Expose a sound base.
Remove laitance, weak material, oil, contamination and poorly bonded coatings. Select equipment appropriate to the substrate.
Technical resources / Surface preparation
The foundation of every INCISE finish
The finish begins
beneath the surface.
Beautiful finishes depend on what happens first. A sound, dry, correctly prepared substrate gives every layer the foundation it needs.
40%of a job’s success starts with preparation.
Our emphasis in INCISE training.
Our emphasis in INCISE training.
28+ daysMinimum curing for concrete,
cement screeds and cement plaster.
cement screeds and cement plaster.
<5%Cementitious moisture target.
Confirm the measurement method.
Confirm the measurement method.
25 MPaMinimum floor substrate strength
for concrete and comparable screeds.
for concrete and comparable screeds.
Prepare once. Build with confidence.
A poor base costs
more than time.
Uneven, porous or damaged backgrounds increase material consumption and make the system more expensive. Weak surfaces, trapped moisture and untreated cracks can also compromise adhesion and the final appearance.
Use preparation products to correct the substrate. Keep decorative coats at their specified thickness; they are not a substitute for repairs or levelling.
Start with what is underneath
Different surfaces.
The same discipline.
A strong foundation for a continuous finish.
Concrete floors
Assess & prepare
- Use sound concrete with a minimum compressive strength of 25 MPa. Verify strength and surface integrity; do not rely on appearance alone.
- Allow at least 28 days of curing. Test moisture before application: the project requirement is below 5%, using the agreed test method.
- Shot- or grit-blast as specified to remove laitance and create a mechanical key. Grind high spots, edges and remaining irregularities; vacuum thoroughly.
Repair & prime
- Repair static cracks with INCISE Crack Sealant. Fill holes and depressions with the specified epoxy repair mortar or approved restoration system.
- Leave the floor level and evenly profiled, not burnished or polished. Retain all existing construction and movement joints.
- Apply INCISE Epoxy Primer and broadcast the specified dry quartz into the wet primer. After curing, remove loose quartz and vacuum.
Prime only after the floor is sound, clean, dry to the agreed limit, repaired and evenly profiled.
The topping must be as dependable as the slab.
Cement screeds
Assess & prepare
- Use a bonded, sound cementitious screed topping of comparable quality to the concrete: minimum 25 MPa under this INCISE specification.
- Allow at least 28 days of curing and verify moisture below 5% with the agreed method. Thin screeds still need proper curing and moisture checks.
- Check for hollow, debonded, sandy or friable areas. Remove and replace defective sections; primer does not turn a weak screed into a sound base.
Repair & prime
- Mechanically profile the surface using the specified shot/grit-blasting process; grind high points and vacuum. Avoid leaving a glassy trowelled skin.
- Complete repairs and retain construction and movement joints through the finish.
- Use INCISE Epoxy Primer with quartz broadcast. Where residual moisture is suspected, assess the cause and ask INCISE whether Primer ST is appropriate.
An uneven or weak screed increases product consumption. Correct the substrate before using decorative material.
Flat, firm and properly skimmed.
Plaster & masonry walls
Assess & prepare
- Check cement plaster, render and masonry for stability, cracks, salts, dampness and loose material. Fix moisture sources before coating.
- Cement plaster/render must cure for at least 28 days. New masonry and mortar must also be sufficiently cured and dry for the selected system.
- Remove loose paint, dusty material and contamination. Repair defects and bring masonry to a continuous, flat plastered or rendered surface.
Repair & prime
- Skim properly with an INCISE-recommended skim coat compatible with the substrate, finish and exposure. Use an exterior-suitable skim coat outdoors.
- Allow repairs and skim coats to dry/cure to their instructions. Sand ridges and remove all dust; confirm moisture with the correct substrate test method.
- Apply INCISE WB Primer for indoor and outdoor walls. Use compatible joint/corner tapes at edges, changes of plane and furniture details as specified.
Do not coat chalky, damp or poorly bonded skim coats. Gypsum-based backgrounds need separate compatibility approval, especially in wet or external areas.
Control movement before considering a finish.
Boards over timber
Assess & prepare
- Check the timber support and board system for rigidity, moisture, secure fixing and suitability for the intended location.
- Identify the board type. Plywood, plasterboard and cement boards need different preparation; do not use one primer or skim specification for all.
- Eliminate flexing, loose fixings and unsupported edges. Keep designed movement joints functional.
Repair & prime
- Use the board manufacturer’s joint treatment and INCISE-approved reinforcement, joint/corner tapes and compatible skim coat where required.
- Confirm the complete primer, reinforcement and finish build-up with INCISE before application. Sample and check adhesion on the approved assembly.
- This floor specification is for concrete and comparable cement screeds. Timber or board floors require a separately approved system; do not coat directly by default.
The below-5% cementitious moisture rule is not a timber or board moisture acceptance limit. Test these materials using their own specified limits.
Before applicationBelow 5%INCISE cementitious substrate target.
Not an actual reading from this photograph.
Not an actual reading from this photograph.
Test. Record. Resolve.
Dry to the eye
is not enough.
Measure moisture at several representative points, including wet-area edges and suspect patches. Record the readings, test method, locations and date before priming.
Fix bathroom leaks first. Repair plumbing faults and failed waterproofing, allow the substrate to dry and retest. A decorative finish or moisture-tolerant primer does not fix an active leak or rising damp.
Use a test method and instrument scale agreed with INCISE for the substrate. “5%” moisture content is not 5% relative humidity; readings from different test methods are not interchangeable. Follow a stricter limit if the selected system requires it.
Create the mechanical key
Level. Open-textured. Dust-free.
Profile the floor.
Shot- or grit-blast to the specified surface profile. Grind high spots and edges. “Smooth” means even and free of ridges—not polished shut.
Repair & level.
Correct cracks, voids and depressions using approved repairs. Allow each repair to cure before the next stage.
Vacuum & inspect.
Use industrial dust extraction. Check that the surface is sound and clean before the primer is applied.
Use suitable respiratory, eye and hearing protection and dust extraction. Shot/grit-blasting is a floor preparation method here; do not apply it indiscriminately to plaster, skim coats or boards.
Repair the cause, then the surface
Deal with cracks.
Respect the joints.
01 / Assess & clean
Understand the crack.
Identify whether it is static or moving. Investigate active or structural cracks before coating. Prepare suitable static cracks and vacuum out loose material.
02 / Fill & bond
Use INCISE Crack Sealant.
Mix the two-component epoxy to its specified ratio and work it into the prepared static crack using the approved repair method. Respect working time and cure requirements.
03 / Refine & verify
Restore a continuous base.
Once cured, remove high spots, finish flush and vacuum. Check that the repaired area is stable and ready for the next coat.
Do not cover or rigidly fill movement joints.
Existing construction joints must be reflected through the new Microtopping surface. Retain movement and expansion joints and follow the specified joint detail. A joint is not a crack to conceal.
Holes & depressions
Use INCISE Floor Epoxy Primer as part of the specified repair mortar system, with approved aggregate or filler where required. Confirm the repair depth, mix and cure with INCISE; do not pour neat primer into deep voids.
Restoration & edge details
INCISE Color Hardener and INCISE Polymer may form part of the recommended restoration build-up where specified. Confirm their method and suitability for the existing substrate.
Use compatible joint and corner tapes at edges, corners, angles and furniture junctions within the approved detail. Tapes do not replace movement joints or the specified wet-area waterproofing system.
Match the primer to the substrate
The right bond starts here.
| Surface / condition | Primer | What matters before the finish |
|---|---|---|
| Prepared walls Indoor & outdoor | INCISE WB Primer | Apply over a sound, dry, properly skimmed and compatible wall surface. Confirm substrate compatibility and drying time. |
| Concrete & cement screed floors | INCISE Epoxy Primer | Mechanically prepare first. Broadcast the specified quartz into the wet primer; after curing, remove excess and vacuum. The broadcast creates a key for the next layer. |
| Demanding substrates or suspected residual moisture | INCISE Primer ST Surface- and moisture-tolerant epoxy | Investigate moisture first. Use only within its confirmed substrate moisture limits and approved system. Suspected dampness requires assessment—not an automatic override of the below-5% target. Confirm quartz-broadcast requirements. |
| Boards over timber | Project-specific selection | Confirm board type, rigidity, reinforcement and primer compatibility with INCISE. Do not assume a wall primer makes a moving board assembly suitable. |
Choose the right application window
Protect the work
from the weather.
Do not apply in direct sunlight or rain. Plan shade and protection, avoid rapid drying and keep rain off the prepared substrate and fresh materials.
Check the selected system’s air temperature, surface temperature, humidity and dew-point requirements. If conditions or moisture checks fail, stop and resolve them before proceeding.
From the applicator’s perspective
See preparation in practice.
Jimmy · Timeless Spaces
Watch the applicator video alongside the preparation checks above. Use the approved INCISE system specification for your project.
Future video guide
Moisture testing & recording
Future video guide
Crack repairs & joint details
Future video guide
Priming & quartz broadcast
Before the first decorative coat
Ready means checked.
0 of 8 preparation checks complete.
A personal on-page checklist, not a substrate approval or saved site record. Record and sign off the actual site checks with your applicator.