Klondike Corten — Frequently Asked Questions

Klondike Corten is a decorative coating system designed to recreate the warm rust, layered patina and mineral movement of Corten steel on walls. It is part of Valpaint’s Klondike family and is curated and tinted for the UK market by Italian Surface Finishes.

Both systems evoke metal, but with different readings:

• Klondike Ferro — iron / steel effect with a cooler industrial metal reading.
• Klondike Corten — Corten steel effect with warmer orange‑brown patina and weathered steel character.

Ferro is used where the brief is “industrial iron”, Corten where the brief is specifically “weathered steel”.

No. Klondike Corten achieves a visual rust effect using specialist coatings. It does not use actual steel panels or uncontrolled metal corrosion. This avoids issues like staining and run‑off associated with real rusting metal.

Typical applications include:

• Bars, restaurants and café feature walls.
• Hotel lobbies, lift lobbies and corridors.
• Retail backdrops and brand feature walls.
• Lofts and contemporary homes seeking a refined industrial aesthetic.

Yes — on non‑immersed walls such as feature walls or splash zones, particularly if sealed with the recommended clear protective finish. It is not suitable on its own inside showers or in constantly wet areas.

For fully waterproof finishes in wet areas, Klondike Corten can act as the decorative metal layer within Waterproof Artistic Walls over E‑VOLUTION PLUS.

The TOP variant of Klondike Corten is formulated for external use when applied as part of the full façade system. External use should always follow Valpaint’s façade specification and may require specific topcoats and substrates. For project‑specific façade advice, consult Italian Surface Finishes.

Any stable interior substrate that can be made smooth and dry, including:

• Plaster and skimmed plasterboard.
• Levelled masonry/render.
• Sound existing paintwork (de‑glossed and primed).

For rough surfaces, a levelling coat such as Rasante R7 should be used before the Corten cycle.

In summary:

• Prepare and level the substrate (use Rasante R7 where required).
• Apply Primer 1200 (or system primer) to regulate absorption.
• Apply the tinted Klondike Corten basecoat.
• Apply Klondike Corten effect coats using trowel/brush for Spatolato or Dripping effects.
• Optionally apply a clear protective sealer in higher‑use areas.

Detailed instructions are given in the Application Guide and Technical Data Sheet.

As a guide, allow around 2–3 m²/L for trowelled Spatolato effects and 1.5–2 m²/L for the two‑coat Dripping (Colato) effect on smooth substrates. Coverage will vary depending on substrate and texture; sampling is essential.

At approximately 20 °C:

• Touch dry: around 2–3 hours.
• Recoat: around 6–8 hours.
• Full cure: typically around 7 days.

Yes. Once fully cured, and especially when sealed with a compatible clear finish, Klondike Corten can be cleaned gently using a damp cloth and mild neutral detergent. Abrasive cleaning methods should be avoided.

Local repairs are possible but may require re‑working to natural breaks (corners, panel edges) for the best result, as the weathered effect can be challenging to match on isolated patches. We recommend using a trained applicator from the ISF network for repairs.

Lighting is critical. Warm, grazing light tends to emphasise the Corten patina and depth, while cooler, flatter lighting will produce a more subdued reading. Always review sample boards under the actual project lighting.

Klondike Corten is available in a curated range of warm rust tones, from lighter orange‑browns to darker, more mature Corten hues. All colours are tinted and calibrated in the UK by Italian Surface Finishes.

Klondike Corten is supplied, tinted and technically supported in the UK by Italian Surface Finishes, the authorised Valpaint distributor for London and the wider UK.

Yes. Klondike Corten is part of our Valpaint London Academy curriculum, where applicators learn trowel techniques, vertical weathering strokes, façade considerations and how to pair Corten with other materials such as concrete and timber.

Yes. It pairs particularly well with:

• Meteore 10 Cemento — concrete‑effect plaster.
• Meteore 10 Intonaco — stone‑effect lime plaster.
• Klondike Ferro — complementary metal surfaces.

Klondike Corten is a water‑based, low‑VOC system. When installed over suitable substrates and used as directed, it is appropriate for residential, hospitality and commercial interiors where air‑quality considerations are important.

No. The effect is designed to be visually stable. Unlike real Corten plate, Klondike Corten does not continue to rust or shed particles; the appearance is set by the decorative system and remains stable when correctly applied and protected.

Klondike Corten is relevant for:

• corten effect paint UK
• rust effect wall finish
• weathered steel decorative paint
• corten steel wall finish
• industrial rust wall paint
• corten effect feature wall

Within the Italian Surface Finishes framework, these are the design briefs we use Klondike Corten to serve.