|
Post by dirtlover2005 on Jul 21, 2014 21:58:57 GMT
That looks cracking MF! We are at virtually at the same stage and I have been looking into render and reading up some of the threads on here. As much as I fancied using K Rend Travis Perkins quoted £19 a bag so unless I can find it cheaper somewhere thats out the window. I've bought sand, cement, waterproofer and a colouring for the base - may end up with this on the dome too. I think you can go over with a bit of render to even out the surface in places before applying the base layer.
|
|
|
Post by cobblerdave on Jul 22, 2014 6:42:39 GMT
G'day Can't have to much insulation they say. Myself I would be puttin another coat of v-Crete on. But its best to wait for at least a week to allow some of that moisture out. When it comes to v-Crete the sun is your friend a strong wind your best mate and low humidity an added bonus! If your wanting to get a smoother and more rounded shape from the "devils porridge" (love that term!), try waiting till the cement starts to go off. Then use the flat back of your brick trowel to tap it gently into shape. Troweling in the traditional way only makes it drop off as you have well discovered. I've seen a dome where this was done that had quite a nice textured finish was not rendered over and was only sealed with acrillic paint. Not sure how this would go though with UK condition though? I think you would be the best judge of that. Regards dave
|
|
|
Post by mutteringfool on Jul 22, 2014 20:38:00 GMT
thanks gents, I can probably get some more v-crete on just not on the outer points that are near the edge of the plinth. Does mean buying another bag though Dirtlover - that is pricey, the other option I've seen is to just mix sand, cement and lime together. Not sure if this will give such a nice finish but it could be painted then if you wanted? Cobblerdave - I think it needs some sort of covering otherwise I think one winter here and it'll be cracking and I really don't want to go through that again!
|
|
|
Post by mutteringfool on Aug 9, 2014 18:31:14 GMT
Second proper firing today and some awesome pizza was the result! Learnt a lot from the first firing where I just didn't get it hot enough (was still curing so no surprise I guess). But have now added the chimney which definitely made a difference and got a much hotter fire going. Pizza was really good and cooked in the 2 ish minutes that we all hope for. However one minor issue is that there was definitely some smoke escaping from the top of the dome. Will take a look later this week to see if there is any obvious cracks in the mortar. But any thoughts for the outside? I just have vermicrete on there at the moment, should I add another later of that or just put my concrete render on top?
|
|
|
Post by dirtlover2005 on Aug 9, 2014 20:44:11 GMT
That's a good looking pizza!
Re the smoke - are you sure it was smoke? I would guess that it may be steam from the vermicrete. I would give it another firing to see if it does it again. If you have more vermiculite and the room I would slap another layer on too.
|
|