RLA TruLevel Fine Finish

For internal residential and commercial flooring installations under tight deadlines, TruLevel Fine Finish provides a rapid-drying skim coat to smooth out minor concrete defects, masonry, masonite, timber, and ceramic tiles before laying down carpet or vinyl.

Smooth finish underlayment

TruLevel Fine Finish is a cement-based smoothing compound that feather-edges down to a fine margin and builds up to 3mm in a single coat. It allows floor coverings to be installed approximately 20 minutes after application, providing a fast pathway to finish resilient and textile floors without long curing delays. The compound mixes easily with water to form a lump-free, easily applied patching material that adheres to both porous and non-porous subfloors.

Numbers that matter

• 20-minute setting time: Rapid drying window at 20°C that lets you lay down carpet or vinyl shortly after application to meet fast-track construction schedules.
• Feather edge to 3mm: Variable application thickness to patch minor concrete defects, level uneven joints, or build a consistent substrate profile.
• 10m² coverage at 1mm thickness: Clear estimating yield per 5kg bag for precise project planning and material ordering.
• 10-minute open time: Active working window to trowel, smooth, and adjust the skim coat before initial set begins.
• 20-hour foot traffic: Full curing period required before the finished surface can support heavy pedestrian traffic.

Where to use it

• Concrete and masonry: Patching, repairing, and filling minor voids on internal concrete slabs, masonry, and concrete blocks.
• Timber and sheet substrates: Smoothing over masonite and timber subfloors before laying down resilient floor coverings.
• Ceramic tiles: Application over existing tiles and non-absorbent substrates. A minimum 3mm coating is recommended here to ensure the subsequent floorcovering adhesive can wet out correctly.

Substrate preparation and priming

Concrete substrates must be fully cured and at least 14 days old. Mechanically remove all laitance, curing compounds, grease, and weak surface layers by grinding or abrasive blasting. For resilient installations over concrete, test the relative humidity and pH levels in accordance with Australian Standard 1884-2021.

Priming is generally not required for standard applications. For particularly porous substrates, prime the surface using RLA Universal Primer (mixed 1 part primer to 2 parts water) and allow it to dry completely before applying the smoothing compound.

Limitations

• Internal use only: Do not use on external surfaces or areas exposed to wet weather.
• No rising damp: Do not apply over substrates subject to hydrostatic pressure or rising dampness. For damp substrates, apply RLA Moisture Seal prior to application.
• No water contact: Do not allow the compound to come into contact with water during or after the curing process.
• Do not bridge expansion joints: Never apply over existing expansion joints, as reflective cracking will occur.
• Temperature boundaries: Do not apply when ambient or substrate temperatures are below 5°C or above 35°C. Cold temperatures will extend drying times.
• Do not overwater: Mixing ratios must be maintained at 1 part water to 3 parts powder (approximately 1.8 litres of water per 5kg bag) to prevent loss of bond and tensile strength.