FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Tockay is a distributor of natural finishes made from eco-compatible ingredients, respectful of both health and the environment. Founded in 2005 by Carole Hili, an artisan painter and decorator, Tockay offers an original range of lime, casein and clay-based paints and wall plasters, as well as oils, woodstains and waxes.

  • Our products are manufactured in Germany by Kreidezeit and Auro, two companies that have chosen to declare in full the ingredients contained in each of their products and are signatories to the Code of Conduct of the International Association of Natural Building Materials (In.Ve.Na.). Each product is tested to European standards (more stringent than in North America) and has been awarded an EU VOC Value Certificate in accordance with 2004/42/EC. All products distributed by Tockay are solvent-free and petrochemical-free. All ingredients are eco-compatible. Most residues are even compostable. In all cases, they are suitable for household waste, unlike residues from synthetic products, which remain hazardous products.

  • No, the application of natural paints is generally comparable to that of ordinary synthetic paints, but they may have certain characteristics of their own. As they contain no chemical ingredients to enhance certain behaviors, they may require occasional stirring during application, and have slightly longer drying times. These characteristics are not a major obstacle in themselves, and above all avoid the use of toxic ingredients. All you need to do is observe a few simple rules of application. We invite you to read our Guide Sheets for the different types of application. Don’t hesitate to contact us to choose the natural paint best suited to your project and expectations.

  • For equivalent quality, natural paints are no more expensive than synthetic paints. To compare two paints, it’s important to consider the yield* of each paint, for the same quantity. This makes it possible to calculate the quantity of paint needed for a project, and therefore the cost of the materials required.

    *It should be noted that the yield may vary according to the way the paint is applied, as well as the porosity of the surface. It is therefore strongly recommended to properly prime all surfaces before applying a finishing paint.

    *Please note that coverage may vary depending on the painting method, but also on the porosity of the surface. It is therefore highly recommended to properly prime all surfaces before applying a finish coat.

    Écohabitation Article: Coût des peintures vs. performance et qualité

  • Yes, our natural wall finishes are offered at rates up to 30–40% more affordable than the competition, while maintaining a very high level of quality and authenticity. We make natural wall finishes accessible! Request a free quote to compare

  • All Tockay products are available for purchase via our online boutique (tab ”Boutique”). You will be offered the option of “Pick up at our warehouse” (Entrepôt Fredyma, 5755 Des Rossignols Blvd., Laval) or “Delivery” (Canada Post).

    Pick-ups are available the day after you place your order, on working days. For orders placed on Fridays, pick-ups will be available the following Monday.

    Fredyma warehouse opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

    If you need any advice, don’t hesitate to send us an e-mail, we’ll be happy to help!

    Some Tockay products are also available at Juneau in Quebec City (casein primer, lime paint, natural dry pigments and tools).

GENERAL INQUIRIES

HEALTH, ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

  • Tockay products contain no synthetic or petrochemical ingredients and are solvent-free and petrochemical-free. All ingredients are eco-compatible. Most residues are even compostable. In all cases, they are suitable for household waste, unlike residues from synthetic products, which remain hazardous products. For full details, please refer to the technical data sheet for each product, which includes a complete list of ingredients.

  • The raw materials used in Tockay products may have a slight, characteristic odor. This disappears as it dries.

  • Whether lime- or clay-based, Tockay products are healthy and recommended for all health-conscious people. They are recommended for people suffering from allergies or multiple hypersensitivities. It should be noted, however, that for some people, allergies to natural products are possible.

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRODUCTS

  • A paint is composed of a binder (lime), a thinner (water) and a pigment. To make a plaster, we add a filler (powdered limestone, marble powder, sand…) Generally speaking, we can say that paints, which are more liquid, are applied with brushes or rollers, while plasters, which are thicker, are applied with metal tools (trowels, knives…) to give various effects. Several techniques and textures are possible to obtain a panoply of finishes.

  • Lime is a noble, ancient and aesthetically beautiful material that has certainly made its mark around the world and throughout history. For centuries, it has been used for decorative, artistic and basic maintenance work. A tried-and-tested material with multiple virtues, just waiting to be (re)discovered.

    Frequently asked questions about lime

  • It’s important to calculate the surfaces to be painted or coated with plaster to determine the quantity of product required. To help you do this, simply visit our CALCULATOR surface/products.

  • All the ingredients in our products are eco-compatible. Most residues are even compostable, and in any case, they are suitable for household waste. Simply allow your liquid products to dry before disposing of them. For full details, please refer to the technical data sheets on each product page (‘Technical data’ tab).

  • Guide Sheet: Surface Preparation for Paints

    Guide Sheet: Surface Preparation for Plasters

  • Applying a primer suited to your surface is an essential step for an aesthetic and durable final result. If your walls are microporous (gypsum, plaster, stone, brick, etc.), it is necessary to even out the surface in terms of absorption by applying casein primer. If, on the other hand, your walls are already covered with synthetic latex paint, you will need to create adhesion by applying GekkkoSOL silicate-based primer.

  • Yes, absolutely, by making sure to apply a primer suited to your surface. (See previous question/answer.)

  • It is not recommended to hang wallpaper directly on a wall painted with lime, as the specific characteristics of lime complicate the adhesion of the paste. We suggest:

    • Dusting the wall with a dry cloth or soft brush to ensure the surface is stable and solid

    • Applying casein primer to limit surface absorption, respecting the drying time

    • Applying an appropriate primer for receiving wallpaper

    • Hanging the wallpaper with a paste suited to your primer

    Warning: it is highly recommended to do a test on a smaller surface.

PRIMERS

  • Here is a Comparison chart of our natural paints, as well as a Guide Sheet on How to choose your paint to help guide you in your decisions.

  • It is usually recommended to apply 2 coats of paint.

  • Guide Sheet: Painting, what do I need to know
    Guide Sheet: Rolling a ceiling
    Guide Sheet: Applying paint with a roller
    Guide Sheet: Applying paint with a brush

  • A patina may develop to varying degrees depending on the shade and its intensity. As a general rule, the deeper the shade, the more likely (though not certain) it is that a patina will form.

    In the case of dark shades, it's advisable to try applying a first coat (always using cross-brushing strokes) with little or no dilution, then for the second coat, take the same mixture diluted to 10% or slightly more, and apply it in the same manner. It's important to keep in mind that lime has a slight transparency, and by applying and cross-brushing, there are more overlapping layers in some areas than others, which will influence the shade and cause it to vary. This is what creates the cloudy effect.

    For very light shades, you can apply a first coat in white (with little or no dilution) and the second coat colored (diluted to 10% or slightly more). In all cases, it's always recommended to do tests in order to adjust the application as needed.

    • Lime wash: A more diluted formulation that offers transparency effects and a subtle patina on walls.

    • Lime paint: A less diluted preparation, therefore more opaque, while still preserving the characteristic patinated charm depending on the chosen shade. In summary, the main difference lies in the level of dilution. You can opt for a light veil or a more uniform finish depending on the desired effect.

  • Guide Sheet: How to protect lime paints and lime plasters with Marseille soap

  • Guide Sheet: How to clean/maintain lime surfaces

  • Natural paints (tinted with Tockay natural dry pigments or not) have a shelf life of at least 2 years, as long as they are stored in a location protected from frost and extreme heat. The only exception is for paint tinted with Ultramarine Blue or Ultramarine Violet pigments, which must be used within 24 hours of preparation. It is therefore advisable to only pigment the quantity of paint required for the project at hand.

NATURAL PAINTS

  • Tockay tadelakt plaster is a hydraulic lime plaster inspired by an ancient Moroccan tradition, smoothed with a stone and treated with black soap for a silky-smooth finish that is impermeable to running water but permeable to vapor. This technique fundamentally differs from a plaster with synthetic sealant:

    • Natural durability: Unlike sealants that wear out or yellow over time, tadelakt maintains its beauty and functionality long-term

    • Superior resistance: No risk of peeling, unlike conventional plasters covered with sealant

    • Breathable and aesthetic: While a sealant creates a chemical barrier preventing the wall from "breathing" and potentially trapping moisture, tadelakt allows the wall to breathe while offering incomparable depth and elegance Combination possibility: You can apply tadelakt in showers and use marmorino for the rest of the bathroom. The latter, based on air lime, creates a marbled or polished effect bringing brightness and elegance. With an appearance very similar to tadelakt, these two finishes can be harmoniously combined in the same room.

  • Based on complex expertise, it is important that functional tadelakt (showers, bathtubs, sinks, etc.) be applied by an expert craftsman, who will be responsible for the proper finish and durability of this plaster. However, if you wish to learn how to apply it, Tockay regularly offers customized training.

LIME PLASTERS AND TADELAKT

  • Guide Sheet: Technique for mixing natural pigments with your paint or plaster

  • The amount of pigment required depends on the chosen shade:

    • Colour chart of 72 colors and their recipe

    • Colour chart of 10 tinted whites and their recipe

NATURAL DRY PIGMENTS

  • Guide Sheet: Maintenance and cleaning of oiled floors

  • Tockay Hard Oil -Pure Solid- is used for interior wood such as floors, furniture, moldings, doors, frames, toys, children's beds, or countertops. It is exclusively composed of natural oils and resins. It is applied with a flat brush, roller, or cloth. One to two coats are necessary depending on the quality of the surface and application.

  • The drying oils contained in the used cloths can spontaneously ignite in case of oxygen deprivation and thus cause a fire. This is why you must always air-dry the used cloths once the work is finished and then, only when they are dry, throw them in the trash.

PRODUCTS FOR WOOD

  • Cueillette et livraison

  • Privacy Policy

  • Return, Exchange and Cancellation Policy

  • Terms of Service

  • The minimum order amount of $50 before taxes has been established to reduce handling and preparation costs. However, we understand that your needs may vary. If your order is less than $50, please don't hesitate to contact us.

  • Yes, we offer the possibility to pay via Interac transfer. Simply contact us before placing your order.

  • If you haven't received your order yet, please check the carrier's website with your tracking number. For any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

SALES POLICY

  • Yes, Tockay offers implementation services and also works with trained applicators. For more information, don't hesitate to contact us.

  • Certainly, Tockay offers personalized consultations of approximately 30 minutes to meet your specific needs and assist you with your color choices. Don't hesitate to contact us!

APPLICATION SERVICES

Haven't found the answer you were looking for? Contact our technical team for personalized support!

Contact us

Pickup of purchases at Fredyma warehouse:
5755 Des Rossignols Blvd.
Laval (Quebec) H7L 5X4

NOTES:

  • Orders are released only by appointment with a reserved time slot.

  • Open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Administrative correspondence:
6001 St-Hubert St.
Montreal (Quebec) H2S 2L8

Showroom for professionals (by appointment only)

contact@tockay.com

+1 514 691-4065

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