How to Finish Viroc Panels | Investwood

Viroc is a Cement Bonded Particle Board from Investwood that can be used both inside and out. Viroc panels have a heterogeneous appearance displaying randomly dispersed shades that result from the natural raw materials used. Viroc panel is supplied raw, unfinished. The surfaces show some irregularities and imperfections, including small incrustations, marks, scratches and salts from chemical reactions.

Surface Preparation

Cleaning and polishing will not change the natural look of the panel, which retains the stains and heterogeneities that characterize it, as well as some salts and incrustations that are embedded in the surface.

• When the panel is for visible use, even if a varnish finish isn't employed, a surface cleaning/polishing needs to be performed with a cleaning disc to remove dust, scratches, dirt and salts
• Varnishing Viroc panels is recommendable to protect them and facilitate maintenance and cleaning
• Viroc suitable cleaning disks can be supplied upon request by Investwood
• Before applying the finish, the panels must be cleaned with a breath of air or, preferably, suction in order to be free of any type of dust, which will damage the finish

Finishing

Applying varnish protects Viroc panels against environmental exposure to sun and weather and also increases durability, facilitates cleaning and maintains appearance over time. Varnish may change the natural color tone of the Viroc panel, giving it a “wet” look with some gloss.

1. Preparation
   Before applying varnish to the panels, the surfaces must be completely clean and dry, without grease, dust or surface salts.
   
2. Surface Cleaning
   Cleaning should be done by polishing with a cleaning disc or alternatively sanding the surface with fine grit sandpaper 120 or higher.
3. Choosing Finishes
   There are no Viroc specific paints and varnishes, due to the surface alkalinity (PH) of 11 to 13, paints and varnishes suitable for both concrete and wood surfaces are usually the best performers when applied to Viroc panels. Paints and varnishes must be suitable for their intended purpose. For example, if it is an exterior facade the paint/varnish must be suitable for use on exterior walls, if it is an interior floor the paint/varnish must have hardness and strength suitable for use in floors.
   1. Solvent-based varnishes with acrylic or aliphatic polyurethane resins are the ones that have shown the best performances.
   2. Water-based, acrylic or aliphatic polyurethane varnishes are the ones that least change the natural color of the panel.
4. Application
   Varnishes tend to be easy to apply, but it is important to note that the application must be continuous and constant, to ensure the homogeneity of the finish on the panel and so that the surface is not stained and with different shades. Panels should always be painted/varnished on both sides and tops, the application procedures, provided by the respective manufacturers, must always be followed in the recommended coats.
5. Protection
   The use of Viroc panels on kitchen worktops and shower cubicles should be protected with a paint / varnish that does not degrade in permanent contact with water.

Sanded/Calibrated Panels

If required, Investwood can supply sanded/calibrated panels. Calibration is done by thinning the surface using coarse sandpaper in order to minimize the variation in thickness. This is particularily useful when the panels are used as a support floor and the covering is a thin layer like a linoleum or vinyl canvas. After sanding, the surfaces are left with visible wood particles. The sanded panel has no decorative features.

Sizes and Thicknesses

Black | Grey

White | Ochre | Yellow | Red

Finish Colors

Black	Grey	White
Ochre	Yellow	Red

Go to the Supplementary section to download the recommended solutions by type of application.