Insulative Paint

[freebeard]

I've been interested in cork paint for some time. These bare metal walls need at least a thermal break.

But the research I've done shows the established brands only sell to professional installers. It also shows the step by step instructions that the installers adhere to.

So what I'm wondering about is whether anyone has experience shredding cork for insulation. I know a source for wine bottle corks in bulk. It seems like the progression would be chopper > blender > flour sifter with the residue from the sifter going back to the blender.

That should produce cork dust I can add to a water-based interior enamel. I'd need the three implements, and then I could do some test mixtures.

[redneck]

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For testing purposes.

Maybe use a food processor for the first reduction. Then use a coffee burr grinder to reduce further. The adjustability of conical burrs should allow for a consistent sized particle to be produced eliminating the need to use a sifter.

Wouldn’t a particle size larger than dust be more desirable ?

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[ME_Andy]

Sounds like a good business opportunity if you can figure it out.

Same as Redneck- grinding the cork too small might not be a good idea since it's the air pockets that make for good insulation.

[freebeard]

Thanks. Blender and food processor are prolly the same thing.

I was wondering about a sifter with a coarser screen. I agree flour consistency is too fine. My coffee grinder is a miniature blender, I can look into burr grinders.

I just think cork would be better to work with than styrofoam.

[Piotrsko]

The only advantage to Styrofoam is it comes in pellet size if you want. Just add binder.

[seifrob]

I once tried the exact thing: to produce cork dust for our Kundts tube experiment. All experience in one word: it sucks.
Tried to process it in meat ?mincer?, in coffee grinder, everything I had at home. Best results were with sanding, but than the cork dust was contaminated with grains from sandpaper.
I was lucky enough to find a company making wine bottle corks and other cork stuff, and they gave me bag of cork dust. They were dumping it

[freebeard]

That's a data point. Cork dust is possibly less per gallon than the paint. I'd though of a meat grinder, but I guess not.

Looking on eBay, cork granules are used in boilie balls, whatever they are, by fishermen. 5 liters for $26. I guess I'll look for a brick and mortar fishing shop.
________________

According to the people who won't sell me their product, it's all in the surface prep.

[Piotrsko]

Search carp bait. Carp are bottom feeders with a penchant for strawberries and need floating to help with the hooking therein using slider rigs.

If youre serious, there is cork underlayment that is rolled and about 1/8" thick. Sticky you have to do yourself

[freebeard]

I now have in hand the Rules, Regulations and Community Standards to which I am being held.* Fortunately I'm being grandfathered in.

Bare-metal aluminum is disallowed; one approved finish is stucco. So now I have to consider a cork spray rolled exterior finish. Maybe an epoxy enamel?

On the inside, I'd want a final coat of intumescent paint as well. So there would be savings there.

* Inspecting it for opportunity for malicious compliance. There is a gray area between a bleach bottle on a stake with flaps cut into it and a 'whomp, whomp' rotor.

[Piotrsko]

Some stucco finishes incorporate an acrylic binder instead of portland cement. Guy one block over has that, sprayed on just like paint.