Why you can’t putty walls immediately after priming

List of tools for work

We will give a list of the most necessary tools for applying putty to various surfaces.

Tools for work

The fact is that the higher the quality, the easier it is not only to work, but also to study. Crooked and rough spatulas make it very difficult to apply putty even for experienced professionals, let alone beginners. The material is permanently glued not to the wall, but to the surface of the spatula, does not flow, the tool leaves behind noticeable marks, etc.

Currently, most craftsmen are switching to polymer putty; it is more expensive than usual, but significantly increases labor productivity. Due to this, the increase in cost has almost no negative impact on the construction estimate. What needs to be prepared for puttying?

1. Spatulas. There must be at least two: a wide one with a length of 30 cm or more and a narrow one with a length of 5–10 cm. The length of a wide spatula can reach 50 cm, it all depends on the skill of the performer and the characteristics of the wall. Using a short spatula, the material is applied to a long one, and the latter stretches it along the wall. It is not recommended to buy spatulas with a narrow blade; little material can be placed on them, you have to add it often, and this requires time and extra effort. Spatulas can have straight and shaped handles, parallel or semicircular side edges.
2. Ironing irons. The tools are much more convenient for work; the sizes and shapes of the handles are different. But learning to work with such tools is difficult; you can switch to them if you have practical experience. You will feel more or less confident after puttying 150–200 m2 of surface. Instead of a trowel, you can use a spatula for mechanized application, but this is a rather expensive tool.

Varieties of mixture

Not all primers are suitable for use on drywall surfaces. Some mixtures are produced for outdoor use, and the installation of gypsum boards is typical for interior spaces. At the moment, there are such solutions and let's find out which primer for gypsum plasterboard is best suited:

1. Acrylic - a universal mixture used for various substrates
2. Alkyd – designed for wood structures
3. Phenolic – for processing metal and wooden elements
4. Perchlorovinyl - refers to universal mixtures that are intended for outdoor use
5. Griftal – only external walls can be treated
6. Polystyrene - there is a degree of toxicity, so it is better to use for external bases

From the above, it becomes clear that for drywall it is better to choose an acrylic primer. Before you buy a mixture, read its label and instructions - most manufacturers indicate for which surfaces their solutions are suitable. When you need a primer for drywall under wallpaper, choose colorless mixtures - they do not turn yellow, unlike white solutions. Ceresite is no exception. The same position should be followed when purchasing primers for drywall for painting. Colorless primers are called universal.

Important! A beginner can try blue and pink compositions. Such solutions make it possible to properly prime surfaces, and the changed shade of the coating will let you know which areas were missed during processing. The type of finish will not change if you decide to glue tiles or thick wallpaper.

There is no need to dilute the water-based emulsion; after purchasing the material, you can apply it yourself. Penetration of the primer occurs instantly, after which no traces remain on the surface. The norm for a strengthening solution is to create a glossy film.

Drying time for cement plaster.

As a rule, the approximate calculation of this indicator is 1mm layer in 24 hours. This period assumes ideal drying conditions. However, increased humidity can lead to a delay in the drying process for an unprogrammed amount of time, which is due to the ability of the material not only to give off moisture, but also to absorb it from the outside.

This leads to the dehumidification of air in plastered rooms using boilers, which contributes to the gradual drying of the surfaces.

Using a hair dryer for these purposes is not advisable due to the instant effect, which negatively affects the strength.

Thus, it is impossible to answer how long it takes for cement plaster to dry on walls with one hundred percent certainty. This calculation is made individually in each individual case.

Of course, a basic calculation of how long the plaster takes to dry can be done independently. Knowing the necessary parameters and taking them into account will allow you to make approximate calculations.

Accordingly, having a few weeks before the start of the rainy season will provide the opportunity to carry out all plastering work in optimal weather conditions, which will avoid problems and will contribute to obtaining excellent repair results.

How long does it take for primer to dry?

Seeing how many positive properties a primer brings, it must be used during repairs. The main question is why you can’t putty immediately after a layer of this substance has been applied.

Naturally, the answer is obvious, if immediately after the walls are re-primed, work on plastering the walls begins, such work will not receive the above positive qualities.

It is important that under no circumstances should you begin to putty the walls immediately after applying the primer. The reason is that the product will lose all its qualities, and treating this surface will simply be useless.

The reason is that to achieve maximum effect, you should wait until the primer dries. This question interests many workers and specialists who do their own apartment renovations.

How long you need to wait after applying the first layer depends on the following indicators:

• the type of walls that were treated;
• wet or dry wall, how porous the material from which it is built is;
• humidity and temperature in the apartment;
• What is the primer made of?

In order to find out exactly how long the primer needs to dry, you should carefully read the instructions for using this product. Usually the manufacturer writes all the characteristics and method of use on the packaging.

It is important that in order to properly putty all surfaces, you need to wait after priming for the period of time that the manufacturer indicated on the packaging.

Why does putty bubble?

Sometimes the putty layer begins to bubble.

Another important question that is often asked is: “Why does the putty bubble after priming?” This effect may be due to several factors:

• too thick a layer of putty is applied;
• A wet wall was primed, then the soil dried out, and now the wall is drying. Acrylic primer allows steam to pass through, it comes out and blows up bubbles;
• the primer is not diluted correctly;
• the wall was poorly prepared and there was dust left on it;
• The humidity in the room dropped sharply. This happens when you start working in a cold room and in the process heat it up with a heater.

Apply the putty in a thin layer.

If you are sure that you first dried and prepared the walls well, selected the right primer and diluted it according to the instructions, then try mixing a “cooler” putty. In some cases, this measure helps.

When can I paint, glue and putty?

The primer layer applies well to the putty and dries quickly, but still, experts recommend waiting until it dries completely, otherwise the wallpaper will wrinkle or bubbles will appear. On cement-sand plaster, the impregnating mixture sets in 2-3 hours, and on cement-lime plaster you need to wait 4-6 hours, but putty can be started before it dries completely. It's also worth remembering:

1. Primed putty walls should be painted after complete polymerization.
2. Painting with old paint is done after the mixture has polymerized; in this case, the old paint will not peel off.
3. Painting on plaster without putty requires covering with a primer composition in at least two layers, and each layer is applied to the completely dry previous one; it will take at least a quarter of a day to be completely ready for painting.

Why is it necessary to prime walls?

If you carefully examine the surface of the walls being prepared for painting or pasting from a close distance, you can see depressions and roughness on them.

Due to their presence, the quality of adhesion to the finishing material may deteriorate, and the smooth surface of the wallpaper may also be damaged.

The performance properties of the primer depend on its type. The strengthening composition ensures the gluing of microparticles of the surface structure, resulting in the formation of a smooth, dust-free surface. This makes it easy to apply glue or paint to it.

Deep penetration soils fill the microscopic pores of the base, due to which the working surface acquires additional strength.

Using a primer for treating walls has a number of positive aspects:

• the surface acquires a uniform, smooth structure and becomes more durable;
• eliminates paint odor;
• the glossy surface becomes more shiny;
• the risk of mold and rot formation is reduced;
• paint and glue adhere well to the surface, which at the same time absorbs less material.

Purpose

Another division of primers occurs according to their purpose:

• For wood

Wood is more susceptible to negative impacts than other materials. It can easily rot or be eaten by insects. Wood is also susceptible to fungus and resin release. All this suggests that primer is a mandatory stage in finishing wooden walls. Wood perfectly absorbs almost any finishing material, and a primer will allow you to apply them in a much smaller number of layers. Yes, the primer mixture itself will also need more, since the wood absorbs it too, but you must agree that two kilograms of primer is still cheaper than two liters of paint. And applying it is much easier and faster.

• For metal

These mixtures have excellent anti-corrosion and moisture-repellent properties. They protect the metal well from harmful influences. The choice of primer for metal usually comes down to two options: shellac or phosphate. You can use other one-component formulations, but these are most suitable.

• Primer for plaster

Since plaster absorbs water well, to best strengthen it, use a primer containing adhesive, moisture-resistant and antibacterial materials.

• Universal primer

If the material is not particularly demanding, then you can use a universal primer that is suitable for most known surfaces: chipboard, fiberboard, plasterboard, plywood, etc.

• Betonkontakt

As you probably guessed by the name, this primer is used for working with concrete surfaces. It is suitable not only for walls, but also for floors. The mixture protects the concrete from water, but does not allow moisture to leave the screed, so as not to cause drying out and cracks.

Sequence of applying layers

It was previously explained whether it is possible to plaster over putty, but you need to know in what order the putty mixture is applied after priming and preparation. Use starting putty to eliminate unevenness. When there are large cracks, a reinforcing mesh is installed on them.

The dried layer should be sanded down. The surface is cleaned of dust, the treated areas are primed again, and the final puttying proceeds. Sanding and priming are carried out again.

The dried layer should be sanded down.

The nuances of puttying corners and slopes

Separately, it is necessary to describe the principle of working with corners and slopes. For easier processing, you can make a thicker layer, which is then leveled by sanding. The stage is difficult even for professionals.

The second option to simplify the work would be to apply the solution using a sealant gun, previously cleaned of the old composition. Or you can use a confectionery syringe, which is inserted into the gun, thickening is made using rubber linings and gluing with electrical tape. It works like this:

1. Putty solution is drawn into the selected tool.
2. Squeeze the putty out of the syringe into the crack in the corner; it is advisable to fill the entire void from top to bottom at one time.
3. Afterwards, the layer is leveled with an angled spatula, based on the base, just as plaster is applied to beacons.
4. When the layer dries, the protruding parts are sanded.

On slopes they work using an angle trowel, a convenient method. Sanding is also carried out. Evenness is checked by the rule.

On slopes they work using an angle trowel, a convenient method.

The need for priming

Many self-taught craftsmen have doubts about the need to prime drywall. And this is not surprising, because the material does not like moisture. However, if the mixture is applied correctly, no harm will be caused to the drywall.

Why apply primer to drywall?

Let's look at the main advantages of gypsum board processing:

• Improves adhesion of finishing material to the surface when you need to glue tiles or paint the ceiling
• The foundation is strengthened
• The consumption of finishing is reduced - we are talking about wallpaper glue, paint and putty
• When painting is required, the primer promotes uniform application of paintwork
• Extends the service life of cladding
• Protecting surfaces from mold and mildew

In addition, it should be noted that thanks to the primer, drywall acquires new and useful qualities:

• The material becomes water-repellent
• Adhesive
• Fireproof
• Antiseptic

How to determine whether walls are ready for puttying

After the primer has been applied, you should carefully determine whether the wall is dry or not. On those surfaces that are porous, after 40 minutes, a visual inspection can determine that the wall is dry. But this is not true; such walls need to be coated with another layer of primer.

It is important that in order to understand whether the wall has dried or not, you need to touch it with your hand; if there is a film effect, then the surface is ready for puttying. If this effect does not occur and dust is found on the wall during inspection, then several more layers of primer should be applied.

Using these simple tips, even an inexperienced specialist will understand that a primer is required for many types of repair work. An important point is that the final drying time is indicated on the packaging.

Source

What functions does the primer perform?

1. A layer of applied primer, getting inside, makes the treated surface more durable.
2. The applied layer gets into all the pores and cracks, resulting in the formation of a “protective film” on the wall. As a result, less paint or putty is required.
3. Thanks to the primer layer, the paint will be applied more evenly and there will be no streaks or stains.
4. Some types of primer, in addition to their intended purpose, also protect walls from the appearance of fungus and mold.
5. The applied layer of this product helps to adhere more thoroughly to the putty.