How Do I Apply Mas Maya Coating?

Mas Maya Coating is a natural, breathable surface finish designed for walls, floors, bathrooms, facades, furniture, pools and more. It has the soft, sensory character of traditional lime-based materials, with the flexibility and adhesion needed for contemporary homes and renovations.

A beautiful finish starts long before the final trowel stroke. The key is careful preparation, the right base system, and allowing each layer to dry and cure properly.

What You’ll Need

Materials

Mas Maya Coating
Mas Maya Primer
Mas Maya Mesh
Mas Maya Prep, for filling cracks, tile joints or imperfections deeper than 3 mm
Mas Maya Presealer, required before sealing
Mas Maya Sealer, required for floors, wet areas and high-use zones
Mas Maya Heavy-Duty Sealer, recommended for maximum protection in demanding areas
Mas Maya Pool Primer, required for pools and constantly wet areas

Tools

Steel trowels, flat and flexible
5 mm toothed trowel
Plastic trowel for details, curves and corners
4 mm short-pile roller
Mixing paddle and clean bucket
Spray bottle with clean water
Mas Maya Foam Float
Low-adhesive masking tape
Protective sheeting
Protective gear: mask, gloves and goggles
Optional: moisture meter

Before You Begin: Choose the Right System

For the strongest and most reliable result, most applications use two layers of Mas Maya Coating with Mas Maya Mesh embedded into the base layer.

Mesh is required for:

Floors
Tiles
Wood
Pools
Bathrooms and wet zones
Exterior facades
Surfaces with joints, cracks, texture or movement
Commercial or high-use spaces

On smooth interior walls and ceilings in excellent condition, mesh may not be needed. A single-layer system is only suitable for flawless, dry interior walls or ceilings with no cracks, joints, texture or movement.

Wet areas need extra attention. Mas Maya Coating is water-resistant, but it is not a waterproofing membrane. In showers, bathrooms, pools and exterior wet zones, the surface underneath must already have an intact waterproof membrane.

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Installation Guide

Notes:

You can find detailed instructions on:

Step 1: Prepare the Surface

Mas Maya Coating is thin and expressive, so anything beneath it can show through. Your surface must be flat, level, smooth, clean, dry and stable.

Remove loose paint, loose tiles, flaking plaster, crumbling materials, dust, grease and old adhesives. Take off fittings such as sockets, switches and light fixtures before you begin.
Fill any cracks, gaps, tile joints or imperfections deeper than 3 mm with Mas Maya Prep. If you are working over tiles, textured walls or uneven surfaces, level them first so the coating has a smooth base.
In wet areas, confirm that the waterproof membrane is intact before applying any Mas Maya products.

Step 2: Protect Edges and Surrounding Areas

Use low-adhesive masking tape around floors, ceilings, corners, frames and adjoining surfaces.
Leave a 4 mm gap between the tape and the working surface. This allows the coating to settle neatly into the edge without building up over the tape.
Protect nearby floors, furniture and fittings with plastic sheeting or suitable coverings.

Step 3: Apply Primer

Mas Maya Primer helps the coating bond securely to the surface.

Stir the Primer thoroughly before use. Apply one thin, even coat using a 4 mm short-pile roller, brush or spray gun. Avoid puddles or heavy build-up.
For very absorbent surfaces, lightly mist with water before priming to slow absorption.
Allow the Primer to set for at least 30 minutes, but do not leave it for more than 24 hours before applying Mas Maya Coating. The surface should feel slightly tacky when ready.
For pools, showers, wet rooms and permanently wet areas, use Mas Maya Pool Primer instead. Allow it to set for at least 1 hour before continuing.

Step 4: Mix Mas Maya Coating

Use clean water and consistent batch sizes to keep the colour and finish even across the surface.

Use the following water ratios:

Walls and ceilings: 330 ml water per 1 kg of Mas Maya Coating
Floors and steps: 400 ml water per 1 kg of Mas Maya Coating

If using pigment, dissolve it fully into the water first. The water should be completely uniform, with no specks or streaks, before adding the coating powder.

Slowly add Mas Maya Coating powder into the water, not the other way around. Mix gently with a handheld plaster mixer until smooth and creamy, with a yoghurt-like texture. Avoid high-speed mixing, as this can introduce too much air.
Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes, then mix once more before applying.

Step 5: Apply the Base Layer with Mesh

This is the structural layer and the standard method for most installations.

Apply a 2 mm layer of Mas Maya Coating using the toothed side of a 5 mm toothed trowel.
While the coating is still fresh, place Mas Maya Mesh onto the surface. Leave a 1 cm gap from edges and overlap mesh sheets by at least 10 cm. Press the mesh into the coating with a flexible or steel trowel, starting with the edges and then working across the centre.
Smooth the coating over the mesh with a flat trowel until the mesh is just covered and barely visible.
Allow the base layer to dry until it is firm and no longer indents under light pressure. You can also allow it to dry completely before continuing with the finishing layer.

Step 6: Apply the Finishing Layer

The finishing layer is the final visible surface.

Apply a fresh 2 mm layer of Mas Maya Coating with a clean steel trowel. Use smooth, overlapping strokes and keep the trowel edge clean to avoid drag marks.
Work wet-into-wet wherever possible. If an edge dries before you continue, a visible join line may appear. Plan your work in advance and aim to stop only at natural breaks such as corners, edges, door frames or architectural divisions.

Step 7: Smooth and Polish the Surface

Once the finishing layer is firm but not fully dry, you can begin smoothing and polishing. The material should no longer move under light finger pressure. If using a moisture meter, aim for around 15–20% moisture.

Lightly mist the area with clean water. You can add a small amount of coconut soap to the spray water to help create more surface cream.
Use the Mas Maya Foam Float in circular movements until a creamy layer appears on the surface. If the float sticks, add a little more misted water so it glides smoothly.
Then use a clean steel or plastic trowel to compress and refine the surface. This helps close pores, fill small holes, remove excess material and create a soft, polished finish.

Step 8: Seal the Surface Where Required

Sealing is required for floors, bathrooms, kitchens, wet areas, furniture, exterior surfaces, commercial spaces and other high-use zones. Dry decorative walls and ceilings usually do not need sealing unless they will be exposed to splashes, stains or frequent cleaning.

Only begin once Mas Maya Coating is fully dry.

First, preserve the colour with Mas Maya Presealer

Mas Maya Presealer prepares the surface for protection. It helps preserve the natural colour of the coating, closes remaining pores and creates an even base for the sealer.

This step is essential. Applying Sealer directly onto Mas Maya Coating can make the finish much darker and uneven.
Apply two thin, even coats with a 4 mm short-pile roller or brush. Allow the Presealer to dry fully before moving on.

Next, protect the surface with Mas Maya Sealer

Mas Maya Sealer is the main protective layer. It creates a durable, matte, water-resistant finish for areas exposed to moisture, stains or regular use.

Mix 5 parts Component A with 1 part Component B. Stir slowly, allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes, then apply a thin, even coat with a 4 mm short-pile roller.
Immediately follow with a clean, dry roller to remove excess and prevent shiny patches. Allow at least 8 hours before applying the second coat.

For demanding areas, add extra durability with Mas Maya Heavy-Duty Sealer

Mas Maya Heavy-Duty Sealer adds extra protection for demanding surfaces such as floors, steps, exterior areas, commercial spaces, furniture, basins, showers and other high-use zones.

Apply it only after the Presealer and Sealer layers are fully dry.

Mix 2 parts Component A with 1 part Component B. Stir slowly, allow to rest for 5 minutes, then apply two thin coats, leaving at least 4 hours between coats.
Allow 72 hours for the full sealing system to cure before exposing the surface to water, cleaning or heavy use.

Step 9: Let the Surface Cure and Settle

Mas Maya is a natural material, so the first month matters.

For the first 7 days, protect the surface completely. Do not walk on floors, place weight on the coating, expose it to water, cover it with plastic or rugs, or use adhesive tape.
From days 8–30, use the surface gently. Avoid dragging furniture, dropping tools, over-wetting or using harsh cleaners. If building work continues, protect the surface with breathable coverings such as double corrugated cardboard.
After one month, clean with care using a soft cloth or mop and a neutral detergent. Avoid solvents, acids, abrasive brushes, steel wool and standing water. Use felt pads under furniture and lift objects instead of dragging them.

For sealed areas, we recommend refreshing the sealer every two to three years, depending on use.

A Calm Finish, Built Carefully

Applying Mas Maya Coating is a hands-on process, but it rewards patience. With a stable surface, the correct primer, mesh where needed, careful polishing and the right sealing system, you can create a natural finish that feels soft, grounded and quietly distinctive.

Take your time with each layer, work with the material while it is ready, and let the surface settle fully before everyday use. That care is what allows Mas Maya to become part of the rhythm of your home.