Outside the house there is a low concrete wall around a tree and it has broken tiles topping it. I'd like to replace them with a decorative plaster finish made of very small pebbles. I see finishes like that all over the place, but what is the best way to do it myself? Obtaining the pebbles is no problem, but what is the best plaster to use to secure them?

Thank you.

Sorry, do you mean to say sandwash?

http://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&q=%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87&tbm=isch

if so, all it is is pebbles (which you say you can source), cement, sand, water, and cement coloring powder. And a hole lot of patting

Sorry, do you mean to say sandwash?

http://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&q=%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87&tbm=isch

if so, all it is is pebbles (which you say you can source), cement, sand, water, and cement coloring powder. And a hole lot of patting

I don't know the correct terminology, but yes, like in those pictures. Thank you for responding.

There are several ways to achieve the desired result.

One way is to mix your pebbles/aggregate in with the cement mixture if starting from scratch. Lay the concrete and allow to semi-dry and then hose off the top layer of the cement. This exposes the aggregate. This is the best idea with large pebbles, but if you want the gritty look, not recommended.

The second way is to mix plain concrete if starting from scratch, lay it and then sprinkle the aggregate over the semi-dry concrete. I wouldn't recommend this. If the concrete already exists, you could lay a suitably coloured plaster and then sprinkle the aggregate/grit on top. Not recommended.

The third way is to lay concrete normally, or maybe it already exists. Make a plaster using your desired aggregate and a suitable matching coloured plaster, and then plaster it on smooth and level. This is probably the easiest method as the pebble/grit is three dimensional as part of the coloured plaster. BUT.......make sure you go over the bare concrete first with a chipping hammer and make a rough surface before you plaster. If not your aggregate plaster will crack and damage in no time. Also leave a few expansion joints if you can.

You may still want to hose off when 99% cured to remove some of the plaster and expose more of the aggregate to your desired look and feel. This is the way I've done it before with good results.

All methods have pros and cons as to ease of application and overall look and durability.

I guess it depends on your skills as to how you achieve it - good luck.

EDIT: I've used the word plaster above, but most would probably call it a coloured cement render.

There are several ways to achieve the desired result.

One way is to mix your pebbles/aggregate in with the cement mixture if starting from scratch. Lay the concrete and allow to semi-dry and then hose off the top layer of the cement. This exposes the aggregate. This is the best idea with large pebbles, but if you want the gritty look, not recommended.

The second way is to mix plain concrete if starting from scratch, lay it and then sprinkle the aggregate over the semi-dry concrete. I wouldn't recommend this. If the concrete already exists, you could lay a suitably coloured plaster and then sprinkle the aggregate/grit on top. Not recommended.

The third way is to lay concrete normally, or maybe it already exists. Make a plaster using your desired aggregate and a suitable matching coloured plaster, and then plaster it on smooth and level. This is probably the easiest method as the pebble/grit is three dimensional as part of the coloured plaster. BUT.......make sure you go over the bare concrete first with a chipping hammer and make a rough surface before you plaster. If not your aggregate plaster will crack and damage in no time. Also leave a few expansion joints if you can.

You may still want to hose off when 99% cured to remove some of the plaster and expose more of the aggregate to your desired look and feel. This is the way I've done it before with good results.

All methods have pros and cons as to ease of application and overall look and durability.

I guess it depends on your skills as to how you achieve it - good luck.

EDIT: I've used the word plaster above, but most would probably call it a coloured cement render.

Or.. just pay a professional 250-300 Baht per sqm, all done

There are several ways to achieve the desired result.

One way is to mix your pebbles/aggregate in with the cement mixture if starting from scratch. Lay the concrete and allow to semi-dry and then hose off the top layer of the cement. This exposes the aggregate. This is the best idea with large pebbles, but if you want the gritty look, not recommended.

The second way is to mix plain concrete if starting from scratch, lay it and then sprinkle the aggregate over the semi-dry concrete. I wouldn't recommend this. If the concrete already exists, you could lay a suitably coloured plaster and then sprinkle the aggregate/grit on top. Not recommended.

The third way is to lay concrete normally, or maybe it already exists. Make a plaster using your desired aggregate and a suitable matching coloured plaster, and then plaster it on smooth and level. This is probably the easiest method as the pebble/grit is three dimensional as part of the coloured plaster. BUT.......make sure you go over the bare concrete first with a chipping hammer and make a rough surface before you plaster. If not your aggregate plaster will crack and damage in no time. Also leave a few expansion joints if you can.

You may still want to hose off when 99% cured to remove some of the plaster and expose more of the aggregate to your desired look and feel. This is the way I've done it before with good results.

All methods have pros and cons as to ease of application and overall look and durability.

I guess it depends on your skills as to how you achieve it - good luck.

EDIT: I've used the word plaster above, but most would probably call it a coloured cement render.

Or.. just pay a professional 250-300 Baht per sqm, all done

True, but once you have the DIY bug you tend to want to do it yourself - cost/savings becomes irrelevant to the point that you'll pay 5,000 baht for a special tool that you'll never use more than once to do a job that a local could do for 500 baht.

There are several ways to achieve the desired result.

One way is to mix your pebbles/aggregate in with the cement mixture if starting from scratch. Lay the concrete and allow to semi-dry and then hose off the top layer of the cement. This exposes the aggregate. This is the best idea with large pebbles, but if you want the gritty look, not recommended.

The second way is to mix plain concrete if starting from scratch, lay it and then sprinkle the aggregate over the semi-dry concrete. I wouldn't recommend this. If the concrete already exists, you could lay a suitably coloured plaster and then sprinkle the aggregate/grit on top. Not recommended.

The third way is to lay concrete normally, or maybe it already exists. Make a plaster using your desired aggregate and a suitable matching coloured plaster, and then plaster it on smooth and level. This is probably the easiest method as the pebble/grit is three dimensional as part of the coloured plaster. BUT.......make sure you go over the bare concrete first with a chipping hammer and make a rough surface before you plaster. If not your aggregate plaster will crack and damage in no time. Also leave a few expansion joints if you can.

You may still want to hose off when 99% cured to remove some of the plaster and expose more of the aggregate to your desired look and feel. This is the way I've done it before with good results.

All methods have pros and cons as to ease of application and overall look and durability.

I guess it depends on your skills as to how you achieve it - good luck.

EDIT: I've used the word plaster above, but most would probably call it a coloured cement render.

Or.. just pay a professional 250-300 Baht per sqm, all done

True, but once you have the DIY bug you tend to want to do it yourself - cost/savings becomes irrelevant to the point that you'll pay 5,000 baht for a special tool that you'll never use more than once to do a job that a local could do for 500 baht.

Fair enough Just be careful with the hydrochloric acid! (the wash part of sandwash)