The Lab George

💧 PRODUCT / SYSTEM FOCUS | 3 in 1 + BIO KLAD

Two water-based solutions. Different jobs.

Choosing a coating shouldn't start with “What colour do I want?” It should start with “What am I coating, and what does that surface need?”

🔵 3 in 1 — Versatile Water-Based Coating System
A practical pure acrylic system combining primer, filler and final coat properties in one product. Suitable for applications including interior and exterior walls, ceilings, wood and Nutec fibre-cement fascia boards.

✔ Quick drying
✔ Excellent UV stability
✔ Good abrasion resistance
✔ Water-based and easy clean-up
✔ Versatile across a range of suitable surfaces

🔵 BIO KLAD — Fibre-Reinforced Exterior Wall Protection
When exterior walls face more demanding exposure, Bio Klad provides a premium pure acrylic, fibre-reinforced protective coating designed for durability, waterproofing and crack-bridging performance.

✔ Excellent UV and weather resistance
✔ Fibre-reinforced waterproof protection
✔ Flexible with crack-bridging capability
✔ Vapour permeable — helping moisture escape
✔ Excellent resistance to water ingress
✔ Suitable for plaster, concrete, brickwork and fibre cement

💡 Contractor Tip: Two products may both be water-based, but that doesn't make them interchangeable.

Before selecting a coating, consider the substrate, exposure, required performance, movement and location.

DON'T CHOOSE BY COLOUR OR FINISH ALONE.
Choose according to the substrate and exposure — so your coating system performs as it should.

Right product. Right system. Right performance.
That's The Lab Difference.

📞 Morné | 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]

🆕 NEW PRODUCT | BIO-RUBBERPROOF

Flexible. High film build. Serious waterproofing protection.

Meet the newest addition to The Lab Chemicals & Coatings water-based range — BIO-RUBBERPROOF, a PU-modified flexible acrylic waterproofing coating developed for roofs, parapets, wall surfaces and other suitably prepared building substrates.

💧 Why Bio-Rubberproof?

✔ High-film-build waterproofing protection
✔ Flexible, non-tacky protective film
✔ Excellent UV protection & weather resistance
✔ Resists mould and fungal growth
✔ Water-based formulation
✔ Faster drying than conventional acrylic waterproofing coatings
✔ Easy application by brush or roller
✔ Clean-up with water

One of the great advantages of Bio-Rubberproof is its versatility within a correctly specified waterproofing system.

It can be applied as a multi-coat liquid waterproofing membrane without reinforcement in suitable applications, or used with an approved polyester membrane over cracks, joints, weak areas and critical waterproofing details where additional reinforcement is required.

Suitable applications include roofs, parapets, cement roof-tile ridges, plaster bands, window sills, copings, concrete, cement plaster, fibre cement, cracks, joints and junctions between different building materials.

👷 Contractor Tip: Waterproofing performance starts before the first coat. Correct preparation, appropriate priming, attention to cracks and details, sufficient film build and proper drying between coats all form part of the system.

NEW BIO-RUBBERPROOF
Prepare. Prime. Apply. Protect.

Ask us about the right Bio-Rubberproof system for your project.

📞 Morné | 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]

🎓 CONTRACTOR TRAINING TIP | Film Build Matters

When it comes to coatings, more product in one coat does not automatically mean more protection.

In fact, applying a coating too thickly can create the very problems you're trying to prevent.

Don’t chase thickness in one coat. Build the system correctly.

For waterproofing membranes and flexible coatings, the required protection is achieved through the correct film build — applying each coat at the recommended coverage rate and allowing sufficient drying time before the next coat.

Applying too much product at once can lead to:

❌ Trapped moisture
❌ Blistering
❌ Soft or uncured areas
❌ Extended curing times
❌ Peeling or delamination
❌ Cracking and premature coating failure

👷 The correct approach:

✔ Prepare the substrate properly
✔ Apply the first coat at the specified spread rate
✔ Allow sufficient drying time
✔ Apply the next coat to build the required film thickness
✔ Follow the product's Technical Data Sheet
✔ Inspect and maintain the completed coating system

Remember: Two correctly applied coats are generally better than trying to achieve the entire film build with one excessively thick coat.

The goal isn't simply to put more coating on the surface.

The goal is to achieve the correct WFT and DFT, proper film formation and a coating system that performs as designed.

DON'T CHASE THICKNESS.
FOLLOW THE SYSTEM. GET THE PERFORMANCE.

📞 Morné | 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]

💧 PRODUCT COMPARISON | Which Rubber System Do You Need?

Not every waterproofing project has the same demands — and choosing the right product for the job is just as important as the application itself.

Both The Lab Econo Rubber and Bio Rubbertech are flexible, water-based waterproof coatings, but they are designed to fulfil different needs.

🔵 ECONO RUBBER — Practical. Economical. Reliable.
A high-build elastomeric waterproof coating designed primarily for roof waterproofing. It forms a flexible membrane that accommodates temperature fluctuations and structural movement while helping protect against water pe*******on and weather exposure.

Ideal for:
✔ Flat, cement, IBR, corrugated metal and tile roofs
✔ General roof waterproofing and protection
✔ Projects where flexibility and weather resistance are required
✔ A practical, cost-conscious waterproofing solution

🔵 BIO RUBBERTECH — Robust. Flexible. Protective.
A pure acrylic rubberising compound designed for flexible waterproofing where a more robust rubberised coating is required. It can build a substantial protective film and is suited to roofs, walkways, prepared steel and high-wear utility surfaces.

It also offers UV resistance, abrasion resistance, anti-corrosion properties and sound-dampening benefits, making it particularly useful where the application demands more than a standard roof coating.

The important part? Neither product works in isolation from good system design.

Correct cleaning, treatment where required, substrate-specific priming, sufficient film build and proper application conditions all contribute to the final performance of the waterproofing system. Both products typically require a minimum of two coats.

💡 Contractor Tip: Don't choose a coating simply because it is “waterproof.” Choose according to the substrate, exposure, movement and performance required.

Right product. Right system. Built to last.
That's The Lab Difference.

📞 Morné | 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]

💧 System Focus: Waterproofing is a SYSTEM

Waterproofing is not simply about finding a product that says “waterproof” on the bucket.

A successful waterproofing solution starts with understanding where the water is coming from, what substrate you're working with, where movement is likely to occur, and which areas require additional attention.

That is why at The Lab Chemicals & Coatings, we focus on building the right system for the application.

🔵 BIO SEAL
Flexible sealing and waterproof protection for suitable roof surfaces — helping create a sound foundation for the waterproofing system.

🔵 BIO PROOF
Builds the flexible waterproofing membrane, providing protection against water ingress and exposure.

🔵 BITUCOAT
A water-based modified bitumen waterproofing coating that forms a seamless, flexible membrane. Particular attention should always be given to cracks, joints and other critical details, with reinforcing fabric incorporated where specified.

The system matters.

✔ Prepare and clean the substrate
✔ Repair cracks and problem areas
✔ Seal where required
✔ Build the correct waterproof membrane
✔ Reinforce joints and cracks where specified
✔ Apply the required number of coats at the correct film thickness
✔ Inspect and maintain the system over time

Because even the best waterproofing product can fail when surface preparation, detailing, application conditions or system build are incorrect.

Right product. Right place. Right system.
That's The Lab Difference.

📞 Morné | 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]

🎓 Contractor Training Tip: Water-Based Doesn't Mean “Apply Anywhere”

Water-based coatings are user-friendly, versatile and environmentally responsible — but they still rely on the right application conditions to perform properly.

Water-based is user-friendly. It isn't weather-proof while you're applying it.

Temperature, humidity, substrate temperature and moisture all influence how a coating dries, forms its film and ultimately cures. Get those conditions wrong and even a quality coating can struggle to deliver the performance it was designed for.

Before you start, check:

✔ Temperature – Conditions that are too cold can slow drying and film formation, while excessive heat can cause the coating to dry too quickly.
✔ Humidity – High humidity slows evaporation and can extend drying and curing times.
✔ Substrate temperature & dew point – A surface can look dry while condensation is forming. Always consider the surface temperature, not only the air temperature.
✔ Moisture – Know your substrate. Trapped or rising moisture can lead to blistering, peeling and adhesion failure.

And remember: dry and cured are not the same thing. A coating may feel dry to the touch while the film is still developing its final properties.

👷 Contractor Tip: Don't just open the bucket and start painting. Check the weather, inspect the substrate, measure where necessary and make sure conditions remain suitable during application and early curing.

The product matters.
The preparation matters.
The conditions matter.

Prepare right. Apply right. Protect for longer.

📞 Morné | 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]

🏠 Product Focus: SMARTWALL + BIO GUARD

Smarter protection for interior walls.

Interior walls need more than just colour. In busy homes, offices, schools, clinics and commercial environments, the right coating system can help surfaces stay cleaner, better protected and easier to maintain.

🔵 BIO-SMARTWALL is a high-durability hygienic acrylic wall coating with mould-inhibiting technology. It provides excellent resistance to dirt accumulation, fungal growth and environmental pollutants while maintaining an attractive decorative finish. Once cured, it also offers excellent durability and wash resistance.

💧 BIO-GUARD takes a different approach. It is a clear water-based acrylic sealing membrane designed to preserve the natural appearance of porous and semi-porous surfaces while improving water resistance and long-term durability. It helps protect against water ingress, dusting, efflorescence, staining and weathering without hiding the character of the substrate.

Two products. Two different purposes. One focus: better protected surfaces.

✔ Water-based technology
✔ Low VOC
✔ Durable protection
✔ Practical maintenance
✔ Solutions selected according to the substrate and required finish

Because smarter coating isn't about putting the same product on every wall. It's about choosing the correct system for the surface.

Cleaner walls. Better protected spaces. Longer-lasting performance.

📞 Morné | 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]

💧 WHY WATER-BASED? Performance has evolved.

Water-based no longer means compromising on performance.

At The Lab Chemicals & Coatings, our water-based range combines modern coating technology with practical, professional performance — giving contractors and property owners smarter solutions across walls, roofs, waterproofing and floors.

Our streamlined water-based range now includes:

💧 SmartWall – Premium interior wall protection
💧 Bio Seal – Flexible waterproofing
💧 Bio Proof – Acrylic waterproofing protection
💧 Econo Rubber – Economical rubberised waterproofing
💧 3 in 1 – Versatile multi-purpose coating
💧 Bio Guard – Protection for healthier interior environments
💧 BituCoat – Water-based bituminous protection
💧 Bio Klad – Long-term exterior wall protection
💧 Bio Rubbertech – Heavy-duty flexible waterproofing
💧 Floortech – Durable protection for concrete and cementitious floors

Why water-based?

✔ Lower VOC
✔ Easier clean-up
✔ Reduced environmental impact
✔ Flexible and versatile technologies
✔ Durable professional protection
✔ Solutions for multiple substrates and applications

But remember: water-based doesn't mean one product fits every surface.

The correct substrate preparation, primer, product selection and application remain essential to long-term coating performance.

Throughout the next few weeks, we'll be taking a closer look at these products, where to use them and the contractor techniques that help them perform at their best.

10 WATER-BASED SOLUTIONS. EVERY SURFACE. EVERY NEED.

The right product. The right system. Built to last.
That's The Lab Difference.

📞 Morné | 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]

✅ Authority Post: Quality Doesn't Start with the Top Coat

Many coating failures are blamed on the top coat—but in reality, the problem often starts long before the final coat is applied.

Long-term coating performance is built on three critical foundations: proper surface preparation, the correct primer and a coating system designed specifically for the substrate and environment. The top coat is only as effective as the foundation beneath it.

At The Lab Chemicals & Coatings, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every project is assessed to ensure the correct preparation methods, primer and coating system are specified to deliver maximum adhesion, durability and long-term protection.

A successful coating system is built on:

✔ Thorough surface preparation
✔ The correct primer for the substrate
✔ A coating system matched to the application
✔ Correct film thickness and application techniques
✔ Ongoing maintenance for maximum service life

These aren't optional steps—they're the difference between a coating that lasts for years and one that fails prematurely.

A coating is not a product – it's a system.

Build it right. Protect it for longer.

📞 Morne Botha
📱 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]

🏡 Project Post: Exterior Wall Refurbishment

Your building's exterior is constantly exposed to harsh sunlight, rain, wind and changing weather conditions. Without the right protection, walls can fade, crack, absorb moisture and deteriorate over time.

The The Lab BIO KLAD Exterior Protection System is a premium fibre-reinforced acrylic coating system designed to provide long-term weather protection while maintaining a beautiful, durable finish. It forms a flexible, waterproof barrier that resists UV degradation, environmental pollutants and water ingress, while still allowing trapped moisture within the substrate to escape.

Why choose the BIO KLAD Exterior Protection System?

✅ Excellent UV and weather resistance
✅ Fibre-reinforced for improved durability and crack-bridging
✅ Waterproof protection with vapour permeability
✅ Long-lasting colour retention and attractive finish
✅ Protects against pollution and atmospheric contaminants
✅ Suitable for plaster, concrete, brickwork, fibre cement and correctly primed surfaces

A complete wall protection system

For maximum performance, BIO KLAD should always be applied as part of a complete exterior wall system:

🔹 BIO-ALGAE – Treats algae and fungal contamination
🔹 BIO-WASH – Cleans and prepares the surface
🔹 BIO-ARP Masonry Primer or BIO PRIME – Depending on the substrate
🔹 BIO KLAD – Two-coat fibre-reinforced exterior protection system

A coating is not a product – it's a system.

📞 Morne Botha
📱 076 945 7632
📧 [email protected]