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Frequently asked questions

The questions we get asked most often across the counter, answered by people who have applied this product on real jobs.

Do I need special tools to apply Microcement?

Yes. Microcement needs a stainless steel trowel for compacting and burnishing, a PVC trowel for the base coats, and a mixing drill with enough torque to blend the two-part system properly. You will also need the correct primer and sealer, which are specific to the substrate you are going over.

Venetian plaster needs less. A stainless steel finishing trowel and a smaller spatula for detail work will cover most jobs.

If you are pricing your first job, ring us on the Sunshine Coast and we will put a starter list together for what you are actually applying.

What is the difference between a stainless steel and a PVC trowel for Microcement?

Stainless steel compacts and burnishes the surface. PVC does not, which is exactly why you want it on the early coats of Microcement.

Burnishing too early closes the surface before the later coats have anything to key into, and you get adhesion problems that only show up weeks later. PVC is also more forgiving over an uneven substrate, where a steel blade will chatter and leave lines.

Most applicators carry both and switch between them as the coats build.

What size trowel should I use for Microcement and Venetian plaster?

A 240x100mm trowel is the most useful all-round size for both. It covers ground at a sensible rate while still being controllable on a bathroom wall.

Larger blades are faster across open floors but harder to manage around detail, and they will fight you in corners and small wet areas. Pair the 240x100 with a smaller spatula for edges, junctions and cutting in, and you can handle most residential work with two tools.

What kind of mixing drill do I need for Microcement?

You need a variable speed drill with real torque, not a general purpose cordless. Microcement is a dense two-part mix and an underpowered drill will either burn out or stall, and a stalling drill gives you an inconsistent blend that shows in the finish.

We stock the Build Smart Industrial Mixing Drill at 1050W, which handles a full 20kg bucket comfortably. Variable speed matters as much as the wattage, because you want to start slow to avoid whipping air into the mix.

Do I need to sand between coats of Microcement?

Yes. Sanding between coats removes trowel marks and high spots so the following coat lays down flat, and it is the step most first-time applicators skip.

An orbital sander with dust extraction is the practical way to do it, particularly indoors. Microcement dust is fine, it travels through the whole house, and an M-Class extractor keeps it contained rather than settling on everything the client owns.

We stock Mirka sanders and the DEXOS M-Class dust extractor for exactly this stage.

Can I buy a complete Microcement and plastering tool kit?

Yes. The Decora Black Box is a professional trowel kit supplied in a waterproof case, and it is the fastest way to get set up properly if you are starting out or building a second kit for an offsider.

If you would rather buy for a specific job than buy a full kit, ring us with the details and we will build a list to suit it.

Do you ship Microcement and plastering tools Australia wide?

Yes. We ship Australia wide with the exception of Victoria, and freight is calculated at checkout on weight and postcode.

Tools are held at our Caloundra warehouse on the Sunshine Coast, so orders to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and across South East Queensland move quickly. You are also welcome to collect in person, which is worth doing at least once if you want to handle the trowels before committing.