When applying overlays over overlays, certain tools and techniques can make the job easier. Here are a few that might work for you:
Over a stamped surface, it saves time and material to knock down the high spots first before floating a leveling product.
— Scott Wyatt, Floric Polytech Inc.
I always recommend using at least a water-based epoxy for a primer and putting the cementitious overlay into the primer tacky. This promotes tremendous chemical adhesion.
— Trevor Foster, Miracote Products
Most toppings that are self-leveling or “stampable” are placed with a gage rake similar to the one Mid-West Rake provides. The finishing process is usually performed with a smoothing paddle, fresno, funny trowel or hand trowel depending on the material’s consistency.
— Scott Thome, L.M. Scofield Co.
When putting down a base coat, use a three-foot squeegee. It gets you up on your feet away from the work, so you can spread material nice and flat, faster.
— Scott Wyatt, Floric Polytech Inc.
Squeegees work great with very thin microtoppings, but I’m a fan of a troweled-down look. I like the Magic Trowel, a tool that leaves a very consistent surface that looks like a sweat finish.
— Brian Vicari, The Concrete Colorist
If applying over a colored overlayment, i.e. chemical stained, topical stained, dyed, etc., make sure your system will be thick enough or dark enough to hide existing color underneath.
— Trevor Foster, Miracote Products
