Reliable fixing of putty, wallpaper, decorative plaster or paint is possible only on a prepared surface with good adhesion. This can be done by impregnating it with a special deep penetration primer.
Do I need to prime the walls before puttying
Soil application is an important technological process of preparing walls for the subsequent finishing stage. The primer will provide:
- strengthening the surface layer of the building envelope;
- improvement of adhesion and reliable fixing of finishing materials;
- reduced absorption properties of the surface, higher quality finishes.
In addition, most grades of soil have anti-fungal additives in their composition, preventing the likelihood of mold. In more detail, why it is necessary to prime the walls, we have already discussed here.
Almost all wall materials have a porous structure with small microcracks and small chips that actively absorb any moisture and reduce adhesion. The primer for the walls under the putty is able to fill these small voids, creating a kind of film layer on the surface associated with the internal structure of the wall.
Therefore, after applying and drying the soil, the putty will not lose moisture and the subsequent setting process of the material will provide the best layer strength and its reliable fixing on the wall.
Do I need to be primed again before the second coat and finish
The answer is unequivocal - yes, priming the walls before puttying is necessary in any case. At the first priming, you coated and impregnated the wall material with the composition. After that, a putty layer was laid, which in the dry state also has micropores and poor adhesion. Therefore, the first leveling layer also needs to be strengthened with soil and only then apply the next. It will also have to be done before wallpapering or painting.
It is possible to refuse the primer before puttying the walls only if, prior to the application of the topcoat, he did not have time to completely dry, but had already set to a solid state. In this case, the process of puttying becomes continuous and more time-consuming.
Types of primers
Primers are available in concentrated liquids, dry mixes or ready-to-use solutions. Any soil has in its composition an astringent base, in which special additives can be fillers. For concentrated and dry mixtures, a solvent is required, which is indicated on the package. Most often it is ordinary water.
According to the base material, the following types of primers are distinguished:
- Acrylic - suitable for processing most types of surfaces and considered universal;
- phenolic - for coating metal and wood, including chipboard, OSB and fiberboard indoors;
- alkyd - for impregnation of stone walls, plaster, puttying surfaces and drywall with subsequent application of paint on an alkyd base;
- perchlorovinyl and polystyrene - on plaster and brick when performing outdoor work;
- glyptal - for wood and metal surfaces, while the composition has toxic properties and can only be used outdoors.
Separately, mention should be made of the special solution "Concrete Contact". This is an adhesive polymer primer, in the composition of which ground mineral filler is added. Applies to concrete walls only. As a result of its application, a thin rough layer with excellent adhesion is formed on the surface, perfectly retaining putty and other finishing materials.
As a primer, it is allowed to use wallpaper glue diluted with water to a liquid state. However, it is recommended that such mixtures be used before appropriate finishing.
Which primer and in which case is better to choose
When decorating brick, concrete, drywall (we wrote about GKL priming here) or block walls, it is better to abandon the use of special compounds and choose a universal acrylic primer, ready for use. However, note that it is used only for internal work.
For concrete walls, excellent results can be obtained using Concrete Contact. However, it is more expensive, and therefore it makes sense only if the acrylic primer cannot be applied. For example, in a room with high humidity or for outdoor use.
For wood, plywood, fiberboard, particleboard and OSB, use phenolic soil, since it contains special additives that can protect the wood from its damage by pests. Phenol is more expensive than acrylic, but the quality of processing will be much higher.
DIY primer
The process of priming the walls before puttying cannot be called complicated and it can be performed independently. However, there are some nuances in it that must be taken into account during operation. First, the walls are primed, and then putty.
Essential tool
To apply the primer to the walls you need to have:
- steady step-ladder or strong easy table;
- a paint brush for processing corners and a wide fowl;
- spatula to remove dirt;
- capacity for the preparation of consumables.
The mclowice can be replaced with a paint roller on a long handle. It can be even more convenient to work this way.
Soil consumption
The amount of primer used for surface treatment depends on the structural porosity of the wall material. But the average recommended consumption is usually determined by the manufacturer and is indicated on the package.
Here you can notice that high-quality soil may be required during repairs, not only for wall impregnation, but also for covering the ceiling, cement screed on the floor, when installing slopes and other works.
Therefore, read the amount indicated on the packaging of the material, multiply it by the surface area and add 10-15%. If after the soil remains, then you can always use it in another place.
Surface preparation
Since the application of the soil will take place with a view to the subsequent execution of puttying, the preparation of the wall is reduced to the following operations:
- clean the surface of all kinds of old finishes;
- remove dirt, rinse off the dust and, if necessary, degrease individual places;
- Dry the surface by ventilating the room or by blowing air from a fan.
Preparation of working solution
If the ready-to-use composition can be used immediately, then the concentrated composition must be diluted with water in accordance with the instructions on the packaging. Dry mixtures should be stirred until complete dissolution and no lumps. Pay attention to the density of the solution. Too liquid formulations can lose the necessary properties, while thicker ones penetrate the surface structure worse.
Technology of priming walls for putty
The surface can be primed using a roller or brush - here you choose what is more convenient to work with, but keep in mind that although it is more difficult to work with a brush, it not only puts the soil on the surface, but also flushes away dust. Using a paint roller, this result is more difficult to achieve.
The composition is applied in several layers, while at the same time it is necessary to cover the entire surface of the finish. The second layer is applied only after the first has dried. Coating uniformity is very important. Carefully ensure that there are no smudges of the material and, if necessary, immediately remove or rub them.
How long does the primer dry on the walls before puttying? Drying times are usually indicated on the packaging, but if not, simply touch the surface with your hand and make sure it is dry. Only then can we proceed to the next stages of work. We will not give the average value, so as not to deceive the reader.
General recommendations for work
- to reduce the absorbent capacity of drywall, it is better to treat it with a deeply penetrating acrylic composition;
- drywall fasteners should be pre-treated with an anti-corrosion compound;
- wooden surfaces require the use of mixtures with waterproofing properties;
- soil on the first layer of putty allows you to get a more durable and durable coating on the walls;
- when applying putty, remember - several thin layers are always better than one thick one;
- it is not recommended to mix soils from different manufacturers, as they can vary greatly in composition.
To save material, you can use a spray gun, but in this case, the preliminary cleaning of the walls from dust and dirt should be done more carefully.
Priming the top coat of the putty for painting will provide a uniform color cast and high quality work.