Polymer putty: advantages and disadvantages

Advice

For a high-quality polymer putty coating, do not apply it over gypsum. One solution will be the best option. This is due to the fact that several types of putty can affect the quality of further finishing work.

Plastic putties can reduce material costs and at the same time get the most even surface. In addition, plastic putty dries many times faster than others.

In the prepared form, the putty can be stored for up to twelve hours, the main thing is that the container is tightly closed. This is very convenient, especially if you do not have time to complete the repair work: you can easily continue them later.

An excellent example for leveling the surface of the walls can be the use of polymer putty and a wide trowel. With its help, you will cope many times faster. Be sure to dry the previous one before each subsequent layer.

Many experts recommend using a special polymer mesh to level the walls, on top of which putty is applied. With its help, you can get not only a flat surface, but also a durable and wear-resistant layer of material.

All about the superfinishing polymer putty 2 in 1 - KP PRO, see the video below.

Advantages and disadvantages

Polymer putty is a multifunctional preparatory coating with many advantages. Due to its high characteristics, it can be used for indoor and outdoor work. Its elastic structure with high adhesion allows you to create an even layer on the surface. Let's note the main advantages.

• This material can be used in various types of rooms: it can correct problem areas of the surfaces of walls, ceilings, partitions, ledges or niches.
• You can use polymer putty to prepare for facing work in different rooms (living room, study, bedroom, nursery, hallway, corridor, home library, kitchen).
• It reliably protects the surface from the formation of a medium for the reproduction of microorganisms (fungus and mold).
• The material does not shrink during the drying process, which simplifies the correction of cracks and chips, excludes re-leveling of the surface.
• This material is characterized by resistance to high temperatures: the application layers will not deform in heated rooms.
• This material is resistant to moisture, therefore, polymer putty can be used to treat problem areas of the walls and ceiling of the bathroom and toilet.
• The prepared material retains its properties for 12 hours if it is in an airtight container. During this time, you can correct the problem areas of the base.

• Polymer putty dries quickly and evenly. This is convenient for subsequent surface finishing work.
• It is characterized by high adhesion to the treated surface: it does not come off the base after drying.
• It is resistant to chemicals, harmless to health, does not release toxins into the air during application and use.
• Polymer putty is easy to apply: even a beginner can correct the surface with its help.

In addition to the advantages, this material has several disadvantages. For example, if you use it for other purposes, leveling a metal base with a universal composition, you cannot rely on reliable adhesion of the putty to the surface. The same can be said about wood mixes, for the processing of which a specialized composition is applicable.Other disadvantages of this material include the high cost when adjusting large areas.

Manufacturers

The widest range of building materials offers a lot of options for putties for every taste and wallet of the buyer

Further, we recommend that you pay attention to the especially popular and demanded varieties of putty from various manufacturers.

• Axton Polymer Putty is ideal for wallpaper, tiles and other decorative wall coverings. In addition, such a putty is excellent for air permeability.
• Finish Control putty will help eliminate a variety of surface defects. Made of proven and safe material that does not release toxic substances into the environment even over time.

Particular attention should be paid to the elastic filler Fibrelastic, which has excellent composition and characteristics.
We also recommend paying attention to finishing putties "Bolars", "Etalon", "Polygran" and "Hercules". All have excellent properties, they are easily suitable for the most real professionals in their field.
For those who want to purchase a dry mix, it is best to take a closer look at the proven filler called "SHPP-white".

Application technology

Before proceeding with the finishing puttying, it is recommended to treat the surface with a primer, which serves as an additional strengthening of the layer and prevents moisture absorption. Priming the walls before finishing is optional and in some cases it may be economically impractical, but experts advise not to neglect this stage so that the finishing lasts as long as possible, preserving its appearance

In the process of work, you should use three types of spatulas: a small one for taking a mixture, a large one for distributing the material and an angular one.

Pressing the trowel against the wall at an angle of 20 degrees, it is necessary to apply the putty with movements from the bottom up, trying not to leave streaks on the wall. Overlapping strokes avoid unnecessary transitions and bumps, and strips from the trowel can be easily removed during the grouting phase.

The angle spatula is used to correct the surface in hard-to-reach places, such as the joints of walls and ceilings. The layer width in most cases should be no more than 2 mm in order to eliminate the risk of cracking and flaking. When leveling the putty, it is necessary to often process the spatula with a damp sponge in order to remove dried particles of the mixture from its surface.

Each type of finishing has its own characteristics of applying the finishing putty:

• for pasting non-woven and vinyl wallpaper, one layer of putty is enough, for thin wallpaper you will need two or more layers;
• for painting with polymer or acrylic paints, putty is made in two or three layers;
• the lighter the intended paint, the thinner the coating should be, therefore, superfinishing polymer compositions are very often used for decorating with a light shade.

Types and characteristics of finishing putty

For finishing ceilings and walls, three types of material are produced:

1. Finishing plaster.
2. Polymer (latex and acrylic).
3. Cement.

Thanks to modern innovative developments, gypsum mixtures for finishing have the following advantages:

Gypsum

These finishing mixtures have the following characteristics:

• profitability - material consumption 1.1 kg per square meter;
• does not shrink;
• applied in an even layer;
• has a fraction size of 0.15 mm;
• fast drying.

The material has disadvantages:

• not suitable for finishing wet rooms;
• the price of the material is an order of magnitude more expensive than the cement one.

Most often, the material is used as a finishing putty for drywall. The composition contains special additives that protect the surface from aggressive effects. Drying time is half an hour.

Polymer finishing putty

This material appeared on the market not so long ago, but its popularity is growing exponentially.Many masters advise using this particular material, since the polymer finishing putty has a lot of positive properties:

• resistant to deformation;
• does not shrink;
• has high adhesion to mineral surfaces;
• it is vapor-tight, therefore it can be used for outdoor work;
• uniform drying guarantees a high-quality surface;
• work with a finishing putty will not be there, even for a beginner;
• not afraid of mechanical damage.

In other words, this is one of the best finishing materials, which has only one drawback, a high cost.

Cement based finishing putty

Cement finishing putty is used in all types of finishing works - both internal and external. It is a fine-grained composition that is used for filling concrete and brick surfaces. The composition has a number of advantages:

• Strength.
• Water resistance.
• Resistant to temperature extremes.
• Ease of application.
• Low cost.

Disadvantages of the material:

• Shrinks.
• Inelasticity.
• Cracks may form.
• Dries for a long time.

Cement putty, finishing, due to its properties, it is used in wet rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

The best filler for wet rooms

Putty for outdoor use should have special properties. It combines resistance to moisture and temperature extremes. This material is perfect for leveling walls and ceilings in bathrooms or kitchens. The experts have chosen one worthy squad.

Weber vetonit VH

When you need to level the surface in a room with high humidity or to finish the exterior facade of the house, then the best option would be to use weber vetonit VH putty. The cement base makes the material resistant to water and temperature extremes. Professional builders call this composition the best in terms of mixing layers, ease of work, drying speed. The solution can be applied both manually and with the help of mechanization.

The thickness of one layer can vary from 1 to 4 mm. It is allowed to apply several layers after each previous one has completely dried. After hardening, a smooth, white, crack-free surface is formed.

disadvantages

• high price;

• it is difficult to process the dried layer.

Hercules GT-33

Finishing putty "Hercules GT-33" is designed for leveling joints in gypsum fiber board and gypsum board, as well as ceilings and walls. It is sold in dry form, and the powder must be diluted with water in proportions of 0.55-0.7 liters of liquid per 1 kg of raw materials. It is not recommended to cook a lot of the composition at once due to the rapid loss of elasticity. Due to fine grinding (the largest particle size is 0.3 mm) and good solubility, no lumps remain in the mixture and it does not need to be intensively mixed.

This composition has high plasticity, which facilitates surface treatment. It is primarily intended for concrete work, but the finished coating can be painted or wallpapered. Due to the combination of polymers, gypsum and finely dispersed mineral fillers, its high-quality adhesion to the base is ensured. Its minimum permissible thickness is 0.3 mm, while there is no maximum border.

Advantages:

• Beautiful white color;
• Uniform texture;
• Shelf life - 2 years;
• Adequate consumption of the working mixture - 1.0 kg / m2;
• Tightness of the package;
• Good density.

Disadvantages:

• Must be applied strictly at a temperature not lower than + 5 ° C;
• Not suitable for outdoor use.

Dry putty mixture "Hercules GT-33" is available for sale in two volumes - 5 and 15 kg, choosing a larger amount can save a little.

Features and characteristics

Gypsum putty

To prepare a working mixture based on gypsum, use:

• gypsum (in some cases, alabaster);
• water-soluble polymers;
• mineral fillers.

Due to the use of gypsum, marble flour and quartz white sand, the mixture is white, in some cases light yellowness is allowed.

Depending on the size of the fractions, the putty is divided into two types:

• Start. Its purpose is to hide small surface defects, remove cracks and chips of the base, therefore, as part of the starting mixture, large fractions of bulk materials are used. It serves as the basis for the final leveling layer.
• Finish. To obtain a flat and smooth surface, only small fractions of bulk materials and special plasticizers are added to the composition of this putty. Application - final finishing. You can glue wallpaper or paint on the finished surface.

Scope of gypsum putty:

• elimination of minor defects (chips, cracks);
• masking the joints of sheet material;
• leveling the bases for subsequent pasting or painting;
• stucco molding on the ceiling;
• decoration of arches, cornices and columns.

Manufacturers most often produce this type of putty in bags of 20-25 kg. For the subsequent dilution of the material with water to the desired consistency, follow the instructions printed on the package. In some cases, it is possible to purchase a ready-made pasty mixture in a plastic container.

When working with gypsum-based solutions, it is necessary to prepare them in small portions, since the mixture dries up within 30-40 minutes. Dry mixtures can be stored for at least 1 year.

Given the hygroscopicity of the base material, the use of this type of putty is possible only in rooms with normal humidity, and they are not suitable for a toilet, bathroom or kitchen. The finished surface "breathes", letting in vapors.

Application of gypsum fillers is possible on the following substrates:

• drywall;
• wood;
• concrete;
• brick.

Polymer putty

To prepare a working mixture based on polymers, the following materials are used:

• as the main component - acrylic, polymer cement or latex;
• fine-grained mineral fillers.

The difference between polymer putty and gypsum putty lies in the chemical method of making dry matter.

The following surfaces can serve as a basis for applying this material:

• drywall;
• concrete;
• plaster;
• plywood and chipboard.

This type of putty is not used for metal surfaces.

Is it possible to apply polymer on gypsum plaster? The answer is affirmative - polymer compositions have excellent adhesion to almost any substrate, therefore they are often used as a finishing layer on an already laid starting layer of another material. In addition, these leveling compounds can be used in rooms with higher humidity levels - this is the essential difference between gypsum and polymer bases.

Polymer materials allow you to get a strong surface with a perfectly white color, which is suitable for both wallpapering and painting.

Polymer compositions are most often sold ready-made. The putty is packed at the factory in plastic containers of various capacities. Such material is completely ready to be applied to the walls. When opening the package in a room with room temperature, the finished mixture does not lose its characteristics within 2-3 days.

For the preparation of putty, dry mixtures and water are used independently. The ratio of water and powder, as well as the rules for preparing the solution, are indicated on the package. Manufacturers pack dry mixes in 20 or 25 kg paper bags.

When choosing what is best for leveling walls, one should take into account the advantages of polymer compositions:

• versatility of use (excluding leveling of metal surfaces);
• better adhesion to any substrates compared to other types of putties;
• immunity to high humidity;
• lack of unpleasant odor;
• polymers allow obtaining surfaces with the highest strength characteristics;
• immunity to temperature surges;
• no shrinkage when gaining strength;
• immunity to the action of chemical compounds;
• the finished solution can be stored for at least 10 hours;
• the mixture contains only environmentally friendly materials;
• does not require special skills when applied, a novice finisher will cope.

Subtleties of application

Before purchasing the material, it is necessary to decide whether it is possible to putty this surface with a gypsum composition. In principle, this material can be used for processing different types of bases, including OSB-slabs, concrete, brick walls, for filling joints in the laying of tongue-and-groove slabs and in the joints of gypsum boards. But at the same time, it must be remembered that gypsum compositions do not have the property of moisture resistance, which means that they are not suitable for outdoor work and rooms in which there is a high level of humidity. Then it makes sense to use a cement or polymer putty. In addition, plaster should not be applied to stone or ceramic cladding surfaces or chipboard.

Further, depending on the type of repair work performed, it is necessary to determine what type of mixture you need to buy - finishing, universal or starting.

Before starting work with the use of plaster putty, it is necessary to clarify the expiration date on the package. Expired material should not be used. Also, the consumption of the finished mixture should be calculated in advance. It takes about a kilogram of the mixture to create a continuous leveling layer with a thickness of 1 mm and an area of ​​1 m2. It may take about 30-400 grams per square meter to seal the joints.

Before starting work, you should properly prepare the base by removing paint or wallpaper from it, and clean it of dirt, grease, chemicals or rust stains.

After that, the surfaces are treated with a primer solution in one or two layers.

After that, you can start preparing the putty mixture. To do this, the dry mixture in proportion according to the instructions is poured slowly into warm water and distributed gently by hand or with a mixer. Then the mixture should stand for 2-3 minutes and swell. During operation, the mixture must be stirred periodically.

Plastering walls and ceilings with plaster putty is performed with two spatulas of different sizes - one larger, the other smaller. A small one is necessary for applying the ready-made mixture to a large spatula, with which the putty is distributed over the surface. The spatula should be held at an angle (45 degrees) to the surface to be plastered. Slightly tilting the spatula, you should cut off the excess mixture. For distribution of the mixture on the outer and inner corners, special corner spatulas are used.

Selection Tips

To choose a high-quality and easy-to-use polymer material, you can take note of several recommendations of specialists.

If you need to treat a wood surface, you should pay attention to a polymer acrylic putty with a wood texture.
Choose a moisture-resistant variety: it will not deform in rooms with high humidity and will not move away from the surface in case of flooding from a neighboring apartment.
When choosing a facade variety, pay attention to the frost resistance indicator. This will prolong the life of the flooring and façade walls.
If the volume of work is small, you can buy a ready-made mixture

For large repairs inside the home, it is better to buy a 25 kg bag of dry mix for interior work. It is enough to handle problem areas, and you don't have to think about what to do with the leftovers.
For facade work, large packages are bought: the area and layer thickness in this case is greater, therefore the material consumption will be large.
Do not take cheap material: due to the popularity of this composition, today it is often faked.
Shop from a reputable, reputable store that has good customer reviews.

For how to putty the walls with your own hands, see the next video.

Manufacturers

Today, construction supermarkets offer a wide variety of gypsum-based dry putty mixtures.

Knauf

The line of putties from Knauf, which includes:

• "Uniflot" (for sealing gypsum plasterboard joints);
• "Fugen" (for any interior work, including sealing of seams);
• "Fugen GV" (for filling GVL and GKL);

• "HP Finish" (for any surfaces);
• Rotband Finish (for any reason);
• "Fugen Hydro" (for installation of GWP, grouting of joints between GK and GV sheets, including moisture resistant ones);
• "Satengips" (for any surfaces).

"Prospectors"

• Finishnaya putty is a white plastic material with the use of high quality modified additives for dry rooms with any kind of bases;
• Plaster leveling putty - designed for leveling all types of substrates. The composition includes polymer additives. It can be used for sealing joints between gypsum plasterboards and tongue-and-groove plates.

"Osnovit"

• "Shovsilk T-3" 3 is a high-strength crack-resistant putty. It is used for sealing joints between plasterboard sheets, tongue-and-groove plates, gypsum-fiber sheets, LSU;
• Econcilk PG34G is a non-shrinking universal filler used for leveling various substrates and filling joints;
• Econcilk PG35 W is a plastic non-shrinking leveling material. It is also used to fill the joints of gypsum fiber board and gypsum board. The mixture has a low consumption;
• Elisilk PG36 W is a finishing material that creates perfectly smooth surfaces for subsequent coating with decorative materials;

Unis

• Finishing putty (high-plasticity snow-white) - finishing material with a high degree of whiteness, plasticity and easy to sand;
• “Masterlayer” (non-shrinking thick-layer) is a starting finishing material for sealing cavities, cracks, potholes, seams in gypsum fiber board, gypsum board, PGP without the use of reinforcing tape;
• "Blik" (white) - universal, non-shrinking putty, which does not harden within 150 minutes

Pufas

• MT75 is a plaster compound with synthetic resins for smooth subfloors. It is used for filling seams, holes and leveling the surfaces of cement-fiber, GK- and GV-sheets;
• Glätt + Füll - cellulose-added material for creating even subfloors for decorative work;
• Füll + Finish - a finishing compound reinforced with cellulose;
• Pufamur SH45 is a synthetic resin rich putty. Has increased adhesion. Ideal for use on reinforced concrete and other smooth surfaces.

"Gypsopolymer"

• "Standard" - a mixture for continuous basic leveling of plastered, concrete surfaces, GSP, PGP, GVL, treatment of joints between GSP;
• "Universal" - intended for leveling concrete and plastered bases, GSP, PGP, GVL, alignment of joints between GSP, for sealing cracks;
• "Finishgips" is used for joints between GSP, for leveling concrete, plastered bases, bases from GSP, PGP, GVL.

Bolars

• Gips-Elastic is used as a topcoat for various surfaces before painting or wallpapering. It can also be used for filling joints and seams of gypsum-fiber board and gypsum board, installation of GWP;
• "Gypsum" - to create a basic plaster layer on any base;
• Plaster putty "Saten" - finishing material for creating a perfectly smooth and white surface

Bergauf

Bergauf - non-shrinking elastic fillers with increased crack resistance:

• Fugen gips
• Finish Gips.

Peculiarities

Polymer putty is a chemical novelty in the construction industry. It appeared on the market quite recently, but managed to take an active position: high quality characteristics are inherent in this material.As a preparatory material for finishing, it allows you to align the curvature of the walls, get rid of cracks and seal up the joints.

Outwardly, it is a pasty mass, by means of which the defects of the base are corrected before facing, which means that it is an element for correcting the base and affects the final result of the repair of the treated surfaces.

In addition to the polymer, the components of the polymer putty are a hardener and special additives required for processing a specific type of surface. Therefore, the purpose of this putty is different, and it should be bought, strictly focusing on the marking. For example, the variety for solid wood surfaces contains fine dusty sawdust. In this case, the composition may have a shade similar to the tone of the treated surface.

This putty contains latex and acrylic, which are responsible for the connection of all components. It is used pointwise, applied exclusively to problem areas of the base: cracks, pits, scratches and minor chips. The use of large areas is impractical: the composition is not designed for significant loads, after hardening it will withstand careful handling.

Polymer putty is sold in the form of a dry powdery composition and ready-made raw materials. In the first case, it needs the addition of water in the proportions indicated by the manufacturer on the product packaging. In the second type of release, the material is ready for preparatory work. These are pasty mixtures of different volumes in a sealed container. In the process of working with the material, it can become thicker.

Why is she needed

Finishing putty is a special building compound that is necessary for the final stage of wall decoration.

What is the role of such a mixture? It allows you to finally level the surfaces after finishing work. It can really hide small defects. It also protects walls from possible physical damage. The finishing putty increases the functional qualities of the base. Makes the coating durable, strong and protected from negative external influences. Such a tool is designed to give the walls an aesthetic look. After application, the surfaces look perfect and the finish is complete. The thickness of such a coating is 1 - 2 mm, so the wall prepared for finishing looks great.

Consumption

The consumption of putty per 1 m2 depends on many different factors: on the thickness of the applied layer, on a specific brand, on the type of work performed, etc.

First of all, the consumption of the mixture is determined by the type of work for which the finishing putty is used and it is something like this:

• 0.5 kg of mixture per 1 sq. m. is consumed when firmly gluing wooden elements to a layer of finishing plaster.
• 0.9 kg per 1 sq. m. to eliminate gaps between two plasterboard sheets.
• 1.1 kg per 1 sq. m. when leveling walls for painting or gluing wallpaper.
• 1.2 kg per 1 sq. m. is used for leveling internal walls.
• 1.7 kg per 1 sq. m. when finishing the front walls.

For an example of the consumption of finishing putty, consider products from several specific manufacturers:

• Ceresit 225 ST consumption 1.8 kg per 1 sq. m. A cement-based mixture, applied over the base layer as the final part of the filling. The resulting surface is characterized by evenness, smoothness and aesthetic snow-white color. Also contains additives that enhance frost resistance, the composition includes reinforcing fibers, waterproof.
• Vetonit VH mixture consumption 1.2 kg per 1 sq. m. Consists of limestone and cement with a white coloring additive. Spray applied, moisture resistant, used both for indoor and outdoor work.

Application technique

To perform work, it is customary to use 2 metal spatulas - narrow and wide.

The prepared solution is placed in a shallow tray. When picking up the mixture in small portions, it should be applied to the surface, pressing the tool at an angle of 70 degrees.

Cracks and other irregularities in the surface are filled with a small spatula. Next, a reinforcing fiberglass painting net is applied. A medical bandage or gauze can easily replace it. The surface around the gap is lubricated with a solution, a strip of mesh is applied on top, after drying, the area is putty with a wide spatula.

The putty is applied over the surface, processing in small areas. It is convenient to control the result with the help of a long ruler or rule, and glare on the surface will also help - in the light, irregularities are clearly visible. After the finishing layer dries normally, the surface is sanded. You can also check the quality of the finish using electric lights - their light must be directed parallel to the surface.

Video