on the picture attached the base is some sort of smooth cement base material. If I want to do a textured fresconova finish, or marmarino on it do I just follow along with the process, ie. firmanova, pronto s then plaster? If so do you think I can apply prontomural and still not loose the design features of the fireplace? I am looking to do everything in the picture, even the hearth. Last will this hold up over time, the client vary rarely uses the fireplace?

I think the best world be to use Velnova instead of Prontomuro.

My client says she was told the product on the fireplace is a casted stone product. Would this make a difference? It was suggested to me, to use a masonry primer prior to my process believing the material was a concrete base. When I research cast stone, it says it's a lime based product?
Suggestions?? Ultimately I just want a marmorino finish.

cast stone is usually cement and Safra's bridge coat for cement/concrete is Velnova as Doyle suggested.

so my process would be firmanova, velnova then marmariono, no priming on the current surface? I thought being a cement based material I would have to seal it with a primer first being that marmorino is a lime based product? or does velnova solve this problem? Sorry for so many questions, I just want to do the right process.

yes

Thanks. I have never used velnovo, is it an easy product to use and similar to pronto? Anything I need to know?

Cindi, the Velnovo is very runny so be prepared for that by using a large plastic coffee mug to load the material onto your trowel and hold your trowel very close to the wall as you load with material, in this way you will help control the spills more. Do some extra prep for the floor as you will spill some as you go. Good luck

thanks everyone, I will work on samples first so that I can feel how to work with it, I do have a concern though, if it's so runny will I be able to apply it to the detail (crown moulding etc.) on the fireplace without it falling off? Maybe a stupid question?

If it's runny like Pronto L, when you are doing the detailed molding, put very little on the trowel (actually I would use japan scrapers for the molding and other areas with detail).

The best way to apply over flat wall for runny plaster is from the bottom up. I learned that the hard way using Pronto L the first time. I had a ton on the floor.

Cindy, you can get the velnovo to stay on the finer details it will just take a little more effort on your part to deal with the looseness of the plaster, but you've got your work cut out for you. I just now noticed all of the tight edges of the moulding accents..... I would consider using artists brushes or small stenciling brushes to get the velnovo on the tight areas and then use your finger to smooth out. Good luck with it I'm sure it will be beautiful.

Greg

Nancy,

Unless they are making the Velnovo thicker, the 30 buckets of Velnovo I went through were even thinner than Pronto L. The Pronto L seems thicker because the grain is larger than whats in the Velnovo.

thanks to everyone for the response! I will work on many samples, hopefully do the job mid February, I'll post pictures...

one last thought, sorry, you did mix the velnovo with portland cement like it states you should?

Cindy,

Yes when I used the Velnovo I added the P.C. as recommended. I actually added a little more than was recommended because it was still very thin with the recommended 20% added. The more P.C. you add, the thicker it will become but the faster it will set up....so in your case you could probably add a little more P.C. in order to thicken and furthermore make your application go easier, just dont add to much or like I said above, it can set up on you fairly fast but that will be determined also by the temp and humidity. You will have to play with it to check the consistency, you may be surprised.