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Realistic
Brick Compound FAQ's
Q. How much Realistic Brick
Compound will I need for an average dollshouse?
A.
Each
750 gram bag covers approximately 0.5 square metre, but this
varies depending on how thick it is applied. Two 750 gram
bags are usually plenty to cover an average dollshouse.
Q. Can I apply Realistic Brick
Compound to my house if it has already been built?
A.
Yes,
but if any parts protrude from the wall surfaces (window frames
/ roof eaves etc) you may not be able to position the stencil
as required to apply the bricks. Leave these areas until last
and cut the stencil to fit into the edges. Alternatively,
you can fill in these areas without using the stencil by applying
the compound and marking the brick pattern with a straight
edge and scribe tool - This method is actually surprisingly
easy and effective.
Q. Why do I have to paint the
wall before applying the brick compound?
A. The wall will be visible
as the cement lines in between the bricks, it should therefore
be painted with the desired cement colour prior to bricking
(Emulsion or smooth masonry paint).
Q. How can I prevent the compound
from bleeding under the stencil?
A. Before application spray
the back of the stencil liberally with the stencil adhesive,
then allow time for the adhesive to dry - 15 - 20 mins approx.
It should feel sticky when you touch it, but the adhesive
should not come off on your hands. Apply the stencil to the
wall and press all areas down firmly, ensuring all areas are
in contact with the wall. Wash the stencil in clean water
after each application and then press between two flat towels
to dry it. Ensure it is completely dry before proceeding.
The adhesive will remain on the stencil as it is not water
soluble and it should remain active for several hours of use,
but if it starts to feel less sticky or the compound bleeds
it should be re-sprayed with adhesive as above.
Q. What if I make a mistake?
A. Don't panic! - It is easy
to rectify any mistakes. Simply wet the area you wish to remove,
scrape away the compound and wipe clean. Then re-apply to
the area concerned. (After the compound has been sealed it
can only be removed by sanding with coarse sandpaper).
Q. Is the brick finish tough/permanent?
A. Yes - The compound dries
to a tough hard finish. We recommend that it is sealed with
a coat of clear matt varnish which prevents the surface from
dusting and waterproofs the finish.
Q. How long does the Realistic
Brick Compound take to dry?
A. After application normally
about an hour, but this varies according to the application
thickness and air temperature. Prior to application, the compound
remains workable for many hours provided it is kept moist.
Q. How long does the stencil
last?
A. Indefinitely. Just keep it
clean by rinsing in water and use it over and over again.
Q. Do I need to let the compound
dry before removing/repositioning the stencil?
A. No - It can be removed straight
away. Rinse the stencil with water and pat dry with a towel,
then reposition ready to apply the next section. Align the
stencil with the bricks already applied by carefully overlapping
at least one course of bricks.
Q. What if the surface of the
bricks is rough or uneven?
A. Allow the compound to dry,
then carefully remove any uneven areas by rubbing down with
coarse sandpaper or a file if necessary.
Q. How thick should the brick
compound be applied?
A. The stencil thickness will
provide a guide to the minimum thickness of the compound,
but it can be applied more thickly if required. Different
application thicknesses will produce a different finished
effect - you may like to experiment to get the desired effect.
Q. Can I add shading to the
finished bricks?
A. Yes - When the compound has
dried you can use watercolour of acrylic paints to add shading
to the bricks for a more natural or weathered effect. The
compound is very absorbent at this stage so a wet paint brush
can just be dabbed onto the individual bricks and the colour
will disperse automatically. This should be done before sealing
the bricks with clear matt varnish.
A
note about colour
The
compound colour varies during the application process which
can be a little misleading. The dry compound powder is quite
light in colour before it is mixed with water. When wet, the
colour becomes much darker, but as it dries it will become
lighter again. The sealing coat of clear matt varnish will
darken the compound to it's final finished colour. It is a
good idea to make a small test piece before starting your
project to see the finished effect (particularly if you are
planning to modify the colour or add any shading prior to
sealing).
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