A microcement is one of the final decorative coatings. It’s not difficult to apply if you have the necessary tools and a good guide. Hence, follow the general steps enumerated below.
Step #1 – Surface Cleaning
If you are making a microcement table, the first step is ensuring the surface is clear of dust and grease. Also, it must be fully dry, have a sound base, and be as straight or smooth as possible.
There are two different surfaces on which microcement can be used.
* Walls or floors that require regularization (such as cement plaster or tile walls). No matter how they are finished, all types of flooring require regularization.
* Entirely smooth surfaces.
In the event of walls and floors that require a regularization, an additional phase of preparation is required to prepare the surface.
Smooth walls make the procedure simpler and less costly.
After you have confirmed the surface is ready for the microcement, you can start applying protective tapes.
Step #2 – Surface Regularization
Optional: Extend a fiberglass mesh first over any uneven walls or floors that need to be regularized. This mesh will be helpful in two ways. When the base microcement is applied (the microcement for the regularization). And, when it is utilized to conceal flaws and tile joints. The mesh will make it possible for the microcement to bond more effectively.
Use the shielding tape to cover exposed surfaces, furniture corners, etc.
Next, the primer is applied. With the help of the primer, the microcement and surface can help bind together perfectly. With a short-haired roller, it is simple to apply. Also, you can use water to clean the tools. The drying period typically lasts 20 to 40 minutes.
If you use a fiberglass mesh as suggested in the previous steps, apply your primer over it. This method will assist the mesh in remaining connected to the surface, allowing the microcement to be applied more easily.
If the task requires surface regularization, then apply the microcement on top of the primer and mesh. It is advisable to use two applications of this microcement, and each layer should be 1 mm. Applying it requires a steel trowel.
Once it has dried thoroughly, sand it using 40-grit sandpaper to create a flawless surface.
After the surface has been sanded, the protective tape has to be taken off, and the dust cleaned up with a vacuum or moist cloths.
Step #3 – Finishing
Start this step by applying the protective tapes. In this phase, you need to apply thin layers of microcement. It would be best if you used a special plastic trowel for the application.
Also, it’s best to apply two layers, and each should be 0.1 mm in thickness. Sand the first layer before applying the second one. On the final layer, use 180 – 200 grit for the sanding.
Remove the tape and vacuum the sanding dust.
Step #4 – Sealer
The next step is applying a sealer. This protects the microcement and gives it a waterproof quality. It also helps improve the aesthetics.
Step #5 – Varnish
This is the final layer. The varnish will make the cement impermeable, which makes it resistant to standard cleaning solutions like anti-lime, ammoniac, and bleach.
You generally have three options for the varnish – sating, matt, and glossy. It’s best to apply at least two layers using a short-haired roller.
Wrapping It All Up
As a last tip for a microcement floor, wall, or other surface, ensure that every layer is completely dry before moving on to the next step. Otherwise, you could end up with a mess and may need to redo the last step.
That’s it for now. Of course, there are a lot of other nuances when applying microcement. However, the guide above should help you get started.
