Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 17, 1999 02:19am | #1

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   Hi Marty,
   I put a river rock veneer over concrete block and sheetrock covered with wonderboard 5 years ago in my own home. This created a `stone fireplace' surround for my tin box fireplace. I used cheap premixed mortar with no additives. I did not alter the rocks in any way. The rocks are pebble to softball sized of various types of rock. One rock at a time the going is slow. No cracks or loose rocks but the antlers I set in to hang andirons on are loose. No doubt other contributors will scoff at my thouroughly un-bombproof methods.
   Joe

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   Guest_ | Sep 17, 1999 02:26am | #2

   *10 or 12 years ago I veneered the wall behind my woodstove and approx. 24' of chimney outside without any additives or roughing techniques. No problems yet. I mixed the mortor according to the formula in my Audel's carpentry books - I think 1:3:5 lime:portland cement:sand - or maybe I have the lime and PC switched. Jon Marden will know, if you can tear him away from HWY 17. - jb

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   Guest_ | Sep 17, 1999 09:39am | #4

   *OK, it was bothering me, so I looked it up. Audel's says to mix 1 part Portland cement, 1 part hydrated lime, 4-6 parts sand. I think I must have done 1:1:5. I would only do 1 or 2 wheel barrows a night though, maybe you want to work faster than that. - jb

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   Marty_Runik | Sep 17, 1999 09:39am | #3

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   Hi everybody. Im putting a river rock face on a fireplace. I have the acrylic bonder to add to the mortar{Omega brand}.Can anyone give me any advice on how to get mortar to stick better to the smooth surface of the rock? I rough the surface of each rocg with a grinder.Doea putting a thin film of the bonder on the rocks before mortaring help? Is one cup of additive per 80# bag enough.Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks