On Wednesday, 26 April 2017 13:53:26 UTC+1, Peter wrote:
A horrible job from memory, especially as the 'pebbles' are huge, and need a brush not roller to cover. No choice though as was previously painted. Read somewhere that brushing on a thin coat of cement wash first helps - might it smooth the surface a bit, or is that just to prime the surface? The pebbles are well stuck on in any case.

Like Tabb's idea but going to go ahead with a brush as it is a fairly small area - just the back elevation - done most with great effort a few years ago. Next time around will go for the gravity gun and compressor. Thanks all suggestions. Peter