Konstrukt Construction Chemicals makes your construction project prep a breeze. The brand carries items such as skimcoats, renders, putties, tile adhesives, and other products that make life easier prior to the application of paint or other products. But, did you know that you can also use some Konstrukt products as a decorative finish? Yes, that’s right! We’ve made it official and launched the Konstrukt Lunar Series.
The collection consists of nine industrial cement finishes—Kavern, Koastal, Kaza, Koral, Korona, Kaiser, Kashmir, Kanyon, and Kohl. For this installation, we’re tackling the Koral finish.
What is Koral?
As the name suggests, this finish looks like the coral pieces that wash up on the beach. Battered by the waves and sand, the tiny craters that make up the surface of these coral are weathered down. Every coral looks unique. Some might have had a rougher journey to get to shore, creating smoother edges and gentler shapes. Like its namesake, the Koral finish was designed to have soft and roughened areas. Retain its cement colour for a bleached look or tint its topcoat with a little bit of colour for an interesting accent wall in your living space.
Working with Konstrukt products may not come as easy as using regular paint on your walls. It is better to seek the help of a seasoned or trained professional for this project. Also, due to the nature of the Konstrukt products used for this finish, this can only be applied to interiors.
The Project Checklist
To recreate this look, you’ll need the following products:
- Konstrukt Permaplast K-210 2K Skimcoat Part A (liquid)
- Konstrukt Permaplast K-210 2K Skimcoat Part B (powder)
To protect your finish, use these:
- Boysen Matte Shield B-4600
- Boysen Latex Colors (Optional)
Aside from the usual renovation items like rags and ladders, you’ll need these as well:
How to Prep your Walls
Before you start, always make sure that the walls you’ll be applying this look to is prepped properly. Remove any honeycomb and loose concrete. Check and repair all surface defects such as cracks or gaps with corrective civil works. Waterproof as necessary. Make sure to dust off any dirt and that the surface is dry. Also, it’s always a good idea to do the project when the weather is great. It helps with the product’s cure time and it’s good for ventilation during the whole process. Always remember that these products should be applied over bare concrete.
How to Achieve the Koral Faux Finish
Step 01: Mix a gallon of K-210 2K Skimcoat Part A (liquid) and 8 Liters of fresh water in a clean plastic or aluminum container. After mixing, divide the contents into two containers to avoid overflow and make it easier to use.
Step 02: Pour the 28 kilogram bag of K-210 2K Skimcoat Part B (powder) into both containers in equal parts. Stir the mixture using a mixing device until they’re both free from any lumps. The mixtures should be used within a 1- to 2-hour working time. Do not add any other materials into the mixture.
Step 03: Apply the mixture thinly on the surface by pressing the edge of the steel trowel firmly on the concrete until all areas are covered. Let the first coat dry for at least an hour before applying the second coat.
Step 04: Load some product onto the surface by using a steel trowel then run through the applied product using a spaghetti roller to create a textured surface. The spaghetti roller creates a really nice pattern that’s unique to the Koral finish. Let it dry for at least an hour then do some light sanding on the textured surface to even out some of the stiff peaks that will have formed.
Step 05: Make sure that the surface is clean from any sanding debris before the application of the third coat. Depending on the look you want, you can either use a steel trowel or a putty knife. Apply the mixture in random strokes to achieve the desired finish. There is no need to neutralize the surface.
Step 06: The Konstrukt line of products were designed for surface preparation use. To protect the finish you just created, it’s important to coat it with an additional topcoat. Let the application cure for at least 7 days before the application of Boysen Matte Shield B-4600.
Do not use latex paint as topcoat for this finish.
How to Protect your Koral Finish
Boysen Matte Shield is a clear coat that dries to a low-luster finish. You can preserve the cement color of Koral by using Matte Shield straight out of the can. If you want a touch of color, tint Matte Shield using some Boysen Latex Colors (water-based colorants). That’s around a maximum of one-quart (1/4 Liter) of colorant for every 1 gallon of Matte Shield. Apply the topcoat with a sponge to achieve a faded look.
Tag us on Instagram (@boysenpaintsphilippines) if you try this out! If you have any other questions about Konstrukt Lunar Series, send us an email at ask@myboysen.com. We’d love to hear from you!
