How to Apply K-Rend Silicone Render
K-Rend is the UK market leader in self-coloured thin-coat silicone render, favoured on new-builds and full refurbishments because it never needs repainting. The installation sequence is unforgiving - mis-mixed batches or poor mesh coverage will show as colour banding within weeks.
Prepare the substrate and fit beads
The backing wall must be sound, flat within 3mm over 2m, and fully dry (below 10% moisture). Fix stainless-steel render beads at all corners, reveals, and stop ends with K-Rend's own adhesive. Prime blockwork with K-Rend HP12 base to unify suction across mixed masonry.
Apply and mesh the HP12 base coat
Trowel HP12 at 6mm thickness in one pass. While still wet, embed K-Rend alkali-resistant fibreglass mesh into the top third of the coat with 100mm overlaps. Float smooth and allow 48-72 hours to cure depending on weather - never force-dry with heaters.
Check for even suction before the top coat
Spray the dry base coat with water the day before top-coating. If patches darken unevenly, the base coat has variable suction and will cause colour flashing in the final finish. Apply a stabilising primer or a second HP12 skim to even it out.
Apply the silicone top coat in one continuous pass
Mix full bags of K1 or TC15 in a single paddle mixer - partial bags cause colour variation between batches. Trowel at 6mm, allow to tighten, then rub up with a plastic float in circular motions to expose the grain. Work wet-edge to wet-edge across each elevation without stopping in the middle of a wall.
Protect for 24 hours and inspect
K-Rend is vulnerable to rain and strong sun for the first 24 hours. Hang scaffold sheets to shade south-facing walls and to break wind-driven showers. Inspect for trowel marks and colour shading once dry; remedial work within the first 72 hours can be feathered in with the same batch.
Put it into practice!
Use our simulator to apply these tips directly on your project photos.