Just bid on a job where one area, the entry, has slate. I'm not going to glue directly to it, It has to be smoothed out.

Any suggestions on what to use? Do I need some specific type of patching compound, or would any portland based product work. Some areas will have a very thin layer, as I'm not wanting to build it up too high.

While typing this, the woman just called.....I'm starting this one Monday.

What kind of sealer is on the slate???

That is going to be a big issue.

Honestly, I don't know. I'll find out tomorrow from the home owner. If she even knows.

Could I scarcify the surface to help with the bonding of the cement? If not, what procedures would be done for different kinds of sealers?

Think I would definitely run my (old) edger over that slate with about 12 grit before doing anything else. Slate is soft enough that that will help serve to flatten the surface too.

I don't think an edger is going to do squat.

I was thinking that ball hone sander they have out now. What is it? An FA-8??

What if I hit it with a belt sander with a carbide belt?

So mainly I need to abrade the surface to get any sealer off? Just like a sealed slab? After that, any specific leveler I should use that adheres to the slate better? I have a gallon of Ardex primer left over from a job, should I hit it with that first?

Sorry for the basic questions, I just never covered over slate before.

Thanks

Oops!