for Selleys Point Works is 5°C to 35°C.
How should Point Works Gen III be cleaned up before it cures?
Selleys Point Works can be cleaned up with solvent or mineral turps before it cures.
What package size is Point Works Gen III available in, according to the knowledge base?
According to the knowledge base, Point Works Gen III is available in a 10-litre pail in various colors to match roof tiles from major suppliers including CSR, Boral, and Bristile.
How much roof ridging does a 10-litre bucket of Point Works Gen III cover?
Per the knowledge base, a 10-litre bucket of Point Works Gen III covers approximately 22 metres of ridging.
What should be installed as part of the pointing and bedding mortar process?
Weepholes should be installed in the pointing and the bedding mortar, either as you go along or on completion of the job.
How should colour be mixed into Selleys Point Works?
If mixing colour into Selleys Point Works, place the colour as deep as possible into the centre of the bucket and mix with a power-driven mixing wand at low speed until the colour becomes consistent throughout.