Frequently Asked Questions

Our paint does more than just look nice on your wall. It helps make your home or office healthier. It does this through photocatalysis; all you need is light (natural or artificial) to activate it.

Photocatalysis is the natural phenomenon through which a substance uses light energy (natural or artificial) to clean its surface by removing contaminants and harmful compounds. Natural or artificial light encounters the TiO2 particulate in our paint and activates it, thus energizing the particle. When activated by air and light, the oxidation process begins. Organic and inorganic harmful substances that come in contact with a photocatalytic surface are broken down and transformed into harmless substances. Some of the substances that are broken down are carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ethanol, benzene, and many more. These substances are turned into gypsum, calcium nitrate, and limestone, which are all safe substances for humans. In the case of hard surfaces, the surface becomes self-cleaning and purifies the air as polluted air passes over the surface.  

If you would like to learn more about photocatalysis, you can check out our blog here: https://www.activacoating.com/what-is-photocatalysis/ 

Our paints do more than keeping surfaces clean. They also help clean the air of pollution, making it safer and healthier for you to breathe.

We are currently selling our products on our website or on Amazon. 

When Activa is first applied, its color may look wrong. Allowing 1/2 day of drying, at least, results in color correcting.

Surface Preparation

All surfaces to be painted must be clean, free from dirt, oil, and other surface contamination. It is always best to wash all surfaces with a household detergent solution before painting. Rinse the surface to remove detergent residues. Sand all glossy, alkyd enamel surfaces with a #150 sandpaper and wipe clean. Patch all holes and cracks with a suitable patching material.

Application

If the surface is not 100% clean, dry, and ready, or in case of adhesion problems, it is recommended to apply one layer of PRIMER prior to paint application. Allow the first coat to dry completely (3-4 hours) before applying the second coat.

Yield

Colors: 200-250 square feet per gallon in two coats (brush, roller, or spray gun) onto clean, dry walls.

Clear: 648 square feet per gallon in one coat, applied as a mist by spray gun with a 0.3 mm nozzle and low pressure onto clean, dry walls.

Yes! Activa Clear (formerly, ActivaTB) is commonly used on the outside of buildings, sidewalks, patios, and more. This product is popular for outside use because of its self-cleaning abilities, which helps cut down on the need for power washing theses surfaces. 

 Activa’s photocatalytic technology actives with any light, either natural or artificial. 

 No. Any natural or artificial light will activate Activa’s photocatalytic properties. 

Our paint is low VOC (volatile organic compounds), so you will not experience a strong “paint smell” when using our paint. What’s even cooler about our paint is that it actually helps remove its own odor from the air as it dries due to it being odor eliminating through photocatalysis.  

If you are using Activa Clear (formerly ActivaTB), we recommend not using a primer. If you are using any of our other products, we do recommend using a primer. You can use any primer you want. 

 OSHA does not certify or approve any products. Any claim that a product is “OSHA approved” is misleading. Product standards determine performance requirements and certification indicates conformity to standards. 

Our coatings are water resistant once dry. Once dry, the paint creates a film that is water resistant. The main difference between our indoor coatings is their capacity to resist wet rubbing: 

• Flat – (Photowall, our ceiling paint) It is intended to allow water vapor to pass through (breathable paint). It can withstand a limited number of wet rubbing (washing with a wet cloth). 
• Matte – (PhotoDeco, our standard wall paint) It is washable. When dirty, it can be cleaned using a wet cloth and some soap. It can be cleaned with a wet cloth as frequently as needed. 
• Eggshell – (Photolacq) It is washable. When dirty, it can be cleaned using a wet cloth and some soap. It can be cleaned with a wet cloth as frequently as needed. 

Vigorous scrubbing should be avoided and or limited with all of our paints.

Yes. On a standard wall paint, Activa Clear has two adhesion systems.

1. Part of the product penetrates on the paint pores, so it enters into the paint layer. To remove it, you must remove the paint. So, if the paint is resistant to wet rubbing, so is Activa Clear.

2. On the surface, Activa Clear contains an inorganic binder that also adheres ON the surface. That adhesion needs a few days to gain strength, but after it is very hard. This is also as resistant to wet rubbing as the base paint.

Activa Clear can be applied over your interior and exterior painted walls. We recommend painting a test patch to see how Activa Clear applies to the surface to make sure there will be no discoloration before painting the entire surface.

Yes, Activa Clear can be used on plastic. We recommend testing it out on a small section first to make sure that it adheres to the surface.  

If there is already mildew growing, it is important to clean the area 2-3 times with bleach in order to kill the roots and seeds. This is because mildew roots deep into the materials.

After the area is clean, Activa Clear will help prevent further growth if there is good lighting to activate the photocatalytic properties. One application can last up to 2 years.

If there is already mold growing, it is important to remediate the mold completely prior to applying Activa Clear. 

After the area is free of all mold, Activa Clear will help prevent further growth if there is good lighting to activate the photocatalytic properties. One application can last up to 2 years.

No. Water spots happen because of salt and minerals built up in water, and Activa Clear will not rid them from your shower glass. 

Yes, Activa Clear can be applied on grout, but it is not a sealant. 

Depending on the type of grout, one application can last from months to years. Silicon-based grouts are repellent and Activa Clear has difficulty adhering to its surface.

 

Yes, Activa Clear can be applied on stone, but it is not a sealant. Application can last up to 2 years.

Currently light below 390-400 nanometers is enough to activate the products. There are 7 colors of visible light in the rainbow, from red (more nanometers) to violet (fewer nanometers). This means the violet color in visible light can activate the photocatalytic properties.

Activa Clear is not transparent enough to be applied on glass. It can be seen as a haze once applied.

Yes. We are proud that our products do not differ in application from non-photocatalytic coatings.

In some products, we use potassium silicate as a binder or as an adhesion promoter. All coatings need an adhesion promoter-binder to stick to the surfaces. It can be a latex, as in the case of Activa Matte, Activa Eggshell, or Activa Flat Ceiling, or a silicate as in the case of Activa Clear.