This building material is used in various types of finishing work. Unfortunately, many people often do not understand its true purpose and believe that it is possible to get by with a banal leveling of surfaces either by lighthouses, or "by eye". However, without putty (it is also called "putty"), it is impossible to achieve smooth walls and ceilings.
If only because the solution for the leveling layer contains sand granules, which, when applied, for example, paint, in some places will still be noticeable on the surface. From this it becomes clear that the putty is intended for "fine" leveling (removes the slightest roughness and makes the surface completely smooth). In addition, it makes no sense to plaster the entire wall (or ceiling) if it has only individual, "local" defects.
Before proceeding to consider the question of how to dilute the putty, it is worthwhile to understand that it processes various surfaces, and not only inside buildings. Some products are also used for facade work. Consequently, the composition of putties can differ both in components and in their proportions, and this depends on the specifics of the application.
These products are marketed in the form of a paste or dry mixture (powder). In the first case, it is already ready for use, but in the second case, you will have to dilute the putty. It is clear that since there is a difference in the compositions, then it is necessary to be guided by the attached Manufacturer's instructions, which are placed on the packaging. But we will not “discover America” if we recall that any work will only be done with high quality when it is done consciously.
Features of putty mixtures
1. All putties are subdivided into starting and finishing. It depends on the specifics of the work and implies some nuances when preparing a mixture from a powder.
- Starting
Designed for "rough" finishing, which is carried out with significant surface defects. Therefore, the composition must be thick enough not to "spread". Sometimes it is applied in several layers, one on top of the other, with a break for drying. This means that you need to make sure that during this time it does not begin to harden. For this, when diluting the putty for the walls, sand is added to the mixture at the rate of 1: 1. Best of all - river (naturally, washed and sifted), since it contains a minimum of salts and other impurities.
- Finishing
It is sold in a ready-to-use plastic container (buckets), so there is no need to dilute it. The exception is gypsum compounds, which are diluted with water twice.
2. There is one rule for all formulations - first powder, then water.
Mixing must be thorough. As a result, the solution should not contain any fractions (lumps). You need to understand that the larger the container for the "kneading", the lower its quality. That is why it is necessary to select a container corresponding to the required volume of solution.
The remaining fractions during the subsequent smoothing of the layer will cling to the "rule" and leave furrows on the surface. Therefore, the masters are advised to mechanize the process of preparing the solution. It is good to do "kneading" with an electric / drill switched to low speed (the principle of a household mixer). A thick wire is inserted into the cartridge, the end of which is given a certain configuration (loop, "butterfly").
Video - Correct preparation of putty for walls and ceilings
When diluting the wall putty, do not pour the entire recommended amount of water into the container at once. This is done in portions, and mixing should not stop. This technique is a guarantee of a minimum of lumps in the finished product, since it is more difficult to get rid of solid fractions in a liquid substance. A little water must be left and added when the mass acquires a uniform shade. After that, there is another stage of high-quality mixing.
3. Within 5 - 15 minutes (depending on the components) the mixture should "stand".
4. After that - one more (control) batch.
Only then can you start finishing work.
Useful Tips
- The finishing putty can be interior (for interior work) and facade (contains toxic substances). When buying at this point you need to pay attention.
- Adding water to dilute putty, which has thickened, significantly degrades its quality. This is not recommended. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare so much solution that it is enough for a single use.
- If there is a desire to give the putty additional qualities or to strengthen the existing ones (moisture resistance, frost resistance, etc.), then one should not forget about such a factor as the compatibility of substances.
- Artificial acceleration of drying of the laid layer by means of thermal action (for example, a hair dryer) is not allowed, as it leads to the appearance of cracks.
- Excess putty collected from the surface during leveling should no longer be used. The composition has already dried up, and if it is sent back to the container, to the total mass, then subsequently the presence of lumps in it cannot be avoided. As a last resort - put it separately, mix again and use to seal potholes and eliminate other significant surface defects.
- It is necessary to wash containers and tools before the next "batch". Otherwise, dried fractions of the "old" solution will get into the new mixture.
And finally, about the importance of mixing quality. If the surface is painted, for example, with glossy latex paint, then under certain lighting and a suitable angle, even the slightest scratch on the wall will simply catch the eye.
The question of how to dilute the putty is often asked by people who decide to make repairs on their own. Puttying is one of the important preparatory stages, on which the quality of the final result depends. Not everyone can afford ready-made compositions, therefore, a huge selection of dry powders is offered on the construction markets, which, if the correct dilution ratios are observed, can become a worthy alternative to expensive ones. It is about how to properly dilute the putty mixture for walls at home, and will be discussed in this article.
Peculiarities
Dry putty mixture is a powdery material, which includes binders, the main filler and various additives. Before applying to the wall to be leveled, it should be diluted with water in the ratio indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer.
Dry putty has a number of undeniable advantages:
- long service life;
- resistance to different temperatures (can be stored in both warm and cold rooms);
- the ability to control the consistency;
- low cost;
- ease of use;
- ease of transportation.
The prepared solution cannot be used:
- with high humidity, as over time it will begin to peel off the walls;
- with sudden changes in temperature, which will quickly lead to its softening.
Experts recommend diluting and mixing the putty with a drill with a special mixing nozzle. With its help, the mass is obtained more homogeneous than when using improvised means.
How to choose?
When buying a dry putty mixture, you should pay attention to the following points:
- safety - the composition should include only substances harmless to human health;
- adhesion - adhesion to the surface to be leveled must be good;
- convergence - the formation of a smooth surface should occur without the use of additional tools and materials;
- resistance to external influences;
- the possibility of grinding.
In addition, when choosing, you need to decide at what stage of finishing you plan to use a leveling coating.
Depending on the purpose, the plaster is of the following types:
- Basic (starting). She is given the entire rough-relief surface treatment: they correct irregularities, close up cracks, fill in depressions. Such a composition is applied with a layer up to 7-8 mm thick. If the flaws cannot be eliminated the first time, then the layer is reapplied. After this initial leveling, the surface is flat and slightly rough due to the coarse-grained components of the putty.
- Finish. It is intended for finishing the surface and bringing it to a perfectly smooth state. It is applied once in a thin layer on a pre-dried starting putty.
- Universal. It is used for both roughing and finishing work, but it is distinguished by its increased cost and not always the required efficiency.
The main component of the mixture plays an important role in where and under what conditions it will be used.
Depending on the composition, the putty is of the following types:
- Cement. It is used for finishing the facades of buildings, as well as damp and unheated rooms: bathrooms, kitchens, swimming pools, basements. It is moisture resistant and resistant to extreme temperatures. After being applied to the wall, such a putty begins to shrink strongly, as a result of which the layers of solution have to be reapplied for better alignment. Its curing speed is low and amounts to 28-30 days, which significantly slows down the finishing process.
- Plaster. Designed for dry rooms inside the building: living room, bedroom, corridor. In this case, the solution dries on the surface within a few days, but it also quickly decomposes under the influence of moisture.
- Polymeric. It is a universal mortar for leveling polyurethane, cement, concrete and plaster surfaces. It combines the properties of cement and gypsum plaster, resulting in a high cost.
- Oil and glue. It is applied before painting on concrete, wood and plastered surfaces.
- Water-dispersive. It is used for partial leveling of bases made of various materials: wood, aerated concrete, brick.
- Polyester. It is used when working on metal, wood, paintwork, concrete, natural stone. It is successfully used for sealing holes and through holes, getting rid of rust and corrosion. This composition is distinguished by good adhesion, increased strength and water resistance.
Proportions
The diluted putty solution should have a characteristic consistency and density. To achieve this, it is necessary to maintain the correct ratio of water to dry matter. For each species, these proportions are different.
Gypsum-based compositions are diluted in a ratio of 1: 0.8, that is, 0.8 liters of liquid is required per 1 kg. For cement compositions, water will be required 2 times less: 0.37-0.42 liters per 1 kg. 1 kg of polymer putty is diluted with 0.25 liters of liquid.
Depending on the situation, the water flow can be changed. So, with a basic finish, a thicker composition is required, so less liquid is allowed to be used. For decorative finishing, a liquid mixture is used, respectively, more water will be required.
Please note that dilution water must be taken at room temperature.
Process technology
The process of making a mixture at home should start with preparing the necessary tools.
You will need:
- capacious bucket with high walls without rounded corners (plastic, enameled or galvanized);
- drill with attachment;
- scales;
- paint brush or spatula.
To correctly make the putty with your own hands, you should adhere to the following procedure:
- We fill the bucket with the required amount of water.
- Shake it in a circular motion to wet the remaining dry walls of the container.
- Weigh the dry mixture and carefully pour it into the water. Then we leave for 3-5 minutes so that it becomes slightly sour.
- We slowly immerse the drill and begin to mix the solution by moving the mixing nozzle in a circle, right-left, up and down.
- Having achieved the desired consistency, we stop the batch. We clean the adhering remains of the mixture from the walls of the bucket with a spatula or brush. We repeat the batch.
- We do not touch the prepared mass for 10-15 minutes, we give it time to swell.
- Add 1 tbsp. l. PVA glue, which will make the solution softer and more elastic, and the layer applied to the surface will be stronger and more reliable.
- We repeat the batch.
- We take out the drill, put it in another container with water and run it for 1-2 minutes. In this way, the dirt from the nozzle is instantly removed.
If you do not have a mixer available, the mixture can be mixed by hand. Pour dry putty powder into the dried bucket and then gradually pour in water. We knead in a circular motion, gradually moving from the center to the edges. If the solution has a too liquid consistency, then more mixtures are added to it, if too thick - more water.
Please note that in this case, putty is poured first, and not liquid is poured. If you do the opposite, as with mechanical mixing, lumps will appear in the composition, which will be difficult to get rid of.
The above method is suitable for cement and polymer based formulations.
Dilution of gypsum putty is done in a slightly different way:
- Pour 7 trowels of powder into a bucket and fill them with the same volume of liquid. Mix everything thoroughly;
- Add the remaining parts of the mixture and water and mix everything until smooth;
- Leave the solution to swell for 2-3 minutes and mix everything again.
Unlike other types, gypsum plaster is very capricious. After drying, it can crack over time due to a number of reasons: violation of production technology, non-observance of the correct proportions of components, a thin layer of application (less than 5 mm), dirty surface to be treated.
The stages of diluting putty with fiberglass are not particularly difficult.
In this case, you should adhere to the following sequence of actions:
- Move to a warm room. The temperature on the thermometer should not be lower than 18 and not higher than 25 degrees Celsius.
- After opening the jar with the composition, mix it thoroughly so that the solvent rises up.
- Prepare a clean container and pour out some of the mixture that you need for work, and cover the rest with a lid. Since the diluted composition dries instantly, dilute it as much as you can work out in 10 minutes.
- Add hardener.
- Stir everything with a spatula. The composition should be thick and homogeneous.
As a rule, such well-known companies as Novol, Sea-Line, QuickLine indicate on the packaging the correct dilution proportions of the putty with the hardener. If the manufacturer did not mention this, then the masters recommend using electronic scales of increased accuracy or your own eye meter. The amount of hardener should be equal to 3% of the total filler mass.
It is very important to observe the correct proportions when mixing: if you add too much hardener, its excess will not interact with the particles of the putty composition, as a result of which, after application, streaks and stains will appear on the treated surface. If there is not enough hardener, the solution will turn out to be watery, it will be difficult to apply to the base and will harden unevenly.
- Mix the mixture gradually. Start at a low speed, slowly increasing the revs. Doing this will help prevent lumps and bubbles from appearing.
- After mixing, let the solution sit for a few minutes and then stir it again. Thus, the constituent components will adhere better.
- Use only clean containers and tools. The combination of particles of the old and new mixture will lead to a violation of the consistency and elasticity of the future composition, which will adversely affect the quality of the finish.
Quite often, certain unfavorable situations occur with a vehicle, after which some bruises of varying severity remain on it. Many of these can be removed fairly easily with a car putty. The main thing in this case is to properly dilute this material and correctly carry out the work.... In this case, you can restore your car to its previous appearance in a fairly quick time. But at the same time, it should be understood that the question of how to dilute putty for a car is not quite simple, since it has a lot of nuances that should be taken into account. How to dilute putty for a car? Let's figure it out.
Types of car putty
Today there are several different types of polyester putty mixtures used to to mask various damages on vehicles. Among them, experts distinguish the following materials.
Universal putty for cars
It differs in relative hardness and slight elasticity.
It is most often used for the mechanical finishing of fairly small surfaces.
With aluminum filler (dust) for car
Special additive used to increase strength and increase stability to temperature conditions.
In addition, it improves adhesion performance.
The additive allowed increase the mechanical strength of the material as well as its ability to fill irregularities and holes.
The finishing putty can be used as for minor repairs and for the final finishing of the damaged area of the car. about the finish under the wallpaper.
It serves only for working with plastic. A distinctive feature of this material is that it has good adhesion to polypropylene.
This allows you to putty without priming the treated surface of the car. about floor putty.
Acrylic putty is used mainly for filling small scratches and unevenness before painting the vehicle. about acrylic on wood.
The choice of putty directly depends on which part of the car was damaged and from what it was made. If you focus on these two factors, you can pick up really good and quality material.
The proportion of putty and hardener - how to dilute and use
Any car putty mixture, whatever it is, comes with a small tube of the substance. about how much car putty dries. It is a material hardener, also called a catalyst or activator. The terminology directly depends on the manufacturer.
The main thing is to use this substance, diluting it with the putty itself, since without it the material will not acquire its properties. The main problem with this process is the question of how to properly dilute the automotive filler.
Mostly one tube of hardener is designed for the entire jar of putty. But it is not always worth using such an amount of material. First of all, this applies to cases where there is only a small dent or a bent threshold on the car.
Leaving the prepared putty mixture, which could not be used, for later, will not work. This is due to the fact that this material when the components are mixed, it immediately begins to set and harden.
If you need to use only a small amount of putty, it is best to take as a basis a proportional ratio of 100: 1 about how much dries. The vast majority of manufacturers use it. But in some cases, the instructions may indicate an even smaller amount, proportional to 200: 1.
That is why, before starting work, you should carefully study the container in which the putty was sold. It is necessary to take into account not only the instructions, but also the ambient temperature. Professional craftsmen know about this nuance, always relying on it, carrying out vehicle repairs.
Most often, at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, it requires about 2 grams of hardener per 1 kilogram of putty. If the temperature regime increases by at least 10 degrees, then additionally it is worth adding 1 gram of catalyst. First of all, this applies to formulations in which fillers are not present.
Before properly diluting the putty for a car, you should definitely read the instructions for using the material.
It may indicate some of the nuances that are unique to this product from a particular manufacturer.
How to dilute correctly, in what proportion to stir and cook
It is possible to prepare the putty mixture both on a small piece of organic glass and on a special tool. But, despite this, many craftsmen prefer to use only two spatulas of different sizes. They should be cleaned immediately after work, until the remnants of the material have finally hardened.
If this happens, it will be quite difficult to remove them later. And it is important that even the smallest irregularities do not remain on the tools, as this can affect the quality of further work with their help. Additionally, their can be cleaned with a special solvent.
Storage of the putty implies the settling of solid particles from its composition and the formation of a film of resin on the surface. As a result, before using this material, it should be very thoroughly stirred, thereby obtaining a homogeneous mass, with which you can work in the future.
In addition, in this case, the correct mixing ratio can be achieved, since the filler will not participate in the reaction. To remove the putty from the container in which it is located, you need to use only clean tools.
Residual contents on them may react adversely with the material. This can affect its quality.
The putty should be applied to the surface with a spatula. They can be crafted from thin steel or regular stainless steel.
There are also products made of rubber or plastic. They can also be quite handy in some cases. If you need to finish fairly large surfaces, you can also use a construction trowel for finishing work. about a putty knife for walls. A ruler can also be useful to control the shape of the ground plane.
Polyester putty is a two-component material. Mixing them must be carried out immediately before work.
About latex. In such a case, the resin with a curing agent that acts as a catalyst can properly level the surface.
In this case, you should definitely follow the proportions established by the manufacturers of the goods. The putty should only be applied in a thin layer. Too rough a layer will not allow you to get a high-quality coating.
After preparation, you need to work with the putty in a fairly quick time - from 5 to 10 minutes. That is why the layer must be applied in a short time and very precisely.
It is because of this that it is not necessary to mix the components in a larger quantity than is required.
It is worth highlighting two features of this process:
- if too little hardener is used, the material will not cool down at the right time. As a result, sanding will be quite difficult as the putty will clump and cause scratches and irregularities on it. about mechanized;
- if there is a small amount of hardener, then the material will not cool down quickly. An active catalyst will remain in it, which will react with resin and pigments. Subsequently, irregularities in the color will appear on the surface, spots will appear, and the contours of the painted places will also become noticeable.
It is in connection with the above-mentioned features of the putty dilution that it is necessary adhere to the instructions for use and the manufacturer's recommendations.
For more information on how to properly dilute the putty, see the video:
Application of polyester
Understanding how to dilute the putty for auto proportions, it is also worth knowing how to work with the created material. Without this, it is impossible to achieve the desired result.
Before starting work to eliminate a flaw on the surface of the vehicle, it is necessary to degrease the plane, as well as grind it.
Do not allow the thickness of the putty to exceed the limits of 450-500 microns. The thinner it is, the less work will be needed later, associated with grinding.
It is believed that it is quite correct to apply polyester putty to bare metal or a previously prepared machine part. Galvanized products require the use of a universal material. You can also apply a putty with zinc on them. about wood putty.
It is allowed to apply the material on a primer with an epoxy resin base. Grinding of bare metal can be done with P80 abrasive. If you need to repair an old paintwork, then it is best use abrasive from P180 to P240 as a finishing sanding.
This can significantly improve the quality of the joint between the putty and the damaged surface itself. In no case, according to the masters, you should not apply the putty mixture on acidic soil. You should not try to eliminate all the irregularities in one go.
It is worth applying the material only with a clean spatula. It is worth finishing the work at the moment when the "download" of the putty on the surface is noticed. After a certain period of time, they will take on a solid appearance. For the result to be good, such a procedure must be carried out several times, alternating with grinding.
Grinding and processing
Knowing how to dilute an automobile putty, it is also necessary to understand how to further process the repaired vehicle surface. Sanding the putty vehicle surface carried out in two ways:
- manually;
In the first case, you need to use special pads called grinding. They can be of a wide variety of shapes and sizes. In addition, they are made from various materials - rubber, plastic, foam, etc.
It is worth noting that in no case should the putty be sanded while it is wet or water has got on it.
This is due to the high degree of hygrostability of this material, which means the absorption of liquid. Subsequently, it reaches the metal base and leads to the initiation of the corrosion process. For a long time in this state, the car will not look beautiful, since the layers formed there will begin to rise from the inside.
For hardening of the putty, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on its layer, as well as the temperature in the room. After that, only grinding can be carried out. First of all, in this case, you must first remove the top layer, which is distinguished by its stickiness.
To do this, experts recommend using a grinder, since abrasive products can clog and stop working properly in the future. The beginning of the grinding process should be started with an abrasive, ranging from P 60 to P 80.
The final stage is carried out with the help of products a little rougher - P 220-P 240. After that, you can apply secondary primer to the surface.
No scratches from coarse abrasive should remain. Do not put putty on them.
This is due to the fact that the material can sag, as a result of which these lines will acquire an edging on the plane of the vehicle element being repaired. There is also the so-called gradation rule.
It consists in how to most correctly get rid of the resulting scratches left by a coarse abrasive.
To prevent them from becoming on the surface of the putty, it should be that between different processes the grain size does not exceed more than 100 units. If material P60 was used, then it is worth using the P150 next time.
This is due to the fact that the P 220 will not be able to remove the scratches that have been made. The border of the trimmed zone should be sanded with only a thin sandpaper. They can also be matted with scotch-bright. This applies to an area with a radius of 15 centimeters around the surface to be repaired.
Conclusion
Putty machines for repairing damage from bruises or collisions are a fairly popular method of returning a vehicle to its original form. In order for it to give the desired result, it is important not only to choose the right material for this, but also to use it in the correct way.
In such a case, it is compulsory to understand for the car. Each stage of this work is quite simple, but requires careful implementation, since without it it is impossible to achieve a result when it will be unrealistic to determine the place of repair with the naked eye.
Tsugunov Anton Valerievich
Reading time: 3 minutes
Putty is a paste-like building substance intended for leveling ceilings and walls before further finishing. In its composition it contains film-forming elements, coloring pigments and fillers, which have the properties of filling and eliminating cracks, as well as leveling uneven surfaces. For a clear leveling of surfaces in the room where the repair is being carried out, it is first of all important to know how to dilute the putty and observe the correct mixing proportions. In addition, you must be able to use the putty correctly, know the methods and technology of its preparation, mixing features (consistency density), important rules for using and working with this mixture, and also understand the types of putty.
Types of putty
- Prepared putties. Sold ready-made in plastic buckets. The peculiarity of this substance is its short storage.
- Dry mix - intended for mixing. Sold in bags and is the most common use case. The advantage of dry mixes is a low and affordable price, convenient transportation, the ability to prepare any degree of viscosity you need, as well as a long shelf life. The disadvantage of dry types of materials is that the resulting mass must be applied to the surface as soon as possible after mixing, in order to prevent its hardening.
Binder types
- Cement. Cement-based putty is characterized by high water resistance and is intended for use in rooms with high levels of humidity. The disadvantage of such a substance is precipitation after application to the surface, after which an additional layer must be applied. Also, this type will grow stronger relatively slowly, which is why small microcracks may appear.
- Polymeric. This type is the best and highest quality coating, but due to the high price, fakes are often found.
- Plaster. This species does not sink. It can be applied in a thin layer. The disadvantage of this type of substance is the fear of temperature extremes and moisture.
- Capacity. For kneading, you need a capacious plastic bucket or any conveniently shaped container. If there is no plastic container, you can use any galvanized or enameled container. But a plastic container is best suited, since it is very convenient to knead in it.
- Next, you need to prepare clean water at room temperature without debris, dust and rust.
- In order to properly dilute the mixture, the best option is to use a drill with a nozzle. The drill should have a smooth start mode in order not to splash the room, and rotation in both directions. The ideal stirring speed of the mixture is 600 rpm, which will help to mix well and saturate the mixture with air bubbles. If you do not have such a drill, you can rent it from a supermarket or a tool company for any period you need. If drill options are not possible, stirring can be done by hand, but this is a very time-consuming process.
- You will also need a paintbrush, a container of water, and a small spatula.
- A container of water for washing the drill bit.
How to dilute putty, step-by-step instructions
- Fill the mixing container with water in the amount indicated on the package.
- Next, you need to wet the walls of the container, as they should be wet.
- Pour putty into the water in the amount according to the instructions.
- The mixture should stay in water without stirring for 5 minutes, it should turn sour.
- Next, you can start the stirring process. If necessary, add additional mixture or water.
- Wash off unused putty from the edges of the bucket. This can be done with a spatula or brush. Stir further by moving the drill bit clockwise and counterclockwise, up and down.
- Remove the drill and dip it into a container of water, turning it on at low speed to wash the nozzle (if this is not done in time, the nozzle will remain in the putty).
- The resulting consistency takes 15 minutes to infuse, after which you need to add a few tablespoons of PVA glue, which will strengthen the consistency, give elasticity and softness.
- Stir again and the resulting solution can be used as directed.
Putty work is carried out during any repair. And in order not to spoil the appearance of the surfaces on which the mixture will be applied, you should know how to properly dilute the putty. Usually, the rules for diluting the putty, the proportions and consistency of the mixture are indicated in the instructions on the package. However, often, you can not take into account some of the nuances and this will affect the quality of the work performed. To prevent this from happening, try to use the tips on how to dilute the dry putty indicated in this article.
Today, you can find many types of putty materials on sale. Each of them is designed for one or another type of finishing work.
All putties are finely dispersed building mixtures. They differ mainly in consistency. There is some classification of putty mixtures, depending on the type of material underlying it. So, there are putties on cement, gypsum and polymers. Let's consider each of them in a little more detail.
A cement-based putty with a characteristic gray tint, due to its resistance to moisture, is actively used for baths and other rooms with high levels of humidity. In addition, it is often used for finishing the facades of buildings.
Gypsum plaster is often used for interior decoration before painting walls or wallpapering. This solution has a much more attractive snow-white color. Unlike cement putty mixture, gypsum cannot withstand high levels of moisture. Therefore, it is not suitable for use in the bathroom.
Putty, which uses polymers as binders, is considered a fairly new material on the market. Distinguish between acrylic and latex putty mixtures. Acrylic is used for both facade decoration and indoor work. It can be used as a roughing, leveling and even finishing mixture.
As for latex putty, it is usually used exclusively for interior decoration. It has properties such as high elasticity and low shrinkage. Therefore, it can be applied in a thin layer. Any polymer-based mixture is strong and durable.
Putties are sold both dry and ready-mixed. Dry mixes are available as starting and finishing mixtures. They differ in composition and properties. Finishing putty - fine-grained. After it, a perfectly flat surface is obtained. Starter compounds are usually used to level wall defects. Such material is applied in a thicker layer than the finishing one.
The leveling putty is distinguished by its high strength. Therefore, it is often used as a starting point.
There is also a universal putty. It is usually more expensive and has the same properties as smoothing and decorative. But it should only be used when there are no serious defects on the wall.
How to dilute putty (starting)
In total, there are two ways to dilute the starting putty. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
The first way
This method is somewhat similar to kneading dough. And it is most suitable when there is no mixer attachment for a drill. You need to take a dry container (for example, a bucket of building materials) and pour the required amount of dry mixture into it. After that, little by little water should be added to the container. If we do the opposite, i.e. pour the putty mixture into the water, then it can grab in the form of lumps, which will be difficult to remove manually.
Let's consider in stages how to dilute the gypsum putty according to the first method.
- To prepare gypsum-based putty, you need to take a clean plastic container and pour about seven trowels of the dry mixture. Then add some water. Now you should mix the mixture well. An important point: the tools and utensils used must be perfectly clean.
- If dirt gets into the solution, it can cause the mixture to harden faster than you can apply it to the surface. After mixing, you can pour the rest of the dry mixture into the container and add water. Finally, you need to mix everything until you get a homogeneous mixture without lumps.
- Lumps, like dirt, can speed up the setting time of the mixture. Gypsum plaster is known to dry quickly, but despite this, after mixing, you should not immediately apply it to the work surface. You should give it about three minutes for the mixture to sit. After that, mix well again.
- It is allowed to add dry mixture or water to the putty. But this is allowed to be done only until the moment the solution is applied to the work surface. The amount of the mixture should be sufficient for twenty minutes of work. Therefore, it is better to cook a little than to discard the dried material later.
- The main properties of gypsum putty is that it absorbs excess moisture well. Therefore, it is usually used in rooms with excessive humidity. This usually limits its application. However, more recently, gypsum plaster has been used to decorate walls for painting. This is due to the fact that it lays down in a fairly even layer, and no finishing mixture is required on top.
- Sometimes gypsum plaster cracks. This usually happens because the mixing technology was violated, an insufficient amount of water was added, or too little plaster was applied, which normally should not be less than five millimeters. If the surface is not treated and cleaned before applying the mixture, then in this case, mother-in-law may also appear.
Second way
This method can be used when a mixer attachment or screwdriver is available. To do this, first pour water into the container, and then pour the dry mixture into it until you achieve the desired density. The material sometimes sets in clumps, but with the use of a power tool, they can be easily removed. With the proper skill, you can dilute the putty in this way in large quantities at once and of good quality. It is important to avoid getting large amounts of air into the mixture. For this, the speed of the mixer nozzle should be kept at 800 rpm. Mixing is usually not enough. Therefore, after holding for about a quarter of an hour, repeat the procedure.
According to the first and second methods, the mixture must be prepared until the required density is reached. After that, the prepared mixture should be left to swell for a few minutes. Then it must be mixed well so that lumps do not form. In addition, re-mixing can increase the elasticity of the putty.
How to dilute putty for walls, ceilings and floors (finishing)
As for the preparation of the finishing putty, which is used for thin wall decoration, this process practically does not differ from the mixing technology of the starting mixture. Only in this case it is worth paying special attention to re-mixing. This is due to the fact that even small lumps should not be present in the finishing layer. This layer is usually applied in a thickness of one millimeter, which will make any particles and lumps immediately visible. They will especially attract attention when using glossy finishing materials and if there is side lighting in the room. Stir the finishing mixture thoroughly and repeatedly. In addition, it is important that the tool used for the putty is very well cleaned of material residues and then washed.
In addition, you should not dilute a new portion of the putty mixture in the same container where the previous one was previously diluted. To be precise, the same container can be used for a new portion, but before that it must be rinsed with hot water. In addition to the container, wash the mixer attachment that was used for mixing. Only then can the container and the tool be used again.
When working with putty, do not add to the container with the mixture the remains of the mortar that were on the tool. It is better to remove them in a separate small container. If the particles of the solution have already entered the container with the mixture, then the entire volume of the material must be thoroughly mixed so that no lumps form.
Self-preparation of the mixture
It is known that putties can be prepared at home. There are quite a few such recipes today, but any of them have the same basis. So, the main components include: chalk, drying oil, varnishes, sifted gypsum, as well as carpentry or animal glue.
- Gypsum-chalk putty mixture is suitable for use in dry rooms, in order to level drywall sheets and concrete surfaces. In order to prepare such a mixture, you will need a mixing container, three kilograms of chalk, one kilogram of gypsum, five percent carpentry or animal glue. For mixing, you need a spatula, or even better, a drill with a special attachment. In addition, you should purchase a respirator or at least a gauze bandage that protects against gypsum-chalk dust.
- First, you need to carefully sift and mix the chalk with gypsum. They should be gradually introduced into the container with the adhesive solution. Mix everything thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is obtained. The amount of the mixture to be prepared should be sufficient for work, but no more. The fact is that this putty quickly hardens, because of which the excess will have to be thrown away.
- If it is necessary to prepare the surface for painting with oil paints, prepare an oil putty, which will require 100 grams of desiccant, 1 kilogram of drying oil and 2 kilograms of chalk. This mixture can be used to coat surfaces subject to frequent temperature changes, such as window frame surfaces.
- If the surface is to be coated with glue, a glue putty is prepared. You will need 25 grams of drying oil, 2.5 kilograms of sifted chalk and 1 kilogram of 10% glue solution. The glue solution must first be warmed up, then mixed with drying oil and brought to a homogeneous consistency. Then chalk is gradually introduced until the desired density is obtained. To improve the spreading of the putty, finely chopped soap should also be added to the mixture.