If there is a need to update the premises in the home, many people think about the possibility independent conduct. In most cases, this requires properly treating the surfaces, painting them or. The editors of the site will help you navigate difficult repair issues. We will tell you how to putty walls correctly and share secrets the right technology applying working mixtures and presenting detailed instructions that will help beginners avoid mistakes.
Puttying is commonly understood as the process of treating wall surfaces. finishing materials immediately before gluing or painting. If mortar If applied incorrectly, as a result, unrepaired defects will appear under any decorative coating - cracks, irregularities and pits.
After eliminating the existing defects, a smooth and at the same time even surface of the wall or ceiling is achieved using putty. For these purposes, materials are used for starting and finishing, which are dry mixtures of coarse and fine grinding.
It is easy to check the wall by applying a rule to it: if there are gaps, they are eliminated by applying a layer of putty. The spatula should be held at an angle of 25−30° relative to the wall. If you don’t know how to putty the walls under, you can choose a ready-made acrylic mixture and a medium facade spatula for these purposes. For final sanding of a dried wall, abrasive paper marked P-150, 180 is used.
Article
Wall putty is a repair stage before finishing, which can be done with your own hands. The main thing is to choose correct composition and know the algorithm of work, how to putty walls.
Wall putty is classified according to several criteria. According to their composition they are distinguished the following types facilities:
- Gypsum material. The composition applies well, hides surface defects and levels the base. The product does not shrink and has a reasonable price. However, the material is not used in rooms with high humidity.
- Cement agent. The product is moisture resistant, so it is recommended to use the composition in rooms with high humidity (bathroom, kitchen). Disadvantage: high degree of shrinkage.
- Polymer composition. The product is easy to apply, does not shrink and is moisture resistant. The disadvantage is the high price.
According to the sequence of application, the product is classified as follows:
- Starter product. It is a coarse-grained composition. It is recommended to apply the product to the surface after priming. When the question arises: what to putty with? brick wall, then you can’t do without this composition. The product hides defects and evens out building foundation. The composition is applied to the wall in a layer of 5 mm, and in case of numerous surface defects, the thickness can be even 20 mm.
- The finishing composition is a fine-grained product. The product is applied to the surface after cleaning the building base and priming. The product is recommended for use for leveling surfaces and better finish. Layer thickness – 1 mm.
- A universal product. Used for both rough and final work.
When considering the question of how to putty the walls, it is necessary to talk about the classification according to the degree of readiness. The dry mixture and the finished product are isolated. The second product is used immediately after opening the bucket. The material is easy to apply, so it is recommended for non-professional craftsmen to putty walls with this product. The disadvantage is the high price. A budget option putties - dry mixture. Disadvantage - it needs cooking, and this requires construction mixer or a drill with a mixer attachment.
In addition to the main compositions discussed above, there are also specific products:
- Adhesive compositions. The products contain drying oil, adhesives and chalk components. The material is easy to apply and has increased strength.
- Oil-adhesive products. The products contain adhesives, drying oil, chalk components, acrylates and a plasticizer. The composition is recommended for use on wooden and concrete surface. The material can only be used indoors.
- Latex products. The composition includes calcite components, plasticizers and acrylates. The product is recommended for indoor use on wooden and concrete building foundations.
- Acrylic compositions. When the question arises, what is the best way to putty a surface, many professionals recommend these products, since such materials are suitable for all types of surfaces. Acrylic putty is an environmentally friendly product that does not crack after drying.
- Facade means. The compositions are recommended for use for outdoor work. The product has increased moisture resistance and resistance to temperature changes.
- Oil products. The products contain chalk and siccatives (auxiliary components that speed up drying). This composition is recommended for use in rooms with high humidity. The product is used before applying oil and water-based paint.
Why putty the walls?
Non-professional craftsmen often have a question: why putty on walls and ceilings? This stage gives the following results:
- the surface is leveled;
- defects are masked;
- the consumption of finishing materials (glue or paint) is reduced;
- the pores of the base are filled;
- the adhesion of the surface to the finishing is improved;
- peeling is prevented finishing coating from the base;
- extended operational period finishing;
- the surface is strengthened.
Putty algorithm
The instructions for using putty require careful study, especially if the repair is carried out by an amateur.
Required tools and materials
To apply the composition you will need:
- putty;
- primer;
- a set of spatulas for applying putty (as in the photo below);
- roller, brush or spray gun for priming;
- sandpaper for sanding the surface;
- container for preparing the solution if a dry product is used;
- a drill with a mixer attachment or a construction mixer.
Preparation of the composition
If a dry primer is used, dilute the mixture with water in the proportions indicated on the package, stir and apply to the surface. Ready composition does not need cooking. Use it for its intended purpose immediately after opening the package. The situation is similar with putty. Apply the finished product immediately to the walls. In this case, you cannot hesitate, since the composition hardens quickly. If you use a dry mixture, the product needs to be prepared:
- place the composition in a container and add half of it required quantity water;
- mix the solution with a drill with a mixer attachment or a construction mixer;
- Gradually add the remaining water to the composition;
- stir the product with a tool.
After 15-20 minutes, use the solution as directed.
Preparing the construction base
Lessons on puttying walls say that work begins with preparing the surface. Free the building base from the old finishing. Next, clean the surface from dust. construction vacuum cleaner. You can sweep the walls with a broom or brush and rinse with water. After this, treat the base with a degreasing solution and leave to dry. Then apply primer. Apply the product in two layers. After each application, take a break to allow the composition to dry.
Applying starter
Apply the starting agent after the primer has hardened. The thickness of the layer depends on surface defects. If the base just needs to be leveled and there are small cracks on the wall, then the product is applied with a thickness of 5 mm. If there are large defects, the layer thickness can be 2 cm. After each application of the product, take a break to allow the composition to harden. Next, clean the base. To do this use sandpaper. Perform the work in a respirator and goggles to prevent dust from cleaning from getting into the upper respiratory tract and eyes. Next, prime the surface to clean the building base and improve the adhesion of the wall and the material.
Surface treatment with finishing compound
After the primer has dried, apply finishing putty. The composition will finally level the surface and give the wall smoothness. Layer thickness – 1 mm. When the product hardens, clean the surface with sandpaper. After sanding, prime the building base again. Apply primer in two layers. After the primer has dried, you can begin next stage works
The video in this article will show you how to properly putty walls.
Cost of putty
When it comes to how much it costs to putty walls, it is important to understand that the price depends on the type of composition, manufacturer and packaging. The finished mixture is more expensive than the dry mixture. In addition, the popular brand sets high price for your products. A product from a less popular manufacturer costs much less, although it has the same characteristics. Therefore, the cost of putty varies from 300 to 800 rubles per kilogram.
When starting a home renovation, you should draw up an accurate, comprehensive work plan and strictly follow it. Special attention should be given to the walls. Unfortunately, no paint, whitewash or wallpaper can hide cosmetic defects and blemishes wall panels. Even in a new, newly built building, the quality and evenness of the walls leave much to be desired, which means that you will have to do some things yourself.
Putty is a building material that allows you to level walls and get rid of cracks and irregularities before final finishing or decorating walls or other panels, which will allow for quality repairs.
Types of putties and their properties
Manufacturers building materials They offer putties that are already prepared and dry, sold in bags in the form of mixtures. When choosing this or another form of material release, you should pay attention to the markings indicated on the packaging. The letters KR or LR indicate that the putty is intended for ordinary rooms, and the VH marking implies use for rooms with high humidity.
There is no noticeable difference between the ready-made putty and the dry mixture. There are small nuances, such as additional additives, maximum thickness layer obtained in one application.
An open jar or prepared amount of putty mixture must be used within 24 hours, otherwise it will lose all its properties, it will be difficult and difficult to apply, and good result when working with such a tool is not guaranteed.
There are also starting and finishing putties designed for certain stages of puttying.
To dilute the dry mixture you will need:
- dry putty mixture;
- water;
- mixing container;
- construction mixer or drill with a special attachment.
Usually putty is diluted in a ratio of 1 liter cold water for 2.5 kg of dry mixture.
The resulting putty mixture should be close in consistency to thick sour cream. Too much liquid composition will flow down the wall, thicker ones will clump in a limited area, preventing you from applying an even layer of the product.
It should be remembered that the resulting mixture cannot be thickened with an additional portion of dry powder, nor diluted with water. Particular attention should be paid to preventing the entry of foreign matter and dirt (particles of old material from the mixer, small stones, etc.).
Necessary tool
Puttying is not a complicated process and can be done independently. The work will require various tools.
- different sizes small to large (some wall areas will require spatulas up to 60cm long). The blades of working spatulas should be even and smooth, without jagged edges. If your spatulas do not meet this requirement, you need to lightly sand the surfaces with fine sandpaper.
- , you will need it to apply a fair amount of putty to particularly large irregularities and cracks in the walls.
- . This tool is useful when repairing accidental damage to a fresh layer of putty. Due to the elasticity of the material and its small size, the spatula is convenient for applying small portions of putty to the surface and allows you to level out recesses without creating new unevenness.
- Level .
- . Fine-grained sandpaper will be very useful for the final grouting of completely puttied walls. And coarse sandpaper will come in handy before applying the first layer of putty mixture; this paper is good for rubbing the walls, removing unevenness and roughness.
- , firmly fixing and holding the abrasive. It should be remembered that some coatings cannot be sanded after the final coat!
- Primer and priming tools. Brushes and rollers must be clean and free of foreign materials.
- Corner profile or painting mesh.
Putty stages
The entire process of applying putty material can be divided into successive stages.
Stage 1. Removing old paint or wallpaper and cleaning the walls
The main task of this stage is to make the walls as clean as possible. To do this, all stains (rust, dirt, grease) should be removed. Mold localization areas should be treated with specially designed compounds. All decorative cladding materials from the walls must be removed. Old plaster- knock down. When carrying out the above work, spatulas, construction removers and other solutions are used to facilitate the stage of cleaning the walls. Cleaned walls need to be dried without drafts; on average, drying takes from 12 to 24 hours.
Stage 2. Primer
Many people neglect priming the walls, which is absolutely in vain. The surface treated with a primer acquires greater strength and is better suited to puttying, due to the good adhesion of the putty mixture to the primed wall.
“Clean” walls are primed in two layers; if the walls are to be plastered, one layer of primer before puttying is sufficient. The primer creates a thin film on the surface of the wall and protects against the development of fungus and mold.
To work, you will need two spatulas - the middle one to collect the working mass from the container and distribute it with an even comb over a larger spatula, which will level the putty on the wall. “Working” spatulas may vary depending on the section of the wall.
Experts advise starting work from the left edge and moving clockwise. The wall is puttied slightly overlapping, trying to even out the putty mixture as much as possible. It is important to avoid applying too much large quantity putties. The spatula should be moved diagonally, imitating the movements of car wipers, running the tool along the wall at an angle of 30-35 degrees towards you and without too much pressure.
It is important to let each layer dry thoroughly - this will guarantee a strong and durable coating.
How to handle corners?
To get perfect flat angle You can use a special corner spatula. The main nuance is that the putty mixture is applied to the wall itself and leveled with a spatula from top to bottom.
There is a use case corner profile, which is glued to the corner before the first puttying or plastering. However, this method is not applicable if the walls are being prepared for painting.
In this case, you can leave more putty in the corners and bring the joints of the wall panels to an ideal state at the final sanding stage.
Stage 3. Applying the first layer of putty
The first layer is usually the densest. If the walls are too uneven, then a special mesh is attached over the entire surface area, which is glued with construction adhesive. If the walls are fairly even, then the painting mesh is glued only in the corners (internal and external). The stronger and stiffer the material, the smoother the putty surface will be.
If there are grooves and deep cracks in the walls, then the putty is first applied locally, having previously primed the crevice, and then the entire wall is treated with putty.
Construction brands offer special starting putties for this stage, which have higher elasticity and allow you to apply a layer up to 1 cm thick. But such a layer will take at least 24 hours to dry. The recommended thickness of the starting layer is 5 mm.
Stage 4. Second putty using beacons
This stage of work is similar to the previous one, only during its implementation the evenness of the wall is constantly checked building rule or level. The second layer is much thinner than the first.
An important point: when performing the second puttying, you need to “stretch” the surface as best as possible, giving it maximum evenness.
Stage 5. Final third puttying
The thinnest layer, its thickness is no more than 2.5 mm. For this stage there are also special mixtures, the main task of which is to give the surface smoothness. But, if the previous steps were performed poorly, this layer will not be able to correct the situation.
Stage 6. Final drying
Putty walls are dried at closed windows and temperature changes. Sharp fluctuations in thermal conditions and drafts can cause cracks and deformations in the putty coating. Drying using electrical installations and air heaters is unacceptable. That is, you need to dry the room with the windows closed but the interior doors open.
Stage 7. Grouting and sanding
To give the wall a final smoothness, you need to sand it using a holder. It is important to understand that when preparing walls for wallpapering, they must be sanded with an abrasive grain size ranging from P80 to P120. When preparing a wall for painting - from P120 - P150, after which the wall is primed and dried again.
Puttying is not a very complicated process, but it requires patience and certain skills in working with a spatula and tools.
Video - How to putty walls correctly?
We will send the material to you by e-mail
Watching the work of professional plasterers, you can’t help but admire how smoothly and evenly they manage everything. It seems that it is simply impossible to repeat this with your own hands. This is wrong. Puttying is not a complicated job and does not require specialized knowledge. We will describe in detail how to putty walls correctly, how to choose the composition of the mixture and what tools you will need for the work.
Putty - a leveling layer to eliminate minor wall defects
Putty is a mixture of water and a dry compound. The dry composition may contain only gypsum powder or gypsum powder with the addition of chalk, plasticizers or other fillers.
The question often arises: from putty. Nobody really knows the answer to that. The composition of putty and putty is the same, the application method is also identical. So it turns out that both of these names mean the same material intended for leveling walls.
Why do you need putty?
The main task of putty is to create a perfectly flat surface suitable for painting or. Without gypsum mixture no repairs are needed; this material is used for final stage finishing.The putty is applied in several thin layers, each of which fills the smallest irregularities on the surface. Using this composition you can fill uneven areas up to 2 cm deep.
Important! Professionals do not advise applying the putty mixture in a thick layer; it may fall off within a couple of days after the completion of the repair.
On average, one layer of putty should not exceed 7 millimeters, and finishing layer– no more than 2 millimeters.
How to choose a spatula for puttying walls
Range of tools for plastering works very big. In a hardware store, your eyes are simply wide open, what to choose?For putty you will need a wide flat metal spatula with a smooth edge and a spatula - a spatula.
When choosing a façade trowel, pay attention to its edge: it is important that it is perfectly smooth, without jagged edges. The metal on the edge should not bend. To work outside the building, use a tool up to 60 centimeters wide. For interior work, a width of 30-40 centimeters is sufficient.
Small spatulas are designed for neat processing of corners. If you decide to similar works for the first time, do not take a very wide tool, it will be more convenient for small ones to work.
Another important point in the selection of a spatula - its weight. The lighter the tool, the better.It is convenient if the second spatula, spatula, wooden handle. It doesn't slip in your hand. The spatula is selected in such a size that it is convenient to scoop the mixture from the bucket.
The metal part of the tool must be made of stainless steel. Any other option is not suitable, since contact with water will quickly rust and leave marks on the surface being treated. You can find spatulas made of durable plastic on sale, but they are much more expensive than metal ones.
Which putty is better and how to choose the composition for walls
Putty mixtures can have different contents; let’s look at each type in more detail:
| Type of mixture | Application Features | Application area |
|---|---|---|
 Acrylic | Putty on acrylic base characterized by elasticity and resistance to high humidity. As a result, you will get a smooth surface that is resistant to mechanical damage and does not shrink or form cracks. | External and internal work, leveling, roughing, starting and finishing |
 Latex | The plastic mixture forms very thin layers that do not crack or fall off. This finish reacts negatively to lower temperatures. | Only for interior decoration |
 Plaster | Used to level walls and can be applied in a thick layer. It reacts poorly to humid air and is destroyed by water. Does not withstand mechanical stress. | For interior works |
 Cement | Not afraid negative temperature, does not react to humidity, is resistant to mechanical damage. It shrinks when applied and may crack during use. | Suitable for facade works and interior decoration |
It is impossible to give a definite answer which of the listed mixtures is better. For different conditions you need to select the appropriate compositions. For the facade of a building it is better to take cement putty, for or - acrylic, for living rooms– latex. If you are wondering what to use, take plaster.
How to choose a putty mixture for different types of finishes
The putty mixture can be divided into three types according to purpose:
- universal;
- finishing;
- starting.
The difference lies in the grain size of the filler. The starting mixture has larger fractions. With its help, you can level surfaces with significant damage: cracks, differences, potholes. The starting putty can be applied in a layer 2 centimeters thick. It is thrown directly onto the layer of plaster and leveled using the rule.
The purpose of the finishing layer is to complete the leveling before application. The fractions of this mixture are very small, and the resulting layer looks smooth and even. The final putty has a layer no thicker than 5 mm.The universal mixture can be used both as a starting and finishing layer. This type of composition is used in cases where the walls do not have significant defects.
Expert's point of view
Dmitry Kholodok
Technical director of the repair and construction company "ILASSTROY"
Ask a Question“If there are significant flaws on the surface being treated, use a starting and finishing mixture, rather than one universal one. The universal one costs more. In addition, the result of using two mixtures is much better.”
Basics of wall putty technology
- the costly part of the construction budget. If you want to save money, do it yourself. It’s only scary before starting work; after the first wall the process will improve.
The main thing is to follow the sequence of work, clearly separating the stages and fulfilling all requirements.Let's look at how to properly putty walls for painting or wallpaper.
How to properly prepare and prime walls
Preparing the foundation is a critical stage of the work. The result of your efforts depends on it. If the walls were wallpapered or painted, all layers decorative covering needs to be removed. Wallpaper can be soaked so that it comes off the wall easily. Particularly resistant layers should be treated with hot steam.
Paint is much more difficult to remove. You can mechanize the process using a drill with an attachment. But cleaning must be done very carefully, otherwise you will have to devote a lot of time to puttying. It is better to remove the paint by hand using sandpaper secured to a wooden block.
Important! During the process of cleaning the walls, a suspension of cement, whitewash and dust will hang in the air. Be sure to use a respirator to protect your respiratory system.
Oil paint can be softened with a solvent, but all such compositions have a pungent odor; you can only work in a well-ventilated area.After cleaning the decorative coating, the walls should be brushed and wiped with a slightly damp cloth. This will remove any remaining dust and construction debris.
Essentially, a primer is an adhesive that forms a durable film on the wall. It consists of different components: resin, lime, bitumen, alum. If you want to know whether a primer is suitable for your walls, pay attention to the recommendations for use on the composition packaging. There are mixtures designed for processing metal, concrete, and plastic.
How to make your own putty
You can cook it yourself. In this case, it will cost you a little less, and the quality will not be inferior to the purchased composition. The ingredients for the mixture are not difficult to find; you will need ordinary gypsum powder and chalk, which is used for whitewashing. For hardening and plasticity, a solution of laundry soap, wood glue, drying oil and varnish are added to the chalk. During the manufacturing process, chalk and gypsum are first mixed dry, and then the powder is poured into glue solution. And now a few putty recipes for different surfaces:
| Ingredients | Purpose | Peculiarities |
|---|---|---|
| Chalk – 2 kg Plaster – 1 kg Wood glue solution 3-5% | Concrete walls, alignment of seams on plasterboard slabs. Designed for dry rooms. | Hardens quickly after application. This mixture must be prepared in small portions. |
| Chalk – 1 kg Wood glue – 100 g Drying oil – 1 kg | For finishing wooden surfaces, which will subsequently be painted oil paint. Suitable for rooms with high humidity. | Hardens slowly, forming an airtight film. To prepare, heated glue is mixed with drying oil and then chalk is added. |
| Chalk – 2 kg Wood glue solution 10% Drying oil – 25 g Laundry soap – 50 g | Designed for puttying ceilings and plastered walls. | The soap should be dissolved in a small amount of water, glue should be added to the desired percentage and then chalk should be added. |
Leveling walls with your own hands using “homemade” putty is no different from working with a factory-made mixture.
How to prepare a factory-made mixture
To prepare the mixture, you need to select clean dishes and, preferably, a construction mixer. Manually mixing putty without lumps is difficult and physically difficult.
Don't try to mix the whole package at once, especially if you're new to this business. The composition dries quickly, so while you are training on small area walls, the whole batch may freeze and have to be thrown away.
Use water to knead room temperature. After preparing the putty, let it sit for a quarter of an hour. The consistency of the finished putty should be similar to thick sour cream. If you have prepared a polymer, acrylic or latex mixture and have not had time to use it completely, fill the container with putty with water. Next time, carefully drain the surface layer of water and use the composition.
Leveling walls using starting putty
What the process looks like starting putty DIY walls:
| Illustration | Description of work |
|---|---|
 | Mix the mixture according to the instructions on the mixture packaging. Use a construction mixer for quality mixing. |
 | Scoop up the thick mixture with a spatula and apply it to a spatula, spreading it over the entire length. |
 | Using an upward motion, apply the putty to the surface. Fill the wall section this way. |
 | Using a wide spatula, using upward and sideways movements, smooth out all the seams that have formed. |
 | After the putty has hardened, level the surface with sandpaper. |
For a beginner in this business, video material on how to putty walls with your own hands:
Video instruction: how to properly putty walls using beacons
You are lucky if the main surface is made with high quality, in compliance with the level and without major flaws. If not, you can level it with putty.For perfect results on uneven wall beacons will be required. To set them, you need to pull the thread along the wall, vertically and diagonally. The direction of the thread should be checked with a building level.
After the marks have dried, the main putty work is carried out.
How to correctly level walls with putty using beacons, in the following video material:
How to apply finishing putty to a wall
As a finishing layer you should use polymer composition– acrylic or latex.
| Illustration | Description of work |
|---|---|
 | To mix the topcoat, you need to carefully measure the proportions and prepare the amount of water recommended in the instructions. |
 | The mixture is poured into water, and not vice versa. It is necessary to thoroughly mix the solution until the consistency of sour cream is obtained. |
 | To apply the finishing layer, use a spatula 30-40 centimeters wide |
 | The first layer of topcoat should be the thinnest, it will help reveal all existing irregularities |
 | The second layer of putty is applied only a day later, after the first has completely dried. |
Beginners most often face the question of how to work with a spatula correctly. Not everyone succeeds the first time. Pay attention to the video recommendation on how to apply finishing putty to the wall:
Related article:
We'll talk about different compositions and purposes of solutions, methods of their preparation, necessary tools and materials, as well as about the application technology itself.
How to properly sand walls after puttying
No matter how hard you try, after the finishing layer of putty, traces of a spatula will remain on the wall. If you don't remove them, they will show through. On final stage the surface needs to be sanded. This is a labor-intensive task, but without sanding you will never achieve the desired result.