A few months ago, Tony in Promain‘s technical team was contacted by Cirrus Building Solutions in Dawlish, Devon. Simon at Cirrus had been requested by Dawlish Museum to update their external masonry paintwork. As a not for profit organisation, it was important to find a long life yet cost effective paint due to funding constraints. A solution using Keim Mineral Paints was decided upon.
Specification
The contractor planned to apply the requested system over the existing paintwork to the exterior of the building. Covering an external area of 220m2, the original paint type was unknown. Upon discussion with Tony in our technical team, it was decided that a system of Keim mineral paints would provide a durable and cost effective solution.
As standard with external work, prior to repainting Promain recommend treating the walls with Centrecoat’s GS36 Fungicidal Wash. This ensures any algae or microscopic plant growth is removed prior to the new topcoat. Without application of the GS36, any algae could grow and effectively delaminate the new layers of paint off the wall.
After a series of photographic inspections, it was found that the existing surface had various cracks and inconsistencies. To smooth over these imperfections prior to the painting, application of Keim Spachtel was recommended.
As a top coat, Keim Soldalit mineral paint was chosen in colour 9096. Containing crushed silicate, Keim Soldalit is a long life, natural product formulated to absorb into the substrate. Keim Soldalit Silicate Paint is best used for providing an ultra resistant coating to exterior walls made out of mineral substrates and can be applied to all substrates that have been previously coated with a sound dispersion and silicon based paint.
This paint protects exterior surfaces in conditions exposed to weathering, providing a long term protection system that resists UV light damage, some acids and chemicals. Keim Soldalit also hinders the growth of algae and fungus due to its excellent moisture resisting properties.
Application of the Keim Mineral Paints System
To make sure the weather was appropriate for application, Cirrus Building Solutions scheduled preparation and application for the early May bank holiday. This safeguarded the museum from the potential of loss of visitors over the Summer months.
Cirrus’s first job was to treat the external walls with the GS36 fungicidal wash. As per instructions, the product was diluted 20-1 with water.
Within 24 hours after treating the walls with the Centrecoat GS36 Fungicidal Wash, it became apparent that the existing coating had been negatively affected by the sterilisation and had begun peeling off. Considering that the mixed solution of GS36 is mostly water, masonry paints would not react in this way.
After discussion with Tony in the technical team, it was concluded that the existing paint coating had been of inferior quality or possibly even not an external grade paint.
Fortunately, discovering the issue prior to painting saved the client a lot of expense had the old paint failed after the application of the new paint.
Firstly, the contractor was advised to remove all the failing paint using wire brushes and scrapers. This was done with little effort. After doing so, the walls were re treated with another application of GS36. This ensured that the new Keim system would not be affected by organic contamination.
Finally, to ensure the walls were as smooth as possible, Keim Spachtel was used to smooth any imperfections in the face. After the Spachtel had properly cured, 2 coats of the Keim Soldalit were applied in Keim’s specialist colour 9096.
Interested in seeing if Keim mineral paints are good for your masonry? Contact our technical team on 01462 421333 for guidance on your external mineral paint projects.
