Finishing putty is an essential component in getting a polished, seamless finish on your walls. It evens out surfaces, covers flaws, and gets walls ready for paint or wallpaper. Whether you’re working on a renovation or a do-it-yourself project, knowing how to select and use putty can have a significant impact on the outcome.
Finishing putty comes in a variety of forms and has uses ranging from general wall smoothing to more specialized uses. The state of your walls and the kind of paint or wallpaper you want to use can all influence which one you choose. Applying it correctly guarantees a perfect surface devoid of noticeable bumps or fissures.
The fundamentals of choosing and using finishing putty will be covered in this tutorial. We’ll go through how to choose the best product, how to apply it properly, and best practices to guarantee a smooth finish. You can quickly get your walls looking their best with the appropriate approach.
The final appearance of your walls can be significantly improved by selecting the proper finishing putty and applying it correctly. This post will help you choose the putty that will work best for you and provide easy instructions on how to apply it smoothly for a polished look.
Why do you need finishing putty
Before applying decorative plaster, painting, wallpapering, or other finishing coats, this is the last phase of rough finishing. Puttying techniques enable the creation of perfectly smooth, even walls that are impervious to mold, mildew, moisture, and mechanical impact. Furthermore, because the putty mixture doesn’t absorb liquid, paint, wallpaper glue, and primer can be used more sparingly.
The first layer is applied to the wall starting putty, which is characterized by a coarse-grained structure. These works are carried out for rough preliminary processing, filling large depressions and cracks. The finishing mixture, unlike the base, has a soft, elastic and uniform structure, without any auxiliary impurities. This mixture carefully masks the remaining defects after the base coat, giving the walls and ceiling an almost finished look, it must be applied in a thin neat layer of 1-2 mm. Manufacturers also offer a special superfinishing putty, which must be applied in a thin layer up to 0.3 mm, which will allow you to process small scratches from a spatula. The smoother and better the putty surface, the easier it will be to glue wallpaper, apply paint and other finishing materials.
Vital! Because of their porous structure and active moisture absorption, surfaces like foam concrete and plasterboard walls and ceilings require finishing putty. It will strengthen and protect the subsequent decorative layer from possible damage and rust.
Mixture requirements
Putty that has been carefully chosen guarantees excellent repairs and enhances the base’s technical attributes. Many finishing options are available on the market today, but you should select a material that satisfies the following criteria:
- Effectively eliminates any, even the most minor cracks, chips and other defects of the walls.
- The superfinish mixture should have the smallest particle size, due to which it can be applied in a thin layer and get the smoothest possible coating.
- After drying, it has an even white color, allowing the use of light-colored materials for finishing and decorative finishing.
- Does not form lumps, is easy to apply to the surface and does not stretch with a spatula.
- Holds firmly after hardening and does not crack under the influence of temperature changes.
Types of finishing putty
Final puttying is done with mixtures of polymer, acrylic, cement, and gypsum, each of which has pros and cons of its own. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Cement
The most common and least expensive method for finishing wet areas, like bathrooms, kitchens, and toilets, is cement mixtures. Additionally, this material can be used to finish facades and walls before painting them. Moisture is no match for a cement-based mixture, which also gives the coating strength, durability, and resistance to a variety of outside influences. One of the drawbacks is that the mixture shrinks after drying, increasing the possibility of microcracks. Cement putty must be ground before it completely dries, as it will be nearly hard to grind after it has dried.
Gypsum
Gypsum putty is perfect for light, thin, or textured wallpaper because it creates a smooth, white surface and covers up dark areas on the walls.
Vital! The prepared material must be applied to the walls within 30 minutes of mixing; if not, it will lose all of its properties and become unusable. The mixture should not be left to dry for more than two hours.
Gypsum is ideal for finishing dry heated rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and spaces where a decorative coating is to be applied. It can be applied to walls in a layer thicker than 2 mm.
The low waterproofing and water-repellent qualities of gypsum compositions for puttying restrict the range of applications. Nevertheless, the material’s inexpensive price and ease of use more than make up for these drawbacks.
Polymer
Polymer finishing putty is the best choice for beginners as it comes in a ready-made mixture, so you won’t have to worry about mixing a solution to the right consistency. The material can be applied to the walls in a thin layer after it has been thoroughly mixed, as it is already produced in a ready-made form. This kind of putty produces an extremely smooth surface on any surface, but it is very expensive, which is a big drawback, particularly when working with large spaces.
The polymer mixture clings to the surface with consistency and fits the wall well. The superfinishing mixture is thought to be the best choice for artistic wall and ceiling decoration when delicate decorating work is needed because of its extremely fine structure. Polymer-based material is highly plastic and moisture resistant, does not shrink, and ensures a long finishing service life. It also removes the possibility of cracks.
The size of the particles affects the surface texture after polymer putty is applied; the smoother the finishing layer, the smaller the particles. Superfinishing mixtures have fractions as small as 0.15 mm in diameter, which enables you to achieve a surface structure that is mirror-smooth.
| Topic | Details |
| What is finishing putty? | Finishing putty is a type of compound used to fill in small cracks, holes, and imperfections on walls before painting or applying wallpaper. It creates a smooth surface for a clean finish. |
| When to use it? | Use finishing putty after you"ve patched major holes and when your wall needs a smooth, flawless surface before painting or wallpapering. |
| How to apply? | Apply with a putty knife or trowel, pressing it into cracks and smoothing it out. Allow it to dry completely, then sand it smooth for a perfect finish. |
| Types of finishing putty | There are several types, including water-based and oil-based putties. Choose one based on the type of wall surface and the level of finish you need. |
| Choosing the right putty | Consider the size of the cracks, the wall material, and your desired finish. Water-based putties are easy to clean up and good for small cracks, while oil-based ones are better for larger repairs. |
| Drying time | Drying time varies by type and thickness of the application. Typically, it takes a few hours to a full day. Check the product instructions for specific details. |
| Sanding | Once dry, sand the putty with fine-grit sandpaper until it"s smooth and level with the wall. This ensures a seamless finish. |
| Painting over putty | After sanding, you can paint over the putty. Make sure the surface is clean and dust-free before applying paint for the best results. |
The way your walls turn out in the end can be greatly influenced by selecting and applying the right finishing putty. The type of putty you use is important, whether you’re fixing small flaws or getting ready for a new coat of paint. Making the right choice of product for your particular requirements guarantees a seamless and long-lasting finish.
Spreading putty on the wall is not the only step in the application process. A perfect finish is aided by using the right technique, which includes sanding in between coats and applying in thin layers. You can achieve a polished finish that improves the appearance of your space by taking your time and using the suggested application techniques.
In conclusion, taking the time to carefully choose the putty and apply it will pay off in the end. Making the right decisions results in more polished and smoother walls. When you apply these pointers to your next project, you’ll consistently get excellent results.
