The purpose of this manual is to clarify any questions you may have regarding applying Microcement. It is necessary that Professional Microcement applicators and customers read it.
You can contact us through the email info@grupoCimentArt.com, to resolve any other doubt or question.
This manual has different sections:
- CimentArt products for surface preparation
- Surface preparation
- Application
- Base Microcements
- Finishing Microcements
- Sealers
- Varnishes
- How to make a non-slip Microcement flooring
- Repair a Microcement
- Tools to apply Microcement
- General data
- Precautions
Microcement is not a product, it is a working system with different products applied step by step. All the steps in Microcement are important, the preparation of the surfaces, the correct application of the products, the finishing, precautions, maintenance, etc.
Using this manual, you will have a guide to avoid possible problems or later claims, which, in most cases, can be avoided.
It is important that any professional read it before doing any work.
All our materials can be applied to interior and exterior walls, floors and ceilings and can be applied on an infinity of supports such as:
- Plastic paint
- Cement, lime mortar, gypsum and plaster
- Wood and plasterboard
- Tile, ceramic and porcelain floor
- Marble, stone and granite
- Different panels like MDF, Viroc, Wedi, Aquapanel, etc.
It is important not to forget that the Microcement is a covering to decorate. Its purpose is to decorate interiors and exteriors. We have had in recent years demands to apply it on roofs, garages, roads, swimming pools, interior wells, car workshops, industrial warehouses or large supermarkets, etc. Microcement is not a product for these areas.
The Microcement is perfect for homes, terraces, shops, offices, etc. If you are unsure whether to apply the Microcement or not, compare it with a similar decorative coating. As a comparison (and example): Would you put a wooden parquet inside a pool, on a roof or in a garage? With Microcement it is the same, with some exceptions.
Surface preparation – CimentArt products
The CimentArt products that we recommend in this manual for the correct preparation of different supports are:
- Cem Plus: cement mortar for facades or to regularize surfaces
- CementDry CimentArt: waterproofing mortar
- Epox Joints: epoxy varnish to stop capillary moisture
- Fiberglass mesh: mesh to reinforce Microcements
- Primer: adhesion promoter
- Microcement Base: preparation coating
- Koncret Microcement Base: preparation coating for high traffic floors
- Aqua Base Microcement: preparation coating, ready to use and 100% waterproof.
Cem Plus
Cem Plus CimentArt is a white bi-component mortar, ideal for covering facades, covering channels, regularizing or filling floors, up to 2 cm, both indoors and outdoors.
Its use is perfect to regularize a surface between 3 mm to 2 cm, as preparation, to then apply Microcement, floating flooring or tiles.
Cem Plus applied on facades will be more durable than traditional cement. It is a breathable two-component cement.
Apply a coat of Primer CIMENTART and wait for dry completely (3 to 6 hours).
Mix manually or by mechanical means 5 kg. of CEM PLUS Mixing Resin for each container, until obtaining a perfect homogenization. Wait 5 minutes and mix again.
Apply a 3mm layer up to 2 cm with a steel trowel. To achieve a thickness between 1 to 2 cm, you can do it in several layers. It can be reviewed with the sponge when the product begins to harden.
Once dry, it can stay like this, it can be sanded with 40 grit and in the case of facades, it can also be painted with any plastic exterior paint.
CementDry
CementDry CimentArt is a 2-component waterproofing mortar. Once dry, it is water repellent, ideal for making waterproof coatings. Does not allow passage of water and creates a moisture barrier.
CementDry CimentArt can be easily applied to interior and exterior walls and floors and is weather resistant.
It is used to waterproof concrete, precast block fences, cement mortars, swimming pools, terraces, basements, elevator shafts, rafts, retaining walls, balconies, etc. Product suitable for waterproofing drinking water tanks.
To achieve total waterproofing with CementDry, the thickness should be 5mm.
Apply a coat of Primer CIMENTART and wait for it to dry completely (3 to 6 hours)
Mix manually or by mechanical means 5 to 5.5 kg. of CIMENTART Mixing Resin for each container, until obtaining a perfect homogenization. Wait 5 minutes and mix again.
Apply with a brush, roller or steel trowel a first layer of 2-3 mm and let dry between 2 to 4 hours.
Apply a second coat in the same way, until the maximum thickness of 5 mm is achieved. Do not apply layers less or greater than 5 mm.
For a smoother finish, lightly spray the last coat with water and run the steel trowel again. Do not abuse by spraying.
The cleaning of the tool is done with water.
CimentArt Epox Joints
CimentArt Epox Joints is a two-component, 100% solids epoxy varnish that can be applied to stop the capillary moisture on walls and floors, interior and exterior.
It can be applied on all types of supports such as concrete, cement, gypsum, ceramic, tiles, tiles joints, etc.
It can be applied even with a certain degree of humidity on the substrate (concrete humidity <8%). Its application on ground floor or terraces is ideal to stop the capillary humidity coming from the subsoil.
CimentArt Epox Joints is indicated as a blocker for capillary moisture or residual moisture in tile joints, pipes chases, voids, gaps or cracks.
The product is supplied in two components, its dissolution with any other product is not recommended, since it would lose its hardness and waterproof properties.
Mix the two components, by mechanical means, until obtaining a perfect homogeneous mixture, in the following proportions: 2.5 parts of CIMENTART EPOX JOINTS Component A to 1 part of CIMENTART EPOX JOINTS Component B.
Apply a coat with a roller (or a small roller or brush if you apply it in the joints), in an orderly way and without spreading the product too much, making sure to cover all the joints, without leaving puddles.
Apply drainage areas or tile joints very well, where water can penetrate or moisture can escape.
Wait to dry. In areas with a high percentage of humidity, apply a second coat.
Always apply in well ventilated areas.
Although CimentArt Epox Joints has a high degree of chemical resistance, we do not recommend its use as an aesthetic final finish, because the product yellows over time, especially outdoors. In rafts it must take at least 15 days to obtain a final drying before filling.
The tools are cleaned with solvent.
Fiber glass mesh CimentArt
CimentArt fiberglass mesh is recommended to reinforce resistance in Microcement pavements.
It is always placed on all pavements, on walls that the cement or gypsum are irregular and on walls that have tile or marble joints, etc.
Once the CimentArt fiberglass mesh has been placed, it is a non-slip material, which helps the application of any CimentArt Microcement Base and is especially flexible and resistant.
Spread the CimentArt fiberglass mesh on the surface where the Microcement is going to be applied later, in a stretched way, so that there are no folds.
Once spread, apply the Primer CIMENTART to ensure that it adheres and does not move while applying.
Applying Primer CIMENTART will make the fiberglass mesh stick to the surface. The fiberglass mesh will be better glued if the surface does not have absorption (eg: on tiles). On absorbent surfaces (for example: cement or gypsum) it will be less stuck, because they are surfaces with more absorption.
The Primer purpose is to create adhesion between the surface with the Microcement, it is not to glue Fiberglass Mesh, although on some surfaces it does glue it.
Primer Plus CimentArt
Primer Plus CIMENTART is a concentrated adhesion promoter, used to improve the adherence of CIMENTART Microcement and Micro Mortars, and of any cement-based, gypsum or lime-based product in general, on any type of absorbent or non-absorbent material and supports.It has a great Tack (stickiness once dry).
On all pavements or walls with joints, first place the CIMENTART Fiberglass Mesh and then apply CIMENTART Primer. On completely smooth walls, it is not necessary to install the CIMENTART Fiberglass Mesh.
Apply directly to the surface, avoid spilling the product and spreading evenly, without applying the product in excess.
Once the Primer CIMENTART has been applied, wait 30 minutes or until it is completely dry to the touch.
It is applied by brush or roller with short hair or also projected with an airless system.
Tool cleaning is done with water.
Primer STD
CIMENTART Primer Plus is a adhesión promoter that is used to improve the adherence of CIMENTART Microcement and micro mortars, and any cement-based product, plaster or lime in general, on surfaces with a high degree of absorption (plasterboard, gypsum, cement, concrete, mortars in general, etc.).
On all pavements or walls with joints, first place the CIMENTART Fiberglass Mesh and then apply CIMENTART Primer. On completely smooth walls, it is not necessary to install the CIMENTART Fiberglass Mesh.
Apply directly to the surface, avoid spilling the product and spreading evenly, without applying the product in excess.
Once the Primer CIMENTART has been applied, wait 30 minutes or until it is completely dry to the touch.
It is applied by brush or roller with short hair or also projected with an airless system.
Tool cleaning is done with water.
Primers and fiberglas mesh – application guide