Some SBC questions

[kebwi]

Some questions about Quikrete Surface Bonding Cement (and stucco in general):

I bought the white SBC, assuming it would be easier to dye or paint than the gray. Would you suggest dyeing it or painting it? The obvious problem with dyeing is color-matching between batches. Seems like the obvious problem with paint would be having it wear or chip away, revealing pure white beneath. Thoughts?

I will be placing talavera terracotta tiles onto the vertical wall along with the SBC. Should I place them "into" the fresh SBC, basically using the SBC as the thinset to set the tiles?...or should I do the whole enclosure in stucco first and then mortar the tiles onto the dry stucco surface? (I'm using SBC and stucco interchangeable in this post). That would mean the tiles would stick out from the SBC unless I use some sort of stamp to set a shallow dish into the web SBC. For example, I could use a piece of wood or a tile to press an impression into the SBC, then let the SBC cure and mortar the tiles on after the fact, but like I said, I'm wondering if I should just set the tiles into the stucco while it's wet anyway, everything in one shot...except that I might do the SBC in two coats. SHEESH, I just dunno. What do you think?

Bear in mind, the back surface is hardibacker, if that affects the decision.

[Tscarborough]

Adding color to the SBC is best, of course, no maintenance.

The secret is to do it all in one batch, or break it at corners and edges.

Insert the tile into the SBC.

[fxpose]

Originally Posted by Tscarborough

Insert the tile into the SBC.

+1 I've installed accent tile inlays directly into wet stucco and wet concrete slabs before.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Would you suggest dyeing it or painting it? The obvious problem with dyeing is color-matching between batches.

Keb.. I used 2 bags on the dome, and I used the dye, matching the color was no problem at all,,, I mixed half a bag at a time in the mixer, added the same amounts of (Quikrete) colorant,, and it all matched perfectly, My only dissapointment is that after a year the color (terra cotta) faded a great deal.. My oven sits right in the sun.. someone else suggested (after the fact) to use iron oxide as it wont fade, I dont have any experience with that so I cant tell you how well that works...

[Tscarborough]

Do not use liquid colorant. Use Ferrous Oxide powdered pigments, but stay away from Jet Black, blues and greens, and dark red if possible.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Hey Keb,,
Found this on ebay,CONCRETE COUNTERTOP COLOR PIGMENT CEMENT IRON OXIDE - eBay (item 120469550837 end time Mar-12-10 22:31:34 PST)
give it a look....

[kebwi]

So, I just ordered some of that oxide colorizer you found on ebay for me. Thanks.

I'm still nervous about applying the SBC, it's kind of expensive and I have one shot.

Tolerate some more questions please...

Someone mentioned above that they did half-bags, mixer-mixed. But I have read that the SBC sets/cures/dries-out fairly quickly, so I am considering using smaller batches and drill mixing them. How much can I confidently mix and apply at once before it starts to go bad? Is it a small enough amount that I should drill mix it (couple of quarts max) or can I really do a reasonably large batch (in the mixer) without it going bad part way through?

Unrelated question, anyone following my build knows that the structure I am applying SBC to is a set of terraces. The vertical walls are hardibacker and the horizontal terraces are vermicrete (there will also be some thin concrete blocks running a short wall around each terrace to form a planter bed). I am considering parging the vermicrete with sand/portland/maybe-lime before applying the SBC. I can't really say why, it just struck me as an idea. I figured I would fill the voids and solidify the loose aggregate with a portland mix first, then SBC over that. At the least, it might save me SBC to apply to a smoother surface, on the off chance I don't have enough in the first place (which I can't really gauge in advance of course). Does this make any sense or should I just SBC the raw vermicrete, regardless of divots, loose chunks, etc.?

[sjmeff]

I drill mixed full bags of SBC in a mortar tub (I didn't want to pay for a rental mixer). I don't think you need to do half bags. Are you planning to use the liquid fortifier? In addition to making the SBC more water resistant, it makes the curing process easier (you don't have to keep it wet), which for me was worth the added cost. It may have also kept it workable longer. I found it easy to apply and it went on pretty quickly. Just keep the tub out of direct sunlight.

I had lots of imperfections in my vermicrete that the SBC covered just fine.

Also, I overbought for the reason you described (not knowing exactly how much you need) and then I returned the unused bags.

[kebwi]

Yeah, I have the acrylic fortifier. I'm going for maximum water resistance.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

hey keb...
QUIKRETE® - QUIKWALL® Surface Bonding Cement The stuff is so easy and you can definitely do a full bag with no problem, Unless,,, your going to trowel finish and you may need some more time for that, I troweled it on and then worked it with a sponge a rougher finish that I found pleasing..
Cheers
Mark

P,S. I used the acrylic fortifier as well