How to achieve a smooth finish with Rockcote

Smooth finishes are becoming more popular as designers and architects move towards the industrial look of polished off-form concrete.

Specific combinations of product and technique can create a stunning polished-look for interior or exterior projects, particularly feature walls.

There are several ways to achieve a smooth finish with Rockcote products. The ideal option for any project depends on a number of factors:

• Substrate
• Interior or exterior
• Required finish – paint or polished
• Personal preferences

Important Factors for Achieving a Smooth Finish

• The below finishes will require a “team” of skilled tradespeople to ensure the consistency of the final finish as a wet edge must be maintained to achieve the required result.
• It is important that the finishing tools be of the same variety and brand as some have varying degrees of softness/hardness that may cause different finishes.
• For all smooth and polished finishes we recommend the use of Japanese Trowel.
• When quoting to do these type of finishes it is imperative that the client is well informed of critical light issues and that the smoother the finish they can expect to see some slight blemishes. Refer to Rockcote’s Critical & Illuminating Lighting Booklet.

Achieving a Smooth Finish By Substrate

Painted Off Form Concrete Look – over Brick/Block Masonry, Premium Sponge Render

1. Moisten substrate
2. Apply Rockcote Keycote if surface is smooth or absorbs moisture quickly and let cure
3. Apply Rockcote Quick Render Premium Sponge to entire surface at a build between 6-8mm and level off using a darby or similar.
4. Allow the render to firm up substantially.
5. Screed and shave the render, if there are any large slacks, fill now and re-screed.
6. Mix the Rockcote Quick Render Premium Sponge to a wetter consistency and apply a tight coat over the surface and level out utilising a butterfly float.
7. Finish the render with a plastic float to achieve the desired result; this may require two passes with the float depending on drying conditions.
8. Once cured and dry apply two coats of Rockcote Armour.

Clear finish for a Off Form Concrete look – over Brick/Block Masonry, Premium Sponge Render, Concrete Finish or Smooth Set.

1. Moisten substrate and ensure you have an even suction.
2. Apply Rockcote Keycote if surface is smooth or absorbs moisture quickly and let cure
3. Apply Rockcote Quick Render Premium Sponge to entire surface at a build between 6-8mm and level off using a darby or similar.
4. Allow the render to firm up substantially.
5. Screed and shave the render, if there are any large slacks, fill now and re-screed.
6. Float the render and finish the render with a plastic float to achieve a flat finish; this may require two passes with the float depending on drying conditions. Let cure.
7. Apply a tight coat of Rockcote Concrete Finish / Rockcote Smooth Set to the entire surface and flatten as you go.
8. Once the above coat has sufficiently dried, apply another tight coat of Rockcote Concrete Finish / Smooth Set and steel trowel finish using a Japanese Trowel with the aid of water via a spray bottle or line.
9. Do not use excessive water as it may affect the final finish.
10. Apply Rockcote Repel for a matt finish or Rockcote Clearcote for a semi-gloss finish.

Highly Polished Off Form Concrete Look – over Brick/Block Masonry, Premium Sponge Render & Venetian Plaster

1. Moisten substrate.
2. Apply Rockcote Keycote if surface is smooth or absorbs moisture quickly and let cure.
3. Apply Rockcote Quick Render Premium Sponge to entire surface at a build between 6-8mm and level off using a darby or similar.
4. Allow the render to firm up substantially.
5. Screed and shave the render, if there are any large slacks, fill now and re-screed.
6. Float the render and finish the render with a plastic float to achieve a flat finish; this may require two passes with the float depending on drying conditions and let cure.
7. Finish the render with a plastic float to achieve the desired result; this may require two passes with the float depending on drying conditions. Let cure.
8. Apply a coat of Rockcote Venetian Plaster to entire surface and flatten as you go.
9. Once the above coat has sufficiently and steel trowel finish using a Japanese Trowel with the aid of water via a spray bottle or line.
10. Do not use excessive water as it may affect the final finish.
11. Apply Rockcote Liquid Carnauba Wax or polish to the entire surface.

Waxed Rockcote Venetian Plaster – over brickwork

1.     Apply Rockcote Lime Plaster Basecote – trowel on and float off.

2.     Finish with Rockcote Venetian Plaster.

3.     Can be sealed with Rockcote Liquid Carnauba Wax – can be sprayed on and finished with a polishing cloth or troweled off.

Waxed Clayset – over brickwork (interior)

1.     Apply Rockcote Earthen Render.

2.     Trowel on, floated.

3.     Apply Rockcote Otsumigaki in two tight applications.

4.     Polish with a steel trowel.

5.     Finish with Rockcote Repel or Rockcote Liquid Carnauba Wax.

For further information on different application or finishing techniques contact Rockcote on 1300 736 668.