Frequently asked questions
What the products are, when primer and sealer are required, where each finish can go, and how to buy.
The products
What does Arcusstone make?
Seven products: five bagged finishes (Arcusstone Stonecoat, Arcus Plaster, Lime Plaster Fine, Lime Plaster Medium and Marblecoat) and two liquids (Bonding Agent / Primer and Penetrating Water Repellent Sealer).
See all seven productsIs it solid stone?
No. The five finishes are coatings made out of stone. Arcusstone Stonecoat and Arcus Plaster are built on crushed limestone, Marblecoat on crushed marble, and the two Lime Plasters on lime and marble powders, each in a proprietary blend.
What is Arcusstone Stonecoat?
A coating made out of crushed limestone. It is hand-tooled on site to the look of cut stone, complete with grout lines, or given the look of a more rustic field stone.
Arcusstone StonecoatWhat is Arcus Plaster?
A limestone plaster made out of stone, with a mottled, aged look and a warm patina. Its coarser limestone rounds reflect light differently, so the color shifts rather than holding a single hue.
Arcus PlasterWhat is Marblecoat?
A coating made out of crushed marble in a proprietary blend, for the polished look of natural stone. It is applied smooth or textured with a trowel, then finished with light sanding or buffing.
MarblecoatWhat is the difference between Lime Plaster Fine and Lime Plaster Medium?
Aggregate size. Medium has a slightly larger aggregate than Fine. Fine gives a Venetian-style finish and Medium a Marmorino-style finish. On both, more trowelling gives a higher polish.
Lay the products side by sidePrimer and sealer
What does the Bonding Agent / Primer do?
It goes on before the finish and creates a strong chemical bond between the Arcusstone coating and the surface underneath.
Bonding Agent / PrimerDo I need the primer?
For most Arcusstone applications, yes, and always over existing stucco. Over new Portland cement stucco brown coats it is not necessary but still recommended. Under the two Lime Plasters it is recommended, not required, over new non-porous surfaces or where adhesion is a concern.
Where should the primer not be used?
On wet, hot, frozen or thawing surfaces, as a water barrier, where hydrostatic pressure is present (such as a retaining wall), or on concrete poured or placed against earth. It is also not used for Arcusstone Stonecoat over concrete on grade, retaining walls, or horizontal wet-location work where block-pattern joints are left without a backfill of material.
What does the Penetrating Water Repellent Sealer do?
It penetrates the finished coating and forms a barrier against water absorption, efflorescence, UV fade and freeze/thaw damage, without changing the color or texture. New coating cures for at least 48 hours first, and the sealer then goes on in two applications, wet on wet.
Penetrating Water Repellent SealerWhich finishes must be sealed?
Arcus Plaster, Marblecoat, Lime Plaster Fine and Lime Plaster Medium must all be sealed with the Penetrating Water Repellent Sealer. On heavy-use Marblecoat surfaces such as countertops, kitchens, garage floors and patios, a commercial-grade top-coat sealer can be used instead.
Does Arcusstone Stonecoat need to be sealed?
It depends on where it goes. A water-repellent penetrating sealer is required on exteriors in extreme climates (heavy freeze/thaw, high or constant UV, high altitude, high humidity, subtropical or tropical), in wet locations, on water features and countertops, and on all exterior horizontal work. On all other exterior work it is strongly recommended.
Can the sealer be used on pools or fountains?
No. The Penetrating Water Repellent Sealer is not for pool surrounds, submersed work such as fountains, or any area subject to water immersion or caustic chemicals.
Does the guarantee require Arcusstone primer and sealer?
Yes. Every guarantee covers the full Arcusstone system: primer, finish and sealer together. A third-party primer or sealer voids it.
Read the termsInside and outside
Can Arcusstone finishes be used outside?
Yes. All five suit interior and exterior work, with limits. Arcusstone Stonecoat and Marblecoat go on vertical and horizontal surfaces. Arcus Plaster goes on vertical surfaces and overhead ones such as ceilings and soffits, but not on surfaces with vehicle or foot traffic. Both Lime Plasters, the Venetian-style Fine and the Marmorino-style Medium, are for vertical surfaces.
Which finish goes whereCan it go in showers or other wet locations?
Arcusstone Stonecoat and Marblecoat can go in wet locations such as shower surrounds. So can both Lime Plasters, when properly sealed. Arcus Plaster is not for wet locations or water features.
Buying and installing
Can I buy directly from Arcusstone?
No. Arcusstone sells only through distributors. Architects, designers and homeowners are pointed to a distributor near the project.
Find a distributorWho applies it?
Trained applicators. Your local distributor supplies the material and connects you with them.
Find a distributorWhere it comes from
Where is it made?
The limestone is quarried in Texas, and the products are manufactured in the United States.
Does Arcusstone help with LEED projects?
Yes. Arcusstone technical representatives and regional distributors help with LEED project certification.
Contact Arcusstone
Bring it to your project
Arcusstone is installed through local distributors.
Bring Arcusstone to your market
Sell something real.