Preparing Furniture for Microcement

In this video, Richie explains what surfaces you can apply microcement onto to make furniture. He explains the wide range of substrates that microcement can be applied to. And goes on to give step by step instructions of how to prepare boards for microcement. This is essential watching for anyone looking to create microcement furniture.

Here’s an overview of the different materials that you might want to microcement onto to make the furniture with a summary of how to prepare it.

Timber composites like MDF, Plywood & OSB (chipboard) are good for building furniture out of before applying microcement.

Choosing the Right Material
You can microcement onto plywood, OSB (chipboard), laminate or MDF, but if there is any chance of water getting to the microcement, then marine ply or cement board is preferable.

You can also microcement over existing surfaces like granite and quartz. For these you will need to use Primer TAC as they are non-absorbent.

Well Consolidated
Make sure the boards are well glued and screwed in place to eliminate any chance of movement. Use a suitable adhesive between the joins, leave to dry overnight and razor scrape/sand the excess off once set. Make sure silicone is not left on the surface to be microcemented. Products that you can use include: adhesive sealant or polyurethane wood glue. Countersink screw holes.

Completely Flat
Boards must be flush with one another, ridges will highlight in the microcement. Microcement can’t be used to level surfaces – it must be applied as thinly as the grain. The surface must be completely flat. As with all surfaces, microcement will follow the contours of the substrate it is going onto.

Fill the Joins and Screw holes with MicroDur Base
Fill the joins and screw holes with MicroDur Base or Wood Filler so that they are flush with the boards.

IMPORTANT: Leave until dry, minimum 24 hours. If the MicroDur Base/Wood Filler isn’t completely dry, the lines & holes may ghost through the microcement and be visible in the finish.

NATURAL TIMBER is likely to warp so is not suitable for use with Microcement, if it is in place already, it will need to be over-boarded with a composite timber like OSB or Plywood.