Product Overview MSI Gold Rush 6" x 24" Ledger Panel (part of MSI's Rockmount Stacked Stone Collection, model ID: LPNLSGLDRUS624) is a premium natural slate stacked stone ledger panel. Featuring a split-face, natural cleft texture, Gold Rush delivers a rich, rustic palette of warm gold, rich copper, earthy brown, charcoal grey, and subtle rust-iron undertones. Constructed by trim-joining hand-selected natural slate stone strips into interlocking 6" x 24" Z-shaped panels, this ledger stone creates a 3D dry-stack architectural stone facade. It is designed for vertical interior and exterior feature walls, fireplace surrounds, outdoor kitchen islands, and structural accent walls. Technical Specifications Technical Property Value / Specification Standard / Compliance Manufacturer / Brand MSI (MS International) Rockmount Stacked Stone Collection Product Model ID LPNLSGLDRUS624 Genuine MSI Natural Stone Material Type 100% Genuine Natural Slate Natural Cleft Split-Face Stone Colorway Gold Rush (Gold, Copper, Grey, Rust, Brown) High Organic Variation (V4) Nominal Format 6" x 24" (~15 cm x 60 cm / 1 Sq. Ft. per Panel) Interlocking Z-Panel Format Thickness / Depth Approx. 0.75" to 1.25" (Variable 3D Profile) Dimensional Ledger Profile Surface Finish Split-Face / Cleft Natural Finish Non-Grouted Dry-Stack Aesthetic Edge Detail Interlocking Modular Edge Seamless Panel Alignment Matching Corner Piece 6" x 12" x 6" L-Shaped Corner Available Corner Model: LPNLSGLDRUS612 CORNER Applications Fireplace Breasts, Outdoor Kitchen Islands, Exterior Facades, Accent Walls, Retaining Walls Vertical Exterior & Interior Wall Areas ONLY Recommended Applications Fireplace Surrounds & Chimney Breasts: Creates a dramatic rustic centerpiece in modern farmhouses, cabins, or mountain-lodge living rooms. Outdoor Kitchen Islands & Grill Enclosures: Built to withstand exterior weather elements while complementing outdoor patio hardscapes. Exterior Accent Walls & Retaining Wall Veneers: Adds textural depth and curb appeal to home entryways, foundation skirts, and outdoor garden walls. Installation & Handling Guidelines ⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: NATURAL SLATE LEDGER PROTOCOL Vertical Wall Application ONLY: Ledger panels feature heavy, variable-depth stone pieces and are engineered exclusively for vertical wall surfaces. Do NOT install on horizontal floors. Substrate & Weight Capacity: Natural slate ledger panels weigh approximately 8.5 to 10 lbs per square foot. Ensure the substrate is structurally sound. Install over cement backer board (ANSI A118.9), concrete masonry units (CMU), or prepared concrete walls. Do NOT install directly over drywall or plaster. Thinset Mortar Selection: Set using a heavy-duty, non-sag polymer-modified Large & Heavy Tile (LFT) thinset specified for vertical natural stone installs (ANSI A118.4 or ANSI A118.15 like MAPEI® Ultraflex LFT or LATICRETE® Multimax Lite). No Grout Required: Ledger panels are designed to be tightly dry-stacked without grout joints between individual stones or panel seam joints. 100% Back-Butter Mortar Coverage: Apply thinset to the wall substrate using a notched trowel AND fully back-butter the back of every panel to guarantee solid adhesion without voids. Professional Recommendations Dry Lay & Shade Blending: Natural slate has inherent shade and texture variations (V4). Unbox and dry-lay panels from multiple boxes before setting to randomize copper, gold, and grey tones evenly. Corner Assembly: Use matching MSI Gold Rush 6x12x6 L-shaped corner panels for outside corners to eliminate exposed raw cut edges. Care & Maintenance Sealing Requirements: Apply a high-quality impregnating stone sealer (such as Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator or Miracle 511 Enhance 'N' Seal) after installation. For exterior walls or outdoor kitchens exposed to rain, sealing prevents water penetration and rust oxidation. Enhancer vs. Natural Sealer: Use a standard penetrating sealer to keep the raw matte split-face finish, or use an enhancing sealer to deepen the rich copper, gold, and dark rust tones. Routine Cleaning: Dust interior walls with a soft brush or vacuum hose attachment. For exterior installations, hose down gently or brush using a neutral pH stone cleaner. Avoid pressure washing at high settings. Frequently Asked Questions Can MSI Gold Rush Ledger Panels be installed behind a wood stove or fireplace insert? Yes. 100% natural slate is non-combustible and fire-resistant. However, ensure proper thinset mortar rated for heat exposure is used when setting panels near high-heat sources. Can these panels be used in a wet shower enclosure? While natural slate is water-resistant when properly sealed, the deep split-face 3D ridges create crevices that trap water and soap scum. They are generally not recommended for direct shower water spray zones due to cleaning difficulty, though they excel on dry bathroom feature walls. Do I need to grout between the 6x24 panels? No. Stacked stone ledger panels are engineered as a dry-stacked system. The panels fit together tightly with interlocking ends, eliminating the need for grout.