Work in Progress – The Isle of Man has wonderful historic architecture that often utilised natural sandstone for embellishments and architectural features. Sadly, many features are now lost having suffered catastrophic damage caused by use of incorrect cementicious mortar jointing materials in maintenance and renovation of these buildings over many years.

Such features include portico’s, plaques, string courses, pediments, window surrounds, columns and pliasters to name a few – many of which we simply walk past everyday and not really notice.

Here at Lightfast Ltd., we have been working to help save and preserve these wonderful features – here are a couple of “Works in Progress” featuring KEIM Restauro system.

The Keim Restauro system provides a complete range of products for the cleaning, consolidation, repair and preservation of natural stone. Due to the specialised nature of these products, and the highly sensitive areas of their application, advice must be sought from Keim Mineral Paints.

Restoring damaged natural stone requires appropriate materials and methods in order to retain and protect stone and to reproduce its original appearance.

Natural stone restoration encompasses a range of different measures and processes which may have a preservative, restorative and/or preventive action.

•Stone consolidation
•Stone reinstatement
•Stone replacement
•Stone cleaning
•Water repellent finish
•Coatings

Stone consolidation is a restorative stone preservation measure. The aim of successful stone consolidation is to recreate the original strength of the material.

Stone replacement mortars are used for reconstructing stone. The Keim Restauro range of dry bagged, mineral-based restoration mortars are ideal for repairing damage to natural stone surfaces.

Protection from water or moisture is among the classic stone preservation methods. On impregnation, water repellents penetrate into the surface of the building material, so imparting water repellency. The Keim Restauro range offers various options for providing a water repellent finish on natural stone surfaces with the aim of reducing absorption of water and pollutants:

The low-pigment products from the Keim Restauro range provide ideal unique solutions. Due to its water repellency, Keim Restauro-Lasur, a sol/silicate based, low-pigment coating for natural stone, protects natural stone by reducing the absorption of water and pollutants. Depending upon the level of dilution with Keim Restauro-Fixativ, Keim Restauro-Lasur produces a low-pigment finish enabling individual natural stone colouring and unobtrusive colour matching of repairs.