Applying Microcement on Walls: guide for vertical surfaces

Are you tired of plain, monochrome walls? Have you just moved and want your home to reflect your personality? Or do you simply feel like giving your space a fresh new look? Either way, once the idea starts taking shape in your mind, chances are you’ll end up bringing it to life with one or more microcement walls.

To do that, the first thing you need to know is how to apply microcement on walls. While the process does require attention to detail, it’s far from complicated. In fact, in some cases, you can even do it yourself—no professional experience required.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to apply microcement on walls step by step, which tools you’ll need, where in your home it can be applied, and what key aspects and expert tips you should keep in mind for a flawless result. Ready to learn how to apply microcement on walls and let your creativity flow freely? We’ll guide you through the entire process so you can get to know this versatile wall coating in depth.

Where Can Microcement Be Applied on Walls? Recommended rooms and spaces

Applying microcement on walls is becoming increasingly popular compared to other surfaces. Not only is it a fast and efficient solution, but it also offers endless possibilities to experiment with different spaces. Let’s see if you’ve already considered any of the following areas:

• Living rooms: the perfect setting for an endless balance between comfort and modern design. Can you imagine reading a book surrounded by walls that inspire you to dream?
  

• Entryways: you only get one chance to make a first impression—and your home’s entrance is no exception. A carefully designed entryway with an elegant aesthetic speaks volumes about you in just a few seconds. What side of your personality would you like to showcase?
  

• Home offices and workspaces: whether you have a dedicated room or a small workspace within your living room, applying microcement on the walls helps clearly define your work and relaxation areas.
  

• Hallways: coating hallway walls with microcement adds a sense of spaciousness you didn’t even know you were missing.
  
• Bathrooms: a space where the water resistance of microcement truly stands out. Imagine a spa-like bathroom with seamless lines that wraps you in a sensory experience you won’t want to leave.
  

• Kitchens: a place where you can enjoy the beauty of microcement while feeling like a MasterChef. Plus, microcement walls make your kitchen more hygienic and moisture-resistant, helping to prevent mold.
  
• Commercial spaces: microcement on commercial walls serves a dual purpose—it enhances aesthetics and elegance while offering durability and easy cleaning, both essential in high-traffic areas.
  
  

What Tools Are Needed to Apply Microcement on a Wall

We know you’re eager to learn how to apply microcement on a wall, but let’s take it step by step—we can’t start building the house from the roof. Before getting your hands dirty, it’s essential to know which tools you’ll need for the entire process, don’t you think?

The tools and accessories you’ll absolutely need to do it properly are: putty knives, steel trowels, rollers, sandpaper, brushes, mixing buckets, and masking tape. So, like collecting Pokémon… make sure you’ve got them all!

Have you mastered your tools yet? Great—now let’s get to the good stuff you’ve been waiting for.

How to Apply Microcement on Walls in 5 Steps

It’s not difficult, but it does require a certain level of skill when applying it on walls, handling the tools, and mixing the microcement components (surprise! Yes, some microcements need to be mixed—but don’t worry, we’ll get there). If you’re set on having a microcement wall in your home but don’t know where to start, stay with us—we’ll reveal everything layer by layer.

In this section, we’ll explain the general process of how to apply microcement on walls, so you have a clear step-by-step reference and don’t get lost between stages (we know you won’t). Once you’ve got this down, we’ll go into the specific details for different areas of your home, because the application process varies slightly depending on the room. Applying microcement on a bathroom or kitchen wall—where humidity levels are high—is not the same as applying it on a bedroom or living room wall. Pay attention—we’re getting started!

1. Preparing the Wall to Be Coated

Shall we start with the basics? For applying microcement on walls to be a dream and not a nightmare, the surface must be in perfect condition. That means it must be free of dust, grease, moisture, or any kind of damage. If any of these issues are present, they must be repaired beforehand.

If the wall you want to coat is made of tiles, mosaic tiles, terrazzo, or porcelain, chances are you’ll have grout joints that need to disappear before applying the microcement.

2. Primer: The Key Step for Microcement Adhesion

To ensure the microcement bonds properly to the wall, you’ll need to apply a primer using a roller. This primer acts as a “bridge” between the existing surface and the microcement. Choosing the right one according to the type of substrate is essential.

This is where the saying “every craftsman has their own method” comes into play. Some professionals still apply fiberglass mesh after the primer at this stage, but on walls—unlike floors—it’s not always necessary. In fact, most microcement systems designed for walls do not require mesh.

3. The Good Part Begins… Applying the Base Microcement

Warm-up’s over—now the fun starts! You’ll need to keep in mind that there are different types of microcement: two-component, single-component, and ready-to-use.

If you’ve chosen a two-component or single-component microcement, you’ll need to mix it accordingly: with resin and then pigment in the first case, or with water and then pigment if it’s single-component. If you’ve opted for a ready-to-use microcement, there’s no mixing required—it comes prepared (a big advantage, right?).

Once the base microcement is mixed (if needed), apply two thin coats, allowing each layer to dry for approximately 6–8 hours (depending on the product and manufacturer’s instructions), and sanding each coat afterward with 40-grit sandpaper.

4. Finishing Microcement: Let’s Keep Going

After the second coat of base microcement, it’s time for the finishing microcement. Again, depending on the system you’ve chosen, you may need to mix components, and the manufacturer will specify whether two or three coats are required. Remember: coats must always be thin, spread evenly with a trowel, and allowed to dry for around 6–8 hours between applications. Sanding after each fully dried coat is essential. Use sandpaper between 80 and 220 grit for manual sanding. If sanding mechanically, a 120-grit disc is commonly used for finishing microcement.

5. Sealing and Protecting with Varnish

Applying the varnish is the final and most important step—it’s the cherry on top. This is where microcement walls gain maximum protection and their final finish. Shine and durability—why choose when you can have both?

Apply 2 or 3 coats of varnish with a roller, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, allowing a minimum drying time of 4 hours between coats. Drying times vary depending on the type of varnish: some take 6 hours, others 8, 12, 14, or even 24 hours. In some cases, the manufacturer will also recommend sanding between varnish coats.

Why is it easier to apply microcement on walls than on other surfaces?

Applying microcement on walls has become increasingly popular in recent years — and for good reason. Its properties make it an excellent choice for integrating into your home. And here’s the best part: applying microcement on walls is actually one of the best ways to get started with this decorative coating. In fact, beginner training courses for professionals usually teach how to apply it on walls first. There must be a reason for that, don’t you think? Keep reading — we know we’ve sparked your curiosity.

To give you a clearer idea: an aggregate is a small particle or grain contained in a material. Sometimes it’s extremely fine, almost like dust, and other times it’s coarser, like gravel. Knowing this, it’s easy to understand that microcement for walls uses a much finer aggregate than other systems. This means that, thanks to its ultra-fine mineral particles and the application of very thin layers, it provides strength while achieving a much smoother, more continuous and silky finish. Floors, on the other hand, require coarser aggregates and less flexibility. A microcement wall is — as Andrea Bocelli and Marta Sánchez might say (or Karol G, if you prefer) — a muse that invites you to touch it softly.

Having a finer aggregate doesn’t limit finishing options — quite the opposite. It allows us to play with different thicknesses to achieve a wide variety of textures and effects: rougher, smoother, abstract, rustic, water-effect or even metallic finishes. Unlike floors, where impact resistance takes priority over aesthetics, microcement walls allow you to fully explore the material’s decorative potential.

Do you remember your mum shouting “Don’t step on the wet floor!”? If you apply microcement on a floor, those words will echo loudly in your head — and for good reason. A microcement floor can’t be walked on for at least 72 hours. A wall, though… do you walk on walls? Exactly. You apply it and enjoy it immediately after applying the final coat of varnish, watching it dry.

Last but not least, microcement on walls is far easier to clean and maintain than on floors. Why? Because walls (except kitchen walls) are far less exposed to liquid spills, which means their hygiene requirements are much lower. And if a small disaster does happen — like your coffee cup flying through the air or a little artist at home expressing their creativity — you can simply clean it with a damp cloth and neutral soap (or, if you prefer, a specific cleaner like Smart Cleaner). See how easy it is?

How to apply microcement on walls using the roller technique

We’ve become experts at scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration, memorising the names of materials and even training our eye to spot trends worth following — like using ready-to-use microcement for home renovations: the perfect microcement to get started with DIY projects. And we’ll tell you why!

Ready-to-use microcement is the easiest decorative coating to apply in the world because it comes prepared to open, stir and use: no mixing, no pigments, no extra components. We guarantee that this material will spark something in you every time you see it in your home — not only because of its looks, but also because of how easy it is to apply.

It’s designed so that anyone can apply it, without technical knowledge or prior experience. Plus, the fact that most of the application is done using the roller technique makes the process even simpler.

The roller technique has become increasingly popular thanks to how easy it makes applying microcement, especially on walls. Want to know why? Keep scrolling — we’ll tell you in no time:

• Faster and easier application: applying microcement with a roller is almost like painting. You can cover many more square metres in far less time, working quickly and effortlessly compared to other tools. And we all know what that means, right? The sooner a space is finished, the sooner you can move on to the next thing.
• Even, uniform finish: unlike other tools such as trowels — where it’s easy to pick up too much material and overapply — a roller absorbs the product evenly and deposits just the right amount when applied. (Psst… spoiler alert: with ready-to-use microcement, you won’t use the trowel to apply the product, only to smooth what you’ve applied with the roller.)
• Flawless results without professional experience: whether or not you’ve used a roller before, the process couldn’t be simpler: dip, remove excess, apply. Easy, right?

Now that you know the advantages of the roller technique — widely used when applying ready-to-use microcement — we’re going to explain step by step how to apply Smartcret ready-to-use microcement and which products to use at each stage. Put some music on and enjoy the moment, because this is going to be easy and satisfying. Or better said… apply and enjoy.

1. Clean the surface. If your surface has joints, use a spatula to fill them with Smart Jointer.
2. Apply the primer. At this stage, you need to consider the type of surface you’re working on. – If your walls are made of plaster, drywall, cement or concrete, you’ll need a primer for absorbent surfaces, such as Smart Primer ABS.– If the surface is tiled, mosaic, ceramic or porcelain, choose a primer for non-absorbent surfaces, like Smart Primer PLUS.
3. Forget about the trowel for applying ready-to-use microcement! You’ll only need it to smooth the layers once applied. Both the two coats of Smart Base and the two coats of Smart Liso can be applied easily using a polyamide roller. It’s that simple: load the roller with the base or finish microcement (depending on the step) and smooth it with the trowel. P.S. We haven’t forgotten about the mesh — Smartcret microcement doesn’t need it!
4. Finish the application with varnish. If the wall you’re coating is in a humid area such as a bathroom or kitchen, you’ll need to mix Smart Booster with Smart Varnish, shake well and apply. If the wall is in a living room, bedroom or hallway, applying Smart Varnish alone will be more than enough.

As you’ve seen, the answer to how to apply microcement on walls is simpler than it seems: faster and easier with ready-to-use microcement. Just like following a Google Maps route to explore a new path without getting lost, following Smartcret’s interactive guide will lead you to a perfect result, without straying off course during the process of applying microcement to walls.

What to consider before applying microcement on a wall

These are spaces with very different levels of ambient humidity, and it’s precisely for this reason that the application process varies slightly. Don’t worry if this realization has just made you hesitate — the steps are simple in both cases. You just need to take into account some specific considerations for more demanding walls, such as those in bathrooms or tiled surfaces. We’ll explain them right away.

How to apply microcement on bathroom walls

That hot shower you enjoy so much fills your bathroom with steam, almost like a spa. And do you know where that moisture goes? Exactly: onto the walls. This is what we call negative humidity — it’s there even if you can’t see it. Since microcement is a porous material, the solution for applying it safely on bathroom walls is very straightforward: treat the existing humidity. In other words, apply a specific primer that prevents moisture from migrating to the surface.

Another essential point to consider in these spaces is that, although many professionals say microcement is waterproof, this isn’t entirely true. Microcement itself is water-resistant, not waterproof — and those are not the same thing. What actually provides chemical resistance and extra protection against water is the sealing varnish. That’s why in areas with constant ambient humidity, you cannot use the same varnish as on a living room or hallway wall. A different sealing product is required. And yes — once properly sealed, it truly becomes resistant.

How to apply microcement over tiles on walls

If the wall you want to coat is tiled, in addition to what we’ve already explained about negative humidity and waterproofing, there are a few extra details you need to take into account:

• Grout joints: these come into play and must be filled so they don’t remain visible after applying the microcement. Remember that microcement is a low-thickness decorative coating, so joints would otherwise show through.

• Tiles in good condition: let’s leave Enrique Iglesias’ “bailando” aside and make sure the tiles are not loose, cracked or damaged. If any of these issues are present, they must be repaired before applying microcement on walls. Failing to do so would compromise adhesion and could eventually cause cracking or detachment.
• Painted tiles: following on from the previous point, what condition is the paint in? Is it peeling or flaking? If so, the tiles must be stripped or sanded before applying microcement. If the paint is in perfect condition, you’re good to go.
• Textured tiles: textures are the opposite of a smooth, continuous finish — the very antithesis of microcement. Because microcement is applied in thin layers, it is not recommended to apply it over textured tiles, as the relief would remain visible and even be accentuated.
• If you still decide to apply microcement over this type of tiling, you would need to apply much more material to hide the texture, with the consequent increased risk of cracking.
• Decorative borders: a wild decorative border appears. They can be beautiful, but they’re not exactly microcement’s best friends. Does that mean you can’t apply microcement over them? You can — but it’s not recommended.Decorative borders usually have a very pronounced pattern, and since microcement is a low-thickness decorative coating, that pattern would show through, disrupting the clean, continuous look. If you’re fully determined to apply microcement over borders, you’ll need a thicker application to completely conceal them — and as we’ve already said, thicker layers mean a higher risk of cracking.

Professional tips and techniques to avoid mistakes when applying microcement on walls

• Keep in mind that some walls, depending on their location, may suffer from negative humidity — bathroom and kitchen walls are the most common. To prevent moisture from causing stains, make sure to prime them thoroughly.
• Use masking tape not only to define the work area but also to protect corners and electrical outlets.
• If you’re using ready-to-use microcement, no mixing is required. However, if it’s a single- or two-component system, you must respect the exact mixing ratios.
• Always respect drying times (for all types of microcement). Patience may not be welcome — microcement definitely is.
• When applying ready-to-use microcement, roll it on vertically first, then horizontally.
• When smoothing ready-to-use microcement applied with a roller, use a polycarbonate trowel (for Smartcret systems) or a stainless-steel trowel at a 45° angle, using arcing movements in all directions.
• The trick to perfect wall junctions is to use a spatula to better define corners and edges.

Now that you know how to apply microcement on walls and you’re looking for an easy way to get started, there are wall microcement kits available that include everything you need to carry out the application step by step, with no complications.

If you want to learn about the process of applying microcement on any type of surface, check out our general step-by-step guide.