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Fragen und Antworten
Klare, verständliche Antworten auf Ihre Fragen zu Farben von ktCOLOR und zu technischen Themen allgemein, wie zum Beispiel Anwendung und Verbrauch, Dauerhaftigkeit und Inhaltsstoffe, Ökologie und Technik. Thema anklicken, Sie gelangen zur gesuchten Information. Fehlen Ihnen Begriffe oder Themen? Schreiben Sie uns, wir nehmen sie gerne auf.
Archived Colors: Can I get colors from previous collections?
Every color ever produced by kt.COLOR is still available, even if it's no longer in the current collection. We've safely stored the handmade samples and production recipe. Please provide us with the color name, the KT code, and/or the production batch. The batch is the stamped number on the container, beginning with 00 or AA. We can produce the color in any desired quantity starting from one kilogram.
Touch-ups: How to touch up colored areas
Touching wall surfaces often leaves traces of wear. These are especially noticeable on matte and dark colors. You can avoid this problem by
Use satin colours from the outset
remove or repair minor damage
Repair serious damage with a new coat of paint.
Detailed instructions can be found here.
Findings analysis: Have historical samples examined
Microscopic and microchemical examinations provide the precise knowledge of original color schemes required for monument preservation. A tiny sample is sufficient. This method is much more accurate and less prone to error than matching exposed color fields to the supposedly closest NCS reference. Check this out with these images of the color reconstructions in Le Corbusier's Villa La Roche and the Bauhaus Master House Muche-Schlemmer.
In the first analysis step, we examine the sample and provide you with a written summary of the findings.
In the second step, if you wish, we will develop a recipe for your color based on the findings and using the original pigments.
Binders: Which binders does kt.COLOR use?
As much nature as possible. As little petrochemicals as necessary. Maximum amounts of natural pigments. Maximum transparency. These are the foundations of our philosophy.
The natural pigments distinguish our paints from all others. Yet more and more premium paint manufacturers are pretending their paints are natural products and their pigments are natural. Unfortunately, they are allowed to do so. Terms used in the paint industry are not protected, such as mineral paint and natural. Sustainability often means greenwashing. For industry leaders, the binding agent is mineral at most. In Switzerland, the pigment titanium dioxide is even labeled as "renewable or natural" despite its unfavorable carbon footprint. Just like the natural pigments we use, which are truly natural!
Many premium manufacturers have no idea about this. They purchase their binders, have them tinted, and package them beautifully, thereby generating the substantial margins they invest in advertising. For us, this means demanding and providing maximum transparency. The table Finishes Overview provides you with clear information on all the binders in our regular range.
We offer lime casein paints, pure mineral silicate paints and rolled oil paints based on 100% vegetable oil to the preservation of historical monuments in cooperation with kt.COLOR Masters of Colors and our application specialists.
Interior color overview: List of all colors in each finish
This overview shows you the colors we carry in our product range. Find the KT code of the desired color. If the field under the desired finish is empty, ask us if we can produce the color for you. You might be the first. Otherwise, you'll find alternative options.
The facade suitability of the paints can be seen in a second overview. The Y-value in the second column is the measured lightness reflection value (LRV). You may need this for the ETICS manufacturer.
Facade paints: Which colors are possible?
For mineral surfaces, we recommend the mineral kt.COLOR silicate paints. For wood and primed metals, we recommend Linum oil paints.
You can switch to other finishes for facades in the following cases:
For surfaces exposed to splash water or - the Mate silicone resin paint is more elastic and water-repellent.
For brilliant colors that cannot be covered with natural and mineral pigments – Mate silicone resin paints or Satinée acrylic paints allow other weather-resistant pigments.
For monochrome designs with wood and plaster surfaces that are to be designed in the same way, so that the yellowing of the oil paints becomes a problem - the Mate silicone resin paints or Satinée acrylic paints do not yellow.
You can find out which colors in these finishes are weather-resistant and suitable for facades in this Facade Colors Overview. The Y-value in the second column is the measured lightness reflection value (LRV). You may need this for the ETICS manufacturer.
Finishes: What is a finish and what are the differences between finishes from different manufacturers?
The term "finish" means paint, coating, or paint. Finishes are the skin of architecture. They shape the visual impact of your architecture and largely determine the emotional experience of the space.
Finishes consist of pigments and fillers, a binder
, a solvent and additives.
Pigments are crucial for the spatial effect of a color. The higher the dosage, the more powerful the color effect. Our deepest ultramarine blue, for example, contains 85% of the legendary blue pigment.
Machine-mixed paints have a maximum pigment content of 8 to 10%, although 8% is typical for premium manufacturers, according to their own statements. To ensure the paint isn't too thin, the semi-finished products are literally filled with powdery fillers.
At kt.COLOR, we don't work with semi-finished products or standardized pigment pastes. We manufacture each color from scratch in our factory, using only sparkling, grainy, richly colored, or earthy pigments. Our pigments distinguish our finishes from the rest.
Water is our solvent. Only some paints contain other solvents. You can find the exact quantities in the Technical Data Sheets.
The additives ensure good flow, storage stability, defoaming, and drying. They rarely make up more than 1% of the paint mass.
If you would like to know more about the ingredients in colors, you will find modules in every ktCOLOR event and every Masterclass training that will give you in-depth knowledge
Light reference value: What does light reference value mean and where can I find the values?
Dark facade paints are more popular than ever. But how dark can a facade be? The luminosity value is a measure of brightness in percent on the colorimetric Y-scale. The lower the value, the less light is reflected:
A Y value of 0 would be absolutely black – no light is reflected, everything is absorbed.
A Y value of 100 would be absolutely white – all the light is reflected, nothing is absorbed.
Stone walls tolerate heat well, but external thermal insulation composite systems cannot dissipate the energy, so they must not be designed too dark. Most ETICS manufacturers do not provide a guarantee for luminosity values of 20 or lower.
You can find the Y values of all ktCOLOR colors in this list. Partner companies can also find this value in the price list next to the color name.
Glazes: Diluting glazes correctly
With glazes, you can create surfaces that allow the underlying surface to shine through. The structure shines through, and as a coating, they have a decorative effect. Opaque paints, on the other hand, blend with the architecture and therefore have a constructive effect.
With the right glazing medium, you can ensure a secure setting of the glaze at any transparency level. The following products should be used:
M035 Emulsion Glazing Medium - Binder for Emulsion and Titanium-Free Emulsion. Dilute paints with 10% water; further dilutions in any ratio with M035 Emulsion Glazing Medium.
M015 Silicate Primer – Special fixative for glazes based on kt.COLOR silicate. Dilute M015 Silicate Primer with an equal amount of water, and add as desired.
M030 Satinée Binder, M050 PUR Gloss Varnish / M054 PUR Semi-Matt Varnish – possible dilutions for Satinée paints.
M030 Satinée glaze medium is more elastic and our recommendation for wall glazes
M050 PUR Gloss Varnish increases the shine. Our recommendation for glossy, hard surfaces
M054 PUR semi-gloss varnish maintains the shine. Our recommendation for matte, hard surfaces
Any mixing ratios possible.
Linseed oil solution – thinner for Linum Oil Paints SG / Linum Oil Paints for exterior use. Thin paints as desired.
LED light: Which light temperature is best?
Which lighting do we recommend for work, bedroom, or exhibition spaces? The best match for color and spatial effects in familiar daylight is with
Light temperatures of at least 3000 and a maximum of 4000 Kelvin
Intensities that are only bright in the work or reading area
Light zones and, equally important, shadow zones
Maximum color rendering values (CRI or RA). Never let anyone tell you they're unimportant. Color rendering is key to object recognition. Values below 90% should not be exceeded. More is better.
Clay paints: Paints for clay plaster
The kt.COLOR emulsion paint belongs to the class of vapor-permeable paints based on mineral substances with minimal organic additives. In particular, it contains 25% silicate clay and only a small amount of synthetic binder, making it particularly breathable and maintaining the moisture-regulating properties of clay plasters. Both the clay plasters and the emulsion have a silicate pore structure, which has a balancing effect on moisture content and the indoor climate.
| Construction | The plaster substrate has been applied as per specifications and is completely dry. The plaster is sound and free of grease and dust. |
| Primer | new, evenly absorbent clay plaster substrates |
| M018 Glue water diluted 1:1 with water, apply and let dry | |
| Moisten the dry surface with water | |
| Apply the first coat wet-on-wet | |
| Undercoat | already coated substrates or uneven or highly absorbent clay plaster substrates |
| M013 Deep primer water-based diluted 3:1 with water | |
| First coat | Apply kt.COLOR emulsion diluted with approx. 10% water |
| Dispersion-free alternative: kt.COLOR Distemper diluted 10% with water | |
| Final coat | Apply kt.COLOR emulsion diluted with approx. 5% water |
| Dispersion-free alternative: kt.COLOR Distemper diluted 10% with water |
Darker shades can be processed more effectively with M021 Propylene Glycol Retarder up to a maximum of 10%. This does not change the moisture-regulating properties of the surfaces, but it does extend drying times. Observe the information in the respective data sheets.
Mineral paints: What is a mineral paint?
Genuine mineral paints bond inextricably with suitable substrates. The most common binding agents are lime, cement, and water glass, with potassium water glass leading the market. Lithium water glass, the primary material used by kt.COLOR, sets faster and produces richer colors, but it is considerably more expensive and therefore rare.
The term "mineral paint" refers only to the mineral binder. The color-imparting pigments play no role in the classification. True mineral paints, however, require chemically reactive pigments. Only some natural pigments and synthetic inorganic pigments (somewhat confusingly referred to as "mineral") meet this requirement. kt.COLOR prefers natural pigments, such as colored earths, lapis lazuli, or suitable ochre varieties. Furthermore, the lithium silicate binder allows for double the color pigment content compared to potassium silicate, so that even artificial mineral pigments, such as ultramarine, achieve otherwise unattainable depths with kt.COLOR.
Since around 1980, dispersion-modified mineral paints or organosilicate paints have become widely accepted. According to German Industrial Standard 18363, industrially produced mineral paints made from potassium silicate and artificial mineral pigments may contain a maximum of 5% organic binder. For kt.COLOR, the dispersion content is slightly higher depending on the color, because the setting of more highly pigmented paints requires higher binder contents (water glass and dispersion). The kt.COLOR silicate paint belongs to this category.
Starting around 2002, sol-silicate paints expanded the product range. They contain little to no water glass. These so-called "pre-silicified mineral paints" are actually mineral-based paints that are permeable to diffusion, but require neither chemically reactive substrates nor pigments. They adhere to almost all surfaces. The kt.COLOR Emulsion and Emulsion Titanium-Free belong to this category.
Furniture varnish: Spray dilute Satinée paints
For environmentally friendly, high-quality spray-applied topcoats on wood and wood-based materials, finishing kt.COLOR Satinée paints with the M056 Acrylic 2K Matt Varnish has proven successful for years for office furniture, kitchen cabinets, and interior design. The matte surface is durable and exhibits no color shift compared to unprotected Satinée paints. Other beneficial properties include excellent scratch resistance, good chemical resistance, and fast drying.
Satinée paints are thinned in the paint shop with M021 propylene glycol retarder. Alternatively, Satinée paints can be purchased ready-to-use, thinned for spraying. kt.ColOR charges a flat rate for this dilution.
You can find the most important instructions in the leaflet KTC_TM_Satinée_M056.
NCS translations: Are there NCS codes for the kt.COLOR colors?
Colors are three-dimensional carriers of effect. Translations of our colors, which are made from more than 120 pigments and optimized for tactile qualities, into system colors (RAL, NCS, etc.), whose shades are created from a few artificial pigments and only reproduce the color tone, sacrifice the third dimension. These translations appear flat and gray, whereas the originals from kt.COLOR are deep, sparkling, and stony.
Color concepts that are implemented with mixed colors lack the harmony that comes from complementary mixtures.
The kt.COLOR original colors cannot be localized on the NCS/RAL system color bodies.
Light switches or powder-coated components should be implemented using authentic materials or with achromatic, slightly darker colors.
Pigment colors: What are pigment colors?
Katrin Trautwein, founder of the Swiss paint manufacturer ktCOLOR, gives three reasons for using pigment paints in construction:
1.
Matte paints consist of 70-80% pigments. These pigments determine the architectural effect of paints.
2.
The eye can tell whether something is authentic and made from natural raw materials or a mix of artificial raw materials. Even if the color is the same.
3.
Pigment colors are more natural and sustainable than colors made from artificial tinting pastes.
The ktCOLOR range includes 180 pigment colors. Color concepts with pigment colors are created according to logical and material criteria that harmonize light, color material, and space.
RAL 9010 or RAL 9016: Which is better?
Regardless of the manufacturer, RAL 9016, NCS S 0500-N, and RAL 9010 appear flat, diffuse, and visually taxing. For matte wall and ceiling surfaces, it's worth using sparkling natural pigments and vibrant colors that play with the light. After switching, you'll wonder how you ever endured living in bright RAL 9010 rooms for so long.
In new construction, you can try having the matching kt.COLOR paint sprayed on door panels, window frames, etc. Some general contractors do not allow this. In this case, the following recommendations apply:
RAL 9010 is very restrictive and is not recommended.
RAL 9016 is achromatic and adapts well to slightly broken, warm white colors such as Bianco gris chaud, Züriweiss, Gris natur, etc.
NCS 1500-N is darker and less obtrusive. If you want to use a bright white, such as porcelain white, it's a good combination.
Paints without titanium dioxide: ecologically and aesthetically superior
Titanium dioxide is the most widely used pigment in the world. But there are three good reasons to prefer paints that contain as little titanium dioxide as necessary, or even better, none at all.
1.
Titanium dioxide is an optical flattener or not a beautiful pigment
2.
It builds up in the fabric, and sanding dust must not be inhaled. This isn't a problem for you, but your craftsmen must wear a mask when sanding paints containing titanium dioxide in the recipe.
3.
Its production is ecologically problematic. Large amounts of acid are produced, and the cradle-to-grave energy balance is unfavorable. The kt.COLOR white pigments Carrara Marble and Rügen White, Champagne White, and Burnt Clay are far superior.
At kt.COLOR, we began removing titanium dioxide from our paints years ago. The Titanium-Free Emulsion, all Pigment Lime products, and many paints in the Emulsion and Silicate finishes do not contain titanium dioxide. The other Emulsion and Silicate paints contain only very small amounts. We set the industry standard in this area, too.
If you're looking for wall or facade paints without titanium dioxide, let kt.COLOR or our partners create a concept with colors that meet your needs. The vibrant effect of your colors will inspire you, and you'll be doing the environment a favor in the process.
Please note that our titanium-free products are processed exclusively by qualified kt.COLOR masters of color.
Surfaces: Which color suits which surface?
This list shows you the common substrates and the finishes you can use on them.
Two stars ** means that this finish is optimally matched to the substrate in terms of building physics.
One star * means that this finish can be used if the two-star solutions are not available for any reason.
Vegan colors: Are kt.COLOR colors vegan?
We carry a pigment in our range that is an upcycled product: Ivory Black. This traditional, deep black pigment is obtained from calcined cattle bones. If you're vegan, use our silicate paints indoors and outdoors. The water glass binder is incompatible with Ivory Black. Dark silicate paints contain black volcanic clay and iron oxide black instead. The volcanic clays are sandy and beautiful, but not as dark as Ivory Black, so we can't produce the eight darkest black colors in the kt.COLOR range in a silicate finish.
Consumption: How much paint do I need?
Eine grobe Schätzung für die Neugestaltung aller Flächen im Raum inkl. Decke lautet:
Amount of paint in kg = 75% of the floor area in square meters
For example, 30 kg of paint for a living space of 40 square meters
A rough estimate for redesigning an area with two coats of paint:
Amount of paint in kg = wall area (height x width) in square meters divided by 4
For example, 6 kg of paint for a wall of 24 square meters
Conversely, you can cover 4 square meters of area with two coats of 1 kg of paint.
These calculations will help you create your budget. kt.COLOR paints cover:
Amount of paint in kg times 4
Wenn es genauer sein muss, finden Sie in dieser Tabelle eine Zusammenfassung der Verbrauchswerte je Finish.
Precise consumption figures must be determined on-site. They depend on the color, design, and surface. However, these estimates are generally a good starting point.
Custom colors: Have colors formulated that are not in our range
Are you looking for a color not in the kt.COLOR range? We draw on our wealth of pigments and experience to tailor a highly customized solution to your needs. You won't get a standard blend of standardized, artificial pigments. We will create a unique, handmade product for you using exclusive pigments. Please allow us two days to create the recipe. The result will completely satisfy you.
Send us a sample of your desired color
We create a recipe and send you a handmade sample (21 x 9 cm) of the color
You accept these or inform us of your adjustment requests
With your consent, we produce the paint in any quantity starting from one kg.
We will charge you a one-time flat rate for working on the recipe.
We reserve the right to agree an hourly rate with you for complex work.
A flat production fee is charged for every production run of 1 to 20 kg. This fee is waived for order quantities of 20 kg or more. Our master colorists and kt.COLOR designers can handle the formulation using color points.