Waterproof Artistic Walls — application guide

System overview — what this guide covers

Waterproof Artistic Walls is an ISF category built around the E‑VOLUTION PLUS waterproof body. This guide focuses on that body system: the layers that make the room work technically. The visible surface — concrete, marble, stone, silk, suede, sand, patina, metal — is chosen afterwards from the Valpaint library.

Think of this as the backbone of every Waterproof Artistic Walls project in the UK:

• Survey & preparation of tiles, boards, screeds and renders.
• Primers matched to the existing build‑up.
• Epoxy–mineral body coats to form a continuous waterproof surface.
• Smoothing / pore sealing to refine the reading ready for top coats and finishes.
• Polyurethane top coats chosen for exposure and cleaning regimes.

This guide should always be read together with the E‑VOLUTION PLUS Technical Data Sheet and the individual component TDS / SDS. For design‑led context, see the main category page: Waterproof Artistic Walls.

Before you start — roles, drawings & site conditions

This guide is written for ISF Approved Applicators, main contractors and technically minded designers. It assumes that the room build‑up (substrates, falls, drainage, heating, vapour control) has been designed and signed off by the project team.

Before ordering material:

• Confirm zones: direct shower, wet room, splash areas, dry perimeter walls and adjoining spaces.
• Confirm substrates: tiles, screeds, concrete, cement boards, plasterboards, renders.
• Check for movement joints, structural junctions and changes of plane.
• Agree cleaning regimes (domestic vs hotel vs spa, chemicals in use).
• Review the ISF specification (or request one if not yet issued).

Environmental conditions:

• Temperature and humidity within the ranges given in the component data sheets.
• No active leaks, condensation or visible moisture in the substrate.
• Underfloor heating (if present) commissioned and turned off before you start.
• Other trades coordinated so the system can cure undisturbed.

Step‑by‑step sequence — E‑VOLUTION PLUS body system

1. Survey & substrate checks
   Confirm what you are going over: tiles, cement / anhydrite screed, concrete, cement boards, plasterboards, renders or existing microcement. Mark movement joints, changes of substrate and all penetrations (niches, pipes, trays).
2. Repairs, levelling & preparation
   
   • Remove loose tiles, hollow areas and friable plaster.
   • Complete repairs and levelling as per the ISF specification.
   • Carry out mechanical preparation where required (grinding / abrasion of tiles, laitance removal, etc.).
   • Clean thoroughly: no dust, soap residues, silicones or release agents.
3. Primers
   Apply the specified primers matched to each substrate: adhesion promoters over tiles, consolidating primers over porous bases, and any specialist primers in wet‑room build‑ups. Respect coverage, drying times and over‑coating windows from the component TDS.
4. First E‑VOLUTION PLUS body coat
   Apply the resin–mineral body coat as directed in the specification (roller or trowel), working the material into the surface to achieve full contact. Aim for an even, continuous film with no missed areas, paying attention to corners, niches and transitions.
5. Second body coat / reinforcement where required
   In high‑exposure zones (showers, wet rooms, spa walls) the specification may call for a second body coat and local reinforcement at junctions. Follow the build‑up drawing exactly, especially around drains, internal/external corners and changes of plane.
6. Smoothing & pore‑sealing
   Apply the specified levelling / smoothing coat(s) to refine the reading and close porosity. Check the surface under grazing light; address trowel marks, pinholes and ridges now, before moving to decorative cycles or top coats.
7. Decorative finishes (if part of the design)
   Once the body is complete and approved, apply any compatible Valpaint decorative finish specified by Italian Surface Finishes — for example a concrete, stone, marble, silk, suede, metallic or patina reading. Follow the application guide for that particular finish and respect any interface instructions in the specification.
8. Polyurethane top coats
   Apply the specified two‑component polyurethane top coats (matt / satin) in the number of coats given. These provide the final wear, chemical and cleaning performance in both wet and dry zones. Maintain a wet edge, monitor film build and protect freshly coated surfaces from dust, condensation and traffic.
9. Initial cure & protection
   Protect the system from impact, standing water, aggressive cleaning and other trades until the minimum cure times have been achieved. Early misting / light ventilation may be recommended; forced drying is not.
10. Handover
    Walk the client or main contractor through: which areas are Evolution body, which finishes sit on top, cleaning recommendations and what to avoid. Agree a date when stronger cleaning products (if any) may be introduced.

Joints, edges & detailing

Evolution is only as good as its detailing. Treat junctions as part of the design, not an afterthought.

• Movement joints in the substrate must be respected and carried through or detailed around as agreed.
• Board joints should be reinforced and levelled according to wet‑room guidelines before priming.
• Drains, channels and trays require particular care; follow ISF drawings for upstands and terminations.
• Sanitaryware junctions (baths, basins, WCs) must be compatible with the system and sealant strategy.
• Changes of finish (e.g. concrete reading to silk) are best aligned to architectural features or lighting breaks.

On complex schemes — spa, hotel or multi‑bathroom projects — Italian Surface Finishes will typically issue project‑specific build‑up drawings. Use those in preference to generic sketches.

Site tips for UK projects

• Plan lighting early: grazing light will reveal trowel marks; use it to your advantage rather than fighting it.
• Keep mixing, timing and tools consistent within each zone to avoid unplanned texture variation.
• Do not skip primers or body coats to “save a day” — waterproof performance depends on the full cycle.
• Agree access and protection with the main contractor before work starts; Evolution is not a last‑minute paint job.
• Record batch numbers and dates; this helps if you ever need repairs, extensions or additional areas later.

Safety, environment & handover

Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for each component in the system. At a minimum:

• Use appropriate PPE: gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection where indicated.
• Ensure good ventilation during application and curing.
• Store products in their original containers within the recommended temperature range; protect from frost and direct heat.
• Dispose of waste and wash‑water in line with UK regulations; do not discharge into drains or watercourses.

At handover, provide the client with written cleaning recommendations and confirm when the system can be brought into full use (showers, spa walls, intensive cleaning in hotels, etc.).

Summary & project resources

The purpose of this guide is to make the E‑VOLUTION PLUS body repeatable on site so that Waterproof Artistic Walls behave as well as they look. Within this framework, Italian Surface Finishes can change the decorative language — concrete, marble, silk, suede, metal — while keeping the technical logic constant.