Replies

1. 
   Sphere | May 11, 2008 05:04pm | #1

   Would you be meaning a product like structo-lite?

   I very recently learned yes indeed it does have a shelf life, I had some that would set way too fast..and on a job I asked a plasterer about that..he said it starts to set up even in the warehouse.

   I had to re-temper it to make it work, and it did not ever work right, like you are describing,,crumbly and no adhesion.

   Maybe that is your problem, the bags have dates, but I don't know what the length of viability is.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    

1. 
   MBaybut | May 11, 2008 05:20pm | #2

   Thanks,
   No, it's proper stucco, left over from a job I did a few years back. I'll see what others think here. It shouldn't be a problem to brush it out and replace with new stuff if I need to. What I did notice was when I mixed it in a container, the surface would seemed to wet up as if the stucco and the water weren't mixing right. I don't, maybe nothing.
   Thanks for your help.
   MikeEdited 5/11/2008 10:23 am ET by MBaybut

   Edited 5/11/2008 10:24 am ET by MBaybut

2. 
   Henley | May 11, 2008 05:38pm | #3

   Just a guess-
   Sounds like it cured to fast.

   Did you wet the surrounding area first?
   It helps to spritz it a few times as it dries.

1. 
   VaTom | May 11, 2008 08:21pm | #4

   Just a guess-Sounds like it cured to fast.

   Which is the same thing Sphere was talking about, after too-long storage.  I've experienced it, but only had to be really quick in placement.  Spritzing is important.PAHS works. Bury it.

2. 
   MBaybut | May 11, 2008 08:34pm | #5

   H,
   Thanks. No I didn't spritz it. Should I just go ahead and buy fresh stuff? The gap I need to fill is only about 1" wide by 1" deep. Should I use something other than stucco?
   Mike

1. 
   Henley | May 12, 2008 05:08am | #6

   Well considering it's only a few bucks why mess around?
   Like I said wet the area first, then spritz to slow it down at the end.

2. 
   brucet9 | May 12, 2008 06:18am | #7

   "The gap I need to fill is only about 1" wide by 1" deep. Should I use something other than stucco?"There's your problem. Stucco is supposed to be used only for the color [finish] coat - about 1/8" thick. The 1" depth is filled with brown coat; mortar mix works well [I use fast setting mix so I can color coat inside of one hour.]. In order to get a good joint, be sure to sweep out the dust from the crevices where you broke out the old. You did break out the old, not saw cut, didn't you? Sawcut joints crack easily because the smooth margins give no tooth for new material to grip. If you didn't save the chicken wire during breakout, it is a good idea to nail in expanded metal lath or wire mesh with furred nails over the window flanges, especially if they are vinyl windows.Spritz the edges of the old work first, then force the new mortar into the margins and towel the brown coat level. Don't leave it floated smooth; scrape it rough with the trowel edge held 90° to the surface so there will be sufficient bite for the color coat. Spritz the brown coat before applying color coat, then use a wet sponge float to swirl the texture and to match the old and to feather out the edges of the patch. Don't paint for at least two weeks; 4 weeks is better. Use latex paint; alkali in cement products breaks down alkyds.Good luck
   BruceT

1. 
   Henley | May 12, 2008 02:29pm | #9

   Good advise, one how to properly stucco.
   OP wood do well to follow it.
   But the crumbling wouldn't have come from wrong type of mortar.
   It still sound like it dried to fast.

1. 
   MBaybut | May 12, 2008 07:01pm | #10

   i went and bought new stucco. I could see the difference coming out of the bag, a much finer powder. The old stuff looked like small granules.
   Thanks to all,
   Mike

3. 
   Jer | May 12, 2008 02:03pm | #8

   All cement and plaster products have a relatively short shelf life. Of course it depends on where and how it is stored. The best place to get cement/plaster for the for the wet trades is at a place where the product moves fast, where it doesn't hang around too long in a moist and dingy shed. The fresher the better.

   If you do have a bag or two left over on a job and can't use it anywhere, then wrap it in one of those large contractor plastic bags and duct tape it shut so no moisture can get in. Store it in a dry place. Even after that, I test anything that's been hanging around before I use it. If it's got clumpy lumps of any kind in it, I usually end up chucking it.