KEIM MINERAL PAINTS LTD
SANTOK BUILDING
DEER PARK WAY
DONNINGTON WOOD
TELFORD
SHROPSHIRE TF2 7NA
Tel: 01952 231250
Fax: 01952 231251
Suppliers of: Mineral PAINT Mineral Masonry Paint Concrete PAINT RENDERS coatings stone mould resistant paint
Extremely Longlife
KEIM mineral silicate paint systems were invented over 125 years ago to provide longterm protective and decorative finishes for renders subject to harsh climatic conditions. There are many examples throughout Europe of buildings that have been decorated over 100 years ago with KEIM mineral paint systems that are still in good condition today.
KEIM Mineral Paint is Different
KEIM has been widely used and specified extensively throughout the UK over the past 20 years for both external and internal projects. KEIM paint comprises of a potassium silicate binder with inorganic mineral fillers and natural earth-oxide colour pigments. The paint penetrates into the mineral substrate to form a chemical crystalline bond, becoming an integral part of the surface. This ensures an extremely longlife protective paint system.
Vapour Permeable Paint
The structure of the paint allows the free passage of vapour out of the substrate whilst preventing the ingress of driven rain providing a breathable, semi-permeable membrane.
Environmentally Friendly Paint
KEIM Mineral Paints are completely colourfast, mould, algae resistant, pollution resistant, low maintenance and environmentally friendly being waterborne, odourless and non-toxic.
Fire Resistant
KEIM Mineral Paints are inherently non-combustible and do not support the spread of flame. They achieve a Class 0 fire performance to BS476 part 6 for fire propagation and part 7 for surface spread of flame.
In addition, KEIM Paints are also rated at the top classification of A2 under the proposed new Euronorms. They give off no discernible noxious emissions and are specified by major Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Department of Transport and London Underground specifically for their fire performance characteristics
Comprehensive Ranges
In addition to traditional decorative work, KEIM is also a market leader in the fields of concrete treatment, fire retardant coatings and stone restoration materials.
Our Range Includes:
- Granital - KEIM Granital®– a classic mineral, matt finish silicate based paint for use on all forms of mineral substrates.
- Royalan - KEIM Royalan ® - a mineral silicate based paint system developed to withstand harsh climatic conditions, ideally suited for use in exposed locations, tropical regions, and those subject to continual pollutants and contaminants.
- Soldalit - KEIM Soldalit®– a modern sol-silicate based paint for use on mineral and previously painted substrates.
- Soldalit-ME - KEIM Soldalit®-ME – an exterior sol-silicate photocatalytic mineral paint.
- Optil - KEIM Optil ®- premium quality sol-silicate paint specifically formulated for elegant interior applications, giving intense, lightfast colour shades.
- Ecosil-ME - KEIM Ecosil-ME ® – a high performance, photocatalyticenvironmentally friendly mineral paint for interior use.
- Innostar - KEIM Innostar® - interior one coat white paint system.
- Concretal-C - KEIM Concretal®C - a waterproof sol silicate based paint specially formulated for protection against carbonation of concrete surfaces.
- Concretal-W - KEIM Concretal®W - a waterproof sol silicate paint, optimised for concrete and formulated for protection against weathering, water and chlorides.
- Concretal-Lasur - KEIM Concretal®Lasur is a low pigmentation silicate colour wash, which acts as a stain that penetrates the surface of concrete, equalising colour variations and blemishes.
- Concrete Repair System - The KEIM concrete repair system is based on cementitious and mineral constituents and is suitable for all forms of concrete substrate.
- Water Repellant and Dust Suppressant - The KEIM range of water repellent and dust suppressant products provide clear surface treatments for all mineral substrates.
- Anti Graffiti - KEIM offers two anti-graffiti materials, both of which can be applied over any of the KEIM mineral paint coatings, offering different surface finishes and life cycles.
- Universal Render - KEIM Universal Render is a pre-bagged mineral render which is extremely flexible, versatile and easy to apply.
- Brillant-Putz - KEIM Brillantputz is a high quality, mineral, thin layer, lightweight render.
- Porosan - The KEIM Porosan render system, in combination with water ingress prevention measures, can successfully repair damaged surfaces.
- NHL Kalkputz - KEIM NHL Kalkputz is a multipurpose natural hydraulic lime render for manual and machine application.
- Restauro Stone Repair - The KEIM Restauro repair systems is a range of dry bagged, mineral-based restoration mortars which are ideal for repairing damage to natural stone surfaces.
- Decorative Lasurs - Protective colourwash effects for render, brick and stone work.
To complement this generic family of mineral silicate paint systems KEIM also offers a comprehensive range of ancillary products.
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Further technical information and guidance is available on KEIM MINERAL PAINTS website or via the BPi download Library
Keim put to the test
The LPOC is regularly asked about which are the most appropriate,
sympathetic, or authentic products to use on a listed building; no more so than when it comes to painting external walls. The range of products to choose from today is extensive and issues of durability, breathability and compatibility with existing surfaces can be a little daunting to the listed property owner.
The latest ‘LPOC puts it to the test’ report relates to Keim Mineral Paint. I have known of Keim paints for over 30 years but I had
never actually used their paint range. I was fortunate enough to meet one of Keim’s technical representatives at an LPOC event and he in turn put me in touch with their Business Development Manager, Richard Perry. In time, Richard visited the house, prepared a specification and recommendations for the repainting and then revisited on occasions as I carried out the surface preparation and paint application.
My listed building has painted brick elevations and redecoration was well overdue. The house is of late-medieval origins but has undergone substantial alteration, extension and rebuilding during every one of the last five centuries. Its walls are built of flintwork, exposed timber framing, brickwork, tilehanging and render. In all, about a third of the external elevations are painted brickwork which were last decorated using a hydraulic lime based paint over a decade ago. The painted surface are irregular due to erosion of the brick faces and the mortar joints are soft and a little powdery in areas.
KEIM MINERAL PAINTS:
SOME BACKGROUND
Keim Mineral Paints were developed over 140 years ago but they were not fully introduced into the UK until 1978. The paint is based on a potassium silicate binder which is highly resistant to weathering and creates a strong permanent bond between the paint and the underlying masonry substrate. It effectively becomes an integral part of the substrate, rather than just a surface coating, giving it unusual longevity and durability.
A big attraction for me was the paint’s reputation for longevity. It is not uncommon for applications to last 20 to 30 years and there are examples which are considerably older. The murals on Stein am Rhein Town Hall, Swizerland, were painted with Keim paint over 100 years ago and are still in good condition and the murals in St Martin’s Church, Blackheath in Surrey were painted in 1895. Richard Perry explains that he often revisits projects to give advice on repainting and finds himself saying that the original Keim paint is in good condition and just requires a good clean.
WHAT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS:1
• Because Keim paints use a potassium silicate binder they do not flake and the binder does not disintegrate under the effect of UV light. Consequently they are highly stable and able to resist the effects of acid rain, industrial pollution or alkaline attack.
• The alkaline nature of Keim Mineral Paint (11 to 13 on the pH scale) makes it resistant to the growth of fungi and algae spores.
• Unlike acrylic based paints, they have no residual electrostatic charge, therefore they do not attract dust.
• Keim Mineral Paints are water borne, odourless, non-toxic and manufactured from natural ingredients using a low energy manufacturing process. They contain no solvents or any petro-chemical
derivatives. Consequently the paint has a good environmental profile. The basic raw ingredient is quartz or sand.
• Because the paints use light-fast mineral pigments and binders which are unaffected by weathering and UV radiation they do not fade over time.
• The crystal structure of Keim Mineral Paints gives a high level of reflectance compared to oil-based paints.
• The paints are inherently non-combustible unlike synthetic paints which are manufactured from petrochemicals.
• The micro-crystalline nature of the paint creates finite spaces between adjacent crystals which allow the free passage of vapour, but prevent the ingress of driven rain. Consequently it is highly water vapour permeable (or breathable).
• Tools are washed in water.
• Keim Paints are suitable for use on brickwork, blockwork, concrete, all types of stone (including flint), terracotta, faience, render and even glass. They are not suited to use on plastic or metal.
MY EXPERIENCE
I embarked on preparing my walls in theautumn of 2018 under Richard Perry’s watchful eye. Keim offer a list of contractors who are experienced in using their mineral paint system but I decided to do the redecoration myself.
As is so often the case the preparation took longer than I had anticipated partly because I needed to undertake some repointing, crack filling and a lot of cleaning with water and a bristle brush. Small cracks and blemishes were filled using Keim Spachtel which is a
proprietary filler.
Richard Perry inspected the walls to check that they were ready for application of the Keim Mineral Paint system but they were not. He identified numerous areas where there were outbreaks of red algae on the surfaces. Rydophaedise, to give it its proper name, is a marine algae which is increasingly found on building surfaces in the south-east, possibly as a result of global warming. It reveals itself
in little red spots that turn yellow when squashed under the thumb. Bleach, water and many more hours of bristle brushing was the prescribed remedy.
Having spent many hours removing the red algae I applied Keim Fixativ to consolidate some of the surfaces which were dusty and slightly friable and then Keim Algicid to kill any residual mould or fungal growth. Both were quick to apply using a garden spray.
Then I had to wait for the walls to dry to below 18% moisture content prior to painting. The weather closed in and I was forced to down tools with the onset of winter.
With renewed enthusiasm I picked up the project again in spring 2019. I applied the paint using a 4” masonry paint brush. The paint was of a creamy consistency, it was easily applied and provided good cover in just the one coat. A second coat was then applied to obtain the full protection from the system.
The end result is transformational and very pleasing aesthetically. It is reassuring to know that the solid brick walls are breathing in
the way that they should and that they will actively shed rainwater in bouts of heavy rain. Only time will tell how long the paint will
last until it requires redecoration but I will be disappointed if it does not live up to Keim’s claims. I will make a point of monitoring it and will write an update in a few years’ time.
What impressed me most about Keim’s service was the hands on approach which they have when it comes to specifying the right product and overseeing the process. This is not a service for which they charge, but it could well help to avoid some of the pitfalls which may result in premature failure. Most people, even professional decorators, do not have the expertise to recognise or treat red algae or to check that the moisture content of a wall is below 18%. Having Richard Perry alongside to provide that high level professional advice was invaluable.
Peter Bell
LPOC Conservation Advisor
Keim Mineral Paints - See us at The Listed Property Shows
The Listed Property Owner’s Club brings you all the specialist information and expert help you may need if you are maintaining, altering or renovating your listed home – or even looking to buy one – The Listed Property Show is not to be missed! You can chat with independent conservation offices, architects and ourselves about your plans and listen to informative lectures on a topic of your choice. Doors open at 9am, so why not join us for one day, under one roof.
The Listed Property Show, South West
The Passenger Shed, Bristol
Saturday 21st September 2019
Stand A8
The Scottish Listed Property Show
Assembley Rooms, Edinburgh
Saturday 26th October 2019
Stand A12
