Exterior wall coatings are expected to withstand years of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, rain, temperature fluctuations, and airborne contaminants. Over time, even well-performing coating systems eventually reach the point where restoration becomes necessary. While many façade restoration projects involve repainting or recoating an existing surface, buildings that were previously finished with silicone-based wall coatings present a unique challenge. Because cured silicone has a very low affinity for most conventional coatings, new acrylic and other non-silicone based elastomeric finishes often struggle to achieve reliable adhesion. Traditionally, this has left building owners with the costly option of removing the existing coating before a new system can be installed. Pecora SilcoPrime® provides an alternative approach by allowing compatible architectural wall coatings to be applied over existing silicone-based coatings without removal, helping simplify façade restoration while extending the service life of the building envelope.
SilcoPrime is an STPU-based interlaminary primer developed specifically for restoration projects involving existing silicone-coated masonry, EIFS, and metal panel assemblies. Rather than serving as a finish coat, it functions as an adhesion-promoting primer between the existing silicone surface and a new non-silicone architectural wall coating. This makes it possible to transition from a silicone coating to acrylic-based wall coating systems such as Pecora WeatherClad® or WeatherClad® WT. WeatherClad is a breathable elastomeric acrylic coating designed to bridge hairline cracks while providing long-term weather protection for concrete, masonry, stucco, and EIFS. WeatherClad WT is a 100% acrylic, non-elastomeric, architectural wall coating intended for projects where color retention, chalk resistance, and a durable finish are primary objectives. Together with SilcoPrime, these coatings provide a restoration system that allows existing substrates to remain in service while renewing the appearance and performance of the façade.
For building owners and project teams, restoring an existing coating system can offer practical advantages over complete removal and replacement. Eliminating the need to strip a silicone coating can reduce labor, shorten project schedules, and minimize disruption to building occupants while allowing the façade to receive an updated architectural finish. When combined with WeatherClad or WeatherClad WT, SilcoPrime supports a complete wall coating system that restores weather resistance while maintaining the breathable characteristics needed for long-term wall performance. Rather than replacing a functioning substrate simply because the existing silicone coating limits future recoating options, project teams can restore the exterior with a compatible system engineered specifically for that transition.
