of modifying silicate content ph and or sio 2 content in a preferred embodiment two parts of the aqueous silicate is mixed with one part colloidal silicate organoammonium silicates which can be used in an aqueous solution include those that contain c 1 through c 8 alkyl or aryl groups and hetero atoms tetramethylammonium silicate is preferred alkylpolysilicate eps contained in the water miscible organic solvent is the hydrolysis condensation product of alkylorthosilicate according to the reaction equation below str1 where n u2266 2 r should be u2266 10 carbons for good solubility and high sio 2 content tetramethyl tms or tetraethylorthosilicates teos are preferred mixed alkylorthosilicate can also be used it is desirable to obtain an alkylpolysilicate with n gt 0 5 preferably n greater than 1 as n increases the sio 2 content increases resulting in stronger consolidation it is desirable to use an alkylpolysilicate with a silica content of 30 or more preferably about 50 eps which is used herein is placed into a water miscible organic solvent the preferred solvent is ethanol of course other alcohols can be used eps tms teos or other alkylpoly silicates are contained in the solvent in an amount of from about 10 to about 90 weight percent sufficient to react with the silicates contained in the aqueous solution although alcohol is the solvent preferred because of its versatility and availability other water miscible organic solvents can be utilized these solvents include methanol and higher.