Sprayed cork – technology and application

Recommendation points

• Applications of liquid cork
• Cork Coating Instructions
• Material selection
• Equipment required for work
• Surface preparation for cork coating
• Preparation of working solution
• Material application
• Cork maintenance and care

The article discusses the technology and possibilities of using a sprayed cork coating. The products of well-known manufacturers are analyzed, and the process of applying material to the surface is analyzed step by step: from equipment preparation to the final result.

Liquid Cork is a mixture of acrylic binder, natural cork chips and water. The material is applied using a spray method that provides a seamless coating of surfaces of any configuration. Good adhesion of the cork mortar allows it to be used on a variety of substrates: wood, concrete, plaster, metal, plastic or glass.

Mixing ratio:

• 87–90% – cork granules;
• 3-5% – stabilizers and binders;
• about 8% – solvent (water).

Applications of liquid cork

1. Thermal insulation of walls, floors, ceilings, facades, roofs, doors.
2. Sound insulation of the internal space of the premises.
3. Waterproof protection for roofs, plinths, pools.
4. Interior decorative cladding.
5. Condensation protection of pipelines.
6. Anti-corrosion treatment of metal surfaces.
7. Sealing of duct connections.
8. Filling gaps in structures made of various materials.
9. Anti-static electricity.

Cork Coating Instructions

On the technical side, coating surfaces with a liquid cork is a technology available for do-it-yourself execution. Let’s figure out what is needed for this.

Material selection

The calculation of the required amount of the composition is based on the fact that for finishing 1 sq. m of surface in two layers about 1.5-2 kg of cork mortar.

Comparative table of products from different manufacturers

Name	Features:	Packing, kg	Price per kg, rub.
“Nanocork universal”	Natural balsa color	12	320
“Nanokork facade”	Possibility of tinting	340
“Nanocork refractory”	Weakly flammable material class G1	380
Cap-Cor R-4	Interior decoration	ten	390
Cap-Cor R-6	Facade cladding	420
Cap-Cor R-8	Roof protection	450
“Izokork Universal”	Imported components, 10 years warranty	12	320
“Izokork Facade”	330
“Izokork Fireproof”	350
Isocork-Econom Wagon	Russian binder, 6 years warranty	20	225
Isocork-Econom Facade	235
Suber plast	Three crumb sizes (mm): <1.5 / <3 / >3	12	300

The spray color can be natural, like cork, or it can be changed by the dye during the stirring step. The price of a bottle of white, beige and red paste is about 500 rubles. per liter, and green and blue – 800 rubles. Dye consumption – 1 liter per 12 kg of liquid cork.

The dried surface of the cork coating is also suitable for painting with water-based solutions.

Equipment required for work

The choice of equipment for spraying liquid cork depends on the scope of work and the availability of the treated surface:

1. The minimum set is a household or industrial compressor (3–5 bar) and a special putty gun. Suitable for home use and neat application of material in hard-to-reach areas.
2. Professional – Installation Universal MP-100: specially designed for working with cork composition. The unit is used for interior decoration and cladding of small structures.
3. Industrial (maximum performance) – the Universal MP-120 model allows you to quickly cover large areas of facades and roofs. Provides the supply of working staff up to 50 sq. m, and rise – up to 25 m in height.

To stir the composition, use a paddle mixer or drill with an appropriate attachment. The material is applied by spraying, therefore, work should be done with a respirator and goggles.

Table. Equipment prices

Model	Description	Specifications	Price, rub.
Wester KP-10	Texture pistol (cartouche)	Replaceable nozzles	2100
Aurora Breeze-8	Piston compressor	8 bar	9700
Fubac 170039	Air hose	Length 20 m	1600
MP80 Universal	Spray systems are equipped with a gun, funnel, hose set and remote control cable.	6 l / min	150,000
MP100 Universal	12 l / min	190,000
Skil 1608	Construction mixer	Up to 30 l	4500
Pro	Stirring attachment for drill	Length 58 cm	260

Surface preparation for cork coating

1. The base is cleaned from the remains of paint and finishing materials.
2. Oily and greasy stains can be removed with a solvent.
3. A heavily soiled surface is washed with soapy water.
4. Cracks are opened and filled with a cement or gypsum-based compound.
5. Plaster substrates are primed with a water-soluble compound.
6. Elements that cannot be covered with cork are covered with paper or polyethylene for protective purposes.

The surfaces to be treated may be slightly damp, but not wet. Do not apply the material to dust, old peeling coatings. It is not necessary to eliminate small depressions and protrusions – the cork layer well hides small defects.

Preparation of working solution

The contents of a plastic bucket with cork mortar are mixed with a construction mixer until a homogeneous consistency is achieved. With prolonged storage, the composition may thicken, dilution is done with plain water. The liquid is added in small portions, while mixing (it is allowed to add within 1 liter per 12 kg).

Attention! Excess water reduces the quality of the mix.

The prepared mixture is tested in a small area: the solution must be kept flat and not densely saturated.

Material application

Work begins with setting the optimum air pressure – usually a pressure of 2-3 atmospheres is used. A higher one leads to the bouncing of particles from the plane, and if it is too low, irregularities and defects are formed..

During the spraying process, the gun is held at a distance of 30–60 cm from the surface. The hand makes uniform movements without pauses, applying the product with a uniform base layer about 1.5 mm thick. In the next few hours, the material dries up and its shade changes, which makes it possible to identify places of heterogeneous spraying.

The second layer (2.5–3 mm) is a fixing one and is applied after 4–6 hours, eliminating possible errors. Working tools are cleaned immediately after use.

Attention! Fresh cork composition is susceptible to destruction by rain or hail, therefore, outdoor decoration is carried out taking into account the weather forecast or protective sheds are arranged.

Cork maintenance and care

Thanks to the content of a natural antimicrobial substance (tannin) in the cork, mold and rot never appear on it. Even dust, due to its antistatic properties, does not linger on the coating. If you have to remove various types of contaminants from the cork, remember the following rules:

1. Surfaces can be wiped with a damp cloth, cleaned with a washing vacuum cleaner and use a water jet from the garden hose.
2. Cork can be brushed with non-abrasive products.
3. Grease stains are rubbed off with turpentine, ethyl or ammonia.
4. Stubborn dirt is removed with fine-grained emery paper.
5. Damaged spots are repaired with a cork repair kit.

The disadvantage of sprayed cork coating is considered to be weak resistance to mechanical damage (even a fallen hammer can crack it). However, this is compensated by the good maintainability of the material: the damaged area is easily restored with the same liquid plug..

As a result, on the treated surface, we get a “breathable” cladding consisting of 90% natural components, resistant to ultraviolet radiation, water, acids and temperature extremes.

According to manufacturers, the service life of the sprayed cork coating reaches 20–25 years. There is no practical confirmation of this yet, since this material has appeared recently. It remains to believe in laboratory tests and use the once “elite” products now.