Altamira Mineral Paint
1) Where are the products from?
Altamira Mineral Paint (AMP) products are locally manufactured, proudly Philippine made. However, Altamira is a combination of the best materials from Europe, Asia, and the Philippines to produce a quality product.
2) Can the Altamira finishes be used for both interior and exterior application?
Yes, the final finish is both UV and weather resistant. However, special precautions have to be undertaken when installing in exterior. Avoid direct sunlight or extreme weather conditions. This may cause the paint to dry too quickly.
3) Are there AMPs specifically for floors or for walls?
Not in terms of floors being horizontal and walls vertical but more in exposure to pedestrian traffic, wear and tear. We recommend the use of Scorria Wall Finish and Toscanna Wall Finish for walls, and Ryolitte Finish for ceiling, walls, and floor.
4) Where can we apply Altamira Mineral Finishes?
AMP can be applied on substrates of Fully Cured Concrete, Old / New Concrete, Masonry / Plaster finish, Smooth / Rough Finish, Concrete blocks / bricks, Concrete precast units, Fiber Cement boards, Gypsum Boards, and EIFS. The substrate must be fully cured, structurally sound, clean and free from dirt, loose materials, oils and other chemicals.It is not recommended for wood, steel sheets or non-solid surfaces (distempers, lime washers, oil paints and varnishes).
5) Can we apply AMP on previously painted substrates?
For previously painted walls, it is recommended to remove or sand down old paint to expose the substrate underneath. Remove loose paint by scraping off with a wire brush or spatula. Wash or wipe clean powder residue. Allow to dry.
6) Can you apply AMP over freshly laid concrete topping or plaster?
Ideally, it is best to wait till the substrate has fully cured (28 days) prior to installation. However, we may recommend waiting at least seven (7), to allow plaster to settle and potential problems to come out such as cracking. Cracks in the plaster need to be repaired and allowed to cure before applying AMP. For plaster repair, we recommend using Bison Tile Adhesive.
7) What stage of the construction process is it recommended for AMP application?
The system of application of AMP is very quick, so to prevent downtime, we recommend that application of AMP start when the structure is about 90% complete, painting works only job left on-site. All electricals, water systems, etc are already in place, and plastered over.
8) Can you mix various Altamira Mineral Paint colors to come up with a different shade or color?
We do not recommend it. AMP are blended and mixed using highly sophisticated factory mixing and dispersing equipment. To manually mix AMP will not disperse pigments properly and may result in inconsistent shades and color migration.
9) Is the Altamira Mineral Finish water resistant?
Yes, it is. It has incorporated water resistance properties that protect it from algae growth. However, expect the finish to darken when exposed to water, but will revert back to its original color once dried.
10) What will happen if it rains during or a few hours after application?
When applying in EXTERIOR: Exposure to rain must be avoided preferably for at least 24 hours. If unavoidable, be ready with a tarp to cover or protect your newly applied AMP. When applying in INTERIOR: AMP performance will not be affected by weather conditions. However, expect that drying time may take longer.
11) If there is an error in application, how do we patch/repair?
Unfortunately, it is difficult to patch / repair a section of the wall. Apply a fresh coat over the entire panel / wall. We strongly recommend that the structure must be about 90% complete prior to applying AMP
12) May I add water to the AMP mixture in the pail if it is no longer soft or tacky, and it’s past it’s potlife?
No, discard the AMP mortar, and mix a new batch. Adding water may affect the color of the finish. Do not mix newly prepared AMP mortar with an old mix to extend potlife. Do not add water to the old mix to extend potlife.