MICROCEMENT INSTALLATION GUIDE

Read this guide in full before beginning any COAT microcement installation.

COAT microcement is a professional, multi-layer coating system. To ensure correct installation, the work should be completed by a trained and experienced applicator familiar with substrate preparation, mesh reinforcement, epoxy primers, cementitious coatings, diamond sanding and two-component sealers.

Every project must be assessed individually. Substrate condition, moisture, movement, temperature, ventilation and site conditions can materially affect the installation. Any concerns should be documented and raised with the client before work begins

REVIEWING THE PROJECT

Before materials are applied, inspect the entire installation area carefully.

Check for:

  • Flex, movement or bounce in walls and floors

  • Loose, unstable or damaged substrates

  • Large openings around plumbing fixtures

  • Protruding or non-countersunk screws

  • Uneven surfaces, ridges and high points

  • Cracks, voids or damaged board joints

  • Moisture-related concerns

  • Incomplete waterproofing or plumbing work

  • Uncommissioned electric underfloor heating

Any issues that may affect performance should be corrected before installation begins. Photograph and document existing defects and obtain written confirmation from the client where appropriate.

Electric underfloor heating must be tested and commissioned before the microcement installation begins.

BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION

All plumbing, drainage, electrical work, substrate boarding and waterproofing-related preparation should be completed before finish installation starts.

The installation area should be:

  • Structurally sound

  • Stable and free from excessive movement

  • Clean and dry

  • Protected from dust and contamination

  • Maintained at a suitable, consistent temperature

  • Properly ventilated without strong direct airflow

  • Free from active water leaks

Do not apply microcement over unstable, contaminated, wet or insufficiently prepared substrates. DO NOT use microcement for filling cracks, gaps, holes or leveling.

Ensure all products are from the correct batch, have been stored appropriately and are within their stated shelf life.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

The specific materials required will depend on the substrate and selected finish.

Preparation and reinforcement

  • Two-component repair filler, such as U-POL

  • Plaster scrim tape

  • Staple gun or suitable mesh-fixing system

  • Hot glue gun for floor mesh installation

  • Microfiber mop

  • Masking tape and protective sheeting

  • Microfiber paint rollers - 4 inch, 9 inch

  • Roller trays, cages and poles

  • Paint brushes

  • Diamond sanding pads for walls - 50/100/200 grit

  • Diamond grinding pads/cups for floors 36/50/100/200 grit

  • Polishing pads 400/800/1500/3000 grit

  • Suitable dust extraction

  • Industrial vacuum

  • Orbital sander (5 or 6 inch)

  • Drywall sander (9 inch)

  • Walk-behind floor grinder (17 inch)

  • Angle grinder

  • Mixer and mixing paddles

  • Clear mixing buckets

  • Digital scale

  • Gloves, knee pads, dust mask, ear and eye protection

  • Cleaning supplies - rags, brushes, acetone

  • Trowels - hard steel trowel 10-14 inch, flexible steel trowel 10-14 inch, finishing trowel 9 inch

  • Spatulas

  • Appropriate floats

Primers:

  • PRIMER-COAT-WALL

  • PRIMER-COAT-FLOOR

base COATS

  • BASE-COAT XL

finish COATS:

  • FINISH-COAT L

  • FINISH-COAT M

  • FINISH-COAT S

Sealers

  • 2KPU-COAT

  • MONO-COAT

  • FILLER

  • FLOOR WAX

INSTALLATION

DAY 1 — SUBSTRATE PREPARATION AND FIRST WALL BASE-COAT

1. Assess the substrate

Inspect all wall and floor surfaces before starting. Identify movement, flex, holes, loose joints, high spots, exposed fixings and other defects.

Raise any concerns with the client before proceeding.

2. Mechanically prepare all surfaces

Prepare floors using diamond grinding and walls using diamond sanding.

The objective is to:

  • Remove surface contamination

  • Eliminate weak laitance

  • Flatten ridges and high areas

  • Provide a suitable mechanical key

  • Create the flattest possible installation surface

3. Repair defects

Fill holes, voids and damaged areas using a suitable two-component repair filler.

Once cured, sand repairs thoroughly until flush with the surrounding surface.

Vacuum all areas carefully. Surfaces must be as dust-free as possible before priming.

4. Prime walls AND FLOORS

For porous wall substrates, including bare plaster and cement board, apply: WALL-PRIMER-COAT

at approximately 60–80 g/m²

Allow the primer to dry, generally within approximately 30–60 minutes depending on conditions.

For non-porous wall and all floor substrates, apply:

  • MVB-PRIMER-COAT

Non-porous primers must be fully blinded with sand where required to create a mechanical key.

Allow the primer to dry, generally within approximately 30–60 minutes depending on conditions.

5. Reinforce corners and walls

Once floor primer is cured, reclaim excess sand. Sand the surfaces that received MVB-PRIMER-COAT with 100 grit diamond pads. Vacuum the dust.

Apply plaster scrim tape to all internal and external corners.

Install 160 g fiberglass mesh across all areas using staples or another suitable fixing method.

The mesh should extend over the scrim tape, but separate sheets of 160 g mesh must not overlap one another.

6. Apply the first reinforced BASE coat

Apply BASE-COAT XL

Embed the product fully into the reinforcing mesh at approximately:

1.5 kg/m²

The mesh should be fully incorporated into the basecoat without air pockets or loose areas.

DAY 2 — SECOND BASECOAT

Thoroughly sand the first coat of BASE-COAT using 50-grit diamond pads.

Remove all high spots.

Some mesh may become visible at this stage; this is acceptable provided the reinforcement remains securely embedded.

Vacuum all wall surfaces thoroughly.

Apply 2nd coat BASE-COAT XL to all surfaces.

DAY 3 — FLOOR FLATTENING, WALL FINISH BASE AND SECOND FLOOR COAT

1. Remove excess sand

Sweep off all loose sand.

Clean and retain uncontaminated material where it is suitable for reuse.

2. Flatten the first floor coat

Use approximately 30-grit medium-bond metal diamonds to flatten the FORPRIME-HB layer.

Blue or yellow metal-bond discs may be appropriate depending on the equipment and substrate.

Remove:

  • High spots

  • Blisters

  • Raised mesh

  • Surface irregularities

Use a 125 mm grinder for edges and detailed areas.

3. Sand the walls

Use approximately 50-grit diamond pads to flatten the walls.

Pay particular attention to any areas where mesh remains visible or where the surface is uneven.

Vacuum thoroughly.

4. Apply the first decorative wall coat

Apply MICRO-QUARTZ COARSE to all wall areas at approximately:

500 g/m²

For a coarse finish, aim to apply the product as flat as possible using the trowel-and-spatula technique.

Where a smoother finish will be applied over the coarse layer, the float technique may be used for the first coat.

5. Apply the second floor coat

Apply a second coat of:

FORPRIME-HB at approximately 1 kg/m²

Fully blind the surface with kiln-dried sand until complete saturation.

Allow approximately:

25 kg of kiln-dried sand per 10 m²

DAY 4 — FINAL WALL FINISH AND FIRST FLOOR FINISH COAT

1. Remove loose sand

Sweep and vacuum the floor carefully.

2. Flatten the second floor coat

Sand the second FORPRIME-HB layer using a softer method than the first floor coat.

Suitable methods may include:

  • 50-grit diamond pads

  • Carefully controlled hand grinding

Remove high areas while minimizing deep grinder marks.

The sand-blinded surface should be smooth enough to avoid excessive consumption of the decorative coating.

3. Sand wall surfaces

Sand all wall areas using approximately 50-grit diamond pads.

Remove high spots and surface irregularities.

4. Clean the installation

Vacuum all wall and floor areas thoroughly.

Dust control is critical throughout the installation.

5. Apply the final wall finish coat

Apply the selected MICRO-QUARTZ finish:

  • COARSE

  • MEDIUM

  • SMOOTH

Apply at the coverage rate specified for the selected product and desired finish.

6. Apply the first floor finish coat

Carefully apply MICRO-QUARTZ COARSE to the floor at approximately:

500 g/m²

Protect completed wall surfaces from accidental damage, staining or contact during floor application.

DAY 5 — FINAL FLOOR FINISH

1. Sand walls and floors

Use the appropriate diamond grit for the selected finish:

  • Approximately 50 or 100 grit for MICRO-QUARTZ COARSE

  • Approximately 100 grit for MICRO-QUARTZ MEDIUM

  • Approximately 100 grit for MICRO-QUARTZ SMOOTH

Vacuum all areas thoroughly.

2. Protect the wall-to-floor interface

Apply masking tape carefully around the wall and floor junction.

Take care not to damage completed wall finishes.

3. Apply the final floor coat

Apply the selected finish:

  • MICRO-QUARTZ COARSE

  • MICRO-QUARTZ MEDIUM

  • MICRO-QUARTZ SMOOTH

Maintain consistent application pressure, coverage and trowel technique throughout the floor.

DAY 6 — FINAL SANDING AND SEALING

1. Final sanding

Sand all surfaces to the required level of smoothness.

A 100-grit diamond pad is generally suitable for most finishes.

A 200-grit pad may be used where a finer result is required.

Adjust sanding speed, pressure and technique according to:

  • The selected finish

  • The desired appearance

  • The degree of surface movement

  • The hardness of the cured coating

Do not over-sand high points or expose underlying coats.

2. Remove all dust

Vacuum all surfaces thoroughly.

Pass over the installation with a clean microfiber mop to collect residual fine dust.

Vacuum again where required.

This is one of the most important preparation stages before sealing. Dust trapped beneath sealer may cause visible defects or adhesion problems.

3. Apply the sealer system

Apply FORSHIELD-FX or FORSHIELD-2KWB according to the selected finish and project specification.

Allow the first coat to become touch-dry or walkable before applying the following coat.

Apply the final coat of:

FORSHIELD-2KWB

Indicative drying times are approximately:

  • FORSHIELD-FX: 1 hour

  • FORSHIELD-2KWB: 3 hours

Actual drying times depend heavily on temperature, humidity, airflow, application thickness and site conditions.

Always follow the current product technical data sheets.

DAY 7 — OPTIONAL FINAL COAT AND CLIENT SIGN-OFF

Where only one coat of FORSHIELD-2KWB was applied on Day 6, apply the final coat on Day 7.

Where two coats were completed on Day 6:

  • Inspect the installation carefully

  • Review the finish with the client

  • Record any agreed surface characteristics

  • Complete the project sign-off

  • Provide the client with the Forcrete Microcement Aftercare Guide

Ensure the client understands the correct cleaning, curing and maintenance requirements.