Dry putty for walls - how to choose and use

Alignment of surfaces is a fundamental stage of preparation for repair, in particular, dry putty for walls. This type of material is not inferior in properties to finished mixtures, but it helps to save the budget. In order to smooth the surfaces in a qualitative manner and in the future there were no problems with them, it is worth approaching the choice of material responsibly. In the review we will tell you how to choose a putty. And also give recommendations and advice on the correct mixing of the solution and its use.

Dry putty

The content of the article

Dry putty mixture - how to choose?
Types of putties and their features
How to breed dry putty?
Advantages and disadvantages of dry mix

Dry putty mixture - how to choose?

Dry putty for walls is a powder material, which is prepared for use independently. It is used to align walls and ceilings and has a protective function, so it is important to approach the choice of material responsibly. Consider the characteristics and requirements that you should pay attention to when buying a putty mixture.

Adhesion - adhesion of putty to the treated surface.
Environmental friendliness - primarily concerns the interior decoration of the premises. Mixtures are used whose composition is safe for humans.
Resistance to external factors - temperature changes, moisture, mechanical damage.
Convergence - the ability to form a flat surface without additional mechanical stress.
Ability to grind.

The price of the material will be added based on the above characteristics.

Types of putties and their features

Before buying the material, find out where it will be used. Dry putty mixture is selected depending on specific conditions.

For outdoor work, moisture-resistant cement-based mixtures are best suited. They are also resistant to mechanical damage and unstable temperature. This putty is suitable for interior decoration of rooms with high humidity, such as saunas and pools.
A good alternative to cement compositions is polymer or acrylic putty - a dry mixture for internal work, it also has good resistance to moisture and mechanical stress. Its advantage is the application of a thin layer (1 mm) on the surface.
If high humidity and temperature difference are not expected, it is advisable to use gypsum dry mixes for puttying the walls. Their main advantage is simplicity and ease of application to the surface.

Putty application on the wall

Dry putty mixture - purpose:

Starting (basic) putty - is applied with a layer up to 1.5 cm thick in order to close gates and cracks, to eliminate differences on the surface. The material must have good adhesion. Starting puttying is a rough surface treatment that allows them to achieve an even but porous appearance. It can be applied in several layers.
Finishing (decorative) putty - applied after the start. The composition contains a fine fraction of grain (when rubbing the mixture between the fingers no lumps are felt). The application layer is 1-2mm. The use of finishing putty allows you to achieve a perfectly smooth surface, without cracks and pores. Externally, the surface after application resembles an egg shell.
Specialty putty - a mixture intended for floors, ceilings or joints. It is selected according to the type of work surface (concrete, wood, drywall, etc.).

Each composition has its own specific breeding rules and recommendations. The instruction on the product contains the necessary information.But not all the nuances are indicated on the package. The following is a detailed guide to dry mix dilution.

How to breed dry putty?

To make the finished putty mixture with your own hands, study the instructions on the package, the recommended proportions are indicated there. You can move away from the proposed recommendation if the situation requires it.

If it is necessary to apply a thick layer of putty, it is more convenient to work with a thick composition. In this case, use less liquid when mixing.
When differences on the surface are minimal, for example, when finishing structures made of drywall, it is more advisable to use a liquid mixture. It is enough to apply one thin layer of putty.

You need to mix the solution quickly, otherwise it will dry out and seize lumps. In order not to be distracted in the process of finding the necessary tools, prepare them in advance.

Bucket for breeding a mixture with a rounded bottom. In such a container, the composition is mixed without residues of dry powder.
Construction mixer or drill with suitable nozzle. A tool with a power of at least 500 W is suitable, and for large and regular volumes of work the recommended power is 1.5 kW and higher.
Putty tool - 3 spatulas: small (80 mm), large (400-600 mm) and angular. The tool blade should be smooth and even, slightly bent under pressure. This criterion is necessary for the convenience of adjusting the layer thickness. Keeping pressure is easier than the tilt angle of the spatula with respect to the surface. For this reason, plastering tools are not suitable for puttying.
Abrasive mesh and jointer for it will be needed at the final stage of grinding walls. It is not recommended to use a skin for these purposes. First of all, this applies to gypsum putty. Particles adhering to the skin will scratch the surface.

Putty putty on a putty knife

Additional tips on "how to breed dry putty":

It is worth starting the batch with small revolutions, gradually increasing the speed of kneading. Here, gradualness is important.
After mixing, it is recommended to leave the solution for 1-2 minutes and repeat the kneading.
It is better to prepare the material in batches, as the mixture dries quickly. If you knead all the packaging at once, then use the solution in parts. Pour a portion of the finished putty for work in a separate container, tightly cover the remaining composition with a lid so as not to dry.
If the solution is dry, prepare the mixture again.
Keep your tools clean; use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe the spatulas. Foreign objects will affect the smoothness of the surface.