November 2, 2016
Specialization: facade finishing, interior finishing, construction of summer houses, garages. Experience of an amateur gardener and gardener. We also have experience in repairing cars and motorcycles. Hobbies: playing the guitar and many other things that I don’t have time for :)

Painting the walls itself is the easiest and fastest way to finish them. However, it requires careful puttying of the walls, otherwise even the most expensive paint will not help to achieve a high-quality result. Therefore, in this article I decided to tell you how to putty walls for painting with your own hands.

A few words about wall putty

Beginner home craftsmen, when faced with home renovations, are usually first of all interested in whether it is necessary to putty the walls at all if they are well-plastered? I’ll say right away that the option of applying paint directly to the plaster should be discarded.

The fact is that even gypsum plaster cannot provide a perfectly smooth surface. It should be understood that paint will not hide minor surface imperfections, as beginners often think, but on the contrary, it will only emphasize them.

Therefore, painting walls without putty is allowed only if textured paint is used, which, in essence, is decorative plaster. Otherwise, the finish will resemble the painted walls of bathrooms and kitchens from distant Soviet times. Let me remind you that they looked unattractive, and by modern standards, even disgusting.

Technology

The technology of wall puttying includes several stages:

Preparation of materials

As you know, the quality and durability of the finish largely depends on the choice of putty. To decide which is the best putty for walls for painting in your case, you need to consider the following points:

• operating conditions - the room can be dry or with high humidity (bathroom, kitchen);
• cost of putty – repair budgets are often limited, so the price of building materials also becomes an important factor of choice;
• quality of the wall surface - if the surface is flat and smooth enough, for example, they are plastered with gypsum plaster, finishing putty will be sufficient. If there are unevenness and cracks on the surface, the starting putty must first be applied in a sufficiently thick layer.

As for starting putties, the most common are two types:

• cement - resistant to moisture, therefore suitable for filling walls in bathrooms, kitchens, etc. The disadvantage is the rather large shrinkage coefficient;

• gypsum or gypsum-chalk - have a lower shrinkage coefficient, and are also more elastic than cement compositions. Therefore, it is easier to work with them.

Disadvantages include instability to moisture, i.e. their scope of application is limited to dry rooms.

Finishing putties are usually made from gypsum or polymers. The latter are the most modern and have the best performance qualities, such as:

• good adhesion;
• durability;
• resistance to moisture;
• elasticity, making them convenient to work with your own hands.

The disadvantage of polymer putties is their high cost. However, using them is the easiest way to achieve an ideal wall surface.

Considering these features of putties, you can choose the best option for yourself.

In addition to putty, you will need some other materials and tools:

• acrylic primer;
• grinding mesh;
• set of spatulas;
• clean bucket;
• drill with mixer for preparing putty.

Preparing the walls

So, we figured out what putty to choose and what tools to prepare. Now you can get to work, starting with surface preparation. This work is carried out in the following sequence:

1. First of all, you need to get rid of the old topcoat, if there is one, of course. To remove old wallpaper, you must first moisten it and tear it off after a while, prying it off with a spatula.
   Old tiles can be removed using a hammer drill with an appropriate attachment. To get rid of old peeling paint, you can use an angle grinder with a brush attachment or an electric drill.

You can learn more about dismantling old finishing coatings from other articles on our portal devoted to this topic;

1. then the walls need to be washed well to remove dust, dirt, glue residues, etc.;

1. if there are cracks on the surface of the walls, they need to be widened, which will allow the space to be filled with putty. Widened cracks also need to be cleaned of dust;
   Before you putty the walls, they must be primed. To do this, pour the primer into a flat container, preferably a paint tray, and dip the roller itself into it.
   Before treating the surface, lightly press the roller on a flat surface so that the liquid lies in an even thin layer without drips. After the first layer has dried, the primer should be reapplied.

This completes the preparation of the surface for puttying.

Applying the starting layer

Instructions for applying the starting layer are as follows:

1. First of all, you need to prepare the putty. To do this, pour the mixture into a bucket, then add a small amount of water and start stirring. While preparing the mixture, gradually add water so that you end up with putty of a creamy consistency.

The manufacturer usually indicates the exact ratio of water and dry mixture on the packaging;

1. Before you putty the walls for painting, you should fill the cracks with starting putty and wait until it dries. For these purposes, use a narrow spatula;

1. After the solution has hardened in the cracks, you can begin to putty the walls. To do this, spread the putty onto a wide spatula using a narrow spatula. Place the solution on the center of the canvas closer to the blade in a small lump, as shown in the photo below;

1. then grasp the spatula with your thumb, little finger and ring finger wrapped around the handle. At the same time, place your index and middle fingers on the canvas. I note that the correct grip of the spatula is very important, since the quality of putty largely depends on it;

1. then place the spatula with the blade on the wall, tilt it in the direction of movement, and move it along the wall, while ensuring even pressure on the tool. Keep in mind that the thickness of the putty varies depending on the angle of inclination. You will feel this nuance yourself and will control it “automatically” when you get your hands on it.

Thus, you need to cover the entire surface of the walls with starting putty. To level the internal and external corners, use a special corner spatula;

In the photo - leveling the corner using a corner spatula

1. after the surface has hardened, you need to sand the walls using a jointer with a coarse surface stretched over it - P80-P120. Move the jointer in a criss-cross motion, then sand the surface in a circular motion.
   At this stage, it is necessary to remove all serious flaws in the putty;

1. At the end of the work, the walls need to be primed again. Keep in mind that You can start priming the surface only after the putty has completely hardened..

Many home craftsmen are interested in the forums: how long does putty take to dry? The hardening time depends on the ambient temperature, room humidity, putty composition, and layer thickness. Gypsum putty hardens on average in 3-6 hours, while the cement composition requires at least a day to dry.

This completes the filling of the walls with the starting layer and their preparation for applying the finishing layer. It must be said that in some cases, when the walls have serious unevenness, several layers of starting putty may be required.

To assess the quality of the surface and the degree of unevenness, you should apply a long rule to the walls. Ideally, there should be no gaps between it and the wall surface.

As for the total maximum possible thickness of the putty layer, as well as the thickness of the layer of one pass, it depends on the type of composition. Therefore, before you begin, read the instructions on the package.

As a rule, starting putty can be applied in a layer 1-1.5 cm thick.

Applying the finishing layer

Now let's look at how to putty walls before painting with the finishing layer. Although this procedure resembles applying a starting layer, it still has its own nuances:

1. if the putty was purchased in the form of a dry mixture, it must be diluted in water according to the scheme described above;
2. then put the putty on a wide spatula;
3. take the spatula so that your thumb is located under the canvas and your palm rests on the canvas, as shown in the photo above. This grip allows you to apply the putty in a thin layer;

1. Thus, apply putty to the entire surface of the walls. Try to work as carefully as possible in order to spend less time on grinding in the future.;
2. After the putty has hardened, sand it with a fine abrasive mesh - P150, making circular movements. At this stage, it is necessary to sand the walls very carefully so that the final surface is perfect. Therefore, work in bright light so that all flaws are clearly visible;
3. Upon completion of sanding, you need to clean the walls from dust and coat them with a primer before painting.

When choosing what to paint your walls with, give preference to water-dispersed polymer paints for interior work, as they are the most environmentally friendly and at the same time durable. The only thing, keep in mind that these paints are also divided into moisture-resistant and non-moisture-resistant.

This completes the putty application process. It must be said that the finishing putty, like the starting putty, can be applied in several layers. At the same time, do not forget to prime the surface after applying each layer.

Puttying of external walls is carried out in approximately the same way. As a rule, cement-based putty is used for these purposes. True, sometimes chalk putty is also applied to external walls, but in this case special components are added to the mixture that make it moisture resistant.

Painting walls after puttying, as mentioned above, is simple and quick. The main thing is not to try to apply a thick layer of paint, even if you don’t immediately learn to completely hide the primer and get the desired wall color. It is better to paint the surface several times in thin layers.

Conclusion

The process of filling walls for painting has quite a lot of subtleties and nuances. In addition, it requires some skills. However, this is not a reason to stop doing the work yourself, since you can gain experience in the process; the only thing is to start filling with inconspicuous areas in order to “get your hand” on them.

I recommend additionally watching the video in this article, which clearly shows the process of puttying walls. If you have any questions, ask them in the comments, and I will definitely answer you as soon as possible.

Painting has always been considered the simplest and most affordable option for finishing rooms. It was valued for its speed and simplicity. However, it is important to keep a few things in mind before you get started. The paint and varnish material is not able to hide surface imperfections. This means that the wall must be perfectly flat.

One way to achieve this is to putty the walls before painting. The process is not complicated, but it requires certain knowledge and sequence of work. The good news is that there is a large selection of products for puttying, and the tools are affordable and simple. Let's look at how to do everything correctly and quickly.

Choice of putty

The construction market can provide many varieties of mixtures. Based on their scope of use, they are divided into two categories: façade (for exterior work) and interior. According to functionality and purpose, putty can be starting and finishing.

The starting one, also called the base one, allows you to eliminate all surface imperfections and is used for rough work. However, painting the room is allowed only when the final puttying of the walls has been carried out. The layer is applied on top of the start; it is thinner, more even and beautiful. The finished result will depend on the quality of the finishing coating.

If we consider the composition of the putty, it is divided into 3 main types:

1. Cement-based composition.
2. Gypsum-based putty.
3. Polymer based.

Each of the materials has its own advantages and materials, as well as scope of use. This must be taken into account before choosing wall material for painting. For example, cement compositions are not afraid of moisture, they are strong and reliable. They can be used in the bathroom, kitchen and outside. However, they are not suitable for painting, only for laying tiles.

As for children's rooms, safety and environmental friendliness are important here. Gypsum mixtures are afraid of moisture, so they are not suitable for rooms with high humidity. The best option is to use acrylic putty. It is protected from moisture and is suitable for painting. This is a universal composition.

If you need to putty the gypsum board walls, then special attention is paid to the joints and screw caps. They are treated with gypsum mixtures or special grout. Additionally, the joint is treated with a serpyanka mesh.

The most famous brands are:

• Knauff;
• Ceresit;
• Rotband;
• Fugenfuller.

Polymer materials are those made on the basis of polymer additives: acrylic, latex. Their advantage is that they are sold ready-made; they do not need to be kneaded, which speeds up the work process. The cost of production is higher than gypsum and cement.

Gypsum putty is a good choice for painting. It is inexpensive and has good characteristics. But if the room is damp, then you need to choose polymer compounds. You will have to pay extra, however, the puttying of the walls will not be done in vain.

Important! Gypsum putty is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture. Therefore, after purchase, before you putty the walls for painting, you need to store it in a dry place.

Leveling and preparing walls

To get perfectly smooth walls with high-quality painting, you need to carefully prepare the base. The whole process consists of the following steps:

1. Removing old finishing material from the surface.
2. Cleaning walls from dust and dirt, eliminating cracks.
3. Wall putty with starting and finishing composition.
4. Painting the prepared surface.

Let's start by removing the old layer. It must be completely removed, be it old tiles, wallpaper, plaster or paint. Everything is cleaned off with a spatula. Wallpaper can be moistened with water.

Cracks, depressions and other defects are also eliminated. The cracks are widened and filled with starting putty.

There may be electrical wiring running through the wall. Therefore, when removing the finishing, you need to be careful not to short-circuit the system and get injured.

Preparing walls before puttying includes priming. To do this, you need to clean the walls from dust and dirt, cover the surface of the wall with a primer without leaving any gaps. After treating the surface, you need to wait until it dries.

Why prime the walls? A layer of primer creates a film on the surface, which not only improves adhesion to the surface, but also reduces the consumption of the composition. And if the composition has antiseptic additives, it can prevent the formation of mold and mildew.

Puttying work

You need to understand the difference between plaster and putty. The plaster is coarse-grained and is used to level walls for painting if the differences are quite large. But putty allows you to create an optimal surface for painting. It will be smooth due to the small particles used in the composition. The technology of wall puttying involves applying several layers with a break for each to dry.

When the layer has dried, it needs to be sanded. This allows you to smooth the surface, remove protrusions and tool marks. The work is performed with a grinder or a special grater. The whole process lasts approximately several days.

The main task is to make a perfectly flat surface, without flaws, cracks and protrusions. The quality of the clutch also plays a big role. Usually 3 layers are created: a starting layer and two finishing layers. However, professionals can create more - up to 6 layers.

If the layer is thick, it may crack. To avoid this, you need to use a reinforcing mesh. It is embedded in the putty and does not allow it to crack.

Selecting tools for work

Without the right tools, you won’t be able to finish your walls with plaster yourself. The good news is that they are simple and accessible, low in cost, and even a beginner can work with them. They are as follows:

• roller and brushes for work;
• construction mixer for mixing mortar;
• a set of spatulas (wide, medium and narrow), a fine-grained grater;
• rule for controlling the evenness of the base;
• mixing container.

The wide one is from 30 to 60 cm wide, it is used to carry out basic work, the medium one is 20–25 cm wide, it is used to process corners, and the narrow one (from 5 to 10 cm) is used to collect the mixture. To fill the corners and make them smooth, use an angle spatula.

Applying starting putty

We will work with starting gypsum putty with additives. The technology for puttingtying walls for painting is as follows:

1. Using a wide spatula, you need to transfer the mixture to the wall. The thickness of the layer depends on the quality of the surface. All irregularities are hidden, most often 3 to 12 mm is enough. The wider the spatula, the more mixture will be applied and the faster the work will be completed. But, it is difficult for beginners to work with a tool that is too wide.
2. To save effort and time, further work does not have to be done after the first layer has completely dried. Enough for it to dry and set. In this case, there is no need to apply a primer either.
3. The surface will dry for about 8 hours, it all depends on the type. After this, you can begin sanding using a sanding machine. Alternatively, use coarse sandpaper.

Finishing layer

Finishing the wall requires a lot of effort, as any defects will be obvious. In addition, the thickness of the putty layer is small, only 2 mm. Therefore, the application technology has some differences:

1. The mortar applied to the wall must be stretched so that a thin layer remains, filling cracks and depressions.
2. The number of layers depends on the quality of the base layer. Usually 1-2 is enough. If a newbie works, the number increases. You can check the evenness using a flashlight or lamp.
3. After drying, you need to sand it. Only this time you will need a fine-grained grater. You need to thoroughly wipe down all the walls, leaving no gaps. All that remains is to clean off the dust from the surface of the wall and cover it with a primer.

Now everything is ready to paint the surface. We learned how to properly putty walls for painting. And although at first glance the work may seem simple, it is followed by more than one day of technological process. It begins with the selection of a suitable mixture, the preparatory stage, which includes cleaning and priming the walls, as well as directly with putty. You need to apply a starting and finishing coat. And only when you have achieved a smooth surface, you can proceed to the simplest type of decorative finishing - painting.

Proper preparation of walls for painting is the most important stage of decorative finishing, ensuring the aesthetics of the result. The work involves leveling and filling the walls, and this can be done in several ways, varying in complexity and time consumption. In all cases, the base is a starting layer of putty, which can be supplemented with reinforcement and decorative material to achieve greater smoothness and durability of the coating. In addition, the surface needs to be sanded. What do you need to know to make your wall paint perfect?

Leveling the wall and preparing for puttying

To get perfectly smooth walls, their surface must be pre-treated, eliminating even the smallest differences in height and all noticeable defects in the base. Depending on the initial state of the walls, they can be leveled in one of several ways:

1. on a frame structure.

Sanding will be a suitable option if the clean concrete base or old layer of plaster does not have significant unevenness, cracks or other defects. In this case, it is enough to remove the old coating (wallpaper, paint, decorative plaster, etc.) and remove the thin top layer of rough plaster or concrete using a grinding machine or a block with sandpaper. Before the walls are putty for painting, the base must be covered with two layers of primer, antiseptic and antifungal impregnation if there was mold. As a result of measurements, height differences should not exceed 2 mm.

If the unevenness is significant or the base has significant defects, it is necessary to completely or. The main surface is first sealed with mortar. The old finish should be removed completely, not just the damaged areas, even if some of it appears to be strong enough. Then a new layer of plaster is applied or sheets of drywall are installed using the appropriate technology.

When the preliminary leveling is completed, you should, as in the case of sanding, coat the surface with a primer. You can begin further work after 5–6 hours, since you can properly putty the walls for painting only on a perfectly dry surface - it is better to wait longer than to apply putty to a wet wall.

Types of putty

Spider web reinforcement

To create a high-quality painted wall, it is recommended to use a spider web; it will protect the wall from cracks. To prevent this, you can strengthen the finish - for this you use a spider web for walls to be painted.

1. Glue is applied to the surface of the wall in an even thin layer.
2. Strips of fiberglass are applied to the wall. They can have any size, the main thing is to correctly determine the front and back sides of the web, otherwise the material will adhere less well to the surface.
3. The painting canvas is then flattened by hand and rolled with a roller to remove air bubbles from underneath it. It is important to ensure that the edges of the web align evenly with the corners of the room. If necessary, excess edges are trimmed.
4. The top of the web is coated with glue until the entire web is saturated. The glue will act as a primer, which will reduce paint consumption and also provide better adhesion of the finishing plaster to the reinforcing layer.
5. The following strips are glued overlapping; It is recommended to glue them parallel to the floor.

It takes a day for the adhesive to dry completely, after which you can begin applying the finishing putty. In addition, you can paint directly on fiberglass - in this case, an aesthetic relief will appear on the surface of the walls. needed only to obtain a perfectly smooth surface for painting.

Grinding Features

The main rule of sanding is that you need to work with a perfectly dry surface before treating it with a primer. The secret is to use a wide spatula when applying putty and use a light when sanding.

First of all, you need to decide what is better for sanding the walls after puttying; the choice of tool will depend on the type of material (starting or finishing), as well as the type of surface. Based on the area of ​​the wall, one of the following tools is selected:

• a wooden block with sandpaper - for small areas that can be easily processed by hand;
• electric grinder - for large surfaces, it should be taken into account that the joints of the walls will in any case have to be processed by hand;
• if there are protrusions, bas-reliefs and other areas with complex geometry on the wall, a machine with an eccentric will do.

Purchased tools

If a wooden block seems too inconvenient, for manual work you can use a special device with a handle and clamps that allows you to quickly change worn out sandpaper. Instead of paper, you can use an abrasive mesh.

Mesh is preferable because, unlike paper, it does not become clogged with dust and wears out more slowly; however, it is more expensive. The difference in price is offset by the amount of paper required - in order to get perfect walls for painting, you will need many sheets. To save money, you shouldn’t buy cut paper - it’s easy to cut it yourself, and sharpen your scissors at the same time.

The grit size of the sanding block depends on the type of finish: for starting putty, a mesh size of 120 is suitable, for finishing putty - 80 or 60. Most likely, you will have to try several grit options - start with a coarse one, removing the most noticeable surface flaws, then use increasingly finer ones until If the wall is illuminated, shadows will not stop appearing.

More convenient to use and allows you to complete repairs faster; In addition, with its help you can get a truly flawless surface. However, purchasing power tools for processing a small area is not always cost-effective.

Homemade grinding devices

You will have to make the device yourself if necessary sanding walls for painting in hard-to-reach, small areas that cannot be reached with a bulky bar. A homemade tool is made as follows:

• a piece of plastic profile is cut in such a way as to obtain a strip about 70 mm wide;
• on one side sandpaper is glued to the profile using double-sided tape;
• the end of the segment is cut at an angle in the shape of an arrow.

If desired, you can cut and glue several strips of paper with different grain sizes. You need to work at an angle, and cut it as the sandpaper wears away - the principle is the same as when sharpening a pencil.

Cleaning the corners is an important step in wall preparation

Operating rules

Before starting sanding, you need to protect the room from dust - furniture, window and door openings, and decorative flooring are covered with polyethylene film. You need to work in a protective suit, a mask and always a respirator.

So that no one is deceived, we will say right away that puttying is a rather long and labor-intensive process that requires strict adherence to the sequence of actions, patience, diligence and attentiveness. It also requires not only the moral and physical preparation of the master, but also very specific actions with the surfaces being treated, which we will definitely talk about today.

So, first of all, we need to look at the walls we will be working with. In most cases, these will be plastered surfaces, as well as those made of plasterboard and similar materials. If in front of you is just a brick wall without plaster, then you won’t be able to putty it, since the applied layer is measured in millimeters, and for normal leveling it may require much more.

It’s a different matter if you have to work with monolithic slab surfaces, in panel houses - here it’s quite possible to do without leveling, if they are installed well, vertically. Since, in fact, both surfaces will be concrete, and in the case of plaster, gypsum is also possible, the work will be carried out in the same way.

The easiest way to work is with plasterboard surfaces. Here the procedure will be slightly different, so we will describe it separately.

The next point we pay attention to is the purpose of the room itself. This parameter will affect the selection of the type of putty. Let's look at the most common and popular ones.

Types of putties

1. Gypsum mixtures are presented on the building materials market in a huge assortment. They are the best-selling because they have a low price, good performance characteristics, are harmless and hypoallergenic. This material is used for dry rooms. They are not used for bathrooms and similar places with high humidity, since flora in the form of black mold begins to multiply very quickly in the plaster.

Among the positive properties, it is worth noting that this putty “breathes”, that is, it allows steam to pass through itself, due to which a natural microclimate is established in the room, and excess moisture is removed through the walls. The surface obtained from gypsum putty is somewhat rough, but has good adhesion to paints, wallpaper and other finishing materials.

2. Polymer mixtures have a number of advantages. In particular, it is worth noting that the material is supplied mainly in ready-to-use form and has an ideal consistency. The mixture is homogeneous and allows you to easily obtain perfectly smooth surfaces. It fits perfectly on plasterboard sheets and can be combined with starting gypsum surfaces.

The material is supplied in buckets or hermetically sealed bags, which allows you to use the putty for a long time after opening them - just re-seal the container. Such mixtures will not be affected by storage in damp places, unlike gypsum mixtures, which are supplied dry in bags that get wet easily.

The surface made of polymer putty is not afraid of water and cannot allow steam to pass through it, so its use is justified in damp rooms. Due to its structure, the material can be applied in thinner layers, which significantly reduces consumption and eliminates the initial difference in price with cheaper putties. At the same time, you get a flat surface almost immediately and reduce the need for sanding, which, believe me, means a lot.

There are other types of putties, for example, facade ones based on the same polymers or cement. We won’t talk about them today, as we are considering options for internal repairs.

We continue to inspect the walls. The next stage is determining their evenness. To do this, we need a rule or some kind of long, even rod. It must be applied to the walls in different directions to identify recessed or protruding places and determine the degree of evenness of the surface. If the errors are insignificant, then you don’t have to worry too much about leveling, but if they are noticeable, then, without plastering again, you can use coarse mixtures, which can be applied in thicker layers. Here we smoothly move on to the types of mixtures according to their intended purpose.

Prices for various types of putties

Putties

Starting putty

Starting ones are essentially gypsum or cement plaster. These mixtures are coarsely ground, which allows them to be applied in layers of up to 5 cm, depending on the manufacturer and the characteristics of specific compositions.

Advice! All the necessary information is on the packaging, be sure to read it before purchasing.

Due to such mixtures, using the rule, without placing beacons, it is possible to correct quite serious defects of the plasterers.

Note! In general, if you plan to paint the walls, then you should worry quite a lot about leveling the walls, since such surfaces have one very unpleasant property. When sunlight falls on them at an angle from a window or from any other source, all the differences become noticeable, which is quite striking. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve, if not ideal evenness, then at least smooth and invisible transitions to the eye.

Finishing putty

It is impossible to make a flat, smooth surface from starting putty. For these purposes, finishing mixtures with the finest grinding are used. It is not difficult to understand that applying them in large layers is not allowed. The material is used to eliminate minor irregularities in the base and create a smooth surface.

Finishing putty "Volma"

The finishing mixtures have good plasticity and softness, which makes them easy to work with. The average production time of the material after mixing is 30-40 minutes.

Universal putty

Agree, purchasing and using different types of putty separately is not the best thing, since they have different properties, they need to be allowed to dry well, it is difficult to calculate the amount of material, and so on. It is much easier to purchase a universal composition that has a medium grind and absorbs the best properties of the starting and finishing mixtures. With its help, it is easy to make the surface smooth (although you have to grind more), and a layer can be applied, if necessary, up to 1 cm. The material is suitable for both plastered walls and drywall.

Having dealt with all the specified parameters and choosing the most suitable material, you can smoothly move on to.

What you need to know about preparation

In this chapter we will examine not only the actions performed on the walls before applying putty, but also the required equipment and materials for the work.

Working tools and materials

Without a good, reliable tool, any job turns into torture. Puttying is no exception. What is important is that almost all the necessary equipment will not cost a lot of money, therefore, everything can be purchased at the same time as the materials.

Table 1. Required tools.

Tools, photos	Description
	A spatula with a wide blade will be our main tool. The following requirements apply to it: 1. Blade width from 30-35 cm - this will allow you to work more efficiently, capturing more area in one pass. By using a smaller tool, you are consciously adding more work to yourself. Once you get used to one instrument, you can try to master a larger one. 2. The blade must be perfectly straight, so inspect it carefully before purchasing. 3. The metal is taken hard, thick enough so that it does not bend much when pressed. 4. Choose the handle that is most comfortable for your hand and grip. On average, a high-quality tool that will meet all the criteria will cost you 700-1000 rubles.
	The second spatula should be narrow. It is used for part-time work and collecting mixture from a bucket. Unlike the first one, it is better to choose a flexible tool. The average blade width is 10 cm. Interesting to know! Some craftsmen prefer to hold a trowel in their other hand, or even apply putty with it. It’s just like anyone is used to it.
	You can use either a professional mixer or its substitutes, such as an electric drill and a hammer drill with an appropriate attachment. In any case, it is worth choosing a tool with the ability to adjust rotation speed.
	It is most convenient to mix putty in a deep bucket. You can take a special construction material, or use what was left over from water-based paint or putty.
	When putting putty, a brush is indispensable. The fact is that it is impossible to clean a bucket of old mixture with a spatula - there are always particles left that will dry out, get into the fresh mixture, and spoil it. If you try to putty it, then there will always be untidy grooves on the wall that spoil the whole look and your nerves. Therefore, after each batch, the bucket is washed out and cleaned with a brush and water.
	Even the finishing putty needs to be sanded. For this we need a grater or an electric sander. The consumables used are abrasive mesh and sandpaper. The size of the abrasive fraction is selected in accordance with the type of tasks performed.

We use the following materials:

Construction mixer price

Construction mixer

Preparing the walls

So, imagine that in front of us is a wall plastered with plaster. We perform the following steps in order.

Step 1 - cleaning the walls. No matter how hard the plasterers try, frozen deposits and pieces of debris will always remain on the walls. To prevent all this from interfering with puttying, the walls must be thoroughly cleaned beforehand. We take some old spatula and systematically remove everything mentioned from the walls. We advise you to feel the surfaces along the way with your free hand in order to find particles of gypsum invisible to the eye.

Advice! If the work takes place in the bathroom, then it is best to use primer with antiseptic additives. It will eliminate mold, if any, and prevent it from multiplying in the future.

This usually takes from 4 hours, depending on the material used. Before use, be sure to read the instructions on the package. We recommend preparing in the evening so as not to waste time waiting.

It is better to prime the walls again so that they attract less moisture from the putty. This is very important, since the quickly drying mixture is very difficult to level and distribute evenly.

Now the walls are ready for puttying. We will tell you how this is done in the next chapter.

Prices for deep penetration primer

Deep penetration primer

Puttying walls

To get perfectly smooth walls for painting, you will have to apply at least three layers of putty, or work very hard with a float, sanding the surfaces. The best craftsmen do 5-6 layers - such difficulties are required not only for painting, but also when gluing expensive thin French wallpaper, for example. Each new layer will be thinner, better leveling the treated surface. The technique for applying them will be slightly different, but let's talk about everything in order.

Step 1 – preparing the mixture. So, we start by diluting the putty to the desired consistency. This is considered to be the consistency of sour cream, but you will agree that the concept is a little vague. You yourself will understand the optimal thickness of the putty when you start working. From our own experience, we can say that you need to achieve such a consistency that the mixture does not flow off the spatula, but at the same time stretches well.

Step 1 - preparing the mixture

You should knead in small portions if you are picking up a spatula for the first time. It is necessary to feel the process before you begin to increase the volume of material produced. Make sure you use it all before it hardens in the bucket.

We take the mixture from the bucket with our left hand (for right-handers) with a small spatula and distribute it evenly over the blade of the large one.

Then, starting from any corner, stretch it along the wall, pressing the spatula at an angle of about 45 degrees. We collect the excess mixture from the edges of the main tool with a small spatula and distribute it again. In some ways, this manipulation is reminiscent of sharpening knives against each other.

Do not try to remove the putty evenly right away. Apply it in a thick layer and remove the excess only after 60 seconds with a clean spatula. This way you will get fewer grooves and get rid of the effect of the mixture slipping, which is especially important when puttingtying drywall. Walk the entire wall in this manner.

There is no need to wait for the first layer to dry completely. If this happens, then it will need to be sanded, primed again, wait until it dries and only then apply a new one. All this is extremely long, inconvenient, and leads to unnecessary expenditure of materials, time and effort on the part of the craftsman.

It is much easier, while the first layer is still wet, but has already set, so that repeated drawing does not violate its integrity (15-20 minutes after application), immediately spread the next layer. Just don’t forget to clean off any deposits with a spatula first, if any remain.

Its thickness will be less. When applying to a spatula, you should press harder and hold it almost perpendicular to the wall, as shown in the photo above. In fact, we are making a “zero” layer, for tearing off. This technique allows you to fill the smallest grooves.

Each new layer will make the wall more even and smooth, but there will always be places that are invisible to the eye under overhead lighting. To eliminate errors, direct oblique side light from any source at the wall. This will allow all differences noticeable to the eye to appear.

We putty until we get a perfectly smooth wall.

Once you achieve a result that suits you, leave the wall to dry thoroughly - this will take at least 12 hours.

Then begins the “fun” part – sanding. Stock up on a hat, respirator, goggles and gloves, as there will be a lot of dust in the room. Next, using a grinding tool, we rub the walls to a perfectly smooth state, which can be controlled by stroking with the palm of your hand.

The finished surfaces are cleaned of dust with brushes and a vacuum cleaner, and then primed. Now the walls are completely ready for painting.

Video - Preparing walls for painting

How to putty drywall

Puttying the main area of ​​drywall is carried out in the same way as we described above. The difference lies in the surface preparation. If you have seen walls covered with plasterboard, you should know about the existence of seams and open screw heads that must first be hidden.

For this, a special putty is used. One of the affordable and high-quality materials with the necessary properties is Knauf Fugen.

We glue all seams on the surface with fiberglass mesh. Perforated corners are installed on the outer corners, which can be reinforced with the same putty, self-tapping screws or staples through a stapler.

The diluted putty is driven into the seams directly through the serpentine with perpendicular movements, after which the excess is removed with a wide spatula. The task is to achieve the closure of the grid and not go beyond the plane.

After the first layer has dried, a second one is made, which aligns the seams in the same plane with the drywall.

Important! Embroidered end seams will protrude beyond the plane of the drywall due to the lack of a cavity, so it is important to make the least noticeable transitions in these places.

Step 3 - sealing the screws on the drywall. The screw heads are sealed with the same putty. Everything here is simple and extremely clear.

Step 3 - sealing screws on drywall

Video - Puttying drywall

The technology of puttying walls for painting or wallpaper gives recommendations on the sequence of work in order to ultimately obtain a high-quality result when finishing the room. Putty can be used to perfectly level the surfaces of walls and prepare them for finishing coating. This article will tell you what wall putty offers.

The main purpose of putty is to level the surface after plastering. The process of puttingtying walls for painting is quite easy to do with your own hands, having first studied the recommendations and technology for carrying out the work.

There are quite a lot of options for preparing putty; the choice depends on the type of walls, the characteristics of the room, and the presence of high humidity in it.

Tip: When choosing any putty option, you should take into account the individual characteristics of the room during its operation.

In addition to finishing the room, there is material for external work. Its difference is its additional resistance to temperature changes, moisture and solar radiation.

Advantages of using putty:

• The finishing process can be completed easily and quickly.
• Affordable price of materials.
• Possibility of obtaining a flat and absolutely smooth surface.
• Variety of compositions according to their purpose.

What tools are needed when puttingtying wall surfaces?

The technology of puttying drywall (see Puttying drywall: practical tips and useful information) or other materials indicates the correct choice of the tool that is used in the work process.

In this case you will need:

• An electric drill with a special mixer attachment, which will be needed to mix the solution to the desired consistency. A special nozzle allows you to obtain a high-quality mixture, without lumps and additional inclusions.
• Set of spatulas. Multiple spatulas are required to perform certain functions. For example, using a small spatula, work is carried out in hard-to-reach places; it also applies material to a large spatula, the width of which is 35-50 centimeters.
• A set of brushes and rollers for applying primer. This is a mandatory process performed before and after puttying. The primer solution allows you to give the surface an antiseptic effect, which prevents the appearance of fungus and mold on the walls. In addition, the coating increases adhesion between the base of the wall and the putty.
• To level the walls, you will need a rule to identify and eliminate all existing irregularities.
• To control wall unevenness, if any, an alcohol or laser level is used.
• Sandpaper will be needed when sanding the surface to give it ideal smoothness (see How to sand walls after puttying). After applying the starting putty, it is recommended to use medium-grain sandpaper, and after the finishing putty, very fine sandpaper.
• To speed up the process of sanding the wall, you will need a manual sander.
• To stir the putty, you need a container with a volume of approximately 10 liters.

Tip: This list of tools should be purchased before you start puttingtying the walls.

How to choose materials for puttying walls

Putty is a paste-like material that allows you to prepare the base of the wall for its finishing.

According to the degree of readiness, the material can be:

• Dry composition requiring additional dilution with water(see How to dilute putty when doing your own repairs). The advantages of this mixture:

1. affordable price;
2. the ability to prepare a composition of any consistency;
3. ease of breeding;
4. easy to transport;
5. long shelf life.

Lack of material:

1. the presence of additional operations for preparing the solution before application, which increases the time of work;
2. The finished composition has a limited period of use; it must be diluted in small portions.

Advice: Before starting to dilute the mixture, the instructions should be carefully studied, and when preparing, all its recommendations should be strictly followed. Otherwise, the quality of the finished putty will be worse.

• Ready to apply to the surface. The basis for the manufacture of the composition is latex. Packaging of material - buckets or small tanks.

Advantages of the solution:

1. the prepared solution can be used for a long period of time without drying out;
2. there is no need for additional time required to prepare the solution. But, its cost is much higher than dry mixtures.

In relation to the main substance used to make putty, the compositions can be:

• Cement-based putty. It has good resistance to moisture and excellent performance. Disadvantages of the material:

1. gives slight shrinkage after drying;
2. low level of elasticity of the coating;
3. After drying, small cracks appear.

• Gypsum based(see Gypsum putty: its advantages and problems of use). It is characterized by the absence of shrinkage and great elasticity. Disadvantages include:

1. dries quickly;
2. low resistance to sudden changes in temperature and moisture.

• Polymer based putty. Despite the high cost, it is used quite often, which is associated with obtaining a high-quality surface after puttying.

Tip: When choosing putty for walls, you need to pay attention to the size of its fractions. The smaller they are, the flatter and smoother the surface will be after finishing.

According to its intended purpose, putty can be:

• Starting. Is different:

1. high strength;
2. affordable price;
3. used in the initial period to level walls, the layer thickness can reach twenty millimeters.

• Decorative or finishing. Designed to complete the puttying process. It is characterized by:

1. White color;
2. slight graininess;
3. high durability.

• Universal. Combines starting and finishing compositions. Used when there are small flaws on the walls.

In the process of puttying any surface, a primer is required between operations (see Primer before puttying walls - is it necessary).

Wherein:

• The walls get rid of dust and dirt.
• Their adhesion or connection with putty improves.

Advice: Surfaces must be primed always and everywhere when applying adhesives or wet solutions. The walls are primed before laying the starting layer, after cleaning the putty with an abrasive mesh.

How to putty walls correctly

Before puttingtying plastered walls, the surfaces must be prepared:

• Cleaned from grease stains, traces of wallpaper or paint.
• The walls must be completely dry.
• It is unacceptable to putty on frozen surfaces.
• The surfaces are primed.

To better hold the putty on the wall, it is recommended to use a special reinforcing mesh.

Puttying walls can be done:

• Lighthouse way. In this case, beacons are used, which are slats made of:

1. wood;
2. gypsum;
3. metal

The elements are placed in a vertical direction and secured to the wall with plaster mortar. In the same way, the walls should be leveled in the horizontal direction. When performing this step, a rule is used. As a result, the surface of the walls is without flaws.

• A cheaper way is to apply starting putty.

After drying the initial coating, decorative puttying of the walls is carried out with special finishing compounds, which allows the surface to be given an ideal plane, without cracks or other defects. The finishing coat is applied in a very thin layer.

Advice: Finishing putty cannot correct a poor-quality starting layer. It is performed only after the surfaces are perfectly leveled.

The technology for preparing and applying putty to the wall includes:

• When using dry compounds, a solution is prepared. To do this, the mixture is combined with water, mixed thoroughly until a homogeneous composition is obtained; the consistency should stick to the spatula.
• The starting putty is applied to the wall with a wide spatula and evenly distributed over the surface in vertical, horizontal directions and diagonally. To avoid the appearance of bumps, the putty should be applied with a slight overlap.
• To improve the quality of work, the solution must be prepared in small portions, otherwise you may end up with dried parts on the wall. One layer of putty dries in about 24 hours.
• Special spatulas are used to finish corners.
• After drying the starting layer, a finishing coating is applied, the thickness of which does not exceed two millimeters.

During the work process:

• When puttingtying walls with your own hands, the spatula is positioned at an angle of 30° to the wall.
• To obtain an ideal angle, apply a little solution to an angle spatula and distribute it evenly over the entire surface.
• Before plastering walls under wallpaper, it is necessary to determine its thickness and type. These indicators affect the thickness of the leveling putty applied to the wall.

When subsequently painting the walls, surface preparation is carried out more carefully; an example is shown in the photo.

After applying the paint, even the slightest irregularities and other defects will be visible. The leveling layer is applied very thinly.

To determine the required amount of putty, the area of ​​the walls is initially measured, and then the mass of the material is calculated based on its needs per square meter. It is more economical to use dry mixtures. But, it’s more convenient to use ready-made formulations.

The choice of putty option depends on the preferences of the owner and his financial capabilities. How to apply putty on drywall, the technology for preparing the solution and the entire cycle of work is shown in the video in this article.