Mix&GO BaseCoat Plaster
Mix&GO BaseCoat Plaster is made with the Natural Hydraulic Lime of your choice, and is 100% Natural with no V.O.C.’s.  No sourcing sands, no dealing with color, just add water “Mix&GO”.  Available in Custom Colored and in our range of 40 standard colors. Mix&GO BaseCoat is MADE IN THE USA.

Where to Use
This Mix&GO is designed as a first coat plaster for wood or metal lath.  Can be used as an interior or exterior plaster.  The 2 parts sand per 1 part lime makes a rich creamy mix that provides maximum keying in the lath. 



TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Components
Mix&GO BaseCoat is a plaster that contains lime, (Natural Hydraulic Lime, conforming to EN:459), a blend of natural sands, and (in colored products), synthetic iron oxide pigments.  This product contains no cement, latex, or acrylic admixtures. 

Compressive Strengths (see printable datasheet)

Technical Information (see printable datasheet)

Preparation
If plaster is applied directly to dry wood laths, the moisture in the plaster may cause the laths to swell, which could cause cracking within the plaster. However if the wood lath is overly saturated, this could cause swelling which could cause loss of keys. When applying your “scratch coat” to wood lath it is helpful to wet the lath with a damp brush to help control its’ absorption.  Ensure that lath (whether wood or metal) is attached properly to centers and the wall is rigid.  The more flex there is in the lath, the greater the potential for cracking. 

Mixing Directions 
Mix&GO can be mixed either by hand or in a mechanical paddle mixer.  Add one bag (65 lbs) of Mix&GO with 1.1 gallons and blend, adding additional water as necessary to achieve workability.  Mix for at least 5 minutes.   Please note that adding too much water can cause plaster to shrink and crack while curing.  
Adding Hair/Fiber:  Virginia Lime Works recommends that hair or fiber is added to this product.  The hair will also help hold the plaster together, in case the walls “keys” are ever broken and reduces shrinkage.  Recommended dosage is 1 pound of hair/fiber per 3-4 bags of Mix&GO BaseCoat. 

Application 
The following processes apply to working both on flat walls and ceiling work.  Using your hawk and trowel apply the plaster to the lath.  This initial coat should be approximately 3/8” thick.  Take measures to ensure that the plaster is of sufficient thickness but the truing up, or bringing the plaster to a true surface should take place in the second coat.  The purpose of the scratch or base coat is to merely put material on the wall in preparation for the truing coat.  Before the plaster cures “scratch” the plaster in a cross-hatch diagonal design.  This will allow maximum keying between the first coat and second.    As the mortar begins to cure take care to notice if any cracks develop.  Most of these cracks can be fixed by splashing a small amount of water to the wall and then rubbing them in with a wood float for the first day or two after application.

Coverages and Consumption (see printable datasheet)

Clean Up
Ensure that all work is properly protected prior to cleaning.  Maintain clean surfaces on the face, sills, ledges, and projections of masonry on a daily basis. Tools can be cleaned using conventional methods and properly protect any unused product from moisture and freezing.  Opened bags of Mix&GO can be stored in sealed pails for up to 6 months from date of purchase.

Alternate products
Natural Hydraulic Lime (to be mixed with 2 parts sand by volume on-site), Lime Putty Plaster.

Additional References
Mix&GO Material Safety Data Sheet, Guide to Traditional Lime Plaster, Guide to Natural Hydraulic Limes.  

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