My wife and I are installing a decorative artificial rock face on our home. We have gone through all the appropriate steps with from the tar paper, lath, scratch coat and stone. Can you please tell us the best directions to apply the mortar on the scratch coat? We also need assistance on how best to apply the rock to the scratch coat. What consistency should the mortar be applied to the rock? What is the best application of mortar to the rock? Also is there a best application approach, for example should we start at the bottom, start from one side, etc?

My wife and I are installilng artificial rock to the front of our home. We are installing it from bottom to top. Are there any tips or rules about how much rock to install at a time? Thanks for your help.

Mortar goes on the stone not the scratch coat. It should be about as stiff as joint compound about 2" thick. As you slam the rock inot place, I do mean slam, you give it a slight twist clockwise and counterclockwise, just a 1/4" or so. That helps set the fresh mortar to the scratchcoat, it helps to dampen the scartch coat, I use an old spray bottle. Start at the bottom and work out to the slides but you can install a second row in the same spot as your first row after 15-30 minutes. For irregular stone I create my mortar line by smushing the excess mortar that squeezed out between the stone with my finger. I have tried trowel and even wooden or steel spoons but nothing works like my index finger. You can try using industrial thickness rubber gloves but the finger tip is gone after about one course of rock.