What does a guest primer provide?

Primer GF 021: GOST 2512982

The task of the primer is to strengthen the base surface, to reduce the absorption of moisture from the decorative or leveling material applied from above, which ultimately contributes to their maximum adhesion. In our article, we will offer information on the types and properties of adhesive and reinforcing primers used in construction, as well as a video on their characteristics and features.

You will also find out how AK 070 GOST 2571883 primer differs from GF or FL type primers, what assortment manufacturers offer us today, and by what principle they should be selected.

The content of the article

Primer Selection Criteria
- Soil classification based
Valuable primer tips
- The influence of the quality of the substrate on the priming process

Primer Selection Criteria

The range of primers today is so large that it’s not easy for a person to figure out what should be used in a particular case (see Types of construction primers and their scope) Many hope that when buying will be enough consultation sellers.

But this is bad luck: it is almost impossible to meet truly competent people among them, and instructions from the manufacturer on the packaging are all that a consumer can count on.

So:

Although, it will not give you an answer, which, for example, is better for metal: primer FL 03K, GOST 910981, or primer HS 010, GOST 935581 - and what is their fundamental difference. For our part, we will try to give you comprehensive information on the selection of primers, which, by the way, is carried out not only depending on the type of base, but also on the type of paint applied to it.
First of all, we will clarify what constitutes a primer, as such. This is a liquid mass with a homogeneous structure, which, like all paints and varnishes, contains film-forming substances. They can have an organic, mineral, or polymer base, together with which fillers, additives, and even colors are used.

Wood tinting with glaze primers

Note! Tinted soils are used to better cover the surface before finishing - for example, walls before decal on white wallpaper, or, as in the case of wood, instead of finishing. Well, what can a tree look like after such processing, you can see in the photo.

Soil classification based

As already mentioned, primers can be made on completely different bases, according to which they are classified. Each type has its own consumption niche, and a set of individual characteristics of primers, helps to solve specific tasks.

For clarity, we will present the main types of soils in the form of a table:

Type of basis	Benefits and Applications
Mineral	Mineral-based soils are a liquid mixture based on polymer fillers and mineral binders: lime, cement, gypsum. They are great for surface treatment in renovated rooms. When choosing a mineral primer, it must be remembered that it must be correlated with the type of base. For example, if you need to primer a layer gypsum plaster before applying putty, it is impossible to use a cement-based primer. Any option is suitable for concrete and brickwork, but again, you need to combine it with the type of plaster that will be used in the work.
Silicate	This type of soil is made on the basis of liquid potash glass, and is used to prepare surfaces for applying silicate paint. Silicate primer can be applied to concrete structures, silicate brick masonry, cement-lime and lime plaster. It can also be used to treat surfaces previously painted with silicate paint. Silicate soils are used mainly in the decoration of facades - both in civil and in industrial construction. Its consumption is affected by the porosity of the treated surface, as well as the way that the composition is applied to it.
Silicone	This type of primer belongs to the category of water-soluble dispersion compositions. When dried, they form a water-repellent film on the surface, which does not seal the pores of the base, and thus does not impair its vapor permeability. Silicone primers are suitable for all types of substrates: mineral, silicate, plaster, ceramic, porous and weakly absorbing natural stone. In the case of stone and brickwork, silicone impregnation can be used not only as an adhesive layer, but also as a hydrophobic coating. To obtain a high-quality film, silicone primer is applied in two layers according to the principle: the second layer is based on the non-dried first layer. Hydrophobic properties appear in a day, but the film becomes fully durable only after a couple of weeks.
Acrylic	The most used in residential construction are acrylic primers. They are made on the basis of acrylic copolymers, and can be applied to almost any surface: concrete, different types of plaster, any brickwork, wallpaper for painting, wood and particleboard, including previously painted. As you can see, the range of application is wide, and what pleases you is that the compositions have an affordable price. Although, the cost can vary greatly, and depends on the country of origin. Domestic product can be purchased for only 50-60 rubles. per liter, but remember that it is better to buy soil from the same manufacturer as the putty or paint. Since acrylic primers are also water-soluble, wallpaper and tile adhesives are used for water dispersion paints. For wood, metal and uncoated concrete, apply such options as, for example, an acrylic primer VD AK133, GOST 52020-2003, which are both soil and paint, as they perfectly cover the base. There are also polyacrylic primers, which are used solely to protect metals and alloys from corrosion. For example, the primer AK-070, which is designed to eliminate the process of moisture condensation on the metal.
Alkyd	This type of soil is made on the basis of alkyd resins, and since there are also a lot of them, alkyd compositions have their own classification. If we talk about the decoration and repair of buildings, then here they mainly use primers PF and GF, which are applied under alkyd paints and enamels of the corresponding type. Most pentaphthalic and glyphthalic primers can be applied to concrete, wood, glass, and metal. But in various industries, polyvinyl acetate soils are more often used to protect metal surfaces. Suppose, made in accordance with GOST 1270777, the primer VL02 is used to protect ferrous metals in shipbuilding and ship repair work. To protect titanium alloys and non-ferrous metals, other options are used - for example: GOST 935581, primer HS010, which is based on vinyl chloride resin. It is used for long-term protection not only of metal structures, but also of various industrial equipment. The main advantage of perchlorovinyl compounds is chemical resistance. A similar action has the primer XC 068 GOST 2512982, also made on the basis of vinyl resins.

Universal primer option for various types of substrates

In construction, the choice of primer is determined not only by its cost, but also by the type and condition of the base, its degree of absorption and operating conditions. Some primers are suitable only for interior use at normal humidity, others - for example: silicone, are versatile, and are suitable for interiors and for facades.

How not to make a mistake and make the right choice? We will talk about this in the next chapter.

Valuable primer tips

The selection of a primer, carried out in accordance with the type of base and type of coating, is the key to the quality of finishing work. And also, when applying the composition with your own hands, it is important to strictly adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations - otherwise you can get the opposite effect.

Yes, the soil composition strengthens the base and reduces capillary absorption of moisture materials. But if you overdo it too much and apply too many layers to the surface, an almost glass shiny film will form that will not improve adhesion, but will make adhesion of materials practically impossible.
For poorly absorbing surfaces, a single layer of soil is sufficient. On strongly absorbing, porous substrates, such as cellular concrete, some types of natural stone, old plaster, 2-3 layers are allowed to be applied. The coating on a strongly vitrified primer surface will easily peel off. And nothing can be done about it anymore - except to sheathe the walls, or leave them completely without decoration.

Hydrophobization of concrete surface

Note! Since silicate, silicone and mineral compounds retain high vapor permeability, they are excellent for processing substrates made of natural materials and are used under “breathable” coatings: any plasters, paints of the appropriate type, as well as for wall insulation with mineral wool.

Primers based on acrylic resins cannot boast of good vapor permeability, therefore, they are combined with materials such as acrylic paints and putties, ceramic tiles, vinyl wallpapers. This also applies to plaster and ventilated facade systems that use polymer insulation: polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, penofol, which are also impermeable to steam.

Facade insulated with polystyrene foam

The point is that if the coating does not let steam through, then the soil film should not let it through. It should only be borne in mind that if there is no exit for the steam from the side of the facade, care must be taken to ensure that it does not accumulate in the thickness of the walls - and for this, their interior decoration must also be airtight.
Alkyd, silicone and silicate primers are usually used to prepare for the decoration of external walls, since they better protect them from atmospheric moisture. But water-soluble acrylic and mineral soils are best manifested indoors. Here the main selection criterion is the absence of a pungent odor.
Sometimes in the process of decorating walls or ceilings, you have to use two types of primers: for the base, one for the starting plaster, and the other for painting. For primary processing of concrete and stone walls, before rough leveling it is advisable to use mineral-based primers.

Primer for processing mineral surfaces

In wooden houses, it is more logical to use special soils, which contain antiseptic components that help protect wood from biological damage. Under the finish coat, the primer is preferably used on the same basis as the paint.
The properties of soil compositions are also determined by various additives. These are plasticizers; additives that slow down or accelerate the hardening of the film; sealing additives that enhance water-repellent properties and increase frost resistance.
Naturally, the more modifying components in the composition, the more expensive the primer. Therefore, do not be surprised why one acrylic primer costs 450 rubles. for a 10-liter canister, and the other - 3,500 rubles. for the same packaging.

The method of applying the composition to the surface also plays a role. Primers intended for manual application only must not be applied with a spray gun - and vice versa. Usually this is specified in the instructions on the package, but if there are no special instructions, then the application option can be chosen at your discretion.

The influence of the quality of the substrate on the priming process

From all that has been said above, it can be concluded that the importance of such a technological operation as priming cannot be underestimated in any case. This is especially true for highly absorbent substrates, as well as heavily soiled surfaces. In the assortment of soil compositions there is a certain division in functionality.

So:

Primers can be adhesive, firming, anti-corrosion, or they can be deep penetration impregnations. The latter option is different in that it not only creates a film on the surface, but is also absorbed into the thickness of the material or structure.

Acrylic deep penetration primers

Evenly impregnated and provides the best grip on topcoats. Therefore, deep penetration primers are most in demand for the treatment of porous and weakened substrates: light and cellular concrete, plaster and asbestos-cement partitions, old brickwork and plaster.
The fundamental difference between such formulations and reinforcing primers consists only in the particle sizes of the binder. The finest dispersion is needed so that the primer components can penetrate the base pores, while large particles remain on its surface.
It is clear that having penetrated into the thickness of concrete or masonry, the soil firmly glues not only surface but also deeper layers. Since deep-penetrating primers are an order of magnitude more expensive than surface options, and can be comparable in price with good paint, there is no point in using them unnecessarily.

Adhesive primer for low absorbency surfaces

Why should such a composition be applied to a layer of fresh plaster or drywall paneling, new brickwork? If the base is strong and does not absorb water weakly, it is sufficient to treat it with adhesive primer to ensure proper adhesion to the plaster or paintwork.
It is possible to distinguish penetrating soil from just strengthening soil in appearance. The first is almost transparent, and only a little unclear. The second one is white and opaque. You can see the differences in the application process: the deep penetration soil is absorbed instantly, and practically leaves no trace. A layer of reinforcing primer leaves a shiny film even in one pass with a brush.

Before deciding what kind of primer you need, do a little test. Glue a piece of adhesive tape to the base, and then remove it: if there is a lot of dust, sand, concrete chips on it, then the surface must be strengthened. Well, if almost nothing sticks to the tape, use adhesive primer, which will only provide good adhesion of the plaster.