Tadelakt

When using the product, the complete Product information must be observed.

Mixing the Plaster
Stir the dry powder gradually into the given amount of clear, cold water. Use a powerful electric drill with a paint stirrer. After an expanding period of approx. 30 minutes, stir again thoroughly. Readily mixed Tadelakt is to be used within 8 – 10 hours.

Water required
0.25 l of water for 1 kg of Powder. The amount of water can be increased slightly if necessary.

Suitable Substrates
The best suitable substrate for Tadelakt is brickwork with an at least 1.5 cm layer of hydraulic lime plaster or lime-cement plaster, both untreated and solid. Thereon Tadelakt can be processed directly.
The following substrates can be covered with Tadelakt after priming with Casein Primer or Vega Primer and an intermediate coat with Lime Wall Finish -medium- : gypsum plasters, lime-gypsum plasters, concrete, plasterboards, gypsum fibre boards, Wedi Boards, cement fibre boards. On all board materials an entire reinforcement is necessary: embed a glassfibrenet in Lime Wall Finsh and cover it completely.
The surface of the plaster substrates must be dry and rough. Tadelakt must not be applied onto smooth surfaces. Avoid sharp edges in the plaster, make them round. Do not use corner trims. Remove accumulations of binder and sintered skin from plaster surfaces.

Tadelakt is not suitable on continuously moist surfaces.

In dry areas Tadelakt can be applied also on clay plasters. A high solidity of the plaster is particularly important. The application on clay plaster is at your own risk. Recommended sequence of coatings on clay plasters:
Pre-hardening with Potassium Waterglass (article no. 607), dilution: 1 part waterglass + 3 parts water. Drying time at least 24 hours.
Priming with Casein Primer or Vega Primer.
Intermediate coat with Lime Wall Finish -medium- (article no. 960) with embedded glass fibre net.

Application
Tadelakt is to be applied in 2 layers. Both Tadelakt layers and the first treatment with soap must be performed within the same day.
Protect the Tadelakt from drying too quick during the application, avoid draught, high temperatures and direct sunlight.
Wet dry subsurfaces before application.

1st Layer
Apply Tadelakt with a trowel entirely and only slightly thicker than the grain size (approx. 1-1.5 mm). Let set until the surface has become strong against impact. The 1st layer of Tadelakt must not be smoothed, polished nor densified and it should not dry completely before applying the second layer.

2nd Layer
Apply Tadelakt with a trowel entirely and only slightly thicker than the grain size (approx. 1-1,5 mm) and let set. Flat surfaces can be pre-densified with a trowel. Then burnish the surface while moving the Tadelakt Polishing Stone in small circles and with only light pressure until all pores are closed and gloss is achieved. The right point of time for pre-densifying and burnishing depends on the water content of the surface, its absorbency and the climate, and may vary strongly.

First Soaping
The first layer of soap should be applied shortly after burnishing the second Tadelakt layer. The Tadelakt must not be dried completely, it should still be a little moist.
Dilute Polishing Soap -Concentrate- in a ratio of 1 part Polishing Soap + 6 parts of water.
Apply the soap solution evenly with a soft brush, and remove any surpluses with it. Let set a short while. Then burnish with the Polishing Stone until regular gloss is achieved.

Second soaping
After the surface has completely dried (max. after 2 days), apply the soap solution again. Let set a short while. Then polish the surface with a ball formed out of plastic foil (HDPE, i. e. a clear “crackling” trash bag).

Further Treatments
Waxing To achieve a higher gloss Tadelakt can additionaly be waxed. Use wax only on soaped surfaces. Do not use wax in areas affected by water splashes (risk of white stains).
Apply Punic Wax thinly with a soft cloth and polish directly with a clean soft cloth.
To increase the gloss, KREIDEZEIT Carnauba Wax Emulsion can be used in the same way.

Cleaning
Clean Tadelakt surfaces only with water under addition of a little bit of Marseille Soap or Corfu Soap, both approx. 1-2 spoons per 8 litres of water. Use a soft sponge for cleaning.
To avoid limescales wipe away water splashes with a soft cloth after every use.
Do not use other household cleaning agents or scouring sponges nor micro fibre cloths.

Care
To keep the functionality in wet areas Tadelakt has to be “aftersoaped” every 1-2 months. Apply diluted Polishing Soap (see above „First soaping“). After a short setting time polish the surface with a ball formed out of plastic foil (HDPE).
Alternatively Marseille Soap or Corfu Soap can be used in the same way, dilution ratio: 2-3 spoons of soap + 2 litres of water.

Once a day Tadelakt has to dry completely. If Tadelakt stays moist for a too long time matt areas, discolouring and fungi might occur.

Drying Times
Dry after 2-3 days at 3 mm of layer thickness. Treat the surface gently within the first 3 months. The final hardness will be achieved after approx. 6 months.

Suitable Tools
Quality tools in the KREIDEZEIT range:
Tadelakt Polishing Stone (hardened ceramic), Plastic Smoothing Spatula, set of 3, Spring Steel Trowel

Cleaning the Tools
Immediately after use with water.