A primer is a mortar used to prepare surfaces for a variety of finishes. For example, it is applied to the wall before wallpapering. The only question is whether this must be done.
In anticipation of a renovation, many home owners are wondering how much primer is necessary before wallpapering. Even if the repairs are carried out by workers, the owners will still have troubles, since such decisions will have to be carefully considered.
Feasibility of performing the work
Is it necessary to treat the walls before gluing or can this step be skipped? There are many variations of wall decoration. However, wallpaper is still popular in both private homes and offices. It is only important to understand what measures need to be taken for their reliable and long-term operation.
Applying a primer to the wall is aimed primarily at preventing early peeling of the wallpaper, as well as minimizing the risks of such defects as “bubbles”. Therefore, those who want to save time and effort at the renovation stage should take into account: savings on primer may result in new wallpapering in the near future.
Among the reasons for the need to prime walls, we note the following:
Based on this, there should be no doubt about the advisability of using a primer. But its use alone will not provide an absolute guarantee that the wallpaper will not peel off ahead of time. The reason is that too many factors influence this: from the quality and type of wallpaper and glue to temperature and other external conditions.
In order to choose the right primer material, you need to take into account the operating conditions of the room, such as its humidity level and temperature. An adhesive-like primer is most suitable for wallpaper, as it is unpretentious to different conditions and surfaces. The following types of materials are widely used as primers:
Each type of specialized primer is divided depending on the binder on the basis of which it is produced. The following types of primer are distinguished:
Selecting the right material
The first thing you need to pay attention to when purchasing any primer glue is whether it can be used for these purposes. . Usually, instructions for use are indicated on the packs, as well as what area the packaging is designed for.
For wall covering
A good solution for wall treatment is an acrylic mixture. In addition to acrylic, its composition includes latex, which has a positive effect on adhesion. There are quite a few varieties of primers based on this composition - for different operating conditions and environmental conditions. But you don’t need to choose the ideal option for any occasion; it’s enough to focus on what you need and base your choice on that.
Acrylic impregnation shows its best qualities on smooth walls, pre-treated with plaster. She penetrates quickly and deeply and dries relatively quickly. Of all types of wallpaper, it is best combined with non-woven and glass wallpaper. Another advantage of acrylic primer is the absence of an unpleasant, pungent odor.
For wooden surfaces
If the task is to paste wallpaper on a wooden surface, then an alkyd primer composition will cope with this task perfectly. A glypthal mixture is also suitable for these purposes, which is effective on wood and metal, but takes a long time to dry - about a day. In addition, glypthal primer should not be used in conditions of high humidity.
Step-by-step instructions for performing the work
The key to a good repair is a well-organized work process. No matter how much you would like to save money on something and not bother extra work, but the question of whether it is necessary to apply a primer to the walls before gluing wallpaper should not arise. In this case, the old wallpaper will have to be removed to the ground.
Regardless of the type of primer chosen, wallpapering should be done only after it has completely dried. The most important stages of work:
At the last stage, the question arises: how many times should the surface be primed? To achieve the best adhesion, apply more than once. The thicker the soil layer, the better the adhesion of wallpaper to walls. But you need to have a sense of proportion, since excessive consumption of materials will be a waste of money. Much depends on the type, composition, density and quality of the primer material. On average, per 1 square meter You may need 100 to 350 ml of primer.
What to give preference : brush or roller, everyone decides for themselves. But it is advisable to stock up on both, since on spacious surfaces the job will go faster with a roller, and in corners and other inconvenient places a brush will be indispensable. However, it’s up to you to evaluate the locations of the upcoming primer, and sometimes just one thing is enough.
Don't rush to pick up the tool and put the finishing touches on the repair. Once the basic steps are covered, it's time to consider additional recommendations from professionals.
If the color of your concrete wall is too dark, then before priming, apply putty to its surface in the lightest shade. A pure white putty color works well, then the gray concrete will not show through the wallpaper. In general, pay attention to the compatibility of the color of the wallpaper and the wall on which it will be glued, especially with thin wallpaper.
You can save on primer. To do this, purchase its dry mixtures, to which water is added. By observing the proportions, you can always use them effectively for many surfaces. Of course, their application requires more time and additional tools. It is much more convenient to use ready-made liquid compositions, but if you are undertaking repairs over a large area and are looking for cost-saving options, then dry primer mixtures will be one of these options.
Saving is appropriate, but sometimes it can play a cruel joke. Supermarkets may offer low prices on one type of primer, but the result will be that it will cover a smaller area than a higher priced mixture. In this case, you do not need to focus only on the size of the package, since much depends on the quality of the primer. The higher it is, the fewer layers of it will have to be applied to the wall to achieve a good result.
Plasterboard surface, no matter how ideal it may seem, it must be treated with putty. The fact is that the next time you want to change the wallpaper, you can remove it only by partially tearing it off the drywall. Therefore, if you do not put putty on top of the drywall, it will have to be replaced along with the old wallpaper. Take all this into account in advance so that you don’t spend extra money, effort and time later;
One of the most favorable conditions for working with different types primers the temperature is not lower than 5 degrees and not higher than 30 degrees Celsius. Regarding air humidity, it should not be higher than 75%. For individual species The manufacturer of primer mixtures has stated exceptions in this regard, but it is still better not to carry out priming outside these limits.
The modern construction market offers a variety of products for preparing walls for wallpapering. Today, almost everyone is sure that without a primer when carrying out finishing works can't get by. However, few people know how to properly prime walls before wallpapering. Let's understand the intricacies of the process.
Why do you need to prime?
Priming the walls is a preparatory stage in surface treatment before gluing. This remedy has a strengthening effect. It is a mistake to think that it is needed only to enhance the quality of the glue: this product has a broader effect.
This is a protective film that really helps improve the adhesion of the surface for gluing wallpaper. However, it does not just promote bonding: depending on the type, this product also levels the walls, making them uniform in structure.
The action of the soil is based on the penetrating ability of a viscous substance, which fills all microcracks in the walls and pores. Certain types of preparatory composition are capable of tying together walls erected by builders in violation of technology. This applies to walls that are crumbling due to excessive amounts of sand.
The action of the soil is aimed at penetrating to the maximum depth (5-10 cm) and making the structure homogeneous. At the same time, it can also involve dust.
It may seem to beginners that it is enough to walk over the surface with putty, level the base, and this will be enough to glue wallpaper. When walls are puttied and sanded to level the surface, dust remains on it, which prevents good adhesion of the wallpaper to the base of the wall. The same goes for painting: for dust paint material it won't fit well.
The primer ensures the highest quality preparation of the surface for wallpapering., however, first you need to level the planes themselves: this is not the only, but the final stage of preparing the base for work.
This material allows you to save on wallpaper glue. After treating the base with primer, the glue is distributed evenly over the working surface.
This simplifies the process of wallpapering walls. Thanks to this preparation, you can use wide canvases of a meter in width or more in your work: the primer minimizes the formation of small bubbles and deformation of the canvas during the gluing process. Working with wallpaper after using it becomes easier.
What is it?
This material is sold in two forms: in cans and canisters. The volume of soil is different: for wallpaper, raw materials with a volume of 5 and 10 liters are most often chosen.
In addition to the liquid type, there is concentrated soil. It must be diluted with cool water. This product is more convenient to store, it is more economical and allows you to vary the degree of viscosity when needed.
It is not difficult to dilute: the manufacturer indicates the proportions at which the optimal concentration is achieved. Typically it is 1:2 (1 part water to 2 parts primer).
Externally, the primer is a white or light gray composition. Sometimes it is transparent. Some varieties allow the addition of special acrylic paints to the solution (up to 15% of the total volume), which is especially convenient for light wallpaper with a dark wall surface (for example, concrete).
You can add white pigment so as not to distort the color of the wallpaper and give it maximum expressiveness. This is especially important if thin canvases are used as the basis for the cladding, which, with normal gluing, show all the stains of the base.
The primer differs in the type of action, which depends on the solvent. The degree of drying can be normal, slow or fast. The texture of this preparatory material depends on the type and is often matte.
The approximate consumption indicated by the manufacturer is 1 liter per 8-9 square meters. m. wall area. However, this indicator is conditional: it all depends on the absorbency of the walls.
Since the primer is applied in two layers before wallpapering, the first one will absorb more, especially if the walls are porous. During the second application, a little soil will be needed: the main part will already strengthen the walls, so during the second application it will be strengthened crystal lattice, which is located on the surface of the base.
The product is not dangerous for the skin, but it should be stored away from children and sunlight. The shelf life is usually 2 years from the date of issue. After opening and application, the remaining primer can be stored for no more than 12 months - after that it loses its properties. In this case, storage in the cold is unacceptable.
You need to use the product with gloves and work clothes: when it dries, stains will remain on the textile, so the treatment must be done carefully.
Advantages
Like any building material, primer has positive characteristics:
- It has an antiseptic effect. After treatment, the surface is resistant to the formation of fungus, mold, and blue stains, which is especially important in rooms with high humidity.
- The use of soil helps reduce the absorption of moisture by the walls. At the same time, the vapor permeability of the walls does not decrease.
- The primer can eliminate the negative effects of minor dirt, making the walls durable. Thanks to white color, it masks foundation stains.
- Due to the use of primer when pasting wallpaper with a glossy surface type, the shine on the canvas becomes more pronounced.
Types of soil
The modern construction market offers a wide range of primer materials.
According to the type of primer solubility, there are:
- based on organic acids (alkyd resins, polyurethane, latex);
- water-dispersed, which can be diluted with water (acrylic, latex, silicate, silicone);
- mineral (based on lime, gypsum, cement).
Water-dispersed varieties are considered a harmless type; they are distinguished by the absence of odor during the treatment of walls. They should be used to prepare walls for interior wallpapering.
By purpose they are:
- universal;
- specialized;
- antifungal;
- insulating;
- strengthening.
Universal solutions took a little from each type with a separate effect. The rest have their own characteristics and are designed for a specific type of wall.
Consistency matters. Usually the transparent composition is more liquid. The white analogue has higher viscosity and density. Consistency determines penetrating ability.
Liquid transparent compounds strengthen the outer layer of the wall and bind dust. Among these varieties you can find solutions with special additives, through which alkalis can be extinguished. The price of such primers is reasonable.
Compared to denser analogues, their penetrating ability is 25% greater. The disadvantage of such a primer is the heterogeneity of application: when treating the surface, it is not visible which area is already covered with primer. As a result, the part with more soil reveals itself as glossy. Heterogeneity is dangerous because the adhesion when wallpapering will be different.
Thick primers, unlike liquid varieties, are able to correct the surface of the walls before wallpapering. They eliminate small irregularities, have an antistatic effect, and extinguish alkalis, creating a smooth film. By filling micropores, they color the surface of the wall, so during the processing process the entire treated surface is visible.
Its penetrating ability is lower; this primer is good for walls with a uniform structure without visible defects. The smoothness created by this primer is suitable for plaster and thin wallpaper, as well as photo wallpaper. For liquid wallpaper This type of primer will not work.
What wallpaper is suitable?
At making the right choice the primer will prepare the surface for wallpapering different types. Paper, vinyl, non-woven and textile wallpapers on paper and non-woven bases will adhere especially firmly to the prepared surface.
Preparing the walls with such soil will ensure excellent adhesion of the wallpaper at the joints, so over time they will not move away from the surface.
However, it is worth keeping in mind: re-gluing wallpaper, if necessary, requires re-application of primer. Glass wallpaper will also stick well to the walls. This surface can be updated by painting, which is convenient if you want to update the wallpaper background or disguise dirt.
Liquid wallpaper will adhere better to the surface without running down it when applied with a spray gun. It is important to note: first the walls are cleaned, only then they are treated with soil. Other options that adhere well with primers include cork and bamboo materials. Self-adhesive PVC is firmly glued.
Types of surfaces
For each type of surface, manufacturers offer their own type of primer (for loose porous walls). This information is usually contained on the packaging. For plastered walls, you should use an acrylic or emulsion primer. This composition is suitable for different reasons Besides metal, it is environmentally friendly and practical.
If you need to cover a surface of wood, you should purchase an alkyd primer. This solution perfectly saturates concrete walls and can be tinted.
These two varieties are the most in demand. Of these, the favorite is acrylic primer, which is also used for plasterboard walls.
If interior decoration involves processing sand-lime brick, concrete and plastered surfaces, you can buy a mineral primer.
If the wooden surface is knotty, you should use a shellac primer.
If the store does not have an acrylic primer, you can treat the walls with a polystyrene compound. However, it must be taken into account that it is not at all harmless to health. If the repair involves not only gluing wallpaper, but also installing the floor (for example, laying linoleum), it is worth buying a composition that is suitable for both walls and floors.
Surface preparation
Before treating the wall surface with a primer, you must prepare:
- container for soil;
- paint roller with medium length bristles;
- a medium-sized flat brush;
- small flat brush.
It is advisable to use gloves when processing: When the soil dries, the surface of the skin darkens and becomes slightly sticky. Surface preparation according to all the rules includes several stages.
First, remove the old coating. To do this with a minimum of dust, you should use a regular spray bottle, filling it with water: moistening the wallpaper will allow you to remove it in large fragments without scraping.
To prevent double-layer old wallpaper from peeling off, you need to wait until it gets wet. This will eliminate the need to use a spatula: when mechanical movements the surface may be scratched.
When the old coating is removed from the walls, you need to plaster the walls using cement-sand mortar or putty, cover up cracks, get rid of bumps and pigmented areas.
If there is lime remaining on the surface, you can remove it with sandpaper. This process is difficult to complete without dust, so the doorway will have to be closed. After treatment, they get rid of dust, including that which has settled on the floor. This should be done with a sponge slightly moistened with water. The sponge should not be too wet.
Then you can treat the walls with a primer. If during the preparation process it is difficult to remove old wallpaper from the walls, you can buy a special liquid that the strongest glue will not resist. Surfaces can be coated only after the putty has completely dried. If there is high humidity in the room, it would be a good idea to treat the walls with a spray against fungus and mold.
Subtleties of application
Applying primer to walls with your own hands is easy.
To do this correctly, you should read these short instructions:
- Initially, you need to prepare the product for work. If the soil needs to be diluted, use water room temperature. It can be diluted with water only if the aqueous type of solvent is indicated on the packaging.
- The product must be diluted until a homogeneous structure is obtained. This is especially true for concentrated type material. For such soil you need to prepare a separate container.
- If necessary, you can add white color to the composition. If you need to tint the primer for wallpaper, it is not advisable to use beige, pink or another color: they will distort the original color of the wallpaper.
- It is worth pouring the primer into the container in parts. Firstly, the abundance of liquid will prevent uniform application to the surface of the walls (ceiling). Secondly, no primer should remain during the work: in any case, there will be specks of dust and specks at the bottom of the container, which should not be poured into a common canister.
Application
An experienced craftsman has a spray gun in his arsenal, with which the time for priming walls is halved. It is much easier to process hard to reach places(for example, slopes). It is easier for a beginner to apply the composition with a roller. To do this, the roller is lowered into a container with a working solution, moistened in the soil, and lightly rolled inside the container.
There should not be a lot of soil, otherwise it will flow along the roller, then along the handle and flood the floor surface before it reaches the desired plane. Savings are also unacceptable: if there is not enough composition, it will not be able to penetrate inside the walls properly, and therefore will not strengthen the base.
You can navigate this way: if the soil does not flow like a stream or drip, you can treat the surfaces. If you plan to wallpaper the ceiling, the processing becomes somewhat more complicated: you need less composition and more rolling over the surface.
When processing the main walls, use a roller. It is lightly pressed to the surface, rolling several times in one place, evenly distributing the composition.
The liquid should not flow down the walls or drip from the ceiling. The soil layer should not be dense. In hard-to-reach places (corners, slopes) use a brush.
Where it is difficult to reach with a regular brush, take a small one. Using brushes allows you to save primer and process difficult areas as carefully as possible. At the end of the work process, the tools and containers are thoroughly washed. The second layer of primer is applied only after the first has dried.
Drying time
The drying time of the primer depends on its type and density of the solution, as well as the location of application, the temperature in the room and even the time of year. On average, the primer dries from 12 to 24 hours.
Some varieties dry faster: this process can take 5-6 hours. Typically, the manufacturer indicates the drying time on each package of the composition so that the buyer knows this in advance before purchasing.
For example, acrylic varieties dry in about 24 hours (one layer), quartz analogues need less time, and mineral ones also need a few hours.
Shellac, which contains alcohol, dries quickly. However, craftsmen believe that, despite the assurances of sellers, such primers need at least 10-12 hours for the film on the surface of the walls to be as strong as possible.
The same can be said about alkyd compositions: it is better to wait 12-14 hours and only after that start gluing wallpaper, laying tiles, water-based paint, if the design allows for it. The process can be accelerated, but drying acceleration methods have not only advantages, but also disadvantages. U experienced craftsmen There is a heat gun for this.
Under normal conditions the situation is different. If it’s warm outside, you can open the windows: if the temperature is above zero, the process will be accelerated.
When choosing between the right type of surface, each master has his own preferences, based on the quality of the material and its properties. Experienced specialists allow the use of two types of primer. When treating the surface before wallpapering for the first time, level the structure of the walls with a transparent mixture. After this, another (white) primer is applied: this is the final stage of preparation for cladding.
Based on their experience, craftsmen recommend that when choosing a primer, you should start from the thickness of the wallpaper. Deep penetration compositions are capable of holding particularly durable wallpaper sheets on the surface of walls. These varieties include structural heavy varieties. For example, two-layer vinyl models or varieties for painting: with each layer of such wallpaper, the thickness will increase. Due to the soil, you don’t have to worry about this: the wallpaper will stay on the walls for up to 20-30 years.
The situation is different with liquid wallpaper. To keep them firmly on the plane of the walls or ceiling, you need a primer with quartz. Varieties that form a smooth surface are not suitable for them.
The structure of liquid wallpaper is such that for reliable adhesion it needs to hold on to something. For such wallpaper, you do not need to perfectly align the planes: the primer can be applied to an unplastered surface, but roughness is important. This way the mass will cling to the grains of sand, and it will be easier to smear it on the walls.
The mixture is diluted in small portions. This will not only eliminate an excess of solution, but will also help ensure that the composition is clean all the time during the priming process. The prepared solution is used on the same day. It is unacceptable to store such a composition, as it loses its properties.
If you need to apply liquid to the plaster, you should not dilute it further: the cement-sand mortar is highly absorbent. This treatment will take a very long time to dry, which will delay the drying time.
If, during the treatment of the walls, the primer gets onto a surface that is not subject to finishing, you must immediately wipe it with a cloth soaked in water. If you do not wash the tools immediately, the bristles and coat of the roller will harden as the soil dries.
It will not be possible to return them to their former softness; for subsequent work you will have to buy new brushes and a fur coat. If there is furniture in the room that cannot be removed (for example, drawers kitchen set), it should be covered with wide plastic film, which can be purchased at a hardware store.
Experts recommend buying primer in larger quantities or in concentrated form. As a rule, when treating walls before wallpapering, it will take much more than indicated by the manufacturer. The number of layers of primer matters: craftsmen pay attention to the fact that walls made of concrete, brick, fiberboard, and plasterboard can be primed no more than 2 times before gluing the wallpaper.
If the wall is wooden, two layers may not be enough. However, this does not mean that you can generously fill the surface with solution. It is better to apply several thin layers.
Using a primer is convenient because the wall does not get dirty. When gluing wallpaper, stains will not appear on it. To prevent the formation of lumps when stirring, you can use a construction drill with a special attachment. You can start gluing when the surface stops sticking.
Wallpaper can be glued to almost any surface, be it plaster, wood or even bare concrete. The main thing is to prepare the walls for gluing. If necessary, level or screed, plaster and prime. Is it possible to neglect the preparation and paste the wallpaper without this labor-intensive stage? Yes, you can. But in this case, the sheets will quickly peel off and the repair will have to be redone. Why - read the article.
What functions does the primer perform?
Ideally, priming should be done at each stage of finishing, that is, before applying putty and before gluing. The primer performs a number of important functions:
- Makes the surface smoother, fills pores and microcracks. Material consumption is reduced and adhesion is increased.
- Strengthens the surface and prevents its destruction. Wallpaper glued to primed drywall will be easier to remove during the next renovation.
- Promotes the formation of a normal microclimate by filling small pores in the coating. There are primers for interior work, containing an antiseptic that prevents the proliferation of fungal and mold spores. Such solutions are very useful for corner and damp apartments, where there is a high risk of mold.
If you skip priming, the following may happen:
- Destruction of the plaster layer. The situation when the plaster cracks occurs precisely when the wall was not primed before applying the material.
- Higher material consumption. An unprimed surface will absorb moisture well and will ultimately require more glue. As a result, the gluing process becomes more complicated and the sheets do not stick well. Since a large amount of glue is absorbed, the adhesion will be worse and the wallpaper may come off after just a few months or a year.
The most unpleasant thing is that the consequences listed above cannot be eliminated cosmetically. They can only be corrected by completely redoing the finish. Saving on priming significantly reduces the service life of the finish, so the answer to the question of whether walls need priming before wallpapering is unequivocal - yes, it is necessary. It remains to figure out which solution to choose and how to use it correctly.
What solution to use
The best option for coatings made of concrete, plasterboard and plaster is an acrylic primer. It does not have a specific smell, it is easy to work with, and the drying time is about 5 hours, which is much less than other compounds. For wood it is better to use alkyd solutions. This primer must dry for at least 10 hours.
Previously, diluted PVA or glue for gluing were used for priming. This is not to say that this is a completely wrong move. This ensures good adhesion, but the surface will not be strengthened, as is the case with the use of acrylic solutions. Some craftsmen coat the wall alternately with a special compound and glue; with this option, the finish is best maintained. This method is also used for non-woven wallpaper. That is, the surface is primed, then covered with a layer of diluted glue, and only after this layer has dried do they begin to glue the sheets.
In stores you can find special primers “for wallpaper”. Often their main component is the same PVA. You can prepare this composition yourself by diluting regular PVA to the desired consistency. The only advantage of a purchased solution is ease of use; you won’t have to worry about whether you prepared everything correctly thanks to the presence of clear instructions.
How many times to treat the wall
The standard consumption of acrylic primer is 100-200 ml per 1 m2 of surface. One layer is often not enough; it is advisable to apply it twice. How many times to prime depends on the initial condition of the wall. Before each new layer, you must wait until the previous one has completely dried.
After everything is dry, you can cover the wall with glue. This can be diluted PVA or wallpaper glue. In the second case, carefully read the instructions; if it does not indicate that the glue can be used as a primer, then it is not suitable for this. When choosing any solution, pay attention to the drying time; this determines how long it takes to glue the wallpaper.
How to use primer
It is best to dilute the primer in a bucket. It is very important to mix the solution well so that there are no lumps in it. Most best option Use a drill with a mixer attachment. If the walls are perfectly smooth, you can use a roller. If there are any unevenness, use a paint brush. Make sure that the solution is applied in an even layer. Even with ideal walls, it is better to treat the corners with a brush, since it is almost impossible to coat them well with a roller. When to glue the wallpaper after treatment depends on how long the primer takes to dry. Once the surface is completely dry, you can begin gluing.
Tsugunov Anton Valerievich
Reading time: 4 minutes
When starting an apartment renovation, you probably want to get the maximum result. Therefore, you should not neglect such an important point as priming the walls before wallpapering. As real masters say, based on long experience, it is necessary to prime before each stage of finishing work. It is this procedure, which for many seems insignificant, that largely determines the quality and durability of your repair.
It is absolutely necessary to prime the walls before gluing heavy vinyl and non-woven wallpaper: the primer will strengthen the base, increase adhesion and prevent the glue, which in the case of non-woven material is applied directly to the wall, from being absorbed into the base.
Choosing a primer for walls
The following types of adhesive primers should be distinguished:
- Acrylic.
- Alkyd.
- Glypthal.
- Mineral.
The acrylic primer family is designed for most types of surfaces, including concrete, brick, wood, plaster and putty. They dry quickly, do not have a strong odor, and are better suited for drywall than others. Depending on the wall surface material, you can choose:
- universal primer;
- regular;
- deep penetration composition.
Alkyd primers work better on wooden surfaces, glyptal ones are intended for metal, and mineral ones, containing cement and lime, are optimal for concrete and foam concrete.
Also, for priming walls, they use wallpaper glue mixed in a certain proportion, but here you should strictly adhere to the recommended instructions indicated on the packaging and take only products from well-known manufacturers.
Advice. Select a primer that matches the type of substrate and the type of wallpaper adhesive applied to the primed surface. Ideal option will be the use of materials from one manufacturer or at least strict adherence to its recommendations.
Preparatory work
Do-it-yourself priming of walls in an apartment under wallpaper is simple process, which everyone can do. But this does not mean that you can approach the matter carelessly. All stages of work, including preparatory work, must be performed in strict sequence.
- The premises being renovated are completely cleared of construction waste.
- The surface of the walls is carefully inspected. , plaster, nails and screws are removed. Cracks and chips are covered with fresh putty. It must be remembered that the primer is applied only to a dry base.
- You should pay attention to dampness and mold that could appear in a damp room. Such places should be thoroughly cleaned with a chlorine solution, and a primer containing a fungicide should be used.
Do not neglect safety measures: primer mixtures contain chemical compounds that can cause allergic reactions, although the manufacturer assures on the packaging that the product is completely environmentally safe. Use a respirator or gauze bandage, glasses, a hat, gloves and clothing that covers unprotected areas of the skin in your work.
- Use warm water to wash away dust and fine dirt from the wall remaining after treatment.
Important! The primer cannot be applied at room temperatures below +5 degrees, especially on a frozen surface.
Let's get started
The following tools should be at hand:
- Bucket.
- Paint bath.
- Wide roller with a long handle.
- Brush.
Now you can start priming the walls before wallpapering.
- Pour the resulting solution into the bath, take a roller and carefully, without splashing, dip it into the dish, then slightly squeeze the roller pile on the grooved edge, this way the primer is used more economically.
- We start processing from the bottom, leaving about 5 cm to the edge of the floor so that random dust does not fall on the roller pile: it will significantly deteriorate the quality of the coating. Then you can carefully work on this part with a brush.
- How to prime walls under wallpaper so that there are no gaps? It is more convenient to start from a corner, this makes it easier to control the density of application. Pressing the roller without excessive effort, we go from bottom to top. This prevents drops of primer from flowing down the wall onto the floor. We roll the roller several times from the bottom to the ceiling, making sure that the surface is well wetted and the primer layer lies evenly.
- So, stroke by stroke, we go over the entire surface, marking the surface being treated with a noticeable darkening from moisture. This will truly indicate a properly primed wall.
- When the main space is treated with a roller, hard-to-reach places remain, such as corners between wall and floor, wall and ceiling, various protrusions, areas near sockets and switches. Here we carefully apply the primer with a brush, taking precautions.
- Let the wall dry for 2-3 hours.
You can see all stages of work in more detail in the video.
Note: another way to apply primer is to use a spray bottle. Pros: ease of execution and saving on material. The solution does not spread and is applied in doses. Cons: excessive spraying over the entire wall area. The smallest suspension will remain in the air throughout the apartment for a long time and you will have to thoroughly ventilate the room several times.
In this article you will learn how to correctly prime walls before wallpapering the video posted at the end of the article. To make it clearer, I propose to consider all the nuances of this procedure.
Priming surfaces is an important stage in finishing work. It is carried out before applying the finishing coating: plaster, wallpaper, paint. Previously, adhesive mixtures diluted with water were used as primer. Now the production facility has launched the production of special synthetic compounds intended for priming surfaces before plastering, painting, and especially before wallpapering.
Why do you need a primer?
Let's figure out whether it is necessary to prime the walls before wallpapering?
The primer applied to the surface of the walls performs several functions.
- It protects against dampness, mold and mildew.
- The antiseptic components included in its composition provide reliable protection from harmful insects.
- Plaster applied to a primed surface does not crack and lasts a long time without crumbling.
- The primer used when preparing walls for wallpapering ensures strong adhesion of decorative canvases to a cement or wooden surface. There is a significant saving in the adhesive composition, which is not absorbed into the porous structure of the main coating. Wallpaper on a pre-primed wall lasts longer and more reliably.
Thus, in order to ensure high quality finishing work, it is necessary to prime the walls before wallpapering.
How to prime walls with your own hands
If you are doing renovations for the first time, then you will be interested in the question of how to prime the walls before wallpapering and applying plaster? To find out, read on...
To treat surfaces with primer when gluing wallpaper you need:
- prepare surfaces;
- choose the right special composition;
- apply it to the walls.
Preparing walls before priming
At the first stage, you should carefully inspect the base coating to detect large and small defects: cracks, chips, potholes. If there are major damages on the surface, they . Small flaws are covered with plaster or putty. The entire wall is carefully leveled and smoothed.
Primer selection
Alkyd primer Designed for application to wooden surfaces. Dries completely in 15 hours. Provides good adhesion wallpaper with wood structure.
Griftal primer used for coating metal and wooden bases located in rooms with minimal humidity. Drying time - 24 hours. When wallpapering with your own hands, it must be applied to metal parts.
Acrylic primer- a universal protective agent used to cover all types of surfaces, except metal. Dries quickly (5 hours), does not smell at all and is ideal for wallpaper.
Applying the composition to the walls
Before you begin priming work, you should take precautions: wear rubber gloves, safety glasses (to prevent splashes from getting into your eyes), and cover your head with something.
On each package with building material There are instructions for use. If you are priming walls for the first time, you need to read how to use the composition.
All soils have a liquid consistency, so they are poured in small portions into special troughs.
For work, use soft rollers, preferably with a long handle, so that it is convenient to apply the composition while on the floor.
When priming walls, it is important to ensure that no uncovered areas are left. To achieve this, some liquids have a tinted color visible on the surface. It's so easy to spot errors.
After the primer has been applied to the walls, it is given time to dry (as stated in the instructions) and only then the wallpaper is glued.