Prepping Walls for Vertical Overlays

The first and most important step when applying vertical overlays is good surface preparation to ensure that the mix bonds to the wall. It's critical to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the product you are using.

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First, you'll need to clean the wall surface to remove any dirt or contaminants that could inhibit the bond. On painted or extremely smooth walls, it may also be necessary to lightly sand the surface to provide more grip for the overlay. For exterior wall surfaces such as concrete and masonry, pressure washing and light sandblasting are effective cleaning methods.

After prepping the surface, the next step is to apply a liquid primer or bond coat, using a product compatible with the overlay mix. Priming will keep the wall from absorbing moisture from the freshly applied overlay. After primer application, some manufacturers also recommend applying a thin scratch coat of the vertical mix to improve bonding of subsequent coats. On walls with seams or joints, such as drywall or wood paneling, manufacturers often recommend applying fiberglass-mesh tape over joints and seams to prevent reflective cracking in the overlay and a layer of wire or polypropylene mesh to provide additional reinforcement. For substrates that are damaged, badly cracked or subject to movement, the wall can be reinforced with expanded-metal lath.

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