Preparation

Ensure the area being worked on is free from loose material, grease and oil. Extremely dry material may need to be dampened to avoid rapid drying out.

Application

• Before applying the render, dampen down the surface with water, either sprayed using a garden sprayer or brushed on with a broom dipped in a bucket. A damp wall will help adhesion and reduce the chance of cracks occurring.

• Place a manageable quantity of mortar on the hawk in one hand, so you can bring a good quantity up to the work-face.

• Starting at the top, with the trowel facing upwards at an angle of approximately 30°, slide some of the mix onto the wall face.

• Move it up with some pressure to maximise bonding from the start.

• Cover an area of up to 1m² at a time and then smooth over slowly with steady upward strokes to obtain a level surface.

• Continue in areas of approximately a square metre and, after about an hour, if this is the final coat, go back across the whole area checking for any unevenness with the straight edge. Correct if necessary and smooth over.

• Where several coats are necessary, allow approximately four hours for the first coat to set, then lightly scratch the surface with a 'key' or nail in a wavy, diagonal pattern of lines about 75mm apart.

• Further coats can be applied once the previous one has dried, generally after five to seven days.

• Once fully dry, it should be suitable to receive all conventional paints and finishes.

Note: In rendering applications, it is important when applying two-coat renders that the second coat is either thinner or weaker than the scratch coat to avoid problems with shrinkage and delamination.