KEIM mineral paints: The history of an innovative idea.

Keim mineral paints were a Bavarian invention with their roots deep in the
Country's heritage. They are synonymous with the technical refinement and
high quality also found in other products that emanate from this land of
Alps, Kings and Castles. The scientist Adolf Wilhelm Keim successfully
combined waterglass (potassium silicate) with inorganic color pigments to
produce a paint that both penetrates and chemically reacts with the mineral
substrate onto which it is applied. KEIM becomes a part of the surface
whereas organic paints merely form a skin on the surface. This high quality
silicate paint system offers performance, durability, protection and
colorfastness that is not knowingly surpassed. Buildings decorated with KEIM
in the 19th Century are still in excellent condition today.

Amongst such examples are the White Eagle Restaurant, Stein am Rhein and the
City Hall, Schwyz, both of which are in Switzerland and were decorated in
1891; facades in Oslo (1895) and in Traunstein Germany (1891).

Potassium silicate was known of in the Middle Ages and termed Liquor Silicium
but was not exploited because of a lack of production know how and end uses.
Then in 1768 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the prolific German poet and
playwright commented upon his own experiments "what most occupied my spirit
during a longwhile was the so called Liquor Silicium which emerges if one
melts pure quartz sand with an adequate proportion of alkali, whereby a
transparent glass is obtained which melts in connection with oxygen and gives
a beautiful clear liquidity....".

However Goethe was unable to translate his thoughts into any practical uses.
The catalyst for Adolf Keim's development work was King Ludwig I of Bavaria.
This monarch, who is synonymous with the Bavarian Fairytale Castles, had a
great passion for the arts. He longed to have the fine Italian lime fresco
work in his own kingdom but the harsh climate north of the Alps destroyed
such frescos within a short time. Whereupon he appealed to Bavarian
scientists to develop a paint that had a similar appearance to the lime
frescos but also had much greater durability.

The unique solution to these requirements was embodied in Keim's invention -
a liquid -silicate paint that becomes a part of the surface to which it is
applied and binds the color pigment into it as well.
Keim's classical mineral paint enabled him to build his position as the
leading manufacturer of mineral paints for the decoration of facades through
research-based improvements of the product characteristics and widespread
knowledge of the various substrates.

Today's environmental problems have led to increasing demands for
environmentally harmless, long lasting and high quality paints. Keim has
responded to this by providing a large range of mineral-based products. The
successful reapplication of a proven basic concept.

US Agent: Mame Cohalan 302-644-1007
http://www.keimmineralsystems.com/

For U. S. application to masonry facades contact Apple Restoration, Ken
Follett, VP (718) 599-5055 or via e-mail at [log in to unmask] Please be prepared
to provide specific project information, photos, drawings, and specifications.

Attached is a representative graphic of 100 yr. old installations.

][<en Follett