Forcrete - Sanding Guide (ENG)
Craftsman Guide / Sanding Technique Forcrete β Sanding Guide for All Coats. Comprehensive overview of abrasives, diamond pads, and techniques from substrate preparation to final finish.. π‘ Key Rulesβ¦
Updated
by tomas martinsson
Craftsman Guide / Sanding Technique
Forcrete β Sanding Guide for All Coats
Comprehensive overview of abrasives, diamond pads, and techniques from substrate preparation to final finish.
π‘ Key Rules for Sanding in the Forcrete System:
β’ Preparation Dictates the Finish: A perfectly sanded base layer creates optimal conditions and makes all subsequent coats faster and easier to apply.
β’ Intermediate Coats: Sanding between coats is typically quick and straightforward if application is flat and uniform. If ridges or high spots occur, grind them down thoroughly before the next step.
β’ Vacuuming: Always vacuum and dry-mop the substrate meticulously between every sanding step to avoid dragging loose grit across the surface.
β’ Preparation Dictates the Finish: A perfectly sanded base layer creates optimal conditions and makes all subsequent coats faster and easier to apply.
β’ Intermediate Coats: Sanding between coats is typically quick and straightforward if application is flat and uniform. If ridges or high spots occur, grind them down thoroughly before the next step.
β’ Vacuuming: Always vacuum and dry-mop the substrate meticulously between every sanding step to avoid dragging loose grit across the surface.
Quick Guide: Grit Selection per Stage
| Stage / Material | Tools & Abrasives | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles & Clinker | Concrete Grinder (Diamond Cup Wheel) | Abrading glaze and grinding down lippage or uneven tile edges. |
| Self-Leveling Compound / Concrete | 24β40 grit Silicon Carbide (our black discs) | Removes surface laitance and slurry film for optimal mechanical adhesion. |
| Forprime DPM (Coat 1) | 24β40 grit Silicon Carbide (our black discs) | Profiles the surface and levels out minor imperfections ahead of coat 2. |
| Forprime EPST, HB (Coat 1), FL (Coat 1) | Concrete Grinder (30 grit diamonds, Medium bond) | Creates a flat base plane. Exercise caution if EPST was applied without mesh! |
| Microbase XT, Coarse (Coat 1), HB/FL (Coat 2), Monostone XL (Coat 1/2), Trowel X Base | 24β40 grit Silicon Carbide (our black discs) or 50 grit Diamond Pad (our neon green pads) | Removes irregularities. Ensure edges and corners are sharp and clean. At least one coat of Monostone XL must be sanded meticulously to stop mesh pattern telegraphing. |
| Final coat Coarse, Final coat Monostone / Rockplaster XL/L, Trowel X L | Quick pass with 50 grit Diamond Pad + detailed pass with 100 grit Diamond Pad (or 100 grit only) | Controls final appearance (heavier sanding yields more movement). Avoid over-sanding on uneven substrates to prevent patchiness. |
| Microquartz Medium | Quick pass with 100 grit Diamond Pad + detailed pass with 200 grit Diamond Pad | Removes high spots and surface defects prior to topcoat. |
| Microquartz Smooth | 200 grit Diamond Pad | Eliminates minor defects and delivers a silky, burnished finish. |
| Microstone & Microgranite (Flakes) | 60β80 grit Silicon Carbide (our black discs), then buffed with 100 grit Diamond Pad | Knocks down loose flakes and smooths the matrix prior to pore filling/sealing. |
1. Substrate & Primer Sanding
β’
Tiles & Clinker (Concrete Grinder): Performed with a concrete grinder and diamond cup wheel. The objective is twofold: mechanically abrading the hard glaze for optimal primer adhesion, and leveling down tile lippage and uneven joints to achieve a flat plane.
β’
Self-Leveling Compound & Concrete (24β40 grit Silicon Carbide β our black discs): Run across the surface to strip off weak laitance/slurry film. This guarantees full adhesion for subsequent primers or microcement builds.
β’
Forprime DPM Coat 1 (24β40 grit Silicon Carbide β our black discs): Sand the surface to introduce mechanical profile and eliminate bumps before the next application.
2. Base & Intermediate Coats
β’
Coat 1 of EPST / HB / FL (Concrete Grinder with 30 grit Diamonds, Medium Bond): Grind coat 1 to establish a true, flat base for the upcoming system. Caution: When grinding EPST applied without fiberglass mesh, grind with care to avoid breaking through into the underlying screed or concrete.
β’
Intermediate Coats (Microbase XT, Coarse coat 1, HB/FL coat 2, Monostone XL coat 1 or 2, Trowel X Base): Sand with 24β40 grit Silicon Carbide (our black discs) or 50 grit Diamond Pads (our neon green pads) to remove surface irregularities. Keep perimeter lines and internal/external corners sharp and clean after this step. At least one application of Monostone XL must be sanded meticulously to prevent the fiberglass mesh pattern from bleeding through onto later coats.
3. Decorative Top Layers & Final Finishes
β’
Final coat of Coarse, Final coat of Monostone / Rockplaster XL/L, Trowel X L: Run a rapid pass with a 50 grit Diamond Pad followed by a detailed pass with a 100 grit Diamond Pad (or use 100 grit exclusively). Sanding intensity on Coarse dictates the visual character: deeper sanding exposes more quartz grain and organic movement (particularly with textured trowel work). Avoid excessive sanding on uneven substrates, as this can result in uneven tonal patches.
β’
Microquartz Medium: Make a quick pass with a 100 grit Diamond Pad and finish thoroughly with a 200 grit Diamond Pad to remove ridges and minor blemishes.
β’
Microquartz Smooth: Sand with a 200 grit Diamond Pad to eliminate imperfections and achieve a smooth, uniform surface without scratches.
β’
Microstone & Microgranite (Flakes): Sand with 60β80 grit Silicon Carbide (our black discs) to strip unbonded flakes and level out the aggregate matrix, then buff with a 100 grit Diamond Pad before proceeding to pore filling or sealing.
β οΈ Before Sealing & Topcoating:
Following final sanding, vacuum the entire floor meticulously and dry-mop using a clean microfiber cloth. Residual sanding dust ruins sealer adhesion and will cause dark colors in particular to look cloudy and patchy beneath the clear coats.
Following final sanding, vacuum the entire floor meticulously and dry-mop using a clean microfiber cloth. Residual sanding dust ruins sealer adhesion and will cause dark colors in particular to look cloudy and patchy beneath the clear coats.
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FC - Forshield Topcoat & Sealer (ENG)
