Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Scratch coat for manufactured stone

Hi all,

I'm putting manufactured stone on my basement direct vent gas fireplace surround. The fireplace and surrounding framing protrudes from the wall and has dimensions of 73" wide x4" high x 21" deep. I'm using ledgestone in a dry stack configuration. After applying the scratch coat over the mesh with a flat trowel, I found out later that the mortar should been notched. Could I apply another coat on the smooth coat and notch it, or would that coat not bond properly to the first? Or since the height is only 4 ft and stone laid from the bottom up, would putting the stone on the smooth scratch coat be ok?

Thanks,
Bsmtdweller

i would not recomend putting an another coat over your present coat, without useing some kind of concrete binder to paint over the present coat of cement you can buy any binder at your local lumber yard or home depot, lowes, menards, and i have one ? why are you going to start at the bottom just wondering bigh.:confused: