Tools required for application

• Protective tape.
• Scissors or cutter.
• Sander. 40-grit sandpaper.
• Spatula. Steel trowel.
• Textured roller.
• Microfibre roller.
• Paint tray.
• Electric mixer.
• Vacuum cleaner.
• Measuring cup or digital scale.

Required CimentArt products

• CimentArt PLUS or STD primer
• CimentArt fibreglass mesh
• BASE microcement for walls or Aqua BASE 100% waterproof
• AQUA STONE microcement
• White or coloured MIX resin for pigmentation AQUA STONE microcement
• WB two-component polyurethane varnish (water-based) or HARD SB (solvent-based) CIMENTART (Comp A and Comp B).

Before starting

Check the surface where it will be applied and ensure that the surface is:

• Straight
• Firm and stable
• Dry and free of moisture
• Clean
• Free of dust, grease, etc.

Preparation of surfaces

Aqua Stone cannot be applied to floors.

Any uneven or cement walls, tiled walls and, in general, any wall that is not completely smooth and perfectly flat needs to be levelled beforehand. To do this, we have two types of BASE microcement for levelling the surface:

• Microcement BASE walls: Applied to walls that need levelling, both indoors and outdoors. Two-component product. Mix 3 parts Microcement BASE walls with 1 part r Resin Mix. Coverage: 1 kg/m² per 1 mm layer, with 1 layer always required.
• Aqua BASE 100% waterproof: Applied to walls that need levelling. Interior and exterior. Ready-to-use product and 100% waterproof. To achieve complete colour homogenisation, it is recommended to mix it with an electric mixer. Coverage: 1 kg/m2 per 1 mm layer, with 1 layer always required.

Step-by-step application

Apply protective tape where necessary.

For application on completely smooth walls (i.e. walls without joints, imperfections or small rough patches, such as completely smooth, filled and sanded walls or painted plasterboard), only carry out steps 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (skip step 1).

For application on walls in poor condition or with tile joints, follow steps 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (skip step 2).

1. Cement walls, uneven walls or walls with tiles: 

Spread the CimentArt fibreglass MESH and apply a coat of CIMENTART PLUS PRIMER. 

Apply a coat of any of our BASE microcement products.

• Using a steel trowel at a 30° angle, apply a maximum thickness of 0.7 to 1 mm (the thickness is determined by the grain of the mixture and the pressure applied during application).
• Finish the first layer, leaving it as smooth as possible and without irregularities.
• Remove the protective tape before the Microcement BASE hardens.
• Allow the first layer of Microcemento BASE to dry completely.
• Drying time depends on humidity, temperature, ventilation, etc.
• Remove any irregularities that may have remained after applying the first layer of Microcement BASE with a spatula or 40-grit sandpaper.
• Remove any dust created by sanding. You can also wipe it down with a damp cloth. 
• Apply protective tape where necessary.
• Remove the dust from sanding by vacuuming. You can also wipe it with a damp cloth. 
• Apply protective tape where necessary.

2. Completely smooth walls: 

Apply a coat of CimentArt PLUS or STD Union Bridge.

Wash the roller and tray with water.

3. Application of AQUA STONE Microcement

• The coverage of AQUA STONE Microcement is approximately 1.2 to 1.5 kg/m2 when applying the product in a layer of 1.2 to 1.5 mm. One coat is required, and a total of 1.5 kg will be needed to cover 1 m2.
• The product is supplied ready to use, but it is advisable to mix it well with a spatula or electric mixer until you have a homogeneous mixture of colour.

Application of the AQUA STONE Microcement layer

• Apply the layer of AQUA STONE Microcement, with a maximum thickness of 1.2 to 1.5 mm, in sections of 1 to 2 m² maximum, using a steel trowel, and then begin texturing.
• Whether you apply 1 m² or more will depend on how quickly AQUA STONE Microcement dries, which will be affected by the temperature and ventilation of the area.

Use a steel trowel with rounded edges, such as those used for stucco.

• The application is done with short movements in layers with a maximum thickness of 1.2 to 1.5 mm.
• The thickness is determined by the grain of the mixture, applying it without exerting pressure with the trowel.
• Finish the layer, leaving it as smooth as possible and without irregularities.

4.  AQUA STONE Microcement Texturing

• Texturing should be carried out approximately 15-20 minutes after applying AQUA STONE Microcement, before it begins to harden. This waiting time before starting texturing may vary depending on the temperature, humidity and ventilation of the area.
• It is important that AQUA STONE Microcement does not stick to the roller when texturing. If AQUA STONE Microcement sticks to the roller, wait a few more minutes until it no longer sticks.
• To texture AQUA STONE Microcement, we need to use the CimentArt Texture Roller.
• Moisten the CimentArt Texture Roller with water and roll it over the applied surface, from top to bottom (in the case of walls) or from front to back (in the case of shower floors or ceilings), covering a distance of 25 to 30 cm maximum.
• 25-30 cm is the distance covered by the moistened roller (if you continue texturing for more than 30 cm, AQUA STONE Microcement will stick to the Texture Roller).
• Re-moisten the CimentArt Texture Roller with water and continue for another 25 to 30 cm, and so on.

Once the texturing of the applied section is complete, continue with the application of a 1.2 to 1.5 mm layer of AQUA STONE Microcement (between 1 m² and 2 m²) and re-texturise in the same way (Whether you apply 1 m² or more will depend on how quickly AQUA STONE Microcement dries, based on the temperature, humidity and ventilation of the area).

AQUA STONE Microcement is always applied in the same way: it is applied and then textured, reapplied and retextured. Never apply it to an entire wall or floor and then texture it.

Once AQUA STONE Microcement has been applied, we achieve the natural stone effects with the CimentArt texture roller. If AQUA STONE Microcement hardens, we will not be able to texture it.

Texturing with the roller is done without applying any pressure.

• Tip: to avoid any visible joints, the layer of AQUA STONE Microcement should be applied and textured continuously until completion.
• Remove the protective tape previously applied while the AQUA STONE Microcement layer is still fresh (not dry).
• Allow the AQUA STONE Microcement layer to dry completely until the following day. The pigmentation process for AQUA STONE Microcement is carried out once the entire previous process is completely dry.

Once Microcemento AQUA STONE has dried completely, it should not be sanded.

5. Application of colour (pigmentation) to AQUA STONE Microcement

• Place protective tape where necessary.
• Shake the Mixing Resin with the chosen colour and pour it into a bucket or tray.
• Moisten a sponge with the Mixing Resin and apply the desired colour with short, circular movements.
• Once this application is dry, repeat the operation once or twice more until you are satisfied with the finish.

Bear in mind that the more times the surface is pigmented with the sponge trowel, the darker AQUA STONE Microcement will become.

We recommend that, when you first start the tinting process with the sponge, you do not apply the pigment evenly and homogeneously. Leave some areas with more pigment than others to create more decorative effects, taking care not to leave puddles of resin on the shower floor or resin dripping on the walls.

6.  CimentArt Two-Component Polyurethane Varnish

WB water-based 2-component varnish

Recommended for: indoor and outdoor application on all walls and ceilings where AQUA STONE Microcement has been applied.

Preparation:

• Mix 5 parts of Component A of the 2-component water-based varnish with 1 part of Component B.
• To make 1 kilo of varnish with the 2 components, you will need 840 g of Component A and 160 g of Component B.
• The approximate coverage is 80 g/m², applying a thin layer of 0.1 mm. It is always necessary to apply 2 coats. To cover 8 m² with 2 coats, you will need approximately 1 kg of the mixture.
• Apply a first coat of varnish 0.1 mm thick with a microfibre roller or spray gun (combing the surface well if applying with a roller) and leave to dry for at least twelve hours.
• Apply a second coat with a microfibre roller or spray gun, exactly the same as the first coat.
• You can apply a third extra coat for added protection, especially in areas that come into direct contact with water, such as showers, outdoor terraces, etc.
• Do not forget to wash the roller and tray with water or solvent, depending on the type of varnish used.

Important

• AQUA STONE Microcement can be applied to any surface except floors.
• Avoid applying AQUA STONE Microcement to surfaces with capillary moisture or swimming pools.
• Never apply layers of Microcement BASE with a thickness greater than 1 mm.
• Never apply layers of AQUA STONE Microcement thicker than 1.5 mm.
• Microcement Fino Traditional, iCem, Oxide or Microstucco CIMENTART should not be used on shower floors or outdoor terraces (horizontal surfaces that receive a large amount of water). For these types of surfaces, we recommend using the AQUA range, which is ready to use and 100% waterproof.
• Always apply any of our CimentArt 2-component varnishes in thin layers of 0.1 mm.
• Ensure that the entire microcement surface is completely covered with any of our 2-component varnishes.