K-Rend application process

K-Rend is a pre-mixed, silicone based, organic resin render and the K-Rend application process is straightforward as it is ready to use. Some variants are applied by hand, others by machine. Both result in an attractive low-maintenance finish in a variety of colours and textures. Depending on the block work being covered, K-Rend can be applied using a two coat or one coat process.

K Rend Silicone Thin Coat

Silicone Thin Coat coloured renders and primers are suitable for lightweight applications systems such as external wall insulation. They are ready mixed and easy to apply with optimal adhesion. Flexible and water repellent they are durable and good looking. A base coat may need to be applied, which will need 24 hours to dry.

Machine Application

Spray application is quick and easy as K-Rend products are easy to control with minimal overspray. The following products are suitable for application with an M-Tec spray machine: Silicone Spray E Grade, K1 Spray, Overcoating Silicone Dash, Silicone Spray Dash, Silicone Tyrolean, Standard UF Base, UF Fibre Base, HP12 and HPX Base.

Scraping

Scraping should be done when the render has set but hasn't hardened fully. If a thumb press meets resistance and doesn't leave a print but a thumb nail can scratch the surface, it's ready. We scrape lightly in a circular motion, removing 1-2 mm, scraping all areas at the same time for a uniform finish.

One Coat / Finish Coat

If applying one coat directly on to block work we apply in two passes - 6-8mm then 12-14mm. After setting, we scrape 2mm off to achieve a minimum 16mm coat to prevent ghosting. For a finish coat on top of a base coat, we apply a thickness of 10mm for each coat and we take care to avoid small hollows.

Scaffold

Scaffolding will be erected across the face to be covered throughout the process to allow - if required - initial wetting of the surface, application of a base coat, then finish coat, followed by scraping. For this reason, if hiring scaffolding, make sure you allow for extra days, particularly if the weather may not be compliant. We ensure, particularly if applying by spray machine, that scaffolding boards are placed so as to allow swift, unimpeded access to the whole surface to be rendered. This prevents uneven drying times. If it is necessary to wet the block work before application, this can be done before scaffolding is erected, as long as it is put up quickly enough to prevent the surface drying out.

K Rend Base Coats

Depending on the type of surface being covered a primary coat can be applied to substrates to prepare for the second, finish coat. It is of paramount importance that the base coat should be straightened with a darby / straight edge to make sure the second coat can be applied to a uniform level.

A light key is required, allow 24 hours curing before applying the finish coat. All K-Rend base coats, with the exception of HP14, can be applied by M-Tec spray machine. We apply base coats be applied to the correct thickness as specified in the full product specification.

Selected Finish

There are over 20 different colours to choose from in the K-Rend range and a number of finishes. Silicone Tyrolean is applied using a hand-operated Tyrolean gun or open-hopper spray machine over a base coat. We apply this in several passes to build up a honeycomb finish. K-Rend Brick Rend requires a base coat - 8-10mm - then a second 8-10mm coat of Brick Mortar, followed by a final coat of Brick Face Coat - 3-5mm. Then we cut through this final coat to reveal the mortar coat below, creating a low-maintenance brick effect. K-Rend Mineral Thin Coat also requires two previous coats - base and primer. We apply it with a stainless steel float then rub up with a plastic float to create the texture.

Clean Surrounding Area's

To achieve the best finish, ensure that surrounding sources of water overspray such as down-pipes, sills, quoins etc. do not allow water to come on to the surface. Be aware that drying conditions will vary according to the weather and that the process must cater for the prevailing conditions. In cold weather, we'll finish early enough in the day to allow time for setting to have begun, to avoid frost damage. In hot weather, we start on the most shaded side of the building then move round, following the sun. When rendering we are very careful when removing scaffolding and other equipment to avoid denting or breaking the surface of the render. We'll also make sure, when dismantling scaffolding, that water doesn't accidentally fall on setting render. We don't stop there, we clean the faces and site in general after applying any render, as it's important to us that customers are happy.