VPI Base Coats for Dubbing / Brickwork / Painted Finishes

Uneven brickwork and masonry may require dubbing out before the main render system is applied. This preliminary work fills deeper joints and surface variations, creating a flatter background that allows the following base or finishing coat to be installed at a more consistent thickness.

VPI products in this range support suction control, levelling, reinforcement and preparation for compatible decorative finishes. The correct build-up will depend on the masonry, depth of correction and intended final appearance.

Products in This Range

• VPI Accrolor 2 – A suction-control and bonding agent for regulating high- and low-suction backgrounds in internal and external applications.
• VPI MonoCal Gris GF – A weather-resistant, one-coat render that can be used as a base coat or finishing coat. It can also provide a base for compatible VPI finishes including MonoCal GM and GF.
• VPI Reinforcing Mesh – An alkali-resistant mesh for compatible cement, lime and polymer-modified render systems, helping improve resistance to cracking over masonry.

Typical Applications

These products may be used for:

• Levelling uneven brick and blockwork
• Filling recessed joints and surface variations
• Regulating variable masonry suction
• Creating a base for compatible VPI finishes
• Reinforcing areas susceptible to cracking
• Internal and external rendering projects

Dubbing Out Uneven Masonry

Dubbing material should be applied to deeper areas before the main render coat. Substantial variations may need to be corrected in separate layers rather than filled in one excessively thick application.

Each layer must be applied within the thickness permitted by the relevant product specification and allowed to cure as directed. Applying the finishing coat before the dubbing layer is sufficiently stable can lead to uneven drying, shrinkage and cracking.

Preparing Brickwork

Brickwork must be sound and free from dust, loose mortar, salts, paint, oil and organic growth. Weak joints should be repaired, while smooth, dense or highly absorbent masonry may require additional preparation.

Where suction varies significantly between the bricks, joints and repaired areas, VPI Accrolor 2 may be specified to create a more consistent background.

Reinforcement and Painted Finishes

Where reinforcement is required, VPI mesh should be fully embedded within a compatible wet base coat with suitable overlaps. Additional reinforcement may be needed around openings and where different materials meet.

A base coat is not automatically ready for painting. The completed surface must be compatible with the selected paint and may require a suitable VPI finishing coat or primer first. Follow the relevant VPI technical data sheets for permitted application thicknesses, curing periods, reinforcement and paint compatibility.