How to care for Mineral Finish walls: which sealer, how to clean, how to repair marks

Does a Mineral Finish wall need sealing? Sealer or Wax

Voqe Mineral Finish is a matt, limewash-style mineral paint that breathes and resists mould. On walls that are rarely touched or splashed, you can leave the matt finish just as it is. But if the wall is somewhere that sees daily use, a sealer makes it much easier to live with.

Think of it like clothing. Sealer is like a waterproofing spray you can wear anywhere. Wax is like polish on leather shoes: shinier and easier to wipe, but for indoors only.

• Mineral Sealer: clear satin finish, interior and exterior, doesn't turn white when wet. Suited to splash zones and exterior walls.
• Mineral Wax: clear semi-gloss finish, interior only, can be buffed to a higher sheen, reduces dirt and wipes clean easily. Suited to walls that get touched often.
• Prices: Sealer ฿1,400 (0.946L) and ฿3,900 (3.785L); Wax ฿1,195 (0.946L) and ฿3,495 (3.785L).

How to apply Mineral Sealer and Mineral Wax

Voqe Mineral Sealer is a water-based acrylic, ready to use with no water added. Apply it with a roller, brush or sponge. It goes on milky white, which is nothing to worry about: it dries clear. It covers 145-155 sq m per gallon per coat, is touch dry in 15-30 minutes, can take the next coat after 1 hour, and is fully dry in 8 hours.

Voqe Mineral Wax is a water-based acrylic with polyethylene wax that leaves a smooth, soft film. Once it's on, you can buff it to as much sheen as you like. As well as Mineral Finish walls, it can be used on walls painted with acrylic paint and on plastered walls.

Whichever you use, let the Mineral Finish wall dry properly before sealing, and finish one wall at a time so the sheen is even across the whole wall.

Cleaning a Mineral Finish wall

A wall sealed with Mineral Wax holds on to less dirt and wipes clean more easily. For everyday marks, use a soft cloth dampened with water and wrung out, wipe gently along the wall, then let it dry. For dust, use a feather duster or a dry cloth before you wipe.

An unsealed wall is a matt mineral surface, so dust it only and avoid scrubbing. If a spot keeps getting dirty, that's a sign that wall needs a sealer.

• Always dust before wiping
• Use a soft cloth, dampened and wrung out, and wipe gently
• Avoid stiff brushes and harsh, corrosive cleaners
• Always test-wipe in a hidden spot first

A marked wall: how to repair it so it blends in

The upside of a handmade wall is that you can repair it by hand. Because Mineral Finish was never perfectly uniform to begin with, a repair blends in more easily than it would on a flat, single-shade paint. Keep the leftover paint from your original set, both the Light Shade and the Shadow Shade.

Brush thinly over the mark, alternating the two shades in criss-cross strokes just as you did the first time. Feather the edges out into the surrounding surface, and finish with a light pass so the brush marks are even. Let it dry, then apply the same Sealer or Wax over that spot only.

What to avoid, and caring for exterior walls

Mineral Finish can be used on exterior walls, but the exterior sealer must be Mineral Sealer only, because Mineral Wax is for interiors. If an exterior wall starts to show algae or mould, wash it with a fungicidal cleaner, rinse it off and let it dry before repairing or resealing.

There's no data yet to support using Mineral Finish in wet zones such as a shower, or in areas with heavy foot traffic. If you're planning a spot like that, send photos to LINE @dynohomes or call 084-351-2707 and let the team advise you first.

• Don't use Mineral Wax on exterior walls
• Don't scrub an unsealed wall with a stiff brush
• Don't repair with a single shade: always use both shades from your original set