TT - Microbase & Natture L (ENG)
Craftsman Guide / Base Coats Topciment β Microbase & Natture L. Practical guide for preparation, reinforcement mesh, mixing, and application techniques on walls and floors to build a strong, level foβ¦
Updated
by tomas martinsson
Craftsman Guide / Base Coats
Topciment β Microbase & Natture L
Practical guide for preparation, reinforcement mesh, mixing, and application techniques on walls and floors to build a strong, level foundation.
π‘ About the Base Coats:
β’ Products: Applies to Standard Microbase (L, XL, XXL), Natture (L, XL), and Atlantic (XL, XXL).
β’ Function: Two-component microcement that forms the structural foundation and embeds the reinforcement mesh before applying finish coats (e.g., Microdeck, Microfino, Natture S, or M).
β’ Tool Selection: All of our steel trowels are suitable. Using a stiffer trowel helps prevent building excessively thick coats.
β’ Products: Applies to Standard Microbase (L, XL, XXL), Natture (L, XL), and Atlantic (XL, XXL).
β’ Function: Two-component microcement that forms the structural foundation and embeds the reinforcement mesh before applying finish coats (e.g., Microdeck, Microfino, Natture S, or M).
β’ Tool Selection: All of our steel trowels are suitable. Using a stiffer trowel helps prevent building excessively thick coats.
π± Coverage & Mixing Ratio (Component A Powder + Acricem Resin):
β’ Standard Microbase: Mix 10 kg powder with 2.5β3.0 liters of Acricem. Coverage: approx. 2.0β3.0 kg/mΒ² total for 2 coats (including mesh embedding).
β’ Natture L / XL: Mix 20 kg powder with 6.5β7.0 liters of Acricem. Coverage: approx. 2.0β3.0 kg/mΒ² total for 2 coats.
β’ Layer Thickness: Apply max 1.0 mm per coat to the thickness of the aggregate grain.
Always calculate exact batch recipes and pigment amounts in the mixing app.
β’ Standard Microbase: Mix 10 kg powder with 2.5β3.0 liters of Acricem. Coverage: approx. 2.0β3.0 kg/mΒ² total for 2 coats (including mesh embedding).
β’ Natture L / XL: Mix 20 kg powder with 6.5β7.0 liters of Acricem. Coverage: approx. 2.0β3.0 kg/mΒ² total for 2 coats.
β’ Layer Thickness: Apply max 1.0 mm per coat to the thickness of the aggregate grain.
Always calculate exact batch recipes and pigment amounts in the mixing app.
On-Site Preparation
β’ Substrate: Ensure the substrate is solid, completely rigid, and free from dust, oil, and grease.
β’ Flatness: Level the substrate carefully in advance. Microcement builds very thinly and will not hide depressions.
β’ Primer & Reinforcement: Always prime the substrate and fit reinforcement mesh prior to applying the first base coat on floors and over tiled substrates.
β’ Expansion Joints: Always honor existing expansion and structural movement joints in the substrate.
β’ Flatness: Level the substrate carefully in advance. Microcement builds very thinly and will not hide depressions.
β’ Primer & Reinforcement: Always prime the substrate and fit reinforcement mesh prior to applying the first base coat on floors and over tiled substrates.
β’ Expansion Joints: Always honor existing expansion and structural movement joints in the substrate.
Mixing
1.
Measure out the specified quantity of Acricem Resin into a clean mixing vessel.
2.
Add pigment and blend thoroughly until the liquid reaches a fully homogeneous color.
3.
Add powder gradually while mixing. Mix with a paddle mixer at low speed for at least 4 minutes until you obtain a smooth, lump-free paste.
β³ Pot Life / Working Time:
Do not mix more material than can be applied within the working window. The mixed paste remains workable for approximately 1β2 hours at +20 Β°C.
Do not mix more material than can be applied within the working window. The mixed paste remains workable for approximately 1β2 hours at +20 Β°C.
Methodology: Spread Material β Break Pattern
π‘ Work with a Plan β Do Not Overwork:
Focus on one step at a time. Avoid troweling over the same section multiple times. Work in the cycle: Spread material β Break pattern β Spread material. This keeps you moving forward quickly without the material curing out ahead of you.
β’ Layer Thickness & Scraping Sound: Apply material to the thickness of the aggregate (max 1 mm). Hold the trowel at roughly a 45-degree angle with light pressure. Actively listen for the scraping sound against the substrateβif you hear no scraping sound, you are applying the material too thick.
β’ Angle Errors: Too low an angle forces you to press too hard, prematurely drawing out liquid and drying the paste. Too steep an angle scrapes excessively and leaves the layer too thin.
Focus on one step at a time. Avoid troweling over the same section multiple times. Work in the cycle: Spread material β Break pattern β Spread material. This keeps you moving forward quickly without the material curing out ahead of you.
β’ Layer Thickness & Scraping Sound: Apply material to the thickness of the aggregate (max 1 mm). Hold the trowel at roughly a 45-degree angle with light pressure. Actively listen for the scraping sound against the substrateβif you hear no scraping sound, you are applying the material too thick.
β’ Angle Errors: Too low an angle forces you to press too hard, prematurely drawing out liquid and drying the paste. Too steep an angle scrapes excessively and leaves the layer too thin.
Build-Up: Layer by Layer
β’ Coat 1 (Embedding & Flatness): Pigment the first base coat to eliminate the risk of dark base shadows showing through if sanded too deep later. Lay out reinforcement mesh and embed it into the paste. The sole objective of coat 1 is a level foundationβyou do not need to break the pattern here. Use this layer to establish your pace and gauge the room's drying climate.
β’ Dry-Sponging Between Base Coats: Minimize sanding by smoothing down ridges with a completely dry sponge before the base coat fully sets. Sponge just when the surface is tack-free and no longer transfers residue to gloves. Never use water on the sponge, as water will discolor the cement.
β’ Sanding Between Base Coats: Once dry, sand away any major ridges that were not knocked down by sponging (such as mesh ripples or protruding tile edges) using 40-grit abrasive. Removing these now is crucial so they do not telegraph into the finish coats.
β’ Coat 2 (Break Pattern): Always pigment the second coat. Here you must actively break the pattern, as this underlying texture dictates the final appearance. Leave as few trowel ridges as possible and ensure marks are varied and irregular rather than parallel lines.
β’ Dry-Sponging Between Base Coats: Minimize sanding by smoothing down ridges with a completely dry sponge before the base coat fully sets. Sponge just when the surface is tack-free and no longer transfers residue to gloves. Never use water on the sponge, as water will discolor the cement.
β’ Sanding Between Base Coats: Once dry, sand away any major ridges that were not knocked down by sponging (such as mesh ripples or protruding tile edges) using 40-grit abrasive. Removing these now is crucial so they do not telegraph into the finish coats.
β’ Coat 2 (Break Pattern): Always pigment the second coat. Here you must actively break the pattern, as this underlying texture dictates the final appearance. Leave as few trowel ridges as possible and ensure marks are varied and irregular rather than parallel lines.
Application Technique: Wall vs Floor
Wall Application
- Perimeters: Start at an upper corner. Work out edges approx. 30β40 cm along the ceiling and 1 m down. Keep the top face of the trowel blade clean so dry crumbs do not fall onto the wall. Slip your fingers between the handle and blade at edges for optimal trowel angle.
- Spreading Material: Place paste at the bottom edge of the newly applied section. Pull material out at a 45-degree angle with light pressure until you hear the scraping sound.
- Breaking Pattern: Immediately blend over the newly applied area using irregular strokes. Keep the trailing edge of the trowel elevated approx. 2 cm with light pressure. If ridges form, increase pressure slightlyβnot the blade angle. Always scrape excess paste off the blade before re-entering the wet surface.
Floor Application
- Perimeters: Start at the farthest corner from the exit. Always begin detailing around drains and difficult penetrations. Keep the top face of the trowel clean.
- Smaller Floors: Lay out material along the edge and spread outward onto untreated substrate. Never place fresh material directly onto sections that have already begun to set.
- Larger Floors ("The Snake"): Lay a ribbon of paste along the leading edge and draw it forward in sweeping strokes. Always maintain a wet edge and angle the trowel to guide material away from finished areas. Keep a 45-degree angle and listen for the scraping sound.
- Breaking Pattern: Work over the area with smaller, multidirectional strokes as far as you can reach without stepping into the paste. Scrape excess material from the trowel continuously.
Next Steps: Sanding & Finish Coats
Allow base coat 2 to dry completely. Then sand the surface flat using a random orbital sander and 40-grit sandpaper before continuing with your chosen finish coat:
Instructions: Sanding Guide β
Product Guide: Microdeck / Natture M β
Product Guide: Microfino / Natture S β
π Safety & Protective Equipment:
β’ These products contain cement and lime which can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory passages.
β’ Wear rubber/nitrile protective gloves and tight-fitting safety goggles.
β’ Always wear particulate respiratory protection (P2/P3) when handling dry powder and during all sanding.
β’ Ensure adequate room ventilation. Keep out of reach of children.
β’ Wear rubber/nitrile protective gloves and tight-fitting safety goggles.
β’ Always wear particulate respiratory protection (P2/P3) when handling dry powder and during all sanding.
β’ Ensure adequate room ventilation. Keep out of reach of children.
Documents & Technical Data Sheets
Refer to technical data sheets and safety data sheets for full product specifications and chemical properties:
π Data Sheet: Standard Microbase
π Data Sheet: Natture L
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