Abraham Joel Tobias
Broke new ground using ethyl silicate paint as a permanent medium for outdoor murals and other public-art applications.
Paint Type
Silicate Paint
Silicate paint is a mineral coating that uses potassium silicate, also known as waterglass, as its binder. It chemically bonds with compatible mineral surfaces and dries to a breathable, matte finish.
Silicate paint compatibility
Silicate paint bonds best with porous brick, concrete, and mineral plaster, while drywall and existing coatings need an approved sol-silicate system and primer.
| Surface | Compatibility | Preparation | Primer | Finish | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brick | Excellent on sound, absorbent mineral brick | Resolve moisture problems and remove dirt, loose material, efflorescence, sealers, and incompatible coating. | Use the system's mineral primer when absorption is uneven or the product requires it. | Breathable, matte, and highly resistant to peeling when the system bonds correctly. | — |
| Concrete | Excellent when fully cured and properly prepared | Allow new concrete to cure, remove curing compounds and contamination, and correct moisture issues. | Product-specific mineral primer or treatment may be required. | Durable matte finish that remains vapor permeable. | — |
| Stone | Good on suitable porous mineral stone | Identify the stone, remove contamination and loose material, and test the complete system in an inconspicuous area. | Use the manufacturer's mineral primer when specified. | Mineral appearance with durability dependent on stone type and exposure. | — |
| Plaster | Good on compatible mineral or properly prepared plaster | Let new plaster cure and dry, repair defects, sand when appropriate, and remove dust. | Use the approved mineral primer where absorption or substrate type requires it. | Matte, vapor-permeable wall finish. | — |
| Cinder Block | Good with a system approved for concrete masonry units | Fill defects, resolve water entry, and remove dust, deposits, loose material, and incompatible sealer. | Often useful to control high or uneven absorption. | Breathable flat finish; vertical wall products are not automatically suitable for floors. | — |
| Drywall | Possible with an interior sol-silicate system | Repair, sand smooth, and remove all dust and contamination. | Use the manufacturer's mineral primer on new drywall or as a bridge over an approved existing coating. | Matte mineral wall finish with subtle tonal variation. | — |
Sources: KEIM silicate paint overview, KEIM Interior Mineral Paint, Earthborn Silicate Masonry Paint guidance, and Romabio Masonry Flat mineral paint.
Painters who used silicate paint
Explore a muralist in the PaintZeal reference who pioneered silicate-based paint as a durable outdoor artistic medium.
Silicate paint articles
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