KEIM Achieves Concrete Cosmetics with Glaze Technique

Protection of Old and New Exposed Concrete Surfaces and Use of KEIM Potassium Silicate Mineral Paints as a Method to Enhance Exposed Concrete Appearance

KEIM Potassium Silicate Mineral Paints have been widely used in Northern Europe since 1878. The binder of silicate paints, through the appropriate combination of glass water (potassium silicate) with inorganic color pigments and mineral-based fillers, both penetrates the mineral surface to which it is applied and enters into chemical interaction with it. It becomes part of the surface to which it is applied rather than a coating.

Potassium Silicate Paints penetrate the surface as a result of silicification reaction.

High-quality silicate paint systems provide exceptional performance, durability, protection and color fastness. Structures that used silicate paints in the 19th century still retain their original appearance today.

Schwyz Town Hall, original silicate paint from 1891.

KEIM Potassium Silicate Mineral Paints have been used worldwide for more than 35 years due to their durability, permanence, and provision of a matte—natural finish, and are also used in the protection of exposed concrete structures and the revitalization of their visual effects. Operating under the motto "Mineral-Based Protection for Mineral-Based Material," KEIM has been used in numerous concrete projects of different scales, from sports stadiums to airports, from museums to industrial structures, and from bridges and tunnels to radio and television towers. While concrete was previously preferred particularly for its high load-bearing capacity and formability, today it is finding new life in designers' and architects' projects with different visual effects and texture variety. The naturalness and attractive aesthetics of exposed concrete surfaces have increasingly become more preferred. When concrete was regarded as uniform and grey, its image was quite weak for a time. However, exposed concrete is no longer just grey. Yellow, red, blue, and every other color can be found on concrete. We frequently encounter shiny concretes like gold and silver. Even using all the nuances of a single color is possible. This is precisely where KEIM Lasur Technique enters the picture. KEIM Lasur Technique is a low-pigmented semi-transparent protective product that highlights the visual properties of concrete while preserving its original texture. With each application, the result that emerges based on the designer's interpretation of the Lasur Technique is surprising and indicative of the infinite design power offered by the material. Along with its contribution to design, the Lasur Technique is also a unique method for cosmetic treatment of concrete. Following spot repairs and touch-ups, the concrete color tone is determined through on-site sampling, and the dilution rate is adjusted so that repairs blend seamlessly. With KEIM Lasur applied at the determined dilution ratio, the targeted improvement/remediation work is completed while preserving the character and texture of the existing concrete.

Use of a single color at different dilution ratios—from opaque to transparent—on concrete

Application studies with KEIM Lasur Technique to determine the appropriate dilution ratio through mineral color matching on concrete

Before application

After application with KEIM Lasur Technique

Before application

After application with KEIM Lasur Technique

Before application

After application with KEIM Lasur Technique

Before application

After application with KEIM Lasur Technique

Before and after application with KEIM Lasur Technique

Before and after application with KEIM Lasur Technique

Before and after application with KEIM Lasur Technique (Robert College Main Entrance Gate Area)

Correction of exposed concrete surfaces through mineral color matching with KEIM Lasur Technique (Troy Museum)

While an important application area is balancing visual differences using "concrete grey," many architects prefer to use colored transparent potassium silicate mineral paints for aesthetic purposes. The photograph on the adjacent page belongs to Frankfurt University. In the university's 4-story open atrium, a 60 m long and 12 m high concrete wall was divided into squares and transparent work in different colors was performed using KEIM Lasur Technique. The massive character of the wall was thus neutralized. With KEIM Lasur Technique, a uniform semi-transparent application was made in 3 shades of red, white, green and grey tones. All colors were applied over a light grey base and a patchwork work was essentially created with colors.

Patchwork work on concrete with KEIM Lasur Technique Frankfurt University Atrium

Colored-transparent applications on concrete with KEIM Lasur Technique

Patchwork work on concrete with KEIM Lasur Technique Frankfurt University Atrium

Colored-transparent applications on concrete with KEIM Lasur Technique

Colored-transparent applications on concrete with KEIM Lasur Technique

KEIM Lasur Technique is used on exposed concrete/fiber-reinforced concrete surfaces not only for aesthetic purposes but also because it is a genuinely effective protective product: • The natural, matte appearance of concrete is preserved. It is not apparent on KEIM-applied surfaces that an external application has been made. • It balances cold joints in concrete and color variations resulting from manufacturing. • It can be applied in a wide range of colors. • It penetrates the section. It does not create a separate layer on the surface. It does not work on an adhesion principle. • Its binder, glass water, is extremely resistant to UV light. • It has high water vapor permeability. • The pigments used in silicate technology are inorganic mineral pigments and are not affected by UV radiation or adverse weather conditions. Because of these properties, blistering or peeling is not seen on concrete surfaces treated with silicate mineral paint. • Absolute color fastness is ensured thanks to pure mineral pigments (Fb code B 1). • Due to the presence of pure mineral pigments and the rapid drying of surfaces, the formation of moss, algae, etc. is not observed. • Because it is non-thermoplastic and exhibits anti-static behavior, soiling occurs to a minimal degree. • KEIM products are non-combustible, Class A2. They do not release harmful gases during fire. • It imparts strength to the surfaces to which it is applied. It prevents dusting. • It is applied as 2 coats without primer. • It provides lower renovation costs along with longer renovation intervals. • They do not release toxic gases. VOC value is considered zero. • Silicate mineral coatings have an excellent environmental profile. They are an ecological and sustainable product group. Müge Günel Senior Architect Restoration Specialist Letoon Architecture Ltd. Co. / KEIM Turkey Representative