Parging A Wall??

Since I usually work with wood, I'm coming here for some direction. I have a customer that has a cinderblock wall approx. 10' wide by 4' high that needs to be parged. What preparations do I need to take to make sure this stuff sticks properly? The area is pretty rough in texture (not new smooth block) but very solid & not crumbling. Also, what material do you use? I heard straight Portland cement, and also Portland cement mixed with sand. Which do you cement guys prefer? Any idea of how much material I will need for this size area? Sorry for all the questions, but like I said...I usually work with wood.

Thanx!
Lance

Plastic cement.1 part to 3 sand.Red rubber float.Wet clean wall.Apply with a circular motion.Two coats or the joints show through.

if the wall has been treated with paint or waterproofing you will need to apply metal lath.

Use beading on the corners and the top for nice clean lines.

does this come out white like portland

Any suggestion as to how much material I would need?

Thanks!

Roughly 100 sq.' per batch should give you about a half inch coverage.
Some guys like to add a cup or so of glue to the mix.I usually do,but it's not always neccessary.Some suggest a handfull of fibers though that's possible overkill on a block wall.I've never used them and have had no problems.The float leaves a rough finish able to accept a finish coat.If you want it smooth do a steel trowel finish in the second coat.In this case the fibers would help with hairline cracking.
For 40 sq.' I'd get a good quality premix.The coverage should be on the bag but a couple of 94# bags should do it.

2-80# bags of premixed mortar per coat is plenty.

You may use Portland cement & sand mix or you may use Type S mortar & sand mix . Type S has lime in it and will bond easier and last just as long as Portland. We use it all the time for foundations, and chimney caps.

If you really want white, you can use white Portland cement instead of the normal gray. A little more expensive, but no big deal for a small job. You can also add lime to portland to get the same thing as Type S. Type S mortar is just a convenience item.

Dick

Nice fish MR. Concretemasonry...what kind and how big?