Types of wall primers according to their purpose
The types and characteristics of the primer are quite numerous, so the gradation will be carried out according to functional groups.
To begin with, it should be noted that all types of primers for walls and other surfaces are available in the form:
- A dry mixture in the form of a powder, requiring preliminary dilution with water. The mixture is packed in bags and sacks.
- Ready-to-use masses (mixtures of pasty or liquid consistency). Release form - buckets, cans or other plastic containers.
Each soil composition tends to differ in its mechanism of action, which was the reason for the division of liquids into separate types:
Deep penetration primer
Its purpose is the maximum impregnation of the deep layers of the base. Due to the strengthening effect, such a primer composition significantly reduces the consumption of putty or paint as a result of a decrease in the absorbency of the plane.
Scope of application - fragile and old bases, porous surfaces, loose and highly absorbent walls (drywall, gypsum fiber, plastered and plastered surfaces).
Very often, a deep penetration primer contains antiseptic components, turning the liquid into a multifunctional composition.
Adhesive (concrete contact)
Due to the content of fine sand or cementitious additives, concrete contact turns a smooth surface into a rough one, which significantly improves its adhesion to the finish.
Adhesive primer is recommended for use on hard, smooth and weakly absorbent surfaces, such as glass, plasterboard, previously painted, glass, tile, steel or plastic substrates.
Antifungal wall primer
Application of a composition with antifungal additives prevents the formation of mold and mildew spores. Its use is advisable for surfaces located in damp and insufficiently ventilated rooms.
Also, the soil can be used for rooms with excess carbon dioxide, leading to an increase in humidity. An antifungal wall primer has found its way into bathrooms, kitchens and underground spaces. Excessively absorbent and loose surfaces are also subject to processing.
Universal primer
The most popular variety. It combines several qualities, which is the reason for the demand for it. The composition combines impregnating, insulating and adhesive properties.
At the same time, the universal primer strengthens the surface and creates a vapor-permeable and waterproof film on it.
Waterproofing
A variety of insulating soils. It is used to protect the finish from possible moisture generated by the inner layers of the base, that is, residual moisture. The liquid is vapor-permeable, which does not limit the scope of its application.
The waterproofing primer is suitable for application on both excessively damp and porous surfaces, in particular concrete, asbestos-cement, brick plasterboard, slate and plastered. It is also perfectly compatible with bituminous, reinforced concrete, polymer and metal surfaces.
Anti-corrosion primer
It is used for the primary processing of metal substrates. The unique composition promotes the formation of a film that protects the surface from external influences. The rust primer makes the metal moisture resistant, which prevents corrosion.
Insulating primers
Provide the formation of the thinnest vapor-permeable film, the main purpose of which is to isolate the finishing layer from the surface.For example, the composition can be used as a kind of barrier between the old paint layer and the new one.
Insulating primers make any surface smooth. In addition, such primers will help mask oil, rusty or nicotine stains.
Special
Their purpose is to strengthen and reduce the consumption of finishing materials. In addition, they give the plane strength and mechanical resistance, including temperature resistance.
Special primers are characterized by a wide variety of components in the composition. A special primer also includes such a primer as: perchlorovinyl, polyvinyl acetate (adhesive) primer, polystyrene, etc.
Primer-paints and primer-varnishes are distinguished into separate groups. The former play the role of protectors of porous, metal and wood surfaces. They are used for finishing, heat and waterproofing purposes.
Also, the primer-paint increases the moisture resistance of the base, prevents metal rusting and emphasizes the noble texture of wood bases. The latter are used to impregnate wood, as a result of which they make it more moisture resistant and resistant to the effects of cleaning agents.
What is it for?
Acrylic (or latex) primer is suitable for surfaces of different compositions. The action of the material is based on imparting high adhesion to the processed plane with the subsequent applied material. It is needed so that the finish stays on the surface for as long as possible.
This primer does not just process the top layer of the base for finishing: it penetrates to a depth of 5 to 10 cm deep into the plane on which it is applied.
The action is based on the penetrating ability, which allows to strengthen the walls, made by the developer in violation of the technology. it more often concrete walls or plaster, in which there is much more sand than the norm. Such surfaces crumble, which complicates the finishing process and may affect the final result. The action of acrylic primer allows it to penetrate deeply into cracks and problem areas of surfaces.
The material binds not only microcracks: it binds dust and forces all surface areas with the risk of poor strength to retain the facing material as much as possible
In this case, it does not matter at all whether it is wallpaper, ceramic, ceiling tiles or self-leveling floor. An interesting feature is the formation of a rough mesh on the surface during solidification, which levels the base, preparing it for subsequent processing
Acrylic primer is suitable for the treatment of cement-concrete screeds, it can be used for processing wood, plaster types of surfaces, limestone. It will glue the smallest particles of the base, will help prevent the formation of blue and rot.
This soil is a protection against moisture. It can be used for surface preparation for parquet, enamel, marble chips, structural plaster. She will everywhere reward a monolithic flat base.
# 1. What is a primer for?
This question is asked by everyone who is engaged in repairs, doubting that the soil is generally necessary. So what is a primer for and what does it consist of? The primer mixes include film-forming polymeric materials (resins, oils, adhesives), pigments, drying accelerators and various additives to impart the necessary qualities. Primers do not have decorative properties, they are used for coating with finishing materials, but, if necessary, can be tinted to simplify the process of applying the cladding.
Primers are available in the form of compounds or powders ready to be applied to the wall, which must be prepared according to the instructions. The composition can vary greatly depending on which surface the primer is intended for and what conditions will be in the room where it is used. Regardless of the composition, the functions of the primer remain unchanged:
- strengthening the surface, therefore, for loose, porous, uneven and weak substrates, the use of a primer is strictly necessary. For the most fragile surfaces, deep penetration primers are used, which "climb" into the thickness of the material by 8-10 cm, while conventional compounds penetrate only 2-3 cm;
- improving adhesion with the finishing material, which is the main function of the primer. With its help, roughness is removed, and the absorbent properties of the surface are reduced, which saves material consumption for finishing by up to 30%. In theory, some surfaces do not need priming, but in practice this solution brings additional costs. On any type of surface that has been treated with a primer, paint, plaster, glue, mastic and other materials are applied more easily, lie better and are fixed more firmly;
- special substances that make up the primers increase the resistance of the wall to moisture, protect against the appearance of mold, mildew, and rust.
Manufacturers offer today a huge variety of formulations that can confuse an unprepared person and force them to buy a material that is not quite suitable out of desperation. To determine which primer is better to choose, you should clearly understand on which surface the composition will be applied, take into account the characteristics of the room and the type of future finishing material. On sale you can find special compounds for metal, wood, brick, drywall or for places with high humidity.
It is worth paying attention to the information indicated by the manufacturer, but it is better when you can double-check it, knowing the features of this or that composition, so it is worth studying the properties of the main types of primers before buying
Do walls need to be primed and how
Nowadays, when a lot of building materials have appeared on the market, many have doubts about the advisability of using some of them. In this article I will give my opinion on whether it is necessary to prime the walls and tell you how to do it correctly.
Under the Soviet Union, when there were no primers yet, everyone did repairs without it. Everything worked out perfectly and kept up. So many people have a question whether it is necessary to prime the surface. It's just that there were other technologies before, and, accordingly, materials. Modern repair technologies require priming.
Whether it's painting a car or a wooden door. In the repair of an apartment, a primer is also needed, but not always.
To understand when and what surfaces to prime, let's take a look at the characteristics of the primer. This material holds mineral surfaces together. That is, it is ideal for treating old plaster that is crumbling. The primer also makes a film on the surface of the materials, which ensures uniform porosity of the materials. This means that it will be much easier and better to putty and paint on primed surfaces. And another quality of the primer is to increase the adhesion between materials. This means that wallpaper or ceramic tiles will stick to the wall better.
But there are times when surfaces do not really need a primer. For example, drywall before plastering. The drywall is strong and clean as it is. The only role of the primer is to remove dust that has formed after sanding the joints. In this case, the primer is diluted to a low concentration, 1 to 4 is quite enough. Or only the joints are primed, and the sheets themselves are wiped with a damp sponge.
The floors are primed with diluted soil before laying laminate or linoleum. If the tie is strong and will not wear off from walking, then you just need to remove the dust. The screed is swept out, then primed. After priming, all dust disappears completely. Then you need to sweep the floor again to remove the remnants of the grains of sand.
Some surfaces cannot be primed at all. For example, brick walls in front of plaster.I myself, when I was just starting to work in the field of repair, primed the wall of white brick. As a result, a film has formed on it, in addition to the fact that the material is already low-porous. As a result, the plaster floated all the time, even if a thin layer was applied.
We conclude whether walls and other surfaces need to be primed? Before painting, plastering (except drywall), wallpapering and laying tiles - without fail. Before laying floor coverings and plastering - with diluted primer or not priming at all.
Let's move on to the next question: how to prime the walls. It’s very simple. With a roller, apply the primer evenly to the surface of the wall or ceiling. The soil can be poured onto the floor in small portions and rolled out with a roller.
It is hardest to prime the putty surfaces. If the acrylic putty is applied in a thin layer, then with an abundant primer it can blur. Do not drive too long with a roller in one place. Use a short-haired roller. It is impossible to prime with a brush before painting. She will leave strokes. Also, all drips and drops from the walls must be removed, as they make furrows and then the drops dry up.
I hope I answered your question about whether walls should be primed. Write your opinion on the above in the comments.
If you do not understand something - ask a question on the page: ask a question about repair
Can I be primed with glue?
For heavy vinyl wallpaper, this priming method is not very suitable, but for non-woven wallpaper with a thin layer or none at all, it is quite acceptable. True, the glue will be required one and a half times more than usual. For the primer, we dilute the glue in warm water according to the usual scheme, but pour the water itself twice as much.
Pour the dry mixture in a thin stream with continuous stirring.
We leave the resulting composition alone for 10 minutes, then mix thoroughly again. Apply liquid glue to the walls with a roller, spreading it over the surface in a thin layer without the formation of smudges
This usually takes 8 to 12 hours at normal room temperature. With all the simplicity of this method, you need to remember that it is only suitable for even and strong walls.
After completing the priming work, you need to check the quality of their performance again. To do this, it is enough to slide your palm over the surface. The absence of grains of sand or traces of putty will be a sure sign that the job has been completed successfully, and you can confidently start gluing non-woven wallpaper.
Additional Information:
- walls treated with primer do not support the spread of mold and mildew;
- impregnation provides better adhesion - the wallpaper will adhere firmly to the wall;
- the treated surfaces have a higher moisture resistance, which also ensures a strong adhesion of the wallpaper to the wall, even at high humidity;
- the primer levels minor irregularities in the wall and removes excessive porosity of the surface.
Priming the walls in the first place prevents premature peeling of the wallpaper. After all, it will be very sorry for the work spent, when the owners, already pacified by the end of the repair, will notice that the wallpaper, glued with such diligence, is moving away or bubbling in some places. Such a “surprise” will ruin any mood.
After all, re-gluing wallpaper is an additional cost and wasted time. Whether it is necessary to prime the walls before gluing the wallpaper, we will try to explain in the next paragraph.
Thousands of skeptics will object: “fathers and grandfathers did not know what a primer was, and wallpaper hung on the walls for tens of years”. They are partly right. Indeed, a few decades ago, if the walls were primed, they did it either with very liquid homemade glue, or used diluted PVA glue.
Like any finishing material, the wallpaper should hold firmly and not turn yellow over time.For this, acrylic and alkyd compounds, latex compositions and even a solution of wallpaper glue are used. If the walls of drywall are not pre-treated with soil, then subsequently the wallpaper will have to be removed along with a putty or a protective layer of drywall panels.
Therefore, the preparation of the walls must be done.
- Relatively flat. Wallpaper will hide minor defects; but serious irregularities will still be noticeable. Note: matte, textured and contrasting wallpaper conceals irregularities; glossy, smooth and monochromatic - emphasize.
- Devoid of dust.
With a deep penetration primer, the wall should be treated in several layers. Each subsequent layer is applied only after the previous one has completely dried. Deep penetration solutions can take a long time to dry.
Therefore, it is recommended to adhere to the technical requirements when working with these materials, especially if you are doing repairs yourself.
A family of acrylic primers suitable for most types of surfaces, including concrete, brick, wood, plaster and putty. They dry quickly, do not have a pungent odor, and are best suited for drywall. Depending on the material of the wall surface, you can choose:
When choosing an acrylate primer, you can see the designations: strengthening, deep penetration, universal, adhesive, with antiseptic additives, etc. You can get confused from such a variety. What primer should I use before painting the walls? But it's actually pretty simple: the names speak for themselves.
Features of the use of primers
When we found out the properties of the mixtures and the primer for which it is used in construction work, it is necessary to decide on the features of the choice and application:
- Compositions prone to deep penetration into materials show themselves well on those walls that have the effect of crumbling or "chalking";
- Universal is most often applied to surfaces where it is necessary to reduce the absorption of moisture and vapors. They have proven themselves well on silicate blocks, aerated concrete surfaces before applying wallpaper or laying ceramic tiles;
- Concrete contact compounds must be used before performing work with gypsum or cement plasters. But only if the base has the characteristics of poor absorption of liquids or vapors.
In all other respects, you can give the following recommendations on how to properly prime one or another in terms of the composition and structure of the surface.
Universal is most often applied to surfaces where it is necessary to reduce the absorption of moisture and vapors.
Primer for plastering and tiling
Before laying ceramic tiles on a wall or floor, it is recommended to use the following types of primers in the work:
- Concentrated deep penetration primers are applied to concrete, plastered, or brick walls;
- If the plane itself contributes to the repulsion of moisture, for example, this is manifested in metals or porcelain stoneware, then they use primers in the form of a paste. It is these compositions in structure that are capable of imparting a greater surface roughness. And, consequently, to increase the adhesion to the tiles that will be fixed.
Concentrated deep penetration primers are applied to concrete, plastered, or brick walls.
Before plastering, select the following primer or primer types:
- A deep penetration primer is applied to silicate or ordinary bricks that tend to crack or peel. Water-based or mineral-based primers, including epoxy resins, are suitable here;
- If the wall is concrete, then you can choose almost any primer - alkyd, acrylic, acrylate, latex, concentrated, with a dispersion in the form of a quartz filler;
- If preference is given to primers that tend to penetrate deep into the surface, then this will 100% insulate the wall from moisture penetration;
- Before plastering wood, you need to take care that fungi and mold do not develop on it. Therefore, they use soils in which antiseptics and fire retardants go as ingredients;
- For fiberboard, OSB, drywall and other similar materials, it is better to choose universal or adhesive options;
- Walls made of foam block or aerated concrete will respond well to an antiseptic or strengthening primer;
- When it becomes necessary to prime mineral wool, then Ceresit-CT17 is chosen.
Before plastering wood, you need to take care that fungi and mold do not develop on it.
Primer for wallpapering
Priming is a necessary action before wallpapering the walls. In this case, it is necessary to choose a mixture of white color, which will allow the glue not to be absorbed into the wall for a longer time and thus provide a better adhesion effect. Experts recommend opting for:
- A deep penetration example for an initial finish;
- At the finishing stage, it is better to use adhesive, moisture-proof or coloring;
- If you plan to glue thick enough heavy wallpaper, then it is better to use soils in which ingredients are added to prevent the formation of mold.
Priming is a necessary action before wallpapering the walls.
Primer for painting
It is also recommended to include a primer in the finishing work before painting. It allows you to reduce paint consumption, make a reliable adhesion to the wall of the paint and varnish material itself and withstand the effects of water. Most often, an acrylic primer is used, since it dries quickly enough, does not leave unpleasant odors behind and provides a reliable level of adhesion.
The primer reduces paint consumption.
What to consider?
So that finishing work is not complicated by the choice of the wrong primer or the wrong application, it is worth considering a few recommendations.
Experts recommend paying attention to the expiration date when buying. If less than a month is left until its end, and the product can certainly remain, either they take it right next to the purchase, or choose a different brand of material
To maximize adhesion, before applying the primer itself, the surface must be free of dust, dirt and especially grease stains that impede a quality finish. Distributed by means of a roller over the surface of the facing cloth, dust, grains of sand will prevent further gluing of the wallpaper, causing small bubbles under the wallpaper.
The cladding can be made after the second layer of soil has completely dried. This is determined by the fact that when it touches the surface, it does not stick. The walls are primed before processing. If the repair is not planned for another month, there is no wash to apply the primer in advance.
The floor must not be primed if it is not prepared and there are significant cracks: this will lead to the composition leaking. He will not fix big problems, for this you need to use a cement composition.
See below for deep penetration primer application instructions.
Types of acrylic primer
Depending on your tasks, you can choose one of two main types of acrylic primer:
- Firming - in the composition it has binding elements that are 10 times larger in size than the deep one. This allows the reinforcing mixture, which is produced today in accordance with GOST, to glue the surface well. It is not a deep penetration soil.
- Deep - has excellent technical characteristics, high penetrating properties, as well as the ability to impregnate and strengthen the base to a depth of about 10 cm.This may be required when the walls in the dwelling are created using low-quality cement, which contains too much sand. This type of surface usually begins to crumble and requires strengthening. The price of a deep penetration primer may be higher than that of a reinforcing primer, so it is worth considering the need for its use.
When choosing a soil, you should pay attention to the solid substance included in the composition. Its in the means of deep penetration should not be less than 10%, which is indicated in the product passport and meets the requirements of GOST
This will imply that there is little acrylic dispersion in the formulation.
Even before buying, you should make sure that the material is transparent - the color of the primer should be somewhat cloudy and white, similar to milk. The test for the type of primer is easy to do. If you apply it with a brush to the surface, then the strengthening will become a film when it dries, and the acrylic primer of deep penetration will almost leave no traces.
In addition to the two main types, there are also subspecies, depending on the purpose.
Deep plasterboard primer is suitable for moisture-absorbing surfaces (gypsum boards, aerated concrete, bricks, and cement). It is used before laying tiles in the bathroom, applying paint to the wall or gluing wallpaper. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It can dry from 40 minutes to 6 hours. Solvents are not included in the composition of such a mixture according to GOST; it guarantees good adhesion to any type of surface. Diluted with warm water, environmentally friendly, does not have a specific odor. Consumption - 1 liter of funds for 10 square meters of area. This is true when applying one layer.
The adhesive primer mixture is produced for surfaces that do not absorb moisture (monolithic slabs, blocks, ceilings). It is used before coating with plaster, gypsum, limestone-gypsum compositions. The surface after such a primer becomes rough, which contributes to excellent docking with the finishing material. Such a product is made according to a German recipe and is environmentally friendly. Consumption - 1 liter per 5 square meters.
Soil for wood is a white, homogeneous consistency liquid, which contains one component. Designed for interior work, perfect for finishing furniture and doors. Creates a durable layer with high adhesive characteristics. After drying such a mixture that meets the requirements of GOST, the surface can actually be sanded and flaws neutralized. When using water based primer on wood, it is really possible to save on finishing paint. When wood, which already absorbs moisture well, is impregnated with soil, then the main paint remains on the surface. Consumption - 1 liter per 10 square meters. But here a lot depends on the type of surface.
Latex interior primer is suitable for absorbent or unevenly absorbent surfaces. It will serve as a strengthening of mineral bases, it is necessary for leveling gypsum plasterboards, plasters.
Facade is a mixture of acrylic and latex, can be used for outdoor work in the presence of low temperatures and before subsequent painting. Suitable for new or previously painted wood, fibreboard, aluminum, galvanized metal, masonry, plaster, concrete. It dries up after 2 hours, the layer can be reapplied after 3 hours. It has a rich color palette that contains 14,000 shades.
And this is far from all the types of soil that manufacturers produce on the basis of acrylic.
Primer types
And also the primer of ceilings is divided into several types:
- enamel primer;
- primer for water-based paints;
- universal primer;
- special primer.
Some masters make a primer simply add PVA glue to the putty or use diluted paint as a primer, which they subsequently paint the ceiling with. 4 parts paint to 1 part solvent, depending on the paint.
Enamel primers consist of a suspension of pigments and fillers in varnishes or resins (glyphtal, pentaphthalic). And also this primer has special additives. And they dilute it with solvent, xylene, as well as with solvent 646.
Primers for waterborne paints consist of a mixture of synthetic dispersions and latex with additives. Such primers are diluted with what is indicated in the instructions for use.
It is widely used for priming ceiling surfaces, after application it creates a dense coating, primer is applied in several layers.
There are also universal primers that are used to prepare almost any ceiling surface for subsequent application of paint, putty, glue, etc. Using a universal primer, you can increase the strength and durability of the final finishing of the ceiling surface, and you can also save on the consumption of finishing materials.
To strengthen loose old surfaces, it is better to use emulsion primers, which are made of silicone-modified vinyl - acrylic copolymer. It is usually made for waterproofing. The primer is applied to the concrete or plastered ceiling surface. It will provide strong adhesion for the following finishing layers.
Latex reinforcing primers can be used for priming porous ceilings such as wood and plasterboard, as well as concrete and plastered ceilings. This special agent is used to prepare a ceiling with a fragile top layer for finishing, but not for lime surfaces.
The reinforcing primer is compatible with cement-sand mixtures, which allows the ceiling to be tiled in the future.
What should be the soil in the bathroom and toilet?
These rooms are a sphere of high humidity.
Accordingly, the moisture resistance of the walls here should be treated with increased attention. Primer requirements are very strict here.
She must be:
- antifungal - mold often accompanies such rooms;
- not only moisture resistant, but moisture repellent;
- have the ability to increase the adhesion of the wall and paints and varnishes or tiles in conditions of ingress of both cold and hot water.
The last point refers to a bathroom or a combined bathroom.
It is logical to assume that the floor of such rooms should also be treated with waterproofing, but according to the building codes approved back in 1988, bathrooms are considered to be rooms with low intensity, there is simply no exposure to liquids and similar mixtures. If you want to be on the safe side, apply a water-repellent primer yourself during repairs.
Waterproofing concrete primer
Externally, concrete is a strong material, but it has a high porosity. In this regard, its absorbency is relatively high, which contributes to the destruction of the material with frequent moisture loss. In addition, when paint is applied to a concrete surface, its consumption increases significantly.
Therefore, the application of a primer becomes a necessity here. Usually concrete is coated with deep penetration mixtures.
When choosing them, one should be guided by the following criteria:
- if the surface is made using concrete of grades M 150 or M 300, select an epoxy or polyurethane primer;
- if the finishing work is planned to be carried out at subzero temperatures, you can also use the soil of normal penetration;
- the operating conditions and surface loading should be taken into account;
- often premises with a concrete floor are industrial, here vibration load, shock and other similar factors should be taken into account.
Waterproofing concrete primer
Hydrophobic wall primer
The walls, of course, do not carry the same load as the floor, but a primer is recommended here for the following reasons:
- the surface is smooth and even;
- the strength of the wall increases;
- paint is applied much easier;
- gluing wallpaper on such a treated surface is smoother, they peel off less;
- in this way, certain structural defects can be hidden.
Waterproof floor primer
The main task of such a mixture is to increase the adhesion of materials so that the floor covering lies flat on the base and is firmly attached. Mixtures in these cases are selected differentially.
For example, in the bathroom it is best to use materials of deep penetration, in the children's room - a mixture with an antiseptic effect, and it is more rational to cover the floors in an unheated summer cottage with an anti-fungal compound.
Water-repellent wallpaper primer
There are no perfectly flat walls. You start to get it when you start gluing wallpaper. To make the process more productive, it is recommended to apply a primer first. Various types can be selected:
acrylic mixtures are reliable, environmentally friendly, applied to all surfaces, except for iron, due to the risk of rust development; alkyd is well suited for wooden walls, but it does not matter with plaster; glyphthalic - just right for metal walls; vinyl is best suited for liquid wallpaper
Water-repellent wallpaper primer