Rubber paint: all the subtleties of choice and application

Rubber paint is a water-acrylic polymer based paint and varnish containing various synthetic components that provide excellent performance of the mixture. The main feature is the absence of a solvent in the composition, which makes the dye non-toxic, without a specific unpleasant odor. This difference allows painting work in poorly ventilated areas without a threat to health. It is characterized by ease of handling and can be used on almost any type of surface. Although the paint is called rubber, it does not contain this component. The fact is that when solidified, it forms an elastic soft coating, which looks similar to rubber.

The basic composition of rubber paint includes the following substances:

• latex, which gives the composition strength and plasticity;
• water is a binder (about 5%);
• coalescent responsible for film formation;
• a preservative that imparts antiseptic properties to the solution;
• antifreeze that provides frost resistance;
• additives in the form of pigments and other additives responsible for various properties, including color.

The main positive qualities of rubber paint include the following:

• used for both internal and external work, can be used for painting a car;
• has excellent adhesion, firmly adheres to the working surface at the molecular level;
• applied to various types of surfaces: metal, wood, concrete, plastic and others;
• does not require a special tool for work, it is applied with a brush, roller, spray gun or in another way;

• sets quickly and hardens completely;
• the warranty period without disturbing the texture for the painted surface is 10 years;
• the surface layer is elastic, does not collapse from stretching upon heating and compression upon cooling;
• resistance to mechanical stress and vibration without consequences for the structure of the coating;

• resistance to temperature extremes and direct exposure to ultraviolet rays, does not fade and does not fade;
• the paint is waterproof and completely prevents water penetration through the painted layer;
• a wall painted with such paint "breathes", which, firstly, does not impede air circulation and, as a result, the room does not become stuffy, and secondly, moisture does not accumulate in the wall, therefore it does not damp;

• forms a rough surface. This quality is advisable when painting floors, especially in places where children play;
• clear instructions for use;
• the substances that make up the paint do not have a toxic effect on health, for example, like fumes from other types of paint;
• relatively affordable price range. Taking into account the service life and positive qualities, this paint is more profitable than acrylic and vinyl dyes, which have similar qualities.

Negative traits include:

• strict requirements for adherence to staining technology, especially for the preparation of the working surface;
• if the paint is applied in a thick layer, then it is likely to peel off.

Wear-resistant waterproofing rubber paint can be produced, for example, in cans, liquid, shimmery, with crumbs, etc.Quite often, it is the rubberized aerosol spray paint that is used. This aerosol is very convenient to use.

Rubber paint adheres well to various types of surfaces, for example:

• concrete and brick;
• metal, including galvanized;
• slate;

• wooden;
• plastic;
• plaster and others.

Rubber paint is sold as a ready-made solution in buckets with the following packaging options in relation to tare volume / weight:

• 1 l / 1.2 kg;
• 2.5 l / 3.5 kg;
• 4 l / 6 kg;
• 8.5 l / 12 kg;
• 30 l / 40 kg.

The rubber paint is available in the following colors:

• white;
• blue;
• light green;
• beige;
• yellow;

• blue;
• brick;
• green;
• cherry;
• black and other colors.

If necessary, the color can be changed by adding a tinting additive - pigment.

Extremely durable paint must be chosen carefully.

When choosing a rubber paint, there are a number of features to consider:

• For work on what type of surface the dye is chosen. In addition to the standard set of components, additives that enhance various properties can be included in the rubber paint. So, the option with an increased antiseptic content will be appropriate when working on wood and is useless on a metal surface.

• Quality certificate. Rubber paint has a complex composition and must be produced according to the established technology. The counterfeit and artisanal product is very different from the standardized mixture for the worse.
• Shelf life. Any ready-made mixture has a strictly limited time to use before becoming unusable. This time interval varies depending on the presence of special additives in the composition.

The following properties of the composition can be distinguished:

• Adhesion. Molecules of the acrylic base penetrate into the structure of the surface substance and ensure their reliable adhesion. This property allows you to effectively apply rubber paint to all types of surfaces.
• Fluidity. This property determines the uniform distribution of paint on the working surface with the leveling of defects of various levels and the creation of a smooth canvas.

• Thermoplasticity. Provides resistance to temperature extremes without loss of positive qualities, changes in the composition of the mixture and destruction of the hardened layer. The permissible temperature range is approximately -50 ° C to + 70 ° C.
• Water vapor permeability. Provides gas exchange in the painted surface, allows moisture to evaporate. As a result, the walls "breathe", the processed material does not damp and does not collapse.
• Plastic. The hardened layer can withstand repeated stretching without destroying its integrity, and the "memory" of the material provides a return to its original shape.

• Water resistance. The painted surface is highly waterproof and corrosion protected.
• Fast hardening. Reduces the time for finishing work. The setting speed of the layer is approximately 2 hours, depending on the specific composition.
• UV resistant.
• Reduced slip. The surface of the hardened layer is rough, which leads to a wide range of applications of rubber paint on surfaces wetted with water, thus reducing the risk of injury to a specific area.

• Ease of use. The paint is applied using any profile tool; it does not require special skills to work.
• Strength. The hardened layer is highly resistant to mechanical stress, vibration, and, in some subspecies, to intense friction.
• Environmental friendliness. The absence of a solvent in the paint, as well as inert components determine its non-toxicity. Also, the dye does not exude an unpleasant irritating odor.

The scope of use of rubber paint may differ according to the place of its use:

• For facade work.Rubber dye is an excellent choice if you need to update the appearance of a building, and its properties allow you to use it on brick, concrete and stone walls of houses, in addition, such a choice of cladding compares favorably in financial terms.
• For painting various house barriers. The main perimeter fence or small dividing structures inside the site, painted with rubber paint, will improve the aesthetic appearance and receive complete protection from the negative effects of the environment.

• Roofs made of various types of materials, such as slate or galvanized steel. Slate roofs painted with rubber paint look good, their service life is significantly increased due to the protective properties of the dye, and asbestos dust stops getting into the air, remaining under a strong layer of dye. Galvanized roofs will receive excellent corrosion protection, and zinc is one of the best surfaces for applying rubber paint. The hardened layer does not fade or peel off from direct exposure to sunlight.
• Pool or artificial lake. Rubber paint is excellent for waterproofing small bodies of water.

• Objects for children's pastime. The absence of solvents and inert components make the rubber paint completely non-toxic, which is especially appropriate in childcare facilities such as kindergartens and schools, as well as in recreational areas such as playgrounds, playrooms, etc.
• Bathrooms and kitchens. Places with constantly changing humidity and temperature changes set specific requirements for the paintwork, which rubber paint fully meets both in terms of moisture resistance and resistance to temperature extremes, including the expansion of painted surfaces without destroying the painted layer.

• Paving slabs. Covered with rubber paint, such a track will be protected from the negative effects of environmental factors, plus the surface will not be slippery, which is a significant advantage both in rainy weather and with light icing. At the same time, the paving slabs will acquire a pleasant appearance and will serve for many years without requiring replacement.
• Sports objects. For these places, the property of rubber paint is relevant to resist mechanical stress, to reduce surface sliding. And the pleasant appearance of a treadmill or tennis court will cheer up not only athletes, but also spectators. When choosing a paint, it is important to opt for a material with increased resistance.

• Steam rooms, baths. In rooms of this kind, moisture resistance and non-toxicity play an important role in the choice of finishing materials.
• Protection of small structures such as gazebos, verandas, terraces, benches, picnic areas and other outbuildings.
• Updating the appearance of small items. Rubber paint can be used to give a second life to old furniture, various interior items and other things.

By surface material:

• Painting of rough surfaces. Rubber paint fits well on putty and plastered walls, drywall, over glued vinyl and non-woven wallpaper for painting, gypsum, polypropylene, polyurethane foam surface, chipboard, fiberboard and other wood boards.
• Various metal surfaces. Both products such as rims and various containers, doors, crossbars and any other metal objects can be processed.

• Wood. It is primarily advisable to use rubber paint for painting wooden objects because of its moisture protection properties. Even if moisture seeps through any hole, the swollen wood will not destroy the painted surface due to the unique elasticity of the dye, which can expand several times when frozen. And vapor permeability will allow the painted surface to dry.
• Concrete surfaces.Due to its specificity, it is saturated with moisture, concrete can become a source of dampness and fungal mold, and rubber paint completely solves this problem due to its high moisture resistance. Moisture that got inside the concrete from the unpainted side will evaporate at a positive temperature due to its good vapor permeability, so the wall or floor can be easily "dried" under the influence of a positive temperature.

By negative impact:

• Application in places with high humidity. One of the strongest advantages of rubber paint is its moisture resistance, combined with good adhesion to any type of surface.
• Painting in closed or poorly ventilated areas. Since the paint contains no solvent, its use is possible in conditions in which other types of dyes can only be used in special protection. This, in particular, carrying out painting work in winter, in rooms without windows, for example, basements, places with poor ventilation, etc.

• Reduced slip of surfaces. In various situations, when moisture gets on the floor, it becomes slippery, for example, the area around the pool, canopies, ramps, sloping pedestrian areas in the rain, etc.
• Prevention of cracks. Any surfaces made of various materials that are under a specific negative impact can be coated with rubber paint. It resists mechanical stress well and partially dampens vibration, which largely contributes to the formation of cracks.
• Application in places with constant temperature drops. Due to its elasticity, rubber paint is able to expand without destroying the integrity of the surface, and then shrink without forming stretch marks, for example, near stove equipment, gas stoves, fireplaces, roofs in the sun, etc.

The main factor in the durability of the coating is full compliance with the application technology. Proper surface preparation is critical when working with rubber paint. If strict rules are not followed, despite all the excellent performance, the coating will quickly deteriorate.

To obtain a high-quality surface layer of rubber paint, follow these steps:

• Cleaning. All unnecessary substances, such as dirt, rust, dust, mildew, and previous finishing coat must be removed from the work surface. Also, before starting, it is worth degreasing materials with a smooth surface: metal, gypsum, plastic and others.

• Elimination of large defects. If there are small cracks on the surface, this is not essential, but large ones should be dealt with separately. A putty or other appropriate product can be used. It is also worth sanding any protrusions, otherwise they will be reflected in the finished layer. If the surface is very smooth, for example, glossy, to improve the adhesion of the paint, you need to rub the surface with coarse sandpaper, and then wash the surface with dissolved baking soda.
• Additional protection. Depending on the type of surface and its specifics, after cleaning, additional filling, priming, treatment with an antiseptic, antipyretic or other substances can be carried out to give the material the desired qualities.

• Application tool. Apply rubber paint with a spray gun, roller or brush.
• Specificity of applying a layer. It is imperative to apply paint in 2-3 thin layers, since when applying one layer, there is a high probability of peeling off the entire coating. The next layer is applied only after the previous one has completely dried, on average it is 1.5-2 hours. The topcoat dries from 2 to 3 hours, but some manufacturers recommend waiting about a day. This indicator also varies from external factors: humidity and air temperature.

General guidelines for working with rubber paint:

• the temperature of the room in which the work is performed must not be lower than + 5 ° С;
• after opening the container with the dye and starting painting, it is recommended to periodically stir the solution, this will ensure uniformity of consistency and, as a result, uniformity of the coating;
• it is not recommended to paint outdoors in windy weather, as well as in rooms with a draft, such phenomena can contribute to the formation of "waves" on the surface of the coating;

• it is recommended to wash the painted surface using detergents at least 7 days after application;
• the solution should be stored in a room with a temperature not lower than 0 ° С, short-term freezing to -20 ° С is possible, for example, during transportation, but after that the mixture should settle for 24 hours at a temperature of about + 25 ° С;
• do not apply paint to the quicklime surface - the paint will simply fall off.

An important step in the selection of rubber paint is the choice of a specific manufacturer of the mixture. So, solutions with a similar purpose and composition, produced at different plants, will have their own specifics and exhibit similar qualities, but with some differences.

Rubber paint is made by many companies from different countries, and here are some of them:

• AKTERM (Russia);
• Super Decor (Russia);
• lasti Dip (USA);

• Rezolux Universal (Russia);
• Rubber Paint (China);
• Farbex (Ukraine);

• Dali (Russia);
• Tikkurila (Finland);

• Jassar (USA);
• Promcolor (Russia);
• Kale (Turkey).

According to customer reviews, the products of the above companies dries quickly, lays down well, it is easy to use, it does not need a solvent, it does not fade in the sun.

Of the shortcomings, the need for a thorough, scrupulous preliminary cleaning of the surface is noted. It is worth painting outdoor surfaces only in sunny weather.

In Russia, the first manufacturer of rubber paint was the Mitsar company from St. Petersburg. This manufacturer has 12 years of experience in the production and sale of paints and varnishes. The Mitsar Rezolux Universal line is still the most profitable choice due to its increased hiding power. Consumption is 120-150 g / m2. In terms of money, this is four times cheaper than another popular paint, Super Décor by Baltikolor.

There are many inexpensive analogues of Mitsar Rezolux Universal on the market. But almost all of them begin to crumble and become covered with cracks in less than a month and even from exposure to sunlight (UV rays). This is a consequence of the presence of styrene-acrylic latex in the composition of inexpensive analogues of Mitsarov paints, which allows to reduce the cost of production. But in the end, instead of rubber paint, the consumer only gets an imitation of it. Therefore, read the composition carefully - for example, Mitsar Rezolux Universal does not use the mentioned type of latex. Therefore, the durable coating lasts up to 10 years.As a result, the coverage from the St. Petersburg company in terms of months will last 120 times longer than slightly cheaper counterparts.

Note that Mitsar paint and varnish materials are often used in complex industries and high-security facilities. The state holding United Shipbuilding Corporation uses the company's materials for painting surface and even underwater parts of military and civilian ships. Kola and Leningrad NPPs - Mitsar enamels with special acid-resistant and anti-corrosion properties were used here.

The vast experience of real application of paint and varnish materials in conditions of extreme atmospheric, chemical, mechanical and other loads allows the manufacturer to constantly improve products for ordinary consumers. Positive feedback on the Mitsar LKM comes, among other things, from the enterprises of the military-industrial complex, where Mitsar delivers within the framework of the State Defense Order. The won tenders of the State Defense Order are the result of the fact that Mitsar's materials meet special requirements for key characteristics (increased corrosion resistance and hiding power, minimum consumption, increased wear resistance). And at the same time they have the lowest price among all analogues.

Rubber paint is most commonly used for painting cars. It is a very long-lasting substance that has a rich color.

Rubber paint is also used for outdoor work. It is resistant to temperature extremes and high humidity.

It is very easy to remove unnecessary dye residues.

For information on how to paint a pool with rubber paint, see the next video.