Different render finishes

[kingandy2nd]

Hi All,

I rendered the yard walls at my last house using a polyfloat and it worked pretty well - for an accountant . I had started out using plastering sand on my previous attempt but switched to builders sand because it seems to have better adhesion.

Moved onto my next house and the yard walls are already rendered, but it’s patchy because bits have fallen off so I want to do some spot repairs.

However, this render has a much smoother finish on it that I had achieved previously with my polyfloat (which was grainy rather than smooth).

Is a smooth render finish achieved which a different float or a different sand/cement mix? Or do I float it off with my polyfloat then smooth it with a plastering trowel?

 

[corrie]

It`s probably a softer sand. Try a few samples. Maybe a white type sand with a pine float and a sponge finish. Sand/cement renders are not usually left off a steel trowel as they have a tendency to crack......especially if curing quick in hot dry conditions.

Alex