Understanding Surface Treatment in Construction

Surface treatment is a crucial process in construction, aimed at enhancing the durability, appearance, and performance of concrete and formwork surfaces. It involves the application of various products that protect, clean, or prepare surfaces for subsequent construction activities. Whether it’s for formwork release, concrete cleaning, or dustproofing, surface treatment ensures quality finishes and longer-lasting structures.

Why Surface Treatment Matters

Concrete surfaces are exposed to weather, wear, and chemical reactions that can compromise their integrity over time. Effective surface treatment helps:

• Improve workability during construction

• Ensure smooth demolding of concrete

• Extend the lifespan of concrete elements

• Maintain cleanliness and reduce maintenance

• Enhance surface aesthetics and performance

Costarchem Surface Treatment Solutions

Costarchem offers a specialized range of surface treatment products designed for efficiency, performance, and environmental safety.

1. Costar Form 100

COSTARFORM 100 is an organic emulsion-based product, which provides quick, easy to clean and release concrete forms. Costar Form 100 is formulated from carefully selected and blended combination of refined mineral oils and emulsifying agents, producing a thin film stable release agent that can be applied to steel, plastic and timber formwork. The thin film obtained over substrate by the application of Costar Form 100 allows trapped air or free water to escape during vibration to minimize surface voids

     Benefits:

• Can be safely used inside or outside.
• Produces a better and cleaner cast when applied on pre-stressed and precast concrete forms.
• Cuts stripping time to an absolute minimum.
• Reduces from cleaning and repairing.

2. Costar Form 200

COSTARFORM 200 is crafted from a mineral oil-based formulation, meticulously engineered to facilitate the seamless, efficient, and pristine demolding of concrete forms. Upon application, this specialized product creates a delicate film atop the substrate. This film serves a crucial purpose, enabling the expulsion of any entrapped air or excess water during the vibration process. By facilitating this escape, COSTARFORM 200 effectively mitigates the formation of surface voids, ensuring the production of high- quality concrete structures with smooth and flawless finishes.

   Benefits:

• Can be safely used inside or outside.
• Produces a better and cleaner cast when applied on pre-stressed and precast concrete forms.
• Cuts stripping time to an absolute minimum.
• Reduces form cleaning and repairing
• Increases wood form life, rustproofs metal forms.
• Effectively minimizes concrete buildup on pavers, R/M trucks, mixers, spreader-finishers, buggies, chutes, and other equipment.

3. Concrete Dissolver

Costar Concrete Dissolver is a combination of acid based material, corrosion inhibitors and dispersing agents specifically designed for use as concrete remover, cleaning and etching agent.

   Benefits:

• For the removal of mortar and plaster runs, droppings and stains from brickwork and concrete surfaces
• Removal of rust and mill scale from steelwork
• Removal of hardened concrete from tools, machinery, and equipment such as ready-mix trucks, concrete mixers, or barrows.

4. Costar Dustproofer

Costar Dust-proofer is a ready to use low viscosity dustproofing liquid for concrete floors, paths and driveways. It is suitable for used both internally and externally. It penetrates concrete surface and chemically reacts within the concrete surface, producing extremely hard and dense calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) in the concrete pores thus creating a concrete that is more durable, easier to clean, and more resistant to damage from water.

Benefits:

• Simple application process
• Results in a durable and dustproofed concrete surface that lasts indefinitely
• It is suitable for use on new or old floors with no surface coatings
• Decreases permeability, thereby enhancing durability and longevity

Conclusion

Surface treatment is not just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality, longevity, and efficiency. With the right products, such as Costar Form 100, Costar Form 200, Concrete Dissolver, and Costar Dust proofer, construction professionals can ensure cleaner work environments, durable surfaces, and higher-quality finishes. Choosing Costarchem means choosing reliable performance and proven results