Silacote Logo

What is Silacote?

What is an inorganic mineral silicate paint?

It is a paint made from natural mineral compounds from the earth strata, such as quartz, different minerals and inorganic mineral colorants bound together with a potassium silicate binder. Silicate paints are basically inert colored rock coated on a substrate that binds chemically to form a solid mineral and insoluble compound of paint and substrate when used on concrete, natural stone, marble, etc… Very long life can be expected if applied correctly to inorganic substrates as they are chemically compatible. Traditional paints, such as emulsions, acrylics, elastomerics, etc., are organic in content which will breakdown and have a relatively short life. Adhesion is by a mechanical process that fails when calcium and other salts push off traditonal paints from the natural wetting drying process.

What do you mean by “fully tintable”?

Most silicate based paint systems can only be tinted at the factory which adds additional time and expense in making sure that you have the right color for a job before you place the order. SILACOTE uses new technology that allows the base paints to be tinted to the correct color using more traditional tinting systems such as you would find in a local hardware store. There are over 282 colors available and variations of these colors add many hundreds more. Computer matching is possible but as there are only nine base mineral colorants there is a limit to providing matches in every case. Unlike traditional organic paints, that fade quickly, nullifying the color matching step, SILACOTE is not subject to the damaging ultra violet rays providing the client with a selected color that will be light fast for many decades.

Where can we use Silacote?

SILACOTE is designed for use on inorganic substrates such as concrete, masonry and other cementitious substances. It can also be used on magnesium oxide (MgO) board or new gypsum wallboard providing some health and safety benefits that traditional paints cannot provide. Superb for painting or staining Brick as it rejects water while allowing the brick to breathe preserving it from deterioration. It is equally at home for use in interior as well as exterior environments.

Traditional paints create a thin film on the surface of the concrete or plaster, and their organic based colorants deteriorate when exposed to ultraviolet light or acid rain, causing the colors to fade and bleach out. The old paint film will fail in a few years; cracking and peeling off the walls. Mold and mildew love to build up on it. If you want to put another coat of paint on you have to strip the old paint first, and if it should be exposed to flame it will burn, helping to spread fires as well as toxic fumes.

SILACOTE penetrates into the inorganic masonry substrate and petrifies, forming a micro-crystalline structure that helps to reflect heat. As it is not a thin film sitting on the surface, it will not crack and peel off the structure. As the pigments used in Silacote are inorganic they resist fading and bleaching out with exposure to the sun and acid rain. Silacote allows the concrete structure to 'breath' naturally, allowing water vapor to permeate. Silacote is non-combustible - it will not burn and spread fires and toxic fumes. And if you decide to apply a new coat of Silacote, it is not necessary to first remove the old one.

Where can I get Silacote?

Currently Silacote is not available in stores. Samples are available. For more information contact info@silacote.com. For sales information contact us at sales@silacote.com

News Flash… The use of Silacote for interior and exterior masonry and gypsum board substrate allows for the possibility of obtaining LEED Credits under the US Green Council LEED Grading and Commissioning System. First listed in 2004 in the GreenSpec 4th Edition.