Our Process
Layer by layer, by hand
Decora finishes are built in thin layers and finished by hand. This is what goes into a Microcement or lime plaster surface, from bare substrate to final seal.
Before you begin
Great finishes start below the surface
Most problems with decorative finishes trace back to preparation or the wrong primer. Every system we supply is specified for the substrate it is going over and the conditions it has to live in, so tell us both before you order.
Microcement
The Decora Diamond System
A complete Microcement system for floors, walls, showers and benchtops, applied over concrete, tile, marble and other sound substrates.
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01
Prepare the substrate
The surface must be clean, dry, sound and flat. Loose or drummy tiles come up, grout lines are filled and levelled, and in any wet area a compliant waterproofing membrane is installed to AS 3740 before the system goes on.
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02
Prime
One coat of Decora primer by brush or roller. DOC Primer is used on concrete, and One Primer on ceramic tile, marble and granite.
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03
Level & reinforce
Uneven or irregular surfaces receive Decora Floor Level, with fibreglass mesh reinforcement where required, to create a stable, even base.
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04
First coat
Diamond Floor is applied thin with a stainless steel trowel and shaved smooth.
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05
Final coat
Once the first coat is dry, the final coat is trowelled on to create the movement and character of the finish, then smoothed with a stainless steel trowel.
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06
Seal
When the surface is fully dry, two coats of Diamond Sealer are applied in matte or gloss. The sealer is what makes the surface water resistant and easy to care for.
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07
Cure
The surface is protected for at least 24 hours after sealing and reaches full hardness after 5 to 7 days. Allow a week before washing.
Venetian Plaster & lime
Genuine lime finishes
Slaked lime and lime powder plasters for walls and ceilings, applied in layers and finished by hand.
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01
Prepare
Walls should be sound, clean and free of dust. Lime finishes are designed for walls and ceilings, not floors.
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02
Prime
A breathable Decora Mineral Primer prepares most surfaces and gives the lime a consistent base to bond to.
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03
Base coats
The first layers are laid down with a stainless steel trowel. Depending on the finish, a system takes one to three coats.
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04
Finish & burnish
The final coat is worked and burnished by hand. This is where the depth and sheen are created, from soft matte to high gloss.
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05
Protect
Sealing is not always needed. In wet, high traffic or exterior areas, Natural Wax, a Decora sealer or Nano Seal adds protection, and Metal Wax can add a metallic lustre.
Timing
Days, not hours
A typical Microcement job takes three to four days in warm weather and up to a week when it is cool, because each layer needs time to dry before the next goes on. Rushing a coat is the fastest way to compromise a finish.
Learn the process
Two days, hands on, in Caloundra
Our installer training covers substrates, priming, trowelling, tinting and sealing on day one, then the Decora lime finishes, layering and burnishing on day two. Small groups, a certificate on completion and ongoing support after you leave.