Description
Atlas Salta Base White 10 L is the white-base silicone facade paint for the lighter end of the SAH palette — self-cleaning, W3 rain-repelling and V2 vapour-permeable to EN 1062-1, tintable to 400 shades, and primer-free on fresh mineral renders from five days.
Where Atlas Salta Base White Performs Best — UK Applications
Atlas Salta Base White is a 10-litre silicone-polymer masonry paint engineered for the white and lighter end of the SAH palette, its naturally bright base maximising pigment opacity on pastel and off-white tints while delivering the Pearl Effect self-cleaning surface, W3 low water permeability, and V2 vapour permeability to EN 1062-1:2004. Held within the silicone masonry paints range, it is the right white base when a specification calls for light SAH colours on sound rendered or plastered walls that need a finish which breathes freely while keeping driven rain on the outside.
The white base reads cleanest across the upper half of the SAH palette, where lighter pigment loading sits best over a bright substrate. For mid-tone and darker SAH colours — charcoal, slate, deep earth tones — the Base Grey companion delivers better pigment depth and typically reduces the coats needed for full saturation, so matching base to shade is the single decision that governs coverage on the job.
Why Trade Specifiers Choose Atlas Salta Base White
- Self-cleaning Pearl Effect surface: The microscopically smooth silicone film resists dirt adhesion, so rainwater lifts dust, algae spores, and pollutants as it sheets off — keeping the facade looking freshly painted for years without manual washing.
- Built-in bio protection: Low water absorption plus the silicone surface chemistry discourages algae and fungal colonisation, a real advantage on north-facing and sheltered UK elevations where growth is most persistent.
- Primer-free on fresh renders: The first coat self-primes on mineral thin-coat renders from five days after application, removing a full work stage and its material cost on large-area projects.
- Vapour-permeable with W3 weather resistance: An Sd below 0.14 m (V2) lets moisture escape the masonry behind while W3 keeps liquid water on the surface — the breathe-and-shed combination that defines a well-formulated silicone paint.
- Elastic film handles thermal movement: The flexible silicone-polymer binder absorbs seasonal temperature swings that micro-crack rigid paints, extending recoat intervals on UK facades.
- 400 SAH colours from one base with low VOC: Tintable across the full light SAH palette at 39.9 g/L VOC, so any specified light shade matches while staying safe for occupied buildings.
Technical Specifications — Atlas Salta Base White Data Sheet Highlights
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Binder type | Modified silicone-polymer dispersion (silicone resin + siloxanes) |
| Pack size | 10 litres (approx. 15 kg) |
| Colour base | White (tintable to 400 SAH colours) |
| Density | Approx. 1.45 kg/dm³ |
| VOC content | 39.9 g/L (EU limit 40 g/L) |
| Gloss level (EN 1062-1) | G3 — matt |
| Dry film thickness (EN 1062-1) | E3 — 100 to 200 µm |
| Vapour permeability (EN 1062-1) | V2 — medium (Sd < 0.14 m) |
| Water permeability (EN 1062-1) | W3 — low (< 0.1 kg/m²·h⁰·⁵) |
| Coverage — mineral renders | ~4.0 m²/L per coat |
| Coverage — dispersion renders | ~5.0 m²/L per coat |
| Coverage — traditional plasters | ~7.0–8.0 m²/L per coat |
| Application temperature | +5 °C to +30 °C (from 0 °C with Atlas Eskimo) |
| Drying / recoat | 2–6 h dry · ~6 h recoat at +20 °C / 50% RH |
| Application method | Roller, brush, or airless spray |
| Shelf life | 12 months (sealed, +5 °C to +30 °C) |
| System approvals | ATLAS ETA 06/0081 · ROKER ETA 06/0173 · ETICS FPC-ITB-0562/Z |
How to Apply Atlas Salta Base White — Coverage, Coats, and Conditions
Atlas Salta arrives ready to use and applies in two coats by medium-pile roller, brush, or airless spray, with substrate and air temperature held between +5 °C and +30 °C through the initial drying period. The key coverage number for planning is around 4.0 m²/L per coat on 1.5 mm grain silicone render, so a 10-litre bucket delivers roughly 40 m² per pass and a two-coat finish on a 60 m² elevation needs about three buckets.
- Fresh mineral renders: Apply the first coat diluted with up to 0.20 L water per 10 L, directly to the substrate from five days after rendering — this coat self-primes; the second follows undiluted after about six hours, worked perpendicular to the first.
- Cured dispersion and silicone renders: Allow a minimum seven-day render cure, then apply both coats undiluted.
- Traditional cement-lime plasters: Allow two to four weeks curing before painting, rewarded with higher 7.0–8.0 m²/L coverage on smoother surfaces.
- Older or absorbent substrates: Consolidate first with a render primer for even absorption and consistent colour development across the elevation.
For the full roller technique, wet-on-wet sequencing, weather windows, and dilution ratios, the silicone masonry paint application guide covers the complete process. For the technology decision, the silicone paint vs acrylic comparison sets out the breathability, self-cleaning, and durability differences by exposure profile.
Installation Notes — Conditions, Drying, and Finishing
Plan technological breaks at natural building lines — corners, downpipe runs, colour transitions — so each elevation completes wet-on-wet without dry edges showing through. Protect freshly painted surfaces from direct sun, wind, and rain during application and for at least 24 hours after, which on scaffold-clad projects means keeping sheeting in place until the final coat has cured. The film crusts within about two hours at +20 °C / 50% RH and reaches full water resistance after six.
On old renders or plasters, allow at least 48 hours of dry weather after the last rainfall before starting, so substrate moisture is low enough for the silicone binder to key properly. Mixing all buckets intended for one elevation together before starting guarantees colour homogeneity — a practical safeguard against the subtle batch-to-batch variation that becomes visible on large unbroken walls under raking afternoon light.
Pro Tips From UK Installers Using Atlas Salta
Experienced decorators consistently report that a few disciplined habits are what secure a clean ten-year finish rather than a callback.
- Plan coverage at the rougher end: Size the order on 4.0 m²/L for 1.5 mm grain render rather than the optimistic 5.0 m²/L for smooth dispersion finishes, so a bucket reliably delivers 40 m² per coat and the quantity is right first time.
- Prime older substrates regardless of the self-priming claim: The primer-free coat holds on fresh renders with a proper cure, but on chalky or repainted surfaces a half-day priming with Atlas Uni-Grunt delivers a streak-free finish no paint work recovers afterwards.
- Photograph the SAH code label before opening each bucket: The record settles any colour question at handover, and marking the elevation plan with batch numbers prevents accidental mixing across walls.
- Start each elevation early morning: A first coat at 7–8 am leaves the six-hour recoat window inside daylight, with overnight hours giving undisturbed cure before the next elevation.
- Dose Eskimo per bucket in winter: Adding the accelerator to the working batch at the point of use keeps set times consistent across the elevation instead of one bucket racing ahead.
Is Atlas Salta Base White Right for Your Project?
Base White is the right choice when you are painting a sound rendered or plastered facade in a white, off-white, or light SAH colour and want a self-cleaning, vapour-permeable silicone finish — particularly on new-build ETICS work where primer-free application saves a full stage. The table below shows how it sits against its Base Grey sibling so you match the base to the shade.
| Variant | Key Spec | When to Choose |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas Salta Base White 10 L | White base · W3 · V2 · 400 SAH light shades | White, pastel, light mid-tone colours |
| Atlas Salta Base Grey 10 L | Grey base · deeper pigment loading | Charcoal, slate, deep saturated tones |
- Painting in winter or transitional weather? The Atlas Eskimo accelerator extends the working window down to 0 °C and 80% humidity, covering most UK winter days outside frost events.
- Comparing silicone against acrylic? The silicone paint vs acrylic comparison linked above confirms the right technology for the project's exposure profile.
FAQ — Atlas Salta Base White Coverage, Compatibility, Ordering
How many litres of Base White do I need for a typical UK house facade?
Coverage depends on substrate texture: on 1.5 mm grain silicone render one litre covers about 4.0 m² per coat, so a 10-litre bucket covers around 40 m² per pass. Most facades need two coats for full opacity, meaning a 60 m² front elevation takes approximately 30 litres — three buckets — in total. Ordering one extra litre per 40 m² covers waste, cutting-in around windows, and touch-ups, which beats running short mid-elevation and waiting on delivery.
Can I apply Base White over an existing painted facade?
Base White applies successfully over sound, well-bonded coatings — silicate, silicone, and acrylic masonry paints all serve as suitable substrates when the film is intact and free from chalking, flaking, or biological growth. Where the existing coating is failing, removing it back to sound masonry and priming restores a surface the silicone binder keys to properly. On mixed-condition elevations, treating failing zones as new substrate and sound zones as paint-on-paint usually gives the most cost-effective result, subject to a condition assessment.
Can I apply Base White in winter or cold weather?
Standard application needs a minimum substrate and air temperature of +5 °C. Adding Atlas Eskimo accelerator extends the range down to 0 °C and above 80% RH, covering most UK winter working days outside frost events. The modified curing chemistry means paint applied in the morning at 3–5 °C reaches a handleable state by mid-afternoon, keeping multi-coat programmes moving without the week-long delays conventional paints need in the cold.
How long should I wait after rendering before applying Base White?
Fresh mineral thin-coat renders such as Atlas Cermit SN need a minimum five-day cure before painting, provided temperatures stayed above +5 °C. Dispersion and silicone renders need seven days. Traditional cement-lime plasters need two to four weeks for the alkaline reaction to subside and moisture to stabilise. Painting too early risks colour irregularity and reduced adhesion as residual moisture displaces the film during cure.
Is Base White an environmentally responsible choice?
The formulation uses natural fillers and achieves 39.9 g/L VOC, sitting at the low edge of the EU limit and well below many conventional masonry paints. The self-cleaning Pearl Effect keeps the facade cleaner without chemical wash treatments, and the bio-protection chemistry discourages algae and fungal growth without added biocides. Choosing a light or off-white tint also reflects more solar radiation, reducing thermal gain on the envelope and supporting the energy-performance targets in current UK Building Regulations.
Technical Documentation — Atlas Salta TDS and System Approvals