Scratch Coating

A scratch coating is a coating of cement that is applied over wire mesh or chicken wire. This first layer or coating is used to bond the final coats of stucco to the siding area. It is normally sprayed or troweled on then scraped or scrathced with a wire brush or scratch tool to create a rough bonding surface.

Depending on the specifications and final application there are 2 to 3 layers of stucco that can be applied.

In this photo a worker is spraying a mix of portland cement, sand and lime over a foam and wire surface. Once the surface is covered it is then hand troweled and smoothed for an even consistant finish.

Spraying stucco has both cost and time benefits and often produces a more consistant overall product mix.

Back 02.11.2006.