Silicate paints decorate the facade of the cottage

Coatings obtained on the basis of silicate paints have several unique properties: they have high vapor permeability, quickly dry out. The moisture that accumulates in the winter inside the wall does not destroy the brick and plaster. Well pass carbon dioxide and do not delay the hardening of the plaster. The coating does not burn, besides it does not emit various harmful substances. Such silicate paints are well applied on surfaces with strongly alkaline components (lime plasters). These qualities ensure a long lifetime of the surface.

The drawbacks of these paints include the inability to apply them to old coatings on an organic basis because of the complete lack of adhesion.

Silicate paints are suspensions of fillers and pigments in aqueous solutions of sodium and potassium silicates . Silicates are salts of very weak silicic acid. They are much weaker than coal, therefore, are easily displaced by interaction with carbon dioxide, which is contained in the air. The resulting silicic acid sol rapidly loses water and forms a porous coating, which consists of silicon oxide. With the formation of silicic acid and its dehydration, the interaction of the formed coating with the particles of pigments, fillers and inorganic substrate is observed. Particularly active silicic acid and silicates interact with compounds of zinc and calcium. If we take into account that calcium hydroxide is the main component of plasters and concretes, the treatment of such surfaces with silicate paints leads to the creation of a monolithic layer of chemically bound coating.

Silicate paints, or rather their properties, largely depend on the properties of the liquid glass used. The most water-resistant quality paints can be obtained by applying potassium glass. There are other silicates, but they are too expensive for the production of paint and varnish materials. In order for silicate paints to retain their dignity and to be able to be applied to organic coatings, further on, they include acrylic dispersions, thereby producing paints that have high vapor permeability, excellent adhesion to coatings on the old organic base and mineral surfaces .

A new kind of paint and varnish coatings - silicate paints - the application in our time has been wide enough. When adding aluminum or zinc, they acquire anti-corrosion properties. This type of coating is used on plastered walls. In addition, they perfectly interact with stone, concrete, ceramic, slate and other surfaces, penetrate well into the structure of the treated surface, but at the same time they have a low hiding power, which requires an increased ink consumption.

It is necessary to observe precautions when working with silicate paints. They contain up to ten percent alkali. In case of contact with the skin or eyes, inflammation may occur. Therefore, when working with these paints, it is necessary to protect the eyes. It will not be superfluous to use a resperator. If the paint gets into the eyes, rinse immediately with cold water, and wash with soap after use.