Types of primers
The soil for concrete for the floor can be different - depending on what substances are used as a base, there may be different properties, operating conditions, application rules, consumption, drying time and other nuances. Before choosing a particular composition, it is necessary to carefully study its features.
Alkyd
Such soils are used to cover metal and wooden surfaces; the composition will not work for drywall and concrete. Apply the primer before painting the surface, wait 10-15 hours for complete drying. Applying a layer of such a primer gives the wood a certain looseness, thanks to which the material is reliably protected from mold, parasites, decay, and the subsequent layer (of concrete mortar, for example) adheres tightly to the wood.
Acrylic
Acrylic compounds are used very often as the safest and most versatile. The water-based mixture is perfectly diluted (usually with water) and has excellent penetrating properties. It dries quickly (after 3-4 hours it is already possible to work with the surface), does not emit harmful substances and toxins, significantly improves adhesion, protects against fungus and mold.
Such a primer is suitable for the treatment of any living quarters (even children's rooms, kitchens), with the exception of those where there is a high level of humidity.
Epoxy
An epoxy primer for concrete floors makes the surface much more durable, odorless and does not emit any harmful substances, qualitatively protects against any aggressive media, water, high humidity, fuels and lubricants. The composition significantly improves the adhesion of materials, is applied to a slightly damp floor. The only drawback of the mixture is that the layer must be applied quickly, since within 30 minutes the prepared mixture has already set.
Polystyrene
With this type of composition, it is best to prime plastered and wooden surfaces, since the soil is toxic, it should not be used in confined spaces (at least there should be a possibility of high-quality ventilation of the room). It is imperative to follow the safety rules during work. Typically, such compositions are used for the subsequent installation of a self-leveling floor.
Other types of soils
Different types of bases are primed with other compounds. Some of them are suitable for a certain material, others are relevant for use in certain situations, conditions.
Different types of primers:
Selection recommendations
The choice of epoxy primer is primarily influenced by the type of surface to which the mixture will be applied. Before buying, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the popular manufacturers of this material.
Consider some more tips for choosing suitable composition:
- The mixture should work well with the topcoat. In this case, universal compositions that are combined with all types of paints and varnishes will be convenient.
- For interior decoration, it is better to use primers without organic solvents. Such materials are the safest and do not harm human health.
- The primer should not contain harmful components that are released into the air after the coating has hardened. Especially when it comes to interior decoration.
Other manufacturers
Name | Characteristic |
Tiefgrund 314 | Helps to strengthen the crumbling surface. |
Waterproof Primer 94 | Creates waterproof protection. Prevents mold and leaks. Apply in two layers under the screed, wallpaper, cladding, putty or painting. |
Concrete contact from TIGI-Knauf | For concrete surfaces, but brick and styrofoam primer is acceptable. Process at temperatures up to + 5 ° C. The next coat should be applied immediately after the previous coat has dried. |
Consolit 301 (Consolit) | Provides increased adhesion to mineral and polymer substrates. Used to prepare dense non-absorbent surfaces. |
Consolit 340 | Repels moisture. Prevents the development of mold. |
Sympony EURO-Balance Primer | For strengthening porous moisture-absorbing substrates: putty, brick, plaster, foam concrete. Provides an even layer. Promotes enhanced adhesion of the coating. Protects against mold and fungi. Safe. |
"VetonitTT" | It is applied on mineral substrates and on plastered surfaces. It can be used even in damp rooms. |
Feidal Tiefgrund by Faidal Production | They treat fine-porous moisture-absorbing surfaces. Provides a high level of grip. Used for indoor and outdoor use. |
The use of primers is necessary both before and after the screed. They will help prepare the base for subsequent processing. You can apply them with a roller.
Classification of primers according to the main component
Today, primer compositions are most often found on sale, based on: polyurethane, acrylic, natural components, polyvinyl acetate, epoxy and other components. Let's consider the most popular ones.
Polystyrene (polyurethane) primers
Polyurethane concrete primers are used very rarely for surface treatment of living quarters due to their high toxicity. Solvents included in such liquids are recommended to be used only for finishing facades or industrial premises.
Polyurethane concrete floor primer is considered to be the most resistant to chemical and weather conditions, and it also gives the surface high strength. This makes it the optimal concrete coating component for outdoor use.
Acrylic primers
Acrylic-based mixes are more suitable for interior work, as they are environmentally friendly and do not exude a pungent chemical odor. Such components are combined with any finishing materials and have good absorbency. In addition, acrylic compounds dry no more than 3-4 hours. If you need a primer for aerated concrete, then you should choose this particular composition. However, it is better not to use such primers for the outer walls of the house, as in the open air such a protective layer will dry out too quickly.
Water based primers
Such liquids are absolutely harmless to human health, so they can be safely used in poorly ventilated rooms and for children. The main advantage of water-based primers is the ability to apply to dry surfaces. In addition, when working with such a primer, there is no need to use protective equipment, since it does not smell. Solutions of this type are cheaper than others.
Organic primers
Compositions based on natural components penetrate well into the structure of the treated concrete surface. Such mixtures can be used at low and subzero temperatures. However, organic primers have the shortest lifespan. This fragility is due to the fact that they evaporate rather quickly.
You should not use this type of primer indoors, as it has a pungent odor.
PVA and epoxy primers
Polyvinyl acetate formulations dry the fastest (no more than 30 minutes), so it is recommended to use them if you are pressed for time. To improve the adhesive properties, after applying such a primer, it is better to cover the surface with an additional layer of PVA glue.
Varieties of formulations for priming
The primer mixture consists of polyurethane and various solvents, but depending on the material of the primed base and its location, the primers may differ in composition due to special additives that give them additional properties. According to the degree of curing, there are:
- One-component, consisting of a solvent and a base substance. One-component polyurethane primer is often used for interior work on MDF or wood, well suited for concrete walls. Its fluid structure penetrates deeply into the MDF board or concrete wall, strengthening and leveling substrates, increasing adhesion for topcoats.
- Two-component, available in two bottles (polyurethane mixture and hardener), which are mixed before use. The two-component polyurethane primer is more durable, but less flowing due to the presence of a hardener, well suited for outdoor use or for concrete floors with high traffic. If there is a zinc-rich component in the solution, this will provide anti-corrosion protection to the metal. It is rarely used for wood or MDF. Often, when priming is the only painting method, for example, when protecting a floor in a workshop or garage, it is worth using a primer enamel, which will strengthen the concrete structure and protect it from destruction.
Primer table for different substrates
By type, primer mixes are:
Acrylics are usually one-component. More suitable for MDF and wood. Penetrates deeply, filling free pores and smoothing the surface
This quality is especially important when processing non-laminated MDF. Acrylic mortars also give good results on concrete walls indoors, strengthening and leveling them
In addition, the acrylic component is non-toxic.
Alkyd. It is good to use when carrying out external work for MDF and wood, providing the wooden structure with reliable protection from darkening and destruction. If you want to emphasize the beauty of a wooden surface, then you should use a primer-enamel, which will become both a primer and a topcoat. Soil enamels are usually used to emphasize the beauty of various types of wood; MDF is rarely painted with them.
Epoxy. They are best suited for metal, providing it with protection from external conditions, and if there is an additional zinc-rich component, this will give the solution anti-rust properties. But it should be remembered that zinc-filled primers do not fit well on decorative coatings - after drying, it is advisable to treat them with an adhesion-increasing agent or use primer-enamels to paint the metal.
Bituminous primer
A primer is a surface impregnation that strengthens the base, removes roughness, and increases adhesion. It is a deep penetrating bituminous primer. It prepares the coatings for subsequent waterproofing.
Basic qualities:
- breathability;
- plastic;
- fast drying time;
- ease of application;
- softens at 80 ° C;
- temperature range of application - from -30 ° С to + 85 ° С;
- flammability and volatility;
- it cannot be frozen.
The primer can be applied with a brush, roller, spray gun, or in bulk. The latter method is the most costly and can lead to cost overruns. It is used on horizontal surfaces. When working with the primer, a protective suit and mask must be used.
This type of polyurethane primer is used in residential and industrial buildings. Its advantages:
- a high degree of penetration into the base and its strengthening;
- hardens from moisture;
- easy to use;
- safe after drying;
- contains organic solvents;
- creates a durable coating;
- in a dry warm room can be stored for a long time.
Polyurethane primers are an excellent way to strengthen and adhere to a substrate.For each type of surface, a different type of primer is suitable. Depending on the binder type, polyurethane primers can be alkyd, acrylic and epoxy. They are easy to use and durable to use.
In the following video, see an overview of the AveniR PRIMER polyurethane primer.
Surface preparation and application
Today the range of polymer paintwork materials is quite wide. Manufacturers offer polyurethane paints for concrete of various types. They differ not only in composition, but also in characteristics. For example, a thin-layer coating, which forms a polymer enamel, is characterized by increased wear resistance. Consequently, the requirements for the surfaces to be painted and the conditions for applying paintwork may differ. Therefore, you must follow the instructions that are on each bank. But it is better, even before the enamel is chosen for the floors, to find out what needs to be prepared for painting.
Requirements for surfaces
The following requirements are imposed on the surfaces to be painted:
- the surface must be free from dirt, splashes, dust, efflorescence, grease stains and drips of solution;
- its moisture content should not exceed 4%;
- old paintwork materials with poor adhesion must be removed;
- impregnations and sealants should be applied to waterproof small cracks;
- the appropriate primer is applied (polyurethane or acrylic primer).
Features of application and care
Before applying to the base, the paint must be properly prepared: stir, if necessary, remove the film and filter. To bring the paint into working condition, you need to tightly close the jar with a lid and turn it upside down. Shake and flip back. The temperature at the place of staining should be at least + 15 ° С and not higher than + 30 ° С. Air humidity at a temperature of 20 degrees should not exceed 85%.
The application of the paint composition can be done in one or in several layers. For an even and smooth finish, the polyurethane paint for concrete the floor is spread evenly with a roller or metal trowel with additional rolling with a roller. After laying the first layer, you must immediately start applying the second. Industrial concrete floors with a polyurethane surface require little maintenance. But still, it is worth avoiding spills of water and concentrated strong acids with prolonged exposure to the floor in the form of puddles.
Types of primer coatings
The modern market offers consumers a wide range of ground coatings. All these finishing materials must have the necessary adhesion to the concrete surface and the ability to improve its structure.
The composition is distinguished:
- An adhesive primer that creates a roughened topcoat. This feature contributes to better adhesion of finishing building materials with a smooth concrete surface;
- Epoxy, designed to counteract external factors and capable of filling small pores in concrete, creating an even surface and strengthening it;
- Polyurethane, which has a principle of action similar to epoxy. It is used for priming concrete floors for industrial premises;
- Acrylic, odorless, environmentally friendly primer and the release of substances harmful to humans. It contains a fungicidal component to prevent fungal mold accumulations. Its structure helps to reduce the consumption of finishing building materials. The undoubted advantage of acrylic primer is its low price. The maximum drying time is 3 hours, which makes it possible to continue repair work soon;
- Silicone for priming the floor in rooms with high humidity;
- Primer brand "Beton-contact". This coating is applied before laying new ceramic tiles or processing drywall sheets.
They differ in purpose:
antiseptic primers that protect against mold and mildew;
anti-corrosion;
- insulating primer mixtures for protection against aggressive chemical compounds and adverse environmental factors;
- primers to improve the bond between two different materials;
- compositions for priming aerated concrete surfaces.
There is also a classification by the type of surface to be treated, which includes primers for smooth concrete surfaces that will be painted, plastered or waterproofed.
Another type of primer is alkyd, it is designed for working with metal. It is also used for concrete, since in both cases it has a very high level of strength, does not wear off after hardening and can be used in the cold. However, the disadvantage is a long, about 12 hours, drying time.