Microcement application/ lines

[Micro6]

Hi all,

New to the forum and wondered if if anyone else is experiencing the same trowel issues I am having with microcement.

When applying the material I am getting lines. See images..

I have tried less pressure, more pressure but no change.

Has anyone else got this or is it just me?

Cheers!

 

[ptolemyworks]

Those are chatter marks. They happen when the trowel hits small pieces of aggregate in the microcement. Each one of those lines is caused by the trowel hitting a little piece of sand and skipping over it. How many coats are you doing? With microcement you usually want to do 2 or 3 coats, then sand between each one. By the final coat, if your are using a medium or fine microcement you shouldn't get a lot of chatter marks (depends on the microcement). If you still get any you can pick out the little bit of grit and smooth over it.

 

[Micro6]

Those are chatter marks. They happen when the trowel hits small pieces of aggregate in the microcement. Each one of those lines is caused by the trowel hitting a little piece of sand and skipping over it. How many coats are you doing? With microcement you usually want to do 2 or 3 coats, then sand between each one. By the final coat, if your are using a medium or fine microcement you shouldn't get a lot of chatter marks (depends on the microcement). If you still get any you can pick out the little bit of grit and smooth over it.

Hi,

Thanks for your advice here. Yeah, it seems that is exactly the issue. I am normally doing 4 layers. 2 base coats and 2 top layers. (Sometimes 1 medium and 1 fine, or 2 medium). I have been sanding between layers but they still highlight faintly on the end result.

Using a Mirka Deros too, with decent grit pads, but maybe a bit more time needed sanding could fix it.

Cheers!

 

[plas1]

Hi,

Thanks for your advice here. Yeah, it seems that is exactly the issue. I am normally doing 4 layers. 2 base coats and 2 top layers. (Sometimes 1 medium and 1 fine, or 2 medium). I have been sanding between layers but they still highlight faintly on the end result.

Using a Mirka Deros too, with decent grit pads, but maybe a bit more time needed sanding could fix it.

Cheers!

Hi mate

What Brand do you use out of Interest?Also what pads are you using?If you don't already try diamond pads as it will knock it back alot easier but depending on the strength of micro it could cut through easy as some of the micros out there are very soft.I use an epoxy based so nothing else cuts it back than diamonds.

 

[Micro6]

Hi mate

What Brand do you use out of Interest?Also what pads are you using?If you don't already try diamond pads as it will knock it back alot easier but depending on the strength of micro it could cut through easy as some of the micros out there are very soft.I use an epoxy based so nothing else cuts it back than diamonds.

Hi mate,

I'm using 2 different brands, depending on what the customer is looking for and the area to be surfaced.
NovaColor epoxy is one and the other is a resin based supplier (rebranded).

NovaColor is good quality stuff but a bit more expensive. What are you using?

I'm using Mirka Abranet pads. Depending on the need I also use Abranet Ace.

I've only been doing it a year so still tweaking some things till I find a good quality product / ease of use ratio.

 

[ptolemyworks]

Doing 4 coats is great, as long as they aren't too thick. Microcement wants to be applied very thinly, just to the aggregate. If you apply too many coats too thickly it can remain soft. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but when you apply your coats are you doing small semicircular movements? That's essential for getting the final look organic rather than obviously hand applied.
Also, try using silicone carbide sanding pads. They're more expensive but last a lot longer and are more effective for eliminating lines and chatter marks.

 

[ptolemyworks]

One more thing. A product I really like is Pastellone, made by Stucco Italiano and sold by Cait Whitson. It's a much more natural looking product, lime based. Some customers think microcement looks plasticky and prefer a more mineral based product. Pastellone is based on the Italian lime polished floors.