FC - Monostone XL / L (Rockplaster) (ENG)
Installer Guide / Wall System Forcrete β Monostone XL / L (Rockplaster). Complete guide for the preparation, mixing, application, and curing of Monostone XL and L wall microcement.. π‘ About Monostoneβ¦
Updated
by tomas martinsson
Installer Guide / Wall System
Forcrete β Monostone XL / L (Rockplaster)
Complete guide for the preparation, mixing, application, and curing of Monostone XL and L wall microcement.
π‘ About Monostone XL & L:
Monostone is a 1-component, resin-based cementitious wall system. Monostone XL is used as a base coat with reinforcement mesh or as a textured final finish. Monostone L has a finer aggregate size and is used for a smoother final finish. When used as a top coat, it is referred to as Rockplaster.
Monostone is a 1-component, resin-based cementitious wall system. Monostone XL is used as a base coat with reinforcement mesh or as a textured final finish. Monostone L has a finer aggregate size and is used for a smoother final finish. When used as a top coat, it is referred to as Rockplaster.
π± Coverage & General Information:
β’ Monostone XL: approx. 0.9β1.4 kg/mΒ² per coat (approx. 1.4 kg/mΒ² when embedding mesh / approx. 0.9 kg/mΒ² as a 2nd coat).
β’ Monostone L: approx. 0.6β0.8 kg/mΒ² per coat.
β’ Layer Thickness: Always applied thinly to the aggregate grain thickness (approx. 0.5β1.0 mm per coat).
Always refer to the mixing app for exact pigment and water ratios tailored to your square meterage.
β’ Monostone XL: approx. 0.9β1.4 kg/mΒ² per coat (approx. 1.4 kg/mΒ² when embedding mesh / approx. 0.9 kg/mΒ² as a 2nd coat).
β’ Monostone L: approx. 0.6β0.8 kg/mΒ² per coat.
β’ Layer Thickness: Always applied thinly to the aggregate grain thickness (approx. 0.5β1.0 mm per coat).
Always refer to the mixing app for exact pigment and water ratios tailored to your square meterage.
π Critical steps to prevent shear stress and cracking:
β’ Tiles & Joints: Monostone XL can only be applied directly over tiles (after priming) if grout joints are small and preferably over large-format tiles. The product is not designed to level out significant unevenness. On small tiles and/or deep/wide joints, the risk of excessive coating thickness is high. Wide joints and uneven surfaces must always be leveled beforehand using cementitious leveling compound.
β’ Layer Thickness in Corners: Strictly apply to the aggregate grain thickness (max 0.5β1.0 mm). Pay extra attention in internal corners, recesses, angles, and transitions where excess material easily builds up, causing tension issues.
β’ Continuous Air Circulation: Monostone dries from the outside in and can feel dry to the touch even when internal moisture remains. Always keep circulation fans running when you leave for the day and when you arrive in the morning β this prevents issues caused by closed doors or high ambient humidity.
β’ Humid Seasons: Late summer, autumn, or damp weather will prolong drying times β always utilize active fan circulation regardless of season.
β’ Inform the Customer: Clearly advise the client that doors must be left open and fans must remain running for at least a few hours after you leave the site to ensure complete through-drying.
β’ Moisture Limit < 4% (Must NOT be covered): The surface must never be covered with Microquartz Coarse or sealers until moisture content is strictly below 4%. Trapped moisture creates shear stresses that cause cracks to appear 6β18 months later. When in doubt, verify using a concrete moisture meter (e.g. Tramex CME5 β).
β’ Tiles & Joints: Monostone XL can only be applied directly over tiles (after priming) if grout joints are small and preferably over large-format tiles. The product is not designed to level out significant unevenness. On small tiles and/or deep/wide joints, the risk of excessive coating thickness is high. Wide joints and uneven surfaces must always be leveled beforehand using cementitious leveling compound.
β’ Layer Thickness in Corners: Strictly apply to the aggregate grain thickness (max 0.5β1.0 mm). Pay extra attention in internal corners, recesses, angles, and transitions where excess material easily builds up, causing tension issues.
β’ Continuous Air Circulation: Monostone dries from the outside in and can feel dry to the touch even when internal moisture remains. Always keep circulation fans running when you leave for the day and when you arrive in the morning β this prevents issues caused by closed doors or high ambient humidity.
β’ Humid Seasons: Late summer, autumn, or damp weather will prolong drying times β always utilize active fan circulation regardless of season.
β’ Inform the Customer: Clearly advise the client that doors must be left open and fans must remain running for at least a few hours after you leave the site to ensure complete through-drying.
β’ Moisture Limit < 4% (Must NOT be covered): The surface must never be covered with Microquartz Coarse or sealers until moisture content is strictly below 4%. Trapped moisture creates shear stresses that cause cracks to appear 6β18 months later. When in doubt, verify using a concrete moisture meter (e.g. Tramex CME5 β).
1. Primer & Substrate
The wall must always be primed prior to applying Monostone. Select the correct primer for your substrate here:
2. Substrate Preparation
1.
Inspect the substrate: Ensure the surface is clean, dry, solid, and free from dust, grease, and loose debris.
2.
Tiles & Slabs: Large, flat tiles with narrow grout joints do not require pre-leveling following grinding and Monogrip. Small tiles, wide/deep grout lines, or uneven surfaces must always be pre-leveled flush with cementitious compound first to avoid excessive Monostone thickness.
3. Mixing & Pigmentation
π§ͺ Mixing Monostone:
β’ Add 50β200 g clean water along with the dry pigment powder directly into the bucket.
β’ Mix with a mechanical paddle mixer at medium speed for at least 2β3 minutes until all pigment is completely dissolved and the paste is uniform.
β’ Monostone is a 1-component product ready for immediate use without pot-life restrictions. Seal the lid securely between applications to keep the compound fresh.
β’ Add 50β200 g clean water along with the dry pigment powder directly into the bucket.
β’ Mix with a mechanical paddle mixer at medium speed for at least 2β3 minutes until all pigment is completely dissolved and the paste is uniform.
β’ Monostone is a 1-component product ready for immediate use without pot-life restrictions. Seal the lid securely between applications to keep the compound fresh.
4. Application by Specification
Option 1: Decorative Feature Walls (2 coats without mesh)
β’ Coat 1 (XL or L): Trowel down tightly to the aggregate grain thickness over 1β2 mΒ² at a time. Smooth immediately with a flexible smoother to eliminate ridges. Allow to dry for 30β60 minutes using a fan.
β’ Coat 2 (XL or L): Apply in the same manner. Burnish lightly with a plastic trowel after a few minutes to create subtle movement and texture.
β’ Finishing: Lightly sand as needed and seal with Monoseal or Forshield 2KWB.
β’ Coat 2 (XL or L): Apply in the same manner. Burnish lightly with a plastic trowel after a few minutes to create subtle movement and texture.
β’ Finishing: Lightly sand as needed and seal with Monoseal or Forshield 2KWB.
Option 2: Bathrooms & Tiled Walls (3 coats with mesh)
β’ Coat 1 (Monostone XL + Mesh): Place 160 g glass fiber mesh and embed it with Monostone XL. Allow to dry with active fan airflow.
β’ Coat 2 (Monostone XL): Apply a continuous second coat of XL to fully cover the mesh pattern. Sand either coat 1 or coat 2 thoroughly using a 40 or 50 grit diamond pad to prevent mesh telegraphing.
β’ Coat 3 (Finish Coat XL or L): Apply the final layer and texture/burnish with a plastic trowel if desired.
β’ Finishing: Sand lightly and seal with 2 coats of Forshield 2KWB.
β’ Coat 2 (Monostone XL): Apply a continuous second coat of XL to fully cover the mesh pattern. Sand either coat 1 or coat 2 thoroughly using a 40 or 50 grit diamond pad to prevent mesh telegraphing.
β’ Coat 3 (Finish Coat XL or L): Apply the final layer and texture/burnish with a plastic trowel if desired.
β’ Finishing: Sand lightly and seal with 2 coats of Forshield 2KWB.
Option 3: Base Coat Prior to Microquartz (Walls Only)
β’ Coats 1 & 2: Apply Monostone XL with mesh followed by a second coat of XL. Sand thoroughly flat to eliminate any mesh telegraphing.
β’ Drying Prior to Microquartz: The surface must cure under continuous active airflow and be 100% dry through (max 4% moisture content) before applying Microquartz Coarse. The substrate must never be covered before this moisture limit is met.
β’ Drying Prior to Microquartz: The surface must cure under continuous active airflow and be 100% dry through (max 4% moisture content) before applying Microquartz Coarse. The substrate must never be covered before this moisture limit is met.
π‘ Pro Tip for Crisp Internal & External Corners (Final Coat):
To easily achieve sharp, clean corners with Monostone / Rockplaster, apply masking tape along the corners of the 2 adjoining walls on the final coat (next to the wall you are applying to). Then repeat the same process on the opposite wall.
β’ Remove the tape immediately once you are done applying the wall.
β’ Set up a fan directed toward the finished walls.
β’ Sand and re-tape: After a couple of hours, you can sand the corners on the finished walls, mask them with tape, and apply the final coat to the remaining walls.
This technique works equally well on internal and external corners. It is not mandatory, but it makes achieving a flawless result much easier.
To easily achieve sharp, clean corners with Monostone / Rockplaster, apply masking tape along the corners of the 2 adjoining walls on the final coat (next to the wall you are applying to). Then repeat the same process on the opposite wall.
β’ Remove the tape immediately once you are done applying the wall.
β’ Set up a fan directed toward the finished walls.
β’ Sand and re-tape: After a couple of hours, you can sand the corners on the finished walls, mask them with tape, and apply the final coat to the remaining walls.
This technique works equally well on internal and external corners. It is not mandatory, but it makes achieving a flawless result much easier.
5. Sanding & Next Steps
Read more about sanding techniques or proceed to instructions for your chosen final finish:
π Health & Safety Equipment:
β’ Wear protective gloves when mixing and applying.
β’ Wear safety glasses during mechanical mixing.
β’ Always wear a dust mask (P2/P3 filter) when sanding.
β’ Ensure adequate room ventilation and keep out of reach of children.
β’ Wear safety glasses during mechanical mixing.
β’ Always wear a dust mask (P2/P3 filter) when sanding.
β’ Ensure adequate room ventilation and keep out of reach of children.
β±οΈ Drying Times & Tool Cleanup:
β’ Recoat Window Between Coats: Approx. 30β60 minutes with fan circulation.
β’ Before Sealing / Microquartz: Minimum 12β24 hours with fan circulation until fully cured through.
β’ Cleanup: Clean all tools and buckets with clean water immediately after use.
β’ Recoat Window Between Coats: Approx. 30β60 minutes with fan circulation.
β’ Before Sealing / Microquartz: Minimum 12β24 hours with fan circulation until fully cured through.
β’ Cleanup: Clean all tools and buckets with clean water immediately after use.
Technical Documents & Data Sheets
π Technical Documentation: Forcrete Monostone XL / L
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