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UNPAINT can be applied to any surface, and once set, forms a solid film-like layer that can be peeled off the wall by hand.
For renters, retailers and exhibitors, keeping their properties and businesses fresh is a constant challenge. A new look is often sought, but that takes a lot of time and money.
Glasst has a unique approach to this challenge, courtesy of its UNPAINT product. Headquartered in Colombia and Texas, Glasst has developed UNPAINT, the world’s first peelable architectural paint. UNPAINT can be applied to any surface with a brush, roll, or spray, and once set, it forms a solid film-like layer that can be peeled off the wall by hand.
Initial sales are proving particularly popular with retail store and exhibition space operators, which require constant refreshes. Glasst noted it is also proving very useful with residential redecorating, especially in rented accommodation where tenants are required to leave the property in its original state.
Glasst has received numerous awards across Latin America, including being named as the most innovative start-up in Colombia in the past decade, as well as being recognized as one of the disruptive cleantech startups in the region.
Glasst CEO Juan Camilo Botero founded Glasst Innovation Company in 2018. Rooted in Botero’s Latin heritage and his academic background from the University of Miami, Glasst was conceived with the ambition to shift the global materials industry towards more sustainable practices.
Focused on creating advanced, environmentally friendly materials, Glasst aims to lead the way in developing solutions that are not only sustainable but also transformative.
“As we expand globally, our goal remains to introduce innovative products like UNPAINT, which exemplify our commitment to sustainability and innovation, to new markets, particularly in the U.S., where there is a growing demand for sustainable building materials,” said Botero.
UNPAINT uses a proprietary formula that allows it to be applied as a liquid, which then forms an elastic, durable film once dried. This film can then be easily peeled off, leaving no residue and preserving the underlying surface. Its ability to adhere to almost any surface expands the traditional boundaries of paint applications, making it a true category changer in the coatings industry.
“Originally, while developing our Glasstommer technology aimed at protective coatings, we discovered serendipitously that adding color to the formula transformed it into something extraordinary,” Botero recalled. “This marked the beginning of UNPAINT, the world’s first architectural removable paint, enabling aesthetic flexibility and supporting our sustainability mission.”
There are numerous advantages to UNPAINT, beginning with the ability to simply peel the previous layer off.
“UNPAINT stands out as the first architectural removable paint, merging traditional painting technology with innovative applications,” said Botero. “Its key advantages include versatility, as it expands the paint category into new segments, enabling novel uses on walls, furniture, and other surfaces. It is rental proof, ideal for tenants, allowing for easy application and removal without damaging underlying surfaces.
"UNPAINT is also eco-friendly, as it offers a sustainable option that reduces the need for frequent repaints and minimizes waste, and each kilogram sold helps to decarbonize 11 kg of CO2,” added Botero. “It is also stimulating market growth: by reactivating consumer
interest in the paint category through its innovative and flexible applications, UNPAINT aims to help revitalize the market and expand the paint ‘off the wall’.”
UNPAINT is already gaining significant traction in various sectors, including residential decorating, commercial spaces and events and exhibitions.
“These applications highlight UNPAINT’s broad market appeal, from DIY enthusiasts to professional designers and commercial clients,” added Botero.
Glasst’s products are already on sale across Latin American markets and is now marking a significant global expansion with the U.S. launch of UNPAINT.
“We are launching UNPAINT in the U.S. through a strategic multi-channel approach, including e-commerce platforms, major online marketplaces like Amazon and Lowe’s, and through traditional hardware channels in partnership with Orgill,” Botero noted. “This ensures that UNPAINT is accessible to a wide range of consumers across different sectors.”
Botero highlighted the enthusiastic response from customers in the retail channel, emphasizing how UNPAINT is revitalizing a traditionally stagnant segment.
“Retailers are excited about how UNPAINT is unlocking new business opportunities without requiring additional investment in their paint section,” Botero noted. “Final users, particularly those in rental properties and dynamic commercial spaces, are finding UNPAINT to be a game-changer. They frequently highlight its time-saving benefits, calling it the ultimate ‘rental-proof’ paint. The ability to easily apply and remove UNPAINT means frequent, hassle-free redesigns, allowing them to refresh their spaces as often as they like.
"Customers also appreciate the innovative, eco-friendly approach of UNPAINT, which meets the growing demand for sustainable, practical solutions. It's not just paint; it’s a tool for creativity and efficiency, making it an attractive option for anyone looking to transform their space with minimal effort.”
Fuente: David Savastano, Contributing Editor09.04.24 Coatings World
Unpaint can be applied using standard painting tools, but Glasst promises that after a few days, it can be easily removed without sanding or solvents.
Glasst has come up with an unusual solution for DIYers struggling to commit to a new wall color. Its Unpaint is a paint alternative that can be applied using standard tools like brushes, rollers, or even sprayers, but not permanently. When it dries, the company claims the paint can be easily peeled off instead of requiring laborious sanding or solvents to remove it.
Unpaint uses the Colombian-based company’s proprietary Glasstommer technology, which allows a quickly applied liquid material to become a thin removable film. Glasst considers the exact makeup of the material a trade secret but does divulge that it contains a “biodegradable elastic component” that “dries to create a film that removes as easily as peeling an adhesive.”
The Glasstommer technology was originally developed as an easier way to protect delicate surfaces such as windows, floor tiles, or even countertops from damage during construction or renovations. Instead of requiring surfaces to be painstakingly covered with paper and tape, Glasst’s Universal Protective Coating can be just quickly sprayed on.
Glasst says its Unpaint is just as easy to use, although the company does recommend applying two to three coats with up to an hour of drying time after each one for the best results. It takes about 24 hours for the material to fully dry, at which point it can be removed by grabbing a small area with a pinch and then peeling it off in a similar fashion to the protective plastic applied to new electronics.
The removable paint does come with some tradeoffs. It’s not as durable as regular paint and is more prone to being easily scratched, and Glasst recommends testing its Unpaint on a small area to ensure it adheres properly, can be easily removed once dry, and doesn’t leave a colored stain behind.
It’s also not a permanent finish. Glasst says the Unpaint material will naturally biodegrade after a few years when peeled off and discarded. But that process starts about 12 months after application, so the company doesn’t recommend leaving it on surfaces for longer than a year; otherwise, it could become more difficult to cleanly remove.
The company suggests its Unpaint could be a great solution for renters who want to customize a home or apartment without having to repaint when they move out or for those who really commit to holiday decorating and want a room color-matched to their seasonal decor.
Glasst’s temporary Unpaint being peeled off an upholstered chair.
Painting your furniture is a possibility with Glasst’s Unpaint, but it may not turn out as comfortable as you remember it. Image: Glasst
Unpaint can be used on a variety of surfaces, including cement, marble, wood, metal, glass, granite, brick, stucco, and even some fabrics if you want your leather sofa to match your freshly painted walls.
The product is already available in Colombia, but Glasst is now selling its Unpaint in the US. A quart costs $29.98, while a full gallon is $59.98. That’s more expensive than a can of basic indoor paint, but it’s also not the most expensive way to finish a wall.
Fuente: by Andrew Liszewski, Sep 11, 2024, 12:13 PM GMT-5, The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/11/24241719/glasst-paint-temporary-unpaint-peel-off
