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Achieve a perfectly smooth, feather-edge finish on internal concrete, masonry, or masonite slabs. RLA TruLevel Fine Finish is the rapid-drying skim compound that creates a flawless underlayment from 0mm to 3mm, allowing floor coverings to be installed within 20 minutes.
This compound addresses minor surface imperfections and unevenness, preventing them from 'telegraphing' through and compromising the final appearance of expensive floor coverings like vinyl or carpet. Unlike bulk levelling compounds designed for thicker applications, TruLevel Fine Finish focuses on cosmetic smoothing and patching, preparing the substrate for an optimal finish.
RLA TruLevel Fine Finish mixes easily with water at a 1 part water to 3 parts powder ratio, creating a workable compound. Avoid overwatering, as this compromises bond and strength. Apply the mix with a trowel, working from feather-edge up to 3mm. For non-absorbent surfaces like existing ceramic tiles, a 3mm coating ensures proper adhesive wet-out for subsequent floor coverings. While priming is generally not required, very porous substrates benefit from a coat of RLA Universal Primer (mixed 1:2 with water). Tools clean up with water immediately after use.
This compound excels in internal applications demanding a high-quality, thin-layer surface finish. It is ideal for preparing concrete, masonry, and masonite substrates for resilient floor coverings like vinyl and carpet. TruLevel Fine Finish provides a fast, reliable solution for patching minor defects and smoothing uneven areas in both new construction and refurbishment projects. Its role extends to the crucial final skim coat in floor preparation for non-habitable wet areas, applied after a moisture barrier like RLA Moisture Seal, ensuring a pristine base for subsequent finishes.
In a 'Wet Wall and Floor to Non-Habitable Area' system, RLA TruLevel Fine Finish typically serves as the final surface preparation after the application of an RLA Moisture Seal. This ensures the underlayment is smooth and ready for the chosen floor covering, optimising adhesion and finish in environments like internal laundries or storage rooms.
You can install most resilient and carpet floor coverings after approximately 20 minutes, provided conditions are 20°C and 50% RH. This rapid drying time helps keep projects on schedule, reducing delays for subsequent trades.
This product is designed for applications from feather edge up to 3mm in a single coat. For ceramic tiles and other non-absorbent surfaces, a minimum 3mm coating is recommended to ensure proper adhesive wetting.
No, RLA TruLevel Fine Finish should not be applied over expansion joints. Doing so can lead to reflective cracking, compromising the integrity of both the underlayment and the final floor covering.
Priming is generally not required for most suitable substrates. However, for particularly porous surfaces, it is recommended to prime using RLA Universal Primer, mixed 1 part primer to 2 parts water.
| Application | Key benefit | Primary trades |
|---|---|---|
| Underlayment for resilient and carpet floor coverings | Achieves a smooth, EC1 Plus VOC-compliant surface, ready for floor coverings in 20 minutes, speeding up project timelines. | Floor Layers, Commercial Builders |
| Fast repair of uneven concrete floors (internal) | Corrects minor defects and unevenness up to 3mm rapidly, preventing telegraphing issues through new floor finishes. | Concrete Repairers, Renovators |
| Patching minor defective concrete substrates | Provides a fine finish and excellent coverage (10m²/mm/5kg), preparing surfaces for subsequent finishes. | Tilers, General Builders |
| New construction and refurbishment projects | Ensures a high-quality, level base for new flooring, reducing callbacks related to substrate imperfections. | Builders, Project Managers |
Ensure internal substrates are sound, smooth, dry and clean. Remove weak layers, laitance, contaminants and sharp protrusions; repair defects flush. Verify RH/pH where resilient finishes will be installed (AS 1884:2021).
Grind/abrade to expose a clean, stable surface. Vacuum thoroughly.
On porous substrates, roll RLA Universal Primer diluted 1:2 (primer:water) to a continuous film and allow to dry.
Add powder to water and mix to a lump-free consistency.
Approx. 1.8 L clean water per 5 kg (about 1:3 water:powder). Mix 3–4 minutes until uniform. Do not over-water.
Use clean pails and tools. Mix only what you can place within the ~10-minute open time.
Trowel from feather edge to 3 mm in a single coat.
Apply to required height or incline for localised smoothing. Keep edges tight to blend with adjacent surfaces.
Place a uniform 3 mm layer to achieve adhesive wet-out for subsequent floorcoverings.
Install most floorcoverings once the skim can be walked on without damage (typically ~20 minutes at 20 °C). Follow adhesive manufacturer’s guidelines.
Allow adequate time before general foot traffic; more time in cold conditions.
DANGER
RLA TruLevel Fine Finish causes skin irritation, serious eye damage, and may cause respiratory irritation. It may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, safety glasses with side shields or chemical goggles, and face protection. If inhalation risk exists, wear an approved dust respirator (P1 or P2 depending on exposure level).
Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area to minimise dust inhalation.
Store in original containers, securely sealed, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from incompatible materials. Keep container tightly closed and store locked up. Dispose of contents and container according to local regulations; do not discharge into sewer or waterways.
Proper substrate preparation is critical for the long-term performance of any flooring system. This guide outlines the requirements for common internal substrates.
Surface prep: Concrete must be at least 14 days old, structurally sound, dry, and clean. Mechanically remove all sharp objects, loose material, de-bonded coatings, laitance, oils, and other contaminants by abrasive blasting, grinding, or similar methods. Ensure relative humidity and pH readings meet Australian Standard 1884-2021 requirements for resilient installations. For high moisture, apply RLA Moisture Seal.
Primer: Not required for most sound concrete. Optional for particularly porous concrete, use RLA Universal Primer (1 part primer to 2 parts water), applied evenly with a roller.
Surface prep: Ensure all surfaces are structurally sound, dry, and clean. Point all brick/block surfaces flush. Remove all loose material and contaminants. Rough surfaces and voids need to be evened or filled prior to application.
Primer: Not required. Optional for particularly porous surfaces, use RLA Universal Primer (1 part primer to 2 parts water), applied evenly with a roller.
Surface prep: Substrate must be structurally sound, smooth, stable, dry, and clean, free from contaminants. Ensure the Masonite is securely fixed and will not move or delaminate.
Primer: Not required. Optional for particularly porous surfaces, use RLA Universal Primer (1 part primer to 2 parts water), applied evenly with a roller.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Colour | Grey |
| Shelf Life | 12 months |
| Packaging | 5 kg, 20 kg |
| VOC – GEV Emicode | EC1 Plus |
| Coverage – 5kg Bag | 10 m² @ 1mm |
| Mixing Ratio (Water) | 1.8 litres for 5kg bag (1 part water to 3 parts powder) |
| Open Time | 10 minutes |
| Setting Time (for floor coverings) | 20 minutes |
| Application Temperature Range | +5°C to +35°C |
| Maximum Thickness | 3mm |
| Foot Traffic (Full) | 20 hours |
| pH of Mix | Approximately pH 12 |
| Density | >1.5 (Relative to Water) |
Here are some common examples on where RLA TruLevel Fine Finish used by our customers.
