Do I need to prime the walls before puttying: the procedure for carrying out the work + advice from professionals

Application of primers

Primer work is extremely simple. The main thing is to know what tools are needed, the right choice of solution. Such work is within the power of any person. The workflow itself can be divided into several periods.

Primer work is extremely simple.

Preparation of the primer composition

The preparation of the solution is always clearly stated in the instructions, mainly on sealed packaging. The following steps follow:

1. Shake, mix the solution, pour into any container convenient for work. Construction utensils can be as follows: enameled, wooden, plastic. Metal is subject to destruction (sometimes it is lubricated, in several layers, with oil paint, each must dry).
2. We dilute the primer in accordance with the instructions.
3. We also convert dry mixtures in accordance with the rules.
4. We mix the solution thoroughly, you can do this with a construction mixer.

We mix the solution thoroughly, you can do this with a construction mixer.

If the question is more specific, it is possible to single out primers for a specific purpose: lime, adhesive coloring, universal. You can prepare them as follows:

• Lime. For ten liters of material: lime fat dough (two and a half kg), table salt (fifty or one hundred g) or aluminum alum. In cold water (5 liters), stir the dough. In a boiled hearth (2 liters), you need to dissolve the salt. Then pour into the container with the dough. It remains - three liters of water, add. The next mandatory procedure is filtering through a sieve or other product (one to one mm);
• Adhesive coloring. Ten liters of water: the so-called aluminum alum (one hundred and fifty g), forty percent household soap (two hundred g), solid animal glue (two hundred g), drying oil (twenty-five to thirty g), chalk (two to three kg). Alum is thrown into three liters of boiled water, and glue is thrown into two liters of the same water. A soapy solution is added to the glue (two liters of boiling water - all soap), mixed, topped up with drying oil. Then add alum, chalk, mix, let cool. Filter.

If a person likes experiments, you can cook it yourself, but it is better to buy soil from a well-known manufacturer.

If everything is done exactly, according to the instructions, a single mixture appears without lumps.

Surface preparation

Before work, you need to carefully prepare the walls:

• paint on the surface. It all depends on the type of paint, today it is mainly water-based. It is removed with a simple spatula, it is better to moisten the walls with soapy liquid. Enamelled walls are removed with sandpaper;
• Wallpaper. Removal occurs with a spatula, after wetting the wallpaper with water (or a soapy solution with wallpaper glue). Washable wallpaper is cut freely. Then moisten with soapy liquid and remove. If it is not removed the first time, moisten the paper - and try to remove them again. You can also use a heated iron. It should be applied to the wall through a wet cloth. After removing the wallpaper, you should wash the wall and walk again with a spatula;
• Mold, fungus. To clean these microorganisms from the walls, specialized tools are used. You can prepare the solution yourself, based on bleach;
• Checking plaster. The main thing is that the cement surface does not have cracks and does not crumble. You can check its strength by light tapping. You can hear where the walls are empty;
• Drywall. Before work, it is desirable to putty;
• Cleansing from dirt, dust.

Before work, you need to carefully prepare the walls.

Surface application

Primer for walls for putty - the technological component is extremely simple:

1. Consider air temperature. Better if +30 -5.
2. Working tools: roller, brush, tray, telescopic fishing rod or retractable product, stepladder, gloves, mask, overalls.
3. Do the previous two steps: clean the walls, dilute the concentrate.
4. Add material to the tray.
5. Dip a roller or brush in the solution. Apply primer to the wall, make sure that the liquid does not spread. It is applied from the bottom up, in a thin layer.
6. Work carefully. Dry areas should not be. Don't forget to clean your work accessories.
7. Use a brush in places where it is difficult to work with a roller.
8. After processing, you need to wait until completely dry.
9. Then apply a second layer.
10. This is the best way for all kinds of work: wallpapering, painting, etc.

All work can be done with a specialized sprayer, it is used if the object is quite extensive.

All work can be done with a specialized sprayer, it is used if the object is quite extensive.

Evaluation of the painted surface

Before proceeding with puttying, it is necessary to carefully examine the walls and ceiling, and determine what kind of paint was used to process them.

To do this, moisten a small sponge or brush with water and moisten the surface. Leave for 15 minutes. Below is a table describing the materials that can be used on walls and ceilings.

Coating type	How to determine	Is it possible to spat?
Water based paint	If the layer begins to foam and peel off, then the walls were treated with a water-based emulsion. It is easy to remove and causes a lot of trouble.	Is it possible to putty on water-based paint? Masters definitely do not recommend doing this. Such a coating will draw water from the putty and it will simply crumble from the wall.
Oil paints and enamel	Oil paint or enamel is not washed off with water due to the durable glossy film.Sometimes getting rid of such a coating is very difficult.	Is it possible to putty over oil paint? Experts advise nevertheless to remove the layer from the wall. If it is not possible to remove it, then before applying the putty, the surface is processed in a certain sequence.
Acrylic and latex formulations	Moisture has practically no effect on such a surface. Acrylic and latex paints are durable and sometimes difficult to peel off, especially on ceilings.	Can you putty on acrylic paint? If the master is sure that the material is reliable and does not deform after a couple of years, then the surface must be sanded, dusted and treated with a primer before applying the mixtures.

To verify the strength of the painted layer on the surface, you need to take a metal spatula and scratch it. If after such manipulations the coating begins to crack, crumble or peel off, then it must be completely removed.

The choice of putty for walls after plastering

While the primer dries, you need to choose how to putty the walls after the plaster, as they need to be leveled before further finishing. For this purpose, it is better to purchase a starting mixture: it is designed specifically for processing walls after plastering, and is suitable for eliminating significant height differences.

Also, when the primer dries after plastering on the walls, you can treat their surface with a universal or finishing putty. The latter, in comparison with the starting mixture, have relatively worse consumer characteristics, and are usually used in cases where the plaster layer does not have significant flaws.

According to the material of the base putty are divided into three categories:

• cement - resistant to moisture, but have a high degree of shrinkage;
• gypsum - cheap, do not shrink, pliable when applied, but sensitive to moisture levels;
• polymer - are expensive, do not shrink, resistant to moisture.

Most often, gypsum-based putties are used, however, the scope of use is limited, they are not recommended to be applied in very damp rooms where there is contact with water in the bathroom, pool. Otherwise, why putty the walls after plastering, if, due to high humidity, the gypsum-based coating will quickly become unusable.

It is strictly forbidden to use gypsum plasters on the street because moisture and frost destroy the mixture of Rodband and others like it.

By form of sale, putties are presented in two categories:

• ready - already diluted solution, which can be used immediately after opening the container;
• dry - mixtures intended for self-preparation, but having a much lower cost than ready-made mixtures.

Thus, the cheapest option is dry gypsum powder, but it also has the lowest quality. Gypsum mixtures are great for filling existing cracks in the walls. The most expensive are ready-made putties based on polymers; these materials are best used to make the finishing layer.

Processing technology for plastered walls

Often, before starting puttying work, the question arises of whether it is necessary to pull out the beacons after plastering, or can they be left in the walls. This is recommended to be done without fail. The beacons are made of metal, and if left alone, they will corrode over time.This, in turn, will reduce the strength of the plaster layer, and, ultimately, lead to its crumbling. Cracks and other damage will appear on the surface of the walls.

After the decision is made whether it is necessary to choose beacons after plastering, you can proceed to the starting surface putty. The bottom, coarsest layer of material is applied. With the help of mixtures for starting putty, holes and strobes are overwritten, and large differences in height are eliminated. The thickness of one starting layer can sometimes reach 15-20 mm.

Under the putty layer, you can put a paint grid, stretching it over the entire surface of the treated wall. This will make it possible to achieve a more even laying of the material, improve the strength of the starting layer of putty.

When the starting coating dries, proceed to the finishing, which is carried out using finishing mixtures. Unlike the starting one, it is applied in a very thin layer so that it completely repeats the resulting wall relief. In some cases, the question arises whether it is necessary to putty the walls after plastering with Rotband so that the surface is perfectly even. If you follow the technology, there is no need to apply additional finishing layers, the walls are already aligned.

Preparing walls for painting or wallpapering

After completing the puttying work, you should wait until the walls are completely dry, and only then prepare them for painting or wallpapering. The technology for performing both types of finishes is the same, the difference lies only in the nuances when choosing finishing materials. You can spend as much time choosing the right finishing method as the walls dry after plastering - about a month.

Scope and additional properties

To begin with, it must be said that in order to determine whether it is necessary to produce priming after applying the putty, its properties should be studied in detail. It is also necessary to determine the scope of this substance, and the influence of its various factors on the surface.

Given this, it is determined how long after the primer it is possible to putty and whether it is worth re-processing.

The simplest type of primer that is used for topcoats

Properties

• The main advantage of this material is its ability to increase the level of adhesion. The primer penetrates deep into the surface and creates its own layer.
• It is also necessary to say that the composition of this substance includes special silicone components that, penetrating into the pores of the wall, fill them, preventing water from getting inside. That is why the installation instructions often recommend the use of a primer to protect against moisture.

Material for working with concrete surfaces

• Recently, antibacterial substances have been actively added to this material. Thanks to these components, the treated surface is resistant to mold and fungi.
• For wooden structures, a material with the addition of an insect repellent is often used to prevent the appearance of pests. In this case, the composition of the primer may include components that make the surface resistant to fire. However, the price of such mixtures can be quite high.

Fire and insect protection for wood

Considering all the additional properties and features of this substance, it must be selected in accordance with the scope

In this case, special attention is paid to the type of surface to be treated.
It is worth mentioning that these materials almost completely deprive the treated surface of the ability to absorb liquids, which significantly reduces the cost of dyes and glue during finishing work. That is why the use of primers is considered an economical way of protection.

Primer that prevents the appearance of fungi and mold on the surface

Sequence of work

• In order to understand the need for applying each layer and its need, you should consider the full process of finishing the wall. It is here that the necessary sequence of plastering primer putty will be clear.
• To begin with, the wall is treated for the first time to increase the level of adhesion and protect against the appearance of fungus and mold. At the same time, professional craftsmen advise you to immediately start plastering while the wall is still wet, but then the mortar should be a little drier, since the absorbency of the material will be lower.

Applying a primer to a plastered wall before applying a layer of putty

• After the cement mortar hardens, it should also be treated with impregnation. This is also done to increase adhesion and prevent shedding of small particles. Also, this process will turn the plaster into a real monolithic slab.
• When professionals are asked how long it takes to putty after priming, they usually answer that not before complete drying. Usually it is enough to wait 4 hours. Thus, a uniform film is formed on the surface, which perfectly retains subsequent processing.

For each stage of work, it is best to use your own primer, which will ideally match the type of materials used and specifications.

• Lastly, a primer is applied after finishing putty. Its purpose is not only to increase adhesion to paint or wallpaper paste, but also to prevent the material from shedding in the form of fine dust.
• Considering such a processing process, it can be understood that it is possible to prime the walls after applying putty immediately after the material dries or before applying the next coating. However, professional craftsmen consider this process mandatory and insist on its implementation.

If a primer was applied to the finishing layer of putty, then the paint will be evenly distributed over the surface, and only one layer will be enough

Answers to frequently asked questions

Many people ask whether it is necessary to prime between layers of putty, what is applied first, putty or primer. It is recommended to apply primer to the surface after each stage of work:

How to determine that the wall is well prepared for subsequent work. To do this, rub it with your finger. If a dirty mark remains, this means that another layer of primer needs to be applied.

Many are interested in what is first applied to drywall primer or putty. You need to apply primer first, then putty and again primer.

There are disputes between builders whether it is necessary to prime the walls after finishing putty. This operation is performed at the discretion of the master. The finishing putty is a fairly dense smooth layer, not thicker than 2 mm, primed depending on which finishing material will be used in the next step.Before pasting the wallpaper, the surface can be treated directly with wallpaper paste diluted with water according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Types of primers for drywall

To process a drywall base, manufacturers have created several types of primers. These include:

• mixtures are universal;
• oil solutions;
• primer for porous substrates;
• with antiseptic ingredients.

Treatment of plasterboard walls with acrylic primer

The range of various primers can mislead an inexperienced person. Therefore, consult with an experienced person in advance. Acrylic primer compositions will be the best choice for indoor work.

Before purchasing soil, pay attention to the manufacturer. Use the composition of well-known companies that have shown themselves on the positive side

Do not save, because the quality of branded products will fully pay for itself.

Proper priming and puttying of the walls is the key to the success of the repair

Those people who want to make repairs to their apartment or their own house themselves should know that the correct priming and puttying of the walls will make repairs of high quality and durability. This article will help you to make the right choice of primer and putty for the wall surface, as well as to use these materials correctly.

Choosing a primer for walls

Let's first clarify what a primer is for and why prime the walls before puttying.

The task of the primer is an important point in the pre-finishing of the walls. The primer completely removes dust from the walls and ensures reliable adhesion of the putty to the wall base.

In addition, penetrating deep into the wall (approximately 2-3 mm), a high-quality primer strengthens the base, which makes the wall surface more reliable for adhesion of the putty mixture.

There are 3 types of primers used in wall repair:

1. Deep penetration primer
2. Primer for dust removal
3. Primer for walls "Concrete Contact"

Proper priming and puttying of the walls will be done with high quality, if it is advisable to use the primers listed above.

For example, a deep penetration primer should be used when you are ready to putty on the walls. That is, an hour before puttying the walls.

The dust removal primer is applied immediately before wallpapering or before painting the walls. Using this type of primer for walls does not have the ability to penetrate deep into the wall and strengthen it, it is only needed to remove dust.

Primer for walls "Concrete contact" is used to strengthen the surface of the wall and give a rough surface. Usually, "Concrete Contact" is not used before wall puttying. It is used before laying ceramic tiles on walls and floors.

The correct primer and wall putty will be really correct if you use the primer wisely.

Wall priming rules

Rule one. Priming of the walls is mandatory before the start of puttying work. Ignoring this rule will cause the gypsum putty to peel off from the base. This is a proven fact. Prime the walls before the first layer of putty, you need a deep penetration primer.

Rule two. Before you paint the walls or stick wallpaper, be sure to prime the walls. Remove all dust with a primer.If you don't do this, you won't get a good result. The paint will lie unevenly, and the wallpaper may not stick partially.

Third rule. Before gluing the tiles on the walls, prime first with a deep penetration primer, then with a Concrete Contact primer.

Fourth rule. Before applying the primer to the walls, remove everything that has peeled off the wall. Are there cracks? Then expand them with a narrow spatula or even a perforator.

All cracks on the wall must be deepened and expanded, and then brushed with a deep penetration primer with a brush.

Proper wall plastering

Puttying the walls is done 1-2 hours after applying the primer. Then, they close up the cracks (if any) with putty and stick a strip of mesh (sickle) on them. The sickle is glued onto the putty mixture.

Putty on the walls should be applied with a wide spatula 30 - 40 cm. Put on the spatula, you need a little putty, on the very edge of the spatula. Then it will be easier for you to apply putty.

The correct putty is putty in three layers, and sometimes four. Usually, wall putty for wallpaper is done in three layers, and four for painting.

After applying the last layer and drying it, the putty deposits are removed by sanding with an emery cloth. The mesh for the skin should be taken first, No. 180, and after removing the thick influx of putty, No. 200 or 220.

Proper primer and wall putty is inexpensive

Now you have learned about the basic rules for proper priming and puttying of walls. Do you find it difficult? Maybe you're right. Indeed, without experience in this type of work, it will not work to make high-quality putty the first time. It takes skill.

Look at our price list, it shows all the prices for wall putty and their primer, as well as for all other types of finishing work. Perhaps you do not want to mess with this dirty work, and invite our masters.

In fact, the correct primer and wall putty is inexpensive and you can see for yourself by calculating the cost of putty and wall primer on our free online calculator. On the calculator for calculating the cost of wall repair work, you can find out the exact cost of puttying the walls in your premises. Here is a link to an online calculator.

Primer types

It is imperative to apply a primer before puttying the walls, we have already found this out. Which one to choose depends on the characteristics of the surface. Consider the common types of compositions:

1. Acrylic - can be applied to most types of material, being a universal option.
2. Phenolic - suitable for wood and metal
3. Perchlorovinyl and polystyrene composition - used for external processing of brick walls.
4. Alkyd - intended for putty drywall and stone.
5. Glyphthalic - this material is quite toxic, so it can only be used for exterior decoration. Such a composition can cover structures made of metal or wood.

How to choose a primer

We all know that now there are a huge number of manufacturers. Someone's product is more expensive, someone's cheaper. First of all, the price depends on the brand, secondly on the quality of the goods. First, let's decide what kind of primer we need. If you need to prime the walls inside the room, we are looking for a deep penetration primer for interior work.Such a primer can be in a different price category, even with the same name, but with different characteristics. For example: a primer for indoor and outdoor use, a primer for indoor use. You will not immediately see such subtitles on a colorful label. When choosing a primer, rely on prices.

All primers have exactly the same composition.

The only difference is the amount of water. The cheaper the primer, the more water in relation to special substances. Therefore, if you need to prime the walls for plaster or putty, purchase a primer more expensive. When you prime the walls for painting or before wallpapering, take a cheaper primer. I advise you not to buy a very cheap primer (When there are more than two varieties of the same brand).

Having primed the wall in front of the wallpaper, keep in mind that this does not exempt you from priming with wallpaper glue, if so indicated in the instructions attached to the wallpaper. When priming the facade, or other building elements located on the street, use a primer for outdoor use. There are also special primers. For example concrete-contact. It consists of a highly concentrated primer and quartz sand. Due to this composition, concrete-contact leaves a film with particles of quartz sand on the surface after application. quartz sand creates an effective bond with subsequent building mixtures (plaster, tile adhesive ...).

Personally, I prime the concrete base with an ordinary expensive primer even before plastering the ceilings. From personal experience, I used concrete-contact only once, working with walls painted with oil paint.The oil paint did not lend itself to removal, and it took too long to do this with a building hair dryer. I had to prime the walls with concrete contact, then putty and glue the wallpaper. I was pleased with the result - quickly, when pasting the wallpaper, the putty did not come off! I recommend using this primer only with a problem surface. For decorative plaster mixtures, liquid wallpaper, the primer is selected by the manufacturer. For each decorative coating there is a special recommended primer. The seller himself will offer it to your decorative coating. Although primers for decorative coatings consist of quartz sand and soil, I do not recommend replacing them at my discretion. After all, quartz sand can be larger or smaller and in different proportions. With a primer for decorative coatings, I recommend trusting the manufacturer and seller. You can check a good primer yourself: moisten two fingers with a primer and touch them to each other. After a while, the fingers will become slightly sticky. If there is no such result, the primer contains a lot of water. It's better to replace it!

Primer

To the question of whether it is necessary to prime before puttying, there is an unequivocal answer: this is an obligatory stage in the performance of construction work.

The applied primer before puttying promotes compaction, dust removal of the wall and improves the setting of materials.

Before applying the primer for putty, you need to prepare a roller or a wide brush in advance. It will be more convenient if you have a tool with a long handle, otherwise you will have to use a stepladder to reach the surface under the ceiling.

The surfaces of a large plane are treated with a roller, they work with a brush in the corners and on the joints of the walls with the ceiling.

When using a roller, you will need a special tray into which the mixture is poured. The primer for walls for putty is selected, as mentioned above, depending on the material, wall structure and functional features of the room.

The finished mixture is poured into a container, the concentrated mixture is diluted according to the instructions on the label, the dry compositions are diluted with water to the desired consistency.

Apply the composition in stripes using a roller. The solution should evenly cover the entire surface, there should be no untreated areas. It is necessary to ensure that the vertical strips of soil along the edges overlap each other.

It is more convenient to work with a tool with a long handle.

Primer and putty must be of high quality. Puttying the surface is started after the primed walls have completely dried. It is not recommended to delay the time between these two stages, as the wall will be covered with dust, which will prevent the putty from adhering to the surface. In this case, you will have to apply the primer again.

Debunking the Myths

The biggest misconception for beginners is that drywall does not require a primer on the walls for putty. No, it's not. This is especially true when the surface is being prepared for wallpapering or tiling.

Also, some believe that it is also optional to prime the already prepared surfaces on which the cladding will be applied. This opinion is also not entirely correct, since this layer also needs to be strengthened. Therefore, the finishing layer of the primer will only strengthen the already applied mixture, make it durable and resistant to damage.

Material prepared by: Julia Wegner

Variety of choices

Primer manufacturers are trying to approach the issue of strengthening walls from all sides. That is why there are so many different types on the market. Some of them are universal, some are used in specific situations and for specific surfaces. What do manufacturers offer today?

• Acrylic primers are this category of universal solutions. They can be used to process any materials: from brick to metal, and even more so to prime drywall before puttying.
• Phenolic - only metal and wood can be processed. Although experts assure that it can be applied to drywall, but not to putty.
• Alkyd - used when working with wood.
• Polyvinyl acetate - used to treat any surfaces, but only if paint is applied to them based on the same material.
• All other types, and these are glyptal, perchlorovinyl, polystyrene, can only be used for outdoor work.

This is why acrylic primers are so popular. It can be applied to drywall before and after puttying. So, now it becomes clear how to prime drywall before puttying.

The choice of primer composition

Before buying a primer, it is important to evaluate the surface of the walls, since the mortar is always selected according to the type of substrate and its properties. On the modern building materials market, you can find completely different compositions: concentrated, with additives, ready-to-apply or in the form of a dry mixture that requires dilution with a solvent or water

In the modern market of building materials, you can find completely different compositions: concentrated, with additives, ready for application or in the form of a dry mixture that requires dilution with a solvent or water.

There are special universal mixtures based on polymers (acrylic) that can be applied both on drywall and on a concrete base.

The only drawback of the universal primer is the inflated price, which scares away many buyers.

As an alternative, it is worth considering budget solutions, each of which has its own scope:

1. Phenolic. Such a composition is intended for the preparation of metal and wooden walls, including chipboard, fiberboard and OSB. It is not used when processing putty and walls.
2. Alkyd. Ideal for preparing a wooden surface before puttying. It is applied to wood immediately before coating with alkyd paint.
3. Glyphthal. The material is used as a basis for leveling surfaces made of wood and metal. Due to the toxic smell, it is more suitable for exterior walls.
4. Quartz. A sand-based solution is produced, so when applied, the surface becomes rough. The best adhesion is with paint and decorative plaster.
5. Mineral based. The primer is made from gypsum, lime or cement. Ideal for silicate, concrete and plastered surfaces.

All primer mixtures are divided into adhesive or reinforcing. The choice depends solely on the material of the walls, as well as their condition.

If you are ready to spend a lot of money on repairs, then it is better to give preference to an acrylic primer.

How to handle drywall

1. First, dilute the mixture with water and pour it into the prepared container. Then, we take a roller and dip it into the solution - the surface must be covered carefully, since the layer should turn out to be even.Each layer should be applied to the entire drywall surface - where it is not possible to apply the primer with a roller, a brush should be used. Further, it remains only to wait for the primer layer to dry (this depends on the type of primer and on the depth of its penetration into the structure itself);
2. So, after everything dries, the joints and seams must be glued with a sickle. Then we take putty and process the GKL surface. Although the primer and putty drywall is quite simple measures, you should approach these works very carefully, because the strength and durability of your finish depends on them. After puttying and complete drying, the surface is treated with sandpaper and all dust is removed.