Abstract: In the production of a coated structural element by producing a workable composition of an inorganic binder and water, forming the composition into a structural element, providing an inorganic salt at least on the surface of the structural element, applying to the surface of the structural element an aqueous paste containing at least one metal oxide and waterglass thereby to form a gel-like non-fluid coating and hardening the coated structural element, the improvement which comprises hardening the structural element prior to applying the aqueous paste thereto, whereby the resulting coating is of enhanced weather resistance. The inorganic salt may be provided on the surface by being present in the workable composition per se or by being present in a facing layer applied to the structural element. It can also be provided by being sprayed thereon as an aqueous solution in which event the first hardening must precede such spraying. The resulting coatings are of enhanced weather resistance.

Abstract: In the production of a coated building component comprising the steps of mixing an inorganic binder, water and aggregate to produce a workable mass, molding said mass into a preformed component, applying to the preformed component an aqueous paste containing a metal oxide and at least one of waterglass and a phosphate to form a coating and allowing the coating to harden, the improvement which comprises applying about 190 to 400 g of the paste per square meter of surface to be coated, the application being effected in the presence of at least about 0.5% by weight of the inorganic binder or, in the case of lime-sand bricks, by weight of the binder plus aggregate, of a water soluble inorganic salt which converts the aqueous paste into a gel-like non-flowing form.