sand ad cement advise

[camnz]

Im pricing a job over in oz and the owner wants trowel finish inside,thats sand and cement troweled up like multi finish.I was going to use OCR but he wants it solid for duribility.Ive only done sand and cement in the uk and out here they lay on one thick coat then cut it back with a "t" bar,fill in the hollows then float it and sponge what im wondering is how come you guys put a scratch coat on then let it dry and then top coat?Does it help stop it going drummy and is it a different mix for each coat
cheers cam

 

[Gibbo]

ocr is sand and cement the scratch is only needed for certain backgrounds if its concrete block internally i dont bother with one

 

[lucius]

Scratch coat with water proofer is to control suction realy, might need it on the clay terracota blocks you have as i remember the sand aint to clever in WA anyway best to experiment a bit.

 

[camnz]

cheers lucius think ill just use OCR it will be over 40deg and pretty humid when im there sand and cement will be too much hard work anyway

 

[CKJ]

Give the blocks plenty of water with a hose pipe other wise you'll struggle