Before you begin finishing the room, all surfaces are leveled. In construction, various technologies are used to obtain a smooth surface, but the use of cement-based leveling mixtures remains widespread. The Russian basic putty Starateli meets the requirements that craftsmen place on building mixtures: it applies well, is easy to process and forms a durable, moisture-resistant coating.
Prospector putty basic
The production of ready-to-use building mixtures of the Starateli brand began in the 90s. last century at factories located in the Moscow region. Technologists decided not to reinvent the wheel, but took samples of proven imported mixtures as a basis. The base is made of components such as sand, cement. Fillers are mined in Russia, and plasticizers and modifiers are supplied from Europe. So the manufacturer has every reason to claim high European quality of products.
Information about the manufacturing company
was formed in Moscow in 1992 and initially was only engaged in the production of ready-made putty. Later, the range of truly high-quality products was seriously expanded; a whole list of dry building mixtures was introduced into it. In a short period of time, the company organized high-tech production, introduced computerized control systems and established a powerful sales system.
The recipe for “Starateli” putties uses only selected raw materials and safe components, while the prices for the goods remain quite affordable. Many putties can be used in the most difficult climatic conditions, and all of them are of guaranteed stable quality. Now the company has 15 production lines in the Moscow region and 4 branches in other regions of Russia, producing more than 80 types of goods for various finishing works.
What's included
The basis of Starateli starting dry plaster is white cement, which expands the scope of application and speeds up the finishing time. Unlike plasters based on gray Portland cement, this mixture is light beige in color, so finishing begins immediately after the starting putty has dried. Judging by its composition, Starateli is more likely to be a dry plaster, but unlike other types, it is plastic, which is inherent in putties. This explains its versatility: Starateli plaster combines moisture resistance and leveling properties characteristic of gypsum putties.
Example of surfaces
An advantage in terms of saving money is wallpapering without additional puttying of the starting layer with finishing compounds.
The composition includes sifted and purified sand with a maximum fraction size of 0.4 mm.
In addition to ground clinker and gypsum, the putty formulation contains additives that improve elasticity, prevent shrinkage during drying and repel moisture. Prospector putty uses European polymer plasticizers and additives, “Wacker”, “Rhodia”.
Starter putty is a modified type, since marble flour, cellulose ethers and fine sand are added to it, which helps retain moisture and allows the putty to be applied in a layer of up to 1 cm.
Features of putty
Depending on the composition, different versions of “Starateli” putties differ greatly from each other. Most of them are based on mineral components (white or gray cement, gypsum, etc.), and also contain reinforcing fibers, antiseptics, fillers, modifiers, and polymer additives. Thanks to the modern formulation, putties are characterized by the following properties:
- Plastic. Any material is easy to apply, spreads in a thin layer over the surface, does not run off, and does not form roughness. It fills all the unevenness and cracks well, which increases the density and strength of the finished coating.
- High adhesion. Putties reliably adhere to many building substrates, including unprimed ones.
- Waterproof. After drying, the product does not have large pores, so the resulting film will not only be durable, but also moisture resistant.
- Environmentally friendly. All “Starateli” putties are safe and do not emit harmful substances, including when heated and burned.
- Resistance to negative factors. The materials are resistant to ultraviolet radiation, wind and precipitation, and chemicals.
- Versatility. The product line includes products for facades, interior work, leveling and finishing. In addition, putties adhere well to concrete, brick, stone and other substrates, so they can rightfully be considered universal.
Putty mixtures from Starateli
All putty pastes are easy to sand when dry, resulting in a perfectly smooth finish. They are sold in bags of 5 and 20 kg, as well as in plastic buckets of 7-15 kg. The shelf life of the compositions is 1 year.
Technical characteristics and consumption
When selecting a specific material, you need to pay attention to its properties and technical parameters, which must correspond to the chosen field of application. Some putties are used to level out serious differences, eliminate significant defects, and after drying they do not shrink or crack, even when applying a thick layer. Other products are applied in a thin layer, as they are intended for final leveling and finishing of surfaces.
The average technical characteristics of “Starateli” putty pastes are as follows:
- recommended temperature for application - from +5 to +30 degrees;
- drying time of the layer - 24 hours at a temperature of about +20 degrees;
- adhesion - from 0.25 MPa;
- frost resistance - from 30-35 cycles;
- viability of the finished mixture is 1.5-24 hours (depending on the type of putty).
Material consumption is usually 1.1 kg/sq.m. m with a layer thickness of 1 mm. When diluted, 1 kg of dry mixture requires about 0.3-0.36 liters of water.
Execution of work
To apply the finishing putty solution you will need a spatula (with a double handle) or a trowel (50-80 centimeters). Apply the prepared mixture to a spatula (use a 10-centimeter spatula) and apply it to the surface so that the angle of contact of the solution with the base is 20-30 degrees and apply the putty diagonally with a uniform movement, this way we will achieve leveling of the surface vertically and horizontally. The dried surface is treated with sandpaper. For ease of sanding, you can use a mesh holder with a mesh or make your own block of wood to which the sandpaper will be attached. It is recommended to take sanding paper P120-P150. After sanding work, clean the base from dust. You can carry out painting or wallpapering work.
Basic putty
The most popular among professionals is the basic putty “Prospectors”. It is suitable for external and internal work, is characterized by high moisture resistance, and is applied in a layer of up to 0.8 cm. The base mixture contains cement, so it can be used in a wide variety of works, for example, as a base for painting external walls.
Finishing putty
Among the mixtures for fine finishing, the finishing putty “Starateli” has become widespread. It contains small gypsum particles, so the applied layer will be even and perfectly smooth. Among the company's assortment there are different types of finishing agents, and each of them has a high level of adhesion to building substrates. They eliminate unevenness in the base layer, covering even the smallest imperfections. The thickness of the finishing putty layer is usually about 0.5 cm. It is prepared in not too large portions, since it hardens quickly due to the gypsum base.
Types of putties and their composition
All materials in the “Prospectors” series can be divided into base (cement), gypsum and polymer. You can select a suitable putty from the general list.
Ready superfinish
Polymer-based composition in a plastic jar. Sold in ready-made form. It has a snow-white color and contains finely ground fillers with a fraction of up to 60 microns. To increase strength, it contains reinforcing fibers and modifiers. Thanks to antiseptics, it does not support the proliferation of microorganisms. It is used in rooms with low or normal humidity, excellent for gypsum plasterboard, fiberglass, walls with gypsum plaster already applied. Widely used for wallpapering and painting.
Facade-finish
Facade putty “Starateli” is made on the basis of cement, natural fillers and various modifiers. Suitable for exterior, interior, wet rooms, walls and ceilings, easily adhered to concrete and reinforced concrete walls. Suitable for painting, decorative plastering, wallpaper. The features of the putty are:
- applied in a layer of 0.3-3 mm;
- crack-resistant;
- frost-resistant;
- weatherproof;
- perfect white.
Facade finishing putty Starateli 20 kg
Facade
Available in the form of a dry mixture. It is characterized by a high level of resistance to moisture, so it is excellent for finishing external walls and other structures. The finished layer, up to 1 cm thick, dries quickly, has an even light beige color, and perfectly levels concrete, foam concrete, aerated concrete and other types of bases. Also used for working on bricks and cement plaster. Withstands up to 50 defrost/freeze cycles.
Basic white and basic gray
Base mixtures for internal use. Designed for rough leveling of walls and ceilings in order to create a reliable basis for finishing. Made on the basis of cement, polymer additives, formula improvers, modifiers. Before applying the base compounds, it is important to prepare the base well and remove all types of contaminants from it that reduce the reliability of adhesion to the finishing layer. The purpose of the mixtures is varied:
- for facades and interior surfaces;
- for any humidity level;
- for all types of mineral bases - concrete, brick, reinforced concrete, aerated concrete, foam concrete;
- for vertical, horizontal structures.
Finishing - fast-hardening leveling
Contains fine fraction gypsum, as well as improving additives. Suitable only for rooms with low and normal humidity. Smoothes out minor imperfections and prepares walls for final finishing. It is perfectly applied and reliably adheres to bases made of gypsum, plasterboard, cement, reinforced concrete, and concrete.
Finish CD
It has a snow-white color and is sold dry in packages of 20 kg. The composition includes the finest mineral fillers, special polymer components, as well as PVA glue. It is used for finishing cladding of walls, ceilings, and other indoor structures. Not suitable for rooms with high humidity. It dries quickly, firmly adheres to different types of building bases, but is best suited for working with gypsum bases, drywall, concrete and reinforced concrete. The finished coating will be so smooth that you can stick the thinnest wallpaper on it or use it for painting.
Finish Plus moisture resistant
Cement-polymer based putty. Applied in a layer within 0.3-3 mm, it forms a perfectly even, smooth, white coating. Plastic, does not shrink and does not crack after drying. It is not afraid of moisture due to its high level of moisture resistance. Can be used outdoors and indoors. Perfectly levels walls made of mineral materials, plasterboard.
Plaster leveling
Designed to eliminate various types of irregularities, chips, cracks, and pits. Allows you to reliably seal defects on mineral bases, previously plastered walls and ceilings. Prepares structures for painting, gluing wallpaper, seals seams between plasterboard sheets, cracks and other damage to gypsum boards, fills joints in concrete structures and between prefabricated elements. Suitable only for interior work in dry rooms.
Preparation and application technique
If the solution is prepared incorrectly, the coating will be of poor quality and its service life will be shortened. It is important to strictly observe the proportions of the dry mixture and water so that the consistency of the solution is optimal. For mixing, use plastic buckets or other cylindrical containers, since they have smooth walls and will be easier to clean.
The exact norms of the mixture and liquid are always indicated on the packaging of the specific “Starateli” putty. First, pour the required amount of water into the container, then add dry powder in portions, beating each time with a construction mixer.
This approach avoids the appearance of lumps. After 3-5 minutes of standing under the lid, the mass is mixed again. Small portions of the solution can be mixed by hand using a regular wooden stick or spatula.
When applying putty, use at least two spatulas. The first, narrow one (5-10 cm), takes the product from the container, the second, wider one, distributes it over the wall or other surface. The size of a large spatula is selected based on the dimensions of the base. When applying the composition, choose the optimal angle of inclination of the tool, which allows you to grind the mass perfectly evenly. Usually the putty is applied in 2 layers with complete drying in between (after 24 hours). It is advisable to prime the base after the first layer of material has dried. As final drying is completed, sanding is carried out and finishing work begins.
Features of using putty
To get the best result, you need to adhere to the working technology. Therefore, it is worth knowing the intricacies of putty. You will need to properly prepare the solution, calculating in advance how much of the composition will need to be purchased, so as not to be interrupted by purchasing the missing volume, and also apply it to the surface.
You will need to properly prepare the solution, calculating in advance how much of the composition will need to be purchased.
How to calculate consumption per 1 m2
The manufacturer indicates the average consumption of putty on the packaging; it is economical - 1 kilogram per square meter of surface, if the layer is made of millimeters. But for the calculation, you need to take into account the thickness of the layer, which is rarely limited to one millimeter. Also the number of layers that will need to be done.
The most important parameter when calculating consumption is the size of the area that will be processed. This indicator is multiplied with the average consumption.
The most important parameter when calculating consumption is the size of the area that will be processed.
Preparing the solution for work
It is important to prepare the solution itself; the composition is sold dry; it is necessary to dilute the mixture with water to obtain the desired consistency of the solution.
The required amount of water is poured into a clean container, at the rate of 0.25-0.40 liters per kilogram of mixture. You can mix the components manually or mechanized by choosing a construction mixer or a drill with an attachment. It is necessary to obtain a homogeneous solution without lumps. After waiting 3-5 minutes after cooking, mix the composition again.
After mixing, the solution is given three hours to use, so you need to calculate the amount in order to have time to apply the entire composition on time.
It is necessary to obtain a homogeneous solution without lumps.
Application process
The solution can be applied to a dried surface using a manual or mechanized method. A spatula is selected as a manual tool. First you need to process the depressions and depressions, and only then cover the wall or ceiling completely.
If several layers are made, then the primer is applied again before the new one, which should dry well. There is usually no need to sand the surface, but if it seems that the layer is not even and smooth enough, you can sand it with sandpaper.
Do not apply the layer under direct ultraviolet radiation.
After drying the base putty, it is advisable to apply a finishing type of composition of the same brand.
If several layers are made, then the primer is applied again before the new one, which should dry well.
Advantages and disadvantages of putty
Mixtures of the “Starateli” brand have many positive qualities:
- sold in finished and dry form in a large assortment - you can choose a product for any occasion;
- have a variety of packaging, which allows you to accurately calculate the required amount of material;
- have a long shelf life, without any special requirements for conditions;
- dry quickly, which speeds up repairs;
- allow you to create a high-strength coating that is resistant to adverse factors and durable;
- have an affordable price.
Among the disadvantages, it is only worth noting that putties are not recommended for use at low temperatures indoors or outdoors, so it is better to transfer finishing work to the warm season. The mixtures can be called practical and easy to use, which increases their popularity and puts them on a par with well-known world brands.
Safety precautions
The composition is not toxic, but the master must protect the skin and eyes from contact with the dry mixture. Therefore, wear protective clothing, rubber gloves, and it is also advisable to use safety glasses.
The composition is not toxic, but the master must protect the skin and eyes from contact with the dry mixture.
Prospector putty base is distinguished by its high quality, which makes it easy to obtain a smooth surface. The type of putty mixture is selected based on operating conditions; the humidity level in the room is important. So the manufacturer has cement and gypsum types, which differ in resistance and types of materials on which they can be applied.
