Les Trois Matons : Our products - Traditional Lime Mortar - Traditional lime plaster ready-mix for finish coat for indoor / outdoor use CALFINO

Use

CALFINO lime plaster is a ready-to-use traditional fine lime plaster made with matured high calcium lime putty and 0-2mm calibrated quality river sand. CALFINO lime plaster is used for the finishing coat in traditional masonry rendering (including base coats with our CALRIO lime mortar) for indoor use or on facades by casting on or by spraying. CALFINO lime plaster is ideal for renovation and restoration work on old buildings and for new, eco-friendly buildings. Our Pozzolanic material called AM mortar additive can be added to CALFINO lime plaster during the mixing to strengthen the plaster by giving it extra hydraulic qualities. Pozzolans are mineral additives known since antiquity. Our AM mortar additive reduces the presence of free lime, thereby limiting the risk of efflorescence. AM mortar additive considerably increases the mechanical and long-lasting properties of the plaster finish by allowing obtaining the same resistance to that obtained after total carbonation. AM mortar additive is natural and eco-friendly and does not interfere into the carbonation process and into the properties of lime (reduced risk of cracks appearing, high permeability and elasticity, excellent bonding to the support surface and naturally anti-bacterial). Because CALFINO lime plaster is natural and eco-friendly and is manufactured by the traditional techniques inspired of the past with no chemical, organic or cement based additives, this lime plaster exhibits excellent chemical and physical properties (see table overleaf). This means excellent results and a high quality finish that is durable and extremely aesthetic (compatible mineral pigments may be added to CALFINO lime plaster to obtain coloured finishes). CALFINO lime plaster is highly permeable, thereby allowing ambient humidity to evaporate and ensuring comfortable and healthy buildings. CALFINO lime plaster is unique on today’s market and is perfectly in line with the current philosophy of eco-friendly construction and sustainable development for a very inexpensive cost to that of most cement or lime plaster currently on the market.

Composition

Fat lime putty (high calcium non-hydraulic lime obtained by wood firing after having matured for at least 8 months), calibrated river sand with a 0-2mm grain size. Free from chemical, organic and cement based additives.

Features

-    Eco-friendly, ready-mix, ready to go lime plaster.
-    Excellent bonding with support surface.
-    Highly permeable and elastic ("surfaces can breathe").
-    Naturally antibacterial.
-    Ideal for eco-friendly construction.
-    Free from additives, resins, cellulose ethers, thinners and any substances used in dry mortars.
-    VOC free.
-    Clinker free (base of CEM OPC obtained by heating a mixture of limestone and clay to 1300°-1500°C).
-    Zero hygroscopicity, water does not settle inside the plaster.
-    Absorbs CO2 (lime absorbs half its weight in CO2 during carbonation).
-    Inexpensive, safe with an excellent track record.

E.U. Classification: category A/c VOC limit 40 g/l (2010). This product contains 0 g/liter of VOC.

Application

Surface preparation

For outdoor and indoor wall surfaces that respect current practise and regulations. Support surfaces must be clean, sound, hard, bonding and dust free. CALFINO lime plaster is applied ONLY onto CALRIO lime mortar within 24/36 hours following the application of CALRIO lime mortar. Before applying, ensure that the support surface is clean. In case of efflorescence, mould or grease stains, clean by brushing followed by washing with water, preferably a pressure cleaner. The support surface must be damp but not streaming with water.
If the CALFINO lime plaster is not applied within 7 days following the application of CALRIO lime mortar, we recommend that you apply an pimer undercoat to guarantee bonding and an even colouring across the entire surface area.
For any other support type or delicate surface please contact us.

Mixing

CALFINO lime plaster is in paste form, ready to use. Due to storage, CALFINO lime plaster may appear very dense due to the delicate mixture of lime putty and river sand. It will take on a more fluid aspect after it has been thoroughly mixed in a mortar trough, cement mixer or spraying machine. We highly recommend the use of our AM mortar additive at a ratio of 1 to 2 % of the total weight of the lime plaster in order to improve bonding and performance (contact our sales staff) according to the following recommendations:
Do not add any water. Add 1 % of mortar weight of our AM mortar additive (300g / 30 Kg) to improve results and bonding.
Our AM mortar additive gives extra hydraulic qualities to the mortar. It reduces the presence of free lime, thereby limiting the risk of efflorescence. It considerably increases the mechanical and long-lasting properties of the plaster finish. After the additive has been incorporated, CALFINO lime plaster must be used before it begins to set.

Application

• Tools and equipment: applied by casting on (plastering trowels) or by spraying with an appropriate spraying machine (we recommend the use of a piston machine with a 10 mm nozzle hose and with 2,5 to 3 bar pressure).

On the damp support surface (do not dampen if an primer undercoat has been applied), apply CALFINO lime plaster in 1 or 2 coats that are 1-2mm thick so as to completely cover the support surface of CALRIO lime mortar.
Wait 24 hours between each coat and dampen the surface before applying the following one.
Finish off by levelling off the surface of the plaster using a plastering trowel (sponge float, wood or plastic trowel) before the plaster has dried out.
CALFINO lime mortar can be covered with:  MINERAL 000 lime plaster, MARBREX R lime plaster, BADIMAT limewash paint, MATECO green paint, MARMOLAKT tadelakt plaster, MARBREX L marmorino plaster, FINITION S lime stucco... or any type of paint. (See technical data and contact our sales staff for advice).

Curing

• Time between coats: 24 hours.
   
• Hardening: 
  - Approx. 1 month (depending on thickness) when the AM mortar additive is present in the plaster.
  - Several months (depending on thickness) when the AM mortar additive is not present in the plaster.
  
  
• Carbonation: non-hydraulic lime sets by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) present in the atmosphere. During this reaction which can take place over several months, efflorescence, whitening, variations in colour or colour fading may affect the surfaces that have not completely carbonated due to humidity, condensation or fog/mist. The surfaces treated must be protected from the rain for several days. We RECOMMEND that the AM mortar additive be used with CALFINO lime plaster to reduce the presence of free lime and thereby to limit risk of efflorescence.

Drying time will vary depending on the type of support, humidity, the time of year, the place (indoor/outdoor) and on the ventilation of the room.

Coverage

Approx. 3 Kg / m² for 2 mm thick.
Generally, the average consumption for the finishing coat with CALFINO lime plaster is about 1,5 Kg / mm thick / m².

Practical advice

We recommend that you protect facades with a water repellent product such as our HYDRO R and HYDROMAT.
The necessary precautions should be taken to prevent any capillary action at the base of the plaster finish.
Temperature for use: from + 5°C to + 30°C (40°F or 85°F). Do not use on hot surfaces or on surfaces directly exposed to the sun, or in windy or rainy conditions.
Each section of wall should be finished within in the day. All joints should be in corners or around doors.
Protect surrounding areas from any projections or clean immediately with clean water.
Clean all tools with water immediately after use.

Health caution

CALFINO lime plaster contains lime putty. Irritating to the eyes and skin. During mixing and application avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, flood eyes repeatedly with clean water and CALL A PHYSICIAN. Avoid prolonged contact with skin. Use appropriate gloves. Protect the eyes and the face. Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

CALFINO lime plaster paste will keep for 2 to 3 months in its original closed packaging away from frost and high temperatures.
However, as CALFINO lime plaster is non hydraulic lime based, it will keep for several days after opening in a plastic container. Protect it from the action of the air by placing a thin layer of clean, fresh water over the surface (providing our AM mortar additive has not been added to the mortar!!).

Packaging

CALFINO lime plaster comes in recyclable plastic bags of 30 Kg. It is also available in a big bag, the equivalent of 40 bags (1200 Kg).

The information contained in this sheet are the expression of our knowledge and of test results. They can in no case be regarded as bringing a guarantee, or engaging our responsibility in the event of defective application. We recommend making a sample.