Repairs

Starting putty: everything you need to know for beginners

All stages of repair are very important. You can not miss a single trifle. One, seemingly not at first glance unimportant, detail can lead to the fact that you have to redo repairs in the entire apartment.

Or to endure a flaw and cling to it with a look every day. And for every visitor, come up with a new explanation about the flight of design thought, justifying why this particular wall does not look like everyone else in the house.

An important role in the successful completion of the repair is played by the selection of high-quality materials. On the shelves there is a wide selection from a large number of manufacturers.

The German company Knauf has been producing various building mixtures for a long time and among other manufacturers it occupies a separate place, having won the respect not only of repair professionals, but also of those who like to hinder the quiet rest of neighbors by conducting experiments on the walls of their own homes.

Varieties of putty

Putty is divided into several types according to purpose and composition. The main difference in the composition is the connecting element. Gypsum, cement or polymer may act as a cementitious element.

Start putty of the company Prospectors

So in composition it happens:
The gypsum-based putty is designed strictly for internal work, it lays well, holds firmly, does not crack upon drying and does not shrink. It does not tolerate moisture.

The cement base is able to create a very hard layer, is practically not afraid of moisture and is most suitable for outdoor work. But it gives the greatest shrinkage when dried, cracking at the same time.

Polymer putties are suitable for all types of work, but they are much more expensive than others. Not only where it can be used, but also for what depends on what material is an astringent.

And according to their purpose, the basic, finish and universal putties are distinguished.

The base or starting Knauf putty is intended for application to walls or ceilings after plastering and serves as the basis for the fact that the final putty will ultimately give a perfectly even and smooth surface.

The main difference between the base putty and the finish is the size of the fractions that make up the mixture. This is especially noticeable if you grind the solution between your fingers.

Starting putty consists of larger fragments, after drying it gives a stronger structure.

When grinding the finishing putty, on the contrary, no lumps should be felt between the fingers.

Universal putty is trying to combine the qualities of both putty mixtures.

Putty Stages

It is very important to use quality mixtures of a trusted manufacturer, for example, the German company Knauf. After applying each layer, it is necessary to check how smoothly it lies on the wall.

And you need to start with the fact that the plaster should lie exactly. The thickness of the applied layer depends on what type of putty is used.

If you immediately start to work not carefully and hope that by applying subsequent layers you can fix everything, then ...

Firstly, the working time will increase, because there is a minimum and maximum thickness of the putty layer, and it may be necessary to apply several layers. After applying each coat, it is necessary to wait until it is completely dry before applying the next coat.

Secondly, it will increase the consumption of putty mixture, and, accordingly, the cost of the entire repair.

After the plaster dries, it must be treated with a primer. This will increase the adhesion of materials. Soil should cover the entire area of ​​the plaster, avoiding missed places.

Starting putty is applied when the soil is completely dry. In this case, it is advisable to use a paint net. It is superimposed on the wall and completely covered with putty.

Putty Launch of Knauf firm is applied to the plaster with a layer of not more than 5 cm. If this thickness is not enough, one or two more coatings must be applied. After all the work is completed with basic putty, a finishing putty is applied. Its purpose is to create a surface ready for applying decorating materials: wallpaper, various types of paints, any types of decorating panels.

Manufacturer Knauf

The company was founded in Germany back in 1932 by the Knauf brothers, Alfons and Karl. At first, they specialized in the production of gypsum-based dry mixes only; in 1949, the first gypsum building mixes factory was founded.

Over time, new enterprises were built or acquired, and the range of manufactured materials expanded significantly. Now it is not only dry building mixes, plasters and putties, but also other building materials. Such as primers, gypsum-based sheets for various applications, finishing cement slabs, heat-insulating boards, various fasteners, waterproofing materials, adhesives.

Knauf also produces electric and hand tools. This drill with punchers, and spatulas of different sizes and purposes, and a tool for processing putty after drying. More complex mechanisms are also produced. Plastering and puttying machines designed for preparing, mixing, feeding and applying plastering and finishing mortars on the surface. And also mortar pumps and pneumatic conveying systems.

In general, everything that is necessary for high-quality preparation of walls for applying decorating materials. And for everyone. From large teams of professional builders to people who just need to make a little repair in their apartment or home.

Features of the starting Knauf putty

Knauf's HP Start starter putty is made on a gypsum and lime basis.

Having a dispersion of medium roughness with a grinding of up to 80 microns, it is a coarser grinding, compared to the grinding of the finishing putty, but finer when compared with plaster.

HP Start can be used as a plaster. It is applied to the walls in layers of up to 15 mm, which allows you to hide all visible defects. If necessary, you can apply several layers.

The substances included in its composition do not have toxic properties and are harmless not only to humans, but also to other inhabitants of the home. Among other things, it has excellent soundproofing properties. What is especially valuable when decorating walls in apartments.

Preparing the finished solution from a dry mixture does not present any difficulties. For 2 kg of dry mix, 1 liter of water is needed. To avoid trouble, when mixing, the mixture is added to the water. Stir best with a nozzle mixer, this will allow for uniform mixing and prevent the formation of lumps.

Do not knead too much. Having dried, putty becomes unsuitable for further use. The technology of applying to any surface is simple and does not require any special skills.

Depending on the thickness of the applied layer, the gypsum putty dries completely in 4-6 hours.

Then you can start grinding. This procedure is performed either manually, using large sandpaper, or using a grinding machine. Each layer is subject to grinding.

If everything is done correctly, with the right materials, the right tool, and most importantly with the right hands, the result of the repair will only please and not annoy the builders and customers.

What is a starting putty

Starting and finishing putties perform the same function - they level the surface of the walls. But then what is the difference between start and finish putty?

The fact is that the starting (basic) putty contains a coarse fraction filler. This will eliminate bumps with drops of up to one centimeter, as well as deep chips and cracks.

If you need to eliminate more serious irregularities, i.e. more than one centimeter, the walls will have to be plastered along the lighthouses. However, plaster also has a thickness limit - its layer should not exceed 7 cm.

After application, the base putty is sanded with P80-P120 abrasive. This allows you to get a relatively smooth surface, which is suitable for applying decorative plaster and many other topcoats.

Beginners are often interested - is it possible to glue wallpaper on the starting putty? Wallpaper does not require a perfectly smooth base surface, so finishing putty is not required.

Finishing putty is not so much intended for leveling the base as for ensuring their smooth surface. Its minimum thickness is less than a millimeter, and the maximum usually does not exceed 3-4 millimeters. This eliminates sanding marks and other minor flaws on the surface.

What it is?

Starting putties are used to smooth various surfaces. Such materials are well suited for the following bases:

Similar putties can also be used for arched openings, door, window slopes and so on.

They are suitable for plastered ceilings, walls. With the help of such materials, the bases are aligned with potholes, chips, cracks - they allow you to eliminate a variety of defects. It is worth noting that the starting putty is different from the finishing material: it is cheaper and has a more dense consistency.

High-quality starting putties have the following characteristics:

  • resistance to cracking (however, for this it is necessary to take into account certain recommendations when preparing and applying the material),
  • ability to get dry fast enough
  • environmental friendliness.

Manufacturers offer putty materials specifically designed for exterior or interior decoration. To putty better adhere to the base, you can first apply a primer to the surface.

Many people who are going to use a starting putty are interested in whether it is possible to glue wallpaper on this material immediately (without using additional coatings). Different situations are possible. If the wallpaper is thin, it is better to first apply the finishing solution to the surface.

If the coatings are sufficiently dense, they can be used immediately.

The consumption of hard putty largely depends on what type the processed base belongs to. When planning to purchase puttying material, you need to inspect the entire surface: so you can take into account every nuance and correctly calculate the required amount of solution.

Manufacturers creating a starting putty, usually used for this:

The proportions depend on various nuances, as well as on which manufacturer produced a particular filler material. Today, many companies specialize in the production of basic putty: these are Knauf, Prospectors and so on.

Choosing the right material, you can read customer reviews, get acquainted with the ratings. It is recommended to give preference to well-known manufacturers who have won a good reputation.

Materials in which there is especially a lot of cement are very resistant to liquids. For this reason, they are well suited for both internal and external finishing work. They are used for surface treatment in rooms with high humidity. However, such materials also have drawbacks: they differ in rich gray color, which is very difficult to hide with thin wallpapers, and also after a while they shrink considerably.

Dry gypsum putties are beautiful white, they are more aesthetic. However, such materials should not be used in rooms where humidity is high.

Very popular are putty materials, the basis of which are polymer binders. These are, for example, acrylic materials. Similar putties have the following advantages:

Types of starting putty

Starting (basic) putty allows you to align the uneven wall. It is applied not in one layer, but in several, until there is a visible result needed by the builders. The consumption of the mixture increases many times, since the thickness of the applied layer here is large. Putty can be divided into the following types:

  • based on cement
  • gypsum based
  • polymer.

The cement-based mixture is an indispensable material for decoration in rooms with high humidity. It has a large grain and a gray tint, which is very difficult to hide with a finish layer.

The second option includes lime and gypsum. These two components do not tolerate moisture and temperature changes. Therefore, this putty can be used only in dry rooms, which are heated in the winter season.

The polymer look is universal. It can be used not only to align the walls, but also the ceiling. This putty is not afraid of moisture and is very flexible.

Material Purpose

Stacking mortar is intended for:

  • leveling uneven walls,
  • window openings,
  • door jamb trim
  • eliminate joints between floor slabs.

Some master finishers make a home-made solution, but, in this case, the consumption of the composition will be much larger. This option can be used when it is impossible to get a good putty.

Knauf starter putty specification

Recently, for interior work, starting Knauf putty has been increasingly used. This is a quality product made according to German technology and meets international quality standards. This type of putty is a gypsum version; it is intended for the repair work of rooms with normal humidity.

Putty brand Knauf is considered an environmentally friendly product, so it is harmless to human health, thereby using it you can perform work in children's rooms and medical facilities.

Putty mixture in buckets is a ready-made composition that can be used by any person. The starting version of Knauf putty can be purchased in bags with different weights, starting from 5 kg. Of the positive qualities of the material can be noted:

  • strength and reliability
  • low consumption
  • coating quality
  • quick drying time
  • good additional sound insulation.

Of the minuses of starting putty for walls, one can note only quick solidification, as well as the inability to make a sufficiently thick and high-quality layer. The manufacturer regulates the maximum layer of putty applied as one and a half centimeters. It is enough to hide visible defects and cracks in the walls or ceiling.

This putty can not be used for outdoor work, since the gypsum included in its composition does not tolerate moisture.

Varieties of products

Knauf starter mixtures are of several types:

  • Knauf HP Start,
  • Knauf Rothband,
  • Knauf Goldband.

The first type is considered universal, as it is suitable for application on concrete, brick, drywall and even polystyrene walls. This option can be used for repairs in bathrooms and in the kitchen. Putty Knauf Start has a number of advantages, among which:

  • moisture resistance
  • environmental friendliness, in structure there are no harmful components,
  • reliability, lack of shrinkage after full drying.

Subject to all the rules described in the instructions, you can get a fairly flat wall on which you can apply the finish layer.

Putty Rotband can be distinguished in three shades: white, gray and pink.The thickness of the applied layer can vary from 5 to 30 mm. The complete drying time of the material is usually 7 days. It is sold only as a dry composition in paper packaging.

Even if water gets on the wall, the putty will not slip and at the same time retain all its quality characteristics. Also, the Rotband material has high fire resistance, which proves the safety of the material, and good thermal insulation.

The third type is intended for application only on vertical planes, that is, on walls, because there is no adhesive base in the composition. Putty will simply not stay on the ceiling, even with a high-quality primer layer. Another significant difference is a fairly thick coating layer - it can be performed up to 50 mm. With such dimensions, the composition fits well on brick and concrete walls.

On video: Knauf HP Start putty review.

Preparatory work

The first step before applying any composition, in particular Knauf putty, is to clean the surface from building fine debris and dust. Also, for a better result, the wall must be primed. The primer is applied to all areas where the puttying process will take place.

Advice! Putty start and primer should be from the same manufacturer, since it depends on how strong the adhesion of the finishing material to the base will be.

While the soil is drying, you can knead the putty. How to do this is usually written in the instructions that are located on the package. These recommendations must be followed unconditionally, as manufacturers of their products conduct tests and set standards.

It is recommended to dilute the composition with cold water, the temperature of which does not exceed 30 degrees. If the temperature is higher, then such a composition after complete drying can crack. The time for using the prepared solution is usually 30-40 minutes. The homogeneous mass should resemble sour cream. After the composition is mixed for the first time, the mass must be allowed to stand for a while and mix one more time.

Important! Putty hardens very quickly, so the solution needs to be mixed from time to time, and, of course, work quickly.

Putty Technology

For work you will need:

  • filler itself,
  • wide spatula
  • narrow spatula.

The technique of applying the solution to the wall for each master is different. It depends on the condition of the processed wall and the amount of work. If the surface has large differences, then most often the composition is applied in large portions and smoothed with wide strokes. With small amounts of work, as well as with small cracks, you need to be extremely careful and apply the solution in several directions in one place.

Important! The applied layer of the starting putty should not exceed the maximum values ​​indicated on the package. If you neglect this rule, then you can not achieve a high-quality final result.

If there are small errors after application, they can be eliminated after the composition has completely dried on the wall by grouting or grinding; for this, special graters, sandpaper or sanding nets are used. After work, all tools must be washed well, because if time passes, it will be very difficult to do this.

Starting mixtures from different manufacturers (28 photos)








Purpose and use

Starting putty is required for many construction works. Not many go into details about the purpose of this type of building material. It is used most often by professional builders who know a lot about these works and do not save on details.

Purpose of the starting putty:

  • wall and ceiling plaster,
  • concrete coating
  • brick wall covering,
  • surface coating with cracks and potholes,
  • if large deviations from the level are noticeable.

The composition of the material is intermediate between the composition of the plaster and various mixtures. By structure, the consistency is small, crumbly. If deviations from the level are insignificant, then several levels should be applied. For a reinforced layer, the starting soil is also suitable, as it can even out large deviations from the norm.

Application of starting putty:

  1. To level the equestrian slope,
  2. Window and doorway finishes,
  3. Joint processing
  4. Filling Strob.

Important. For exterior and interior use different mixtures. If you perform internal work with an external starting putty, then the effect that you should expect will not be achieved.

Composition and specifications

Both the base (starting) and finishing putty have a similar composition. The main differences are the viscosity of the consistency and the size of the filler fraction.

Differences in composition:

Cement starting putty contains various types of cement. They are characterized by different colors, with different saturations. A distinctive feature of cement putty is moisture resistance. If a large layer is applied, destruction may occur that is associated with drying. They are best used for decorating buildings, facades, baths, kitchens and other concrete surfaces.

Gypsum putty for walls - white. This is due to the presence of gypsum, as the main structural element. Distinctive features - elasticity and shrinkage during drying. Due to the presence of gypsum in the composition, the drying time is much shorter than in other species.

Polymer - based on polymer compounds. Colors are light brown and white. The main feature of this type is a long service life and ease of use. It is easy to apply and has unique building properties.

Consumption per 1 m2

Material consumption primarily depends on the type of surface.

What affects the consumption of material:

Depending on the components that are used in the composition of the putty, the flow rate may also depend. For example, gypsum starting primer require less consumption, while quickly drying out.

With a flat surface, the soil flow rate is 800-900 g m3. If the surface is as rough as possible, with large protrusions, then the flow rate increases significantly, and reaches 8 kg per m3.

Important. The density of the tier should not be more than 10 mm, otherwise the efficiency will be reduced. There is the possibility of destruction of the structure, since the layer will not withstand the weight and collapse.

Features

Putties are produced mainly in finished form, without the need for additional kneading.

However, there are those that need an additional solution. Before it is convenient to deliver products, the manufacturer unpacks them in bags of 20-30 kg. Approximately as much is needed in order to process your chosen site.

The most common types of starting primers are gypsum or cement putties. They are used mainly for processing walls of residential premises or ceilings.

Thanks to the application of this type of composition, an improvement in sound insulation is felt, and the margin of safety of the material on the surface is enhanced. The soil is quick setting, and the ability to quickly dry.

Advantages and disadvantages

Starting soil, or as it is called basic, has positive and negative characteristics. Basic because it is mandatory for the use of almost all finishing work. After the base coat, apply the finish.

  • easy to apply
  • handles bumps, crevices,
  • hardens quickly
  • It is used to cover various surfaces.

There are practically no shortcomings in the starting soil. The relatively high price of popular manufacturers is one of the main problems. Consumers often save without buying a quality product, after which the problems associated with the destruction begin.

Types of mixtures

The types of starting mixtures primarily depend on the composition. What elements prevail in the base soil will determine the name of the species. That is why the composition of the mixture is closely intertwined with the types of putty.

  1. Cement base
  2. With gypsum compounds
  3. Polymer base putty.

The properties and technical characteristics of 3 types of putty are described above.

There are other types of putties, less popular, but also necessary, namely:

Oil base - used for wood coatings. It is mainly used for protection against mechanical damage and temperature extremes.

Gypsum-chalk putty is characterized by the addition of chalk to the composition, in addition to gypsum. It has high strength and elasticity.

Solution preparation

Despite the fact that the manufacturer manufactures products in an already finished form, for application it needs additional processing. It is explained by the fact that the mixture is ready for use only conditionally. The reason for this may be non-compliance with storage at the warehouse, or a change in the structure of the mixture in case of mechanical damage. Also, because of the long transportation, it is necessary to prepare the starting putty for use. Therefore, mixtures need to be prepared with a ready-made solution.

First of all, before applying the solution, it must be thoroughly mixed. The best tool when mixing is a mixer, with a special nozzle. If you purchased a dry mixture, then it must be diluted with water. In order not to be mistaken in the calculations, you should look at the packaging, where the manufacturer indicates the necessary proportions for mixing.

For complete mixing, leave the solution for approximately 15 minutes so that the components are fully saturated with moisture. The last step in the preparation of the solution is to re-mix the already prepared solution with a mixer.

Application Tips

Apply the material to the surface with a special tool. For different purposes there is a wide and narrow spatula. Used spatulas of different sizes and purposes. Wide has dimensions - 50-60 mm wide. Narrow spatulas up to 20 cm. After preparation of the solution, it is ready-made scooped out of a bucket with a narrow spatula, and then applied to a wide one. For inaccessible places, only a narrow spatula is used.

Putty start is characteristic in that it can be applied in a large layer, so the speed of work is increased. The desired layer thickness is up to 2 cm. For the solution to be effective, it is best to apply in 3 layers, only after preliminary setting of the previous one.

After processing the entire surface, you need to wait for time to gain strength. The next step is grouting the surface to make the walls even. After all the requirements are met, you can do the finishing treatment to completely fix the wall, or the ceiling and protect it from destruction.

Overview of popular manufacturers

Due to the great demand and the need for finishing work, the base primer is made by many manufacturers.

The first manufacturer produces many types of soil. Among which is the starting putty. The German manufacturer produces products that meet international quality standards. Used products for the design of facades and walls.

Knauf is the leader in base soils. Mixtures of their production are sold worldwide and are the most successful. The quality of the manufacturer will not let itself be doubted. Putties of this image are environmentally friendly and safe. It is used even for decorating and processing walls in medical institutions, since they do not harm patients.

Volma is a Russian manufacturer that produces quality products. Putties from Volma are easy to apply, without special skills. Available mainly in finished form.

Without the use of basic putty, the structure collapses over time or lends itself to mechanical damage. For different materials there is a kind of starting mixture. If you adhere to all the recommendations, you can independently apply the solution on the walls, without using specialized labor, for which you need to pay additional funds.