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FC - Reinforcement & Preparation (ENG)

General Guidelines / System Preparation Reinforcement & Preparation. Meticulous substrate preparation and correct installation of reinforcement mesh are critical for crack resistance, long-term durab…

tomas martinsson
Updated by tomas martinsson
General Guidelines / System Preparation

Reinforcement & Preparation

Meticulous substrate preparation and correct installation of reinforcement mesh are critical for crack resistance, long-term durability, and the final surface finish.

1. Substrate Preparation & Pre-Filling

•
Grinding: Always grind the substrate prior to application. Diamond-grind masonry substrates, concrete, and tiles to remove surface laitance/slurry, etch the surface, and ensure mechanical adhesion. Vacuum the entire surface completely free of dust.
•
Pre-Filling Joints: On tiles with deep or wide grout lines, pre-fill the joints flush using Forprime HB or epoxy repair mortar prior to priming and meshing to prevent settlement in the finish layer.

2. Reinforcement and Mesh Selection

• 160 g Mesh: Use exclusively 160 g alkali-resistant fiberglass mesh for all reinforced floor, countertop, and bathroom systems from Forcrete and Luna. Thinner or lighter-weight mesh does not provide adequate tensile strength and must not be used.

• Installation: Roll out the widths and spot-glue the mesh directly to the substrate using a hot-melt glue gun so it lays completely flat without ripples or creases during troweling.

🛑 The Mesh Must NEVER Be Overlapped:
Because microcement is applied in millimeter-thin layers, overlapping mesh creates localized high spots that will telegraph through as visible ridges in the final finish. Always lay mesh sheets strictly edge-to-edge (butt-jointed) without overlap.

3. Handling Internal and External Corners

When fitting corners, cut or score the mesh precisely at the apex and trowel flush to the corner angle rather than wrapping the mesh around the bend.

💡 Why You Should Not Wrap Mesh Around Corners:
If mesh is rounded around a corner and the building experiences structural movement, any resulting stress crack risks propagating outward across the open wall surface instead of being contained in the joint line. In internal corners, the joint is detailed with sanitary silicone, naturally concealing micro-movements.

4. Next Steps

Select your substrate guide for comprehensive instructions on build-up, primer selection, and troweling:

How did we do?

FC - Forprime EPST (ENG)

FC - Trowel X Base & L (ENG)

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