Armuralia Polished Plaster

Proprietary multicoat plaster system, supplied and applied by Armourcoat Ltd.

Features and benefits:

• Self-finishing, with silk texture and subtle tonal variations.

• Choice of integral colours.

• System is water vapour permeable and is suitable as a finish for traditional plastered masonry, including historic buildings.

• Pencil hardness to ASTM D 3363: 5H. Surface hardness increases with age and carbonation of the material.

• Impact resistance to ASTM D 2794: Two inch pounds.

• Shore D hardness when tested using Elcometer 3120 Shore Durometer D: 78.

• Mould and mildew resistant. Tested to ASTM D 3273 and ASTM D 3274.

• VOC content to ASTM D3960 of 22 g/L.

• Non-newtonian thixotropic paste Viscosity 85 000 cP ± 20 000 cP.

System:

- Substrate:

• Suitable for application to plastered or rendered masonry such as block, brick or concrete. Generally suitable for application to taped and skimmed boards such as plasterboard and GRG (glassfibre reinforced gypsum). Suitable for application to plasterboard surfaces prepared with Armourcoat Anti Crack skim coat. Suitable for application to single sheet 18mm primed MDF. Generally suitable for application with care on previously decorated (but not papered) surfaces. Performance of finish may reflect quality of substrate. Consult manufacturer.

• Surface to be true, flat and even, free of curing compounds, dust and other impurities, such as oil, grease and salts.

• Substrate to be prepared by others. General information is available from manufacturer for selection or preferred substrate. Detailed consultation with supplier is also recommended to ensure best results.

• Plaster beads to be installed by others. Prior consultation with supplier is recommended to ensure appropriate detailing.

• Will not obscure cracked or uneven substrates.

- Materials and number of coats:

• On unprepared plasterboard: Armourcoat Anti Crack Skim Coat Plaster (typically 3 - 5 mm) applied by trowel. To be combined with reinforcement mesh. Taping and filling joints not required when Anti Crack is specified.

• Selection of materials and number of coats determined by supplier to achieve required finish.

• Where surfaces are of uneven suction: One coat Armourcoat K40 Primer by brush or roller.

• Where surfaces are not uniformly flat or smooth: Two coats Armourcoat K149 Fine Keycoat (each typically 0.5 mm) applied by trowel over primer.

• Top coat: Two–three coats Armuralia (total thickness approximately 1–1.5 mm).

• Partly self-polishing when trowelled.

• Applied coating, for higher sheen or increased protection against soiling: White wax, or Black wax.

• Applied coating, for breathable water repellence, frost resistance, mould inhibition: Armoursil.

- Thickness:

• Finished thickness cannot be varied to improve tolerances of substrate.

• Typical thickness (excluding Anti Crack skim coat) of 1-1.5 mm.

Programme:

• Number of coats may be varied to achieve required finish.

• Application time may vary with required finish, as well as accessibility of the working area.

• Drying time for each coat varies with temperature, humidity, suction and airflow.

• Adjacent finishes may need to be protected during application, particularly during sanding of dark colours.

• Polished plaster may need to be protected during completion of adjacent building works.

Control joints:

• Joints are advised between each day's work. Maximum daywork area is determined by number of staff working together, accessibility, environmental conditions and finish required. Consult supplier.

• In addition to work joints, expansion joints may be required where present in the substrate. Detailing to be agreed with independent structural engineer.

• Consistency of finish requires consistency of application. Special consideration is necessary for areas of constrained access.

Application:

Suitable for application to a range of substrates, mainly internal use (external use possible in sheltered locations in a limited range of colours). Not suitable for application to substrates with high water content.