It’s that time of year when we regularly get asked: “Do we scrape same day or next day?”
In all honesty, it’s a tough question, as all renders have slightly different setting times. Products such as K Rend, Parex render and other monocouche render systems can all behave differently depending on the weather, background, thickness and how early the material has gone on.
I understand the eagerness to move to same-day scrapes, but it’s not something that can be rushed. Trying to scrape back wet, sticky render with a render scarifier can pull the face of the material, throw off the colour and leave rough texturing issues that are difficult to put right.
As a general rule, if the air is dry and temperatures are predicted to stay in double figures from the minute you start until the end of the day, your render may be good to scratch the same day. That said, expect a late finish if temperatures are at the lower end of that scale. Get the pumps and trowel working early too.
Before scraping, always check the render has firmed up properly. A render scarifier should remove the surface evenly without dragging, smearing or clogging. If the material is still soft underneath, it’s usually better to leave it rather than risk damaging the finish.
The same applies whether you’re working with K Rend one coat render, Parex one coat render or another through-coloured monocouche system. Weather, suction and application timing will all affect when the surface is ready.
If you like more specific advice on the K Rend or Parex products we supply then please feel free to contact us.
I don't normally do reviews as applicators tend to like what they like but I felt the need to write a bit about the new K Rend Silicone K1 because I rarely get such good feedback from my customers from a product as I have over the past few months than I have with this one, so I decided to get onto site to see it for myself.
I've seen it running through Ritmo and G4 spray machines as well getting hand applied applied by some of the guys who were staunch users of the Silicone FT and I've got to say I was pretty much blown away! Anyone who's traditionally used silicone mineral renders will tell you that they aren't as easy to apply as the other standard renders on the market, including those from K Rend themselves and I'd have to agree. They are usually harder to mix, dusty and heavy under the trowel or straight edge with a tendancy to split if not mixed correctly.
That is no longer the case with the silicone K1! Through the pumps you honestly can't tell the difference from the standard K1 and those who hand apply will be pleased to know that you too can have a light, fluffy and easy to manipulate render as your machine hugging colleagues tend to hog!
K Rend K1 Silicone is a through-coloured monocouche render designed for external walls. As part of a silicone render system, it offers improved water resistance while still allowing the wall to breathe properly. That’s one of the reasons silicone rendering has become so popular on modern residential and commercial projects.
Compared to traditional sand and cement finishes, K Rend K1 Silicone provides a more consistent decorative finish with less ongoing maintenance. It’s commonly used as a coloured external render because the pigment runs through the material itself, helping reduce the need for painting afterwards.
Another benefit is its ability to cope with UK weather conditions. When applied correctly, it acts as a durable waterproof render for external walls while maintaining flexibility and appearance over time.
Like most silicone rendering products, timing and weather conditions still matter. Good preparation, correct basecoat application and proper scraping times will all affect the final finish. Getting the mix and suction right is just as important as the product itself.
Now, we have a render where customers can have the benefits of K Rends unique silicone enhancements and the applicators don't have to worry that they may be having a late night to get the job done. Everyone who has tried the new Silicone K1 has made the switch from the Silicone FT on the first try of the material! Check out our video below! Thanks to Russ Downing at Lord and Downing Render Systems for allowing me to spend time on site with the guys.
K Rend Silicone K1, 3 floors up flying through PFT G4 Spray machine. Cracking! @KRendRenders pic.twitter.com/05RYdrV2DQ
— Rendit (@RenditLtd) January 27, 2016
Verdict: 5 out of 5!