Creative Filling Techniques

Concrete effect, rust look, metallic surfaces - individual, handmade surfaces are more popular than ever.

Industry has a wide range of creative filling techniques available to the craftsman. Anyone who attended master school in the 1970s or 1980s was guaranteed to have tried a smoothing technique at some point. Back then, that was simply part of it. The basis was mostly thickened latex paints that were tinted with solid colors.

Creative filling techniques

A lot has happened on the paint market since then. The creative shelves of the manufacturers are well filled with creative spatula techniques of a special kind, for example for

• classic dispersion-based smoothing techniques,
• mineral plasters,
• Lime pressing techniques,
• Imitation marble and
• metallic surfaces with gold and silver as well as rust optics.

Great scope for design

The effects that can be achieved with these materials could not be more different. They range from rustically structured, matt plasters to mirror-smooth, high-gloss surfaces. Sometimes both the dull matt and glossy surfaces can be produced with the same material, depending on the processing method chosen by the craftsman.

Technical information sheets

When selecting the suitable material, the technical data sheets are an important guide. They contain numerous details, including:

• Brief description and binder base, material properties such as gloss level and available colors
• suitable substrates and recommended substrate preparation
• required work steps, consumption and drying times
• Delivery form, container sizes and information on disposal

This data is not only important for processing but also for calculation. It is advisable to read the leaflets carefully. Some materials have to rest for several days after tinting before they can be processed. If you ignore this, you get into trouble - and not just in terms of time. On the other hand, if you take the technical information to heart, you will quickly find the optimal material for your purposes. This makes it even easier to respond individually to customer requests. Depending on the underground situation, surface requirements and the customer's budget, they receive a tailor-made solution - craftsmanship from the professional.

Application example of a slate imitation with Zero-Lack MagicTouch

Slate imitation with MagicTouch zero lacquer 1. Full surface filling in slate color RAL 790-M using a Venetian trowel. This can compensate for unevenness of up to two millimeters. Slate imitation with MagicTouch Zero-Lacquer 2. After drying, divide the stone or tile-like fields with adhesive tape according to your requirements. Imitation slate with Zero-Lacquer MagicTouch 3. Apply Zero MagicTouch diagonally close together in batches of one centimeter high and ten centimeters long. Slate imitation with Zero-Lacquer MagicTouch 4. Slightly smooth the chunks while still fresh. This creates the typical slate surface. Slate imitation with MagicTouch 5 zero lacquer. After the desired look has been achieved, the adhesive tapes must be removed from the slightly tightened mass in good time.

In the appendix you will find a market overview with over 60 creative filling techniques - including the current technical information sheets, product information and processing videos if available. Products from the following manufacturers are listed: Alligator, Ardex, Brillux, Caparol, Chemische Werke Kluthe, Claytec, Diessner, Dinova, Dracholin, Fema, Frescolori, Jaegerlacke, Keimfarben, Kreidezeit, Lesando, Oikos, Setta, Sto, Tierrfino, Volimea, Zero -Paint.

Josef Schneider

Photos: ZERO-Lack

Source: Malerblatt 09/2014