Do I need to prime the walls before puttying, and how to do it?

Repair is not an easy task and requires the observance of certain rules to obtain a high-quality result that will please for many years. Therefore, before decorating the walls, many think about whether it is necessary to prime the walls before puttying? The answer to this and other questions of interest is below in the article.

Priming or not priming - that’s the question

Do I need to prime the walls before puttying? The application of soil is a must for any repair that involves wall decoration. The surface correctly processed before finishing guarantees long preservation of attractive appearance. The primer will be useful in the following cases:

1. Regardless of the material the wall is made of (brick, wood, drywall), it has microcracks and bumps. The primer smoothes them. It turns out a more even structure, on which subsequent finishing lays much better.
2. The composition of the mixture for the soil improves adhesion to the paint, so it looks good and does not crack even several years after application.
3. When using soil significantly reduces the level of consumption of putty.
4. When hardening the primer forms a film, which prevents the appearance of various spots on the treated surface.
5. It is much easier to apply and evenly spread the putty on the treated wall surface.
6. The composition of the soil may include a variety of additives that have antiseptic, antifungal, anti-mold and moisture-proof properties.

Do I need to primer the walls before finishing putty? Of course, because the mixture has a lot of useful properties that will help maintain the appearance of the repaired building for many years.

Varieties of soil

The modern market offers a large number of different soil mixtures for use in construction. There are 3 main types:

1. Concentrate.
2. Dry mix.
3. Ready to use primer.

For independent use, the best option is considered acrylic based primer. It is universal, therefore suitable for all surfaces. In addition, the acrylic primer does not have an unpleasant pungent odor, dries quickly and forms a durable surface.

In addition to acrylic, there are several more varieties of the mixture:

1. Alkyd - ideal for wood processing, as they have anti-corrosion properties. However, they are not suitable for drywall and plastered surfaces.
2. Mineral - characterized by a high solidification rate (2-3 hours). Suitable for all surfaces.
3. Quartz - form a rough surface, which is ideal for subsequent application of decorative plaster or paint.

The choice depends on personal preferences and requirements for the final result.

The choice of soil for different types of walls

Experts advise choosing a primer depending on the material from which the walls are made.

1. A smooth concrete surface requires applying mixtures with abrasive particles, which make the surface to be roughened.
2. The metal surface is coated with anti-corrosion compounds that prevent the appearance of rust.
3. Wooden walls are covered with water-based compositions. For these purposes, you can use drying oil or shellac mixture. It is important that the primer contains substances that repel bark beetles and other pests, and also protects the surface from mold.
4. For rooms with high humidity or insufficient heating, materials are used that have an antibacterial effect.

For ease of use, many manufacturers indicate on the packaging of the primer compatibility with varieties of walls.

Preparation for application

After we figured out whether it is necessary to prime the walls before puttying, the surface should be properly prepared. To do this, it is thoroughly cleaned of dust, dirt and old coatings.

It is also important to ensure that the walls are dry. Primers are applied exclusively to a non-greasy surface. Failure to comply with this paragraph may cause uneven application, cracks, peeling and other troubles.

Primer preparation

To prepare the mixture for application, you must follow the instructions that are on any package of the composition.

1. Ready-to-use mixes just mix and pour into a convenient container for use.
2. The dry mixture is diluted with water in the proportions specified by the manufacturer, and mixed thoroughly.
3. The concentrate should also be diluted, guided by the advice on the packaging.

It is important that the mixture is homogeneous, without lumps, and not too liquid, otherwise the result will be unsatisfactory.

Application Technique

How to primer walls before puttying? To get the perfect result, you should be guided by the following recommendations:

1. The tool for covering the walls with a primer is selected from personal convenience, it can be either a wide brush or a roller.
   
2. Often the soil needs to be applied in several layers. It is important that the previous layer is completely dry. Drying speed is always indicated on the package.
3. The coating should be applied evenly and sagging should be avoided.
4. It is important to use personal protective equipment - gloves, glasses.
5. After finishing work, the tools should be washed immediately, since removing the dried mixture is problematic.

Compliance with the technology of applying the soil is the key to a good result and the long-term safety of the subsequent finishing coating.

Primer after plaster

Do I need to prime the plastered walls before puttying? Definitely yes, since its structure allows you to smooth out a rough surface.

Before applying a layer of soil, make sure that the plaster is completely dry, otherwise cracks may appear on it in the future. This process can take several weeks if, with its help, the builders leveled the walls. Therefore, these repair work is usually carried out in the summer, when dry and warm air accelerates the drying process.

The flow rate of the solution when applying it to the plaster will be much higher, since the surface absorbs a large amount of moisture, so you will often need to dip the roller into the container. It is recommended to apply several layers to achieve the best result.

The nuances of work

Do I need to prime the walls before puttying? This question is asked by many newcomers who first encountered repair work. Of course, the soil must be used, but it is also worth considering the following nuances:

1. After cleaning the surface, 2-4 layers of soil should be applied to the wall. It should stop dusting, be smooth and have a uniform color.
2. The solution must be applied in a thin layer in order to avoid the formation of sagging.
3. After the soil has dried, putty can be applied.
4. When the putty layer has finally hardened, it is recommended to apply several more layers of the finishing primer to make the surface more durable.

These rules work with walls made of any materials. Before starting work, it is important to know whether the plaster should be primed before the walls are putty. The mixture is a fixative of any layer of finish, so you need to apply it after each stage of work.

Recommendations of specialists

Should the walls be primed before puttying? Specialists respond positively. They also recommend that you follow these tips when carrying out repairs:

1. For the treatment of drywall, mixtures with a high degree of penetration are used, this significantly reduces the ability of the material to absorb moisture.
2. Walls of fresh wood treated with shellac will not emit tar and have differences in shade.
3. If the primer is applied before puttying in order to ensure better adhesion of the material, then after it it allows to increase the durability of the coating and the density of the layer.
4. It is recommended to perform work at a temperature of +5 to +10 degrees.
5. It is important to use formulations from the same manufacturer, as they may vary in composition, which adversely affects the strength of the coating.
6. After applying a primer or putty, temperature differences should be avoided in the first 3 days, otherwise the coating may crack.
7. For convenience, a primer can be applied using a spray gun, thus a more uniform layer can be achieved.

Do I need to prime the walls before puttying? Experts agree that this must be done. This way you can get a more resistant, strong and durable coating that will serve you for many years.