Introduction: Smooth Concrete Look Fireplace Refinish.

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Today I started refinishing my fireplace, I had decided that a nice smooth concrete looking finish sealed with a high gloss would look awesome in the living room, so I got to it getting supplies and tools.

What you will need are as follows: (amounts depend on workable surface area).

Materials

• 3 x custom grey speed set mortar.

• 2 x ½ in. Cement Board.

• 3 x 27 in. x 8 ft. Steel Lath.

• 1 x 8 ft. Stucco Corner Bead.

Tools

• Cordless Drill.

• 25 ft. Tape Measure.

• Retractable Blade Knife.

• 5-gal. Homer Bucket.

• 2.5qt measuring bucket.

• Finishing Trowel.

• Metal Cutting Snips.

Step 1: The Demolition.

First things first,
Strip all the existing dry wall away being cautious and aware of any electrical wires and gas pipes.

After the drywall I mean all the drywall even all the little scraps and stubborn paint pieces attaching to dried mud bits, you have to remove all the screws and nails that were left behind.

Lastly keep a clean work environment by sweeping up all the debris and vacuuming out all bits of drywall screws and nails.

Step 2: Cutting Stuff Down to Size.

Start by measuring the surface area of the fire place surround I only needed two 3'x5' sheets (I had about 18" x 3' left in a few strips).

lay out the sheet and measure away my fire place was 48" tall each side was 16" long and the front was 19" to the fireplace the strip on top was 3'x10" and on the bottom was 4" long. This made it easy for me so I did the deed and cut away.

Next I screwed each appropriate piece to its corresponding location using special serrated screws.

Step 3: Applying the Lath.

This stuff is hard to mark so when measuring it I just just used the scissors to score a rough line in the lath, or I bent it using a straight edge.

This patter is gonna be different to the Wonderboard due to the fact it is 8' tall and 27" wide so I bought 3 sheets I probably could have got away with 2 but I wanted full piece with less cuts.

I trimmed two sheets down to the length of the fireplace then cut out the fireplace section, the last lath was cut down to 16" for the sides then cut in half.

Screws were placed every 8" around the edge and on most of the surface area to prevent any movement in the lath as much as possible.

Step 4: Adding Corner Bead.

it came in a 96" lenght I needed two 48" lengths so I did what every man would do and cut it in half.

Then I screwed them to each corner making sure to have it as perfectly straight as possible.

Step 5: Applying Mortar.

Here it is, what we have been working so hard for. refinishing with a smooth concrete finish.

This is speed set mortar so working fast is key, read the bag carefully measure out the water, one bag calls for 4 qts so I measured 2 qts twice and dumped it in the bucket, then added the whole bag of dry mortar mix and mixed.

I couldn't find my mixing paddle bit so I mixed by hand, but I do recommend the bit.

Start applying the mortar as thin as possible filling all the lath we don't want to make it unnecessarily thick so thin as possible. I mixed another bag and kept going till I had a good layer all around were I couldn't see any lath. last step is the smooth top coat.

Which I have to do today so I will update ASAP.