White primer for wallpaper: selection criteria

The quality of the finish depends not only on compliance with the technology of work, but also on the right materials. How to choose a white primer under the wallpaper, this article will tell.

Today the white primer is presented in the market in two options. The composition is available in dry and diluted forms.

• Dry composition is a powder or granules. Before gluing the wallpaper, it must be diluted with water in accordance with the instructions (the package contains the product consumption per square meter).
• Diluted the variant is sold as an emulsion already prepared for use.

Divorced material varies in consistency:

• The advantage of a liquid mixture is that it penetrates more deeply into the structure, strengthening the base.Its costs are higher in comparison with the dense primer. It should be noted that due to the transparency of the composition, it will be difficult for beginners to achieve uniform application.
• The thick mixture lies on top of the base, performing a covering function. It does not penetrate deep into, and forms a protective film. This property allows you to hide minor defects and microcracks, improving the leveling and adhesive abilities. In their formula, thick bases contain coloring white pigment, thanks to which they hide dark spots.

Considering the requirements necessary for this type of finish, it is clear that thick compositions are more suitable for this, since they are:

• make the surface perfectly smooth;
• Excellent for color alignment;
• lie down evenly, guaranteeing the same grip with the wallpaper.

For finishing finishing of premises with wall-paper the following types of primers are most often used:

• universal;
• alkyd;
• acrylic;
• latex.

It is based on styrene-alkylate dispersion and polymer binders.The material is fast drying. It is suitable for any type of wallpaper and does not have an unpleasant smell.

Depending on the physical properties of the acrylic primer is divided into the following types:

• adhesive (enhances the adhesion of the wallpaper to the base, suitable for smooth surfaces);
• with the effect of deep penetration (for porous and less durable surfaces);
• universal (suitable for any kind of surfaces, increases their moisture resistance, ideal for interior work);
• special (developed for different types of materials, has different properties and is selected depending on the goals of the consumer);
• impregnating (for smoothing loose surfaces and smoothing minor flaws).

Distinctive properties of any acrylic primer:

• reduces glue consumption;
• protects the surface from moisture;
• eliminates the appearance of mechanical damage;
• prolongs the life of the canvas, "pushing" repeated repair;
• diluted with water without losing its qualities.

By its properties, this primer is similar to paint. The white-pigmented alkyd primer professionally rests both on the concrete and on the wooden surface, blocking the top layer.Due to the formation of a protective film, the surface receives one hundred percent protection against moisture ingress into the building material. Due to the fact that such a primer does not have the effect of deep penetration, its price is inferior to other primer mixtures.

If possible, it is recommended to use other types of soils, which can protect the surface not only from moisture and drying, but also from mechanical damage, creating a strong adhesion to the finishing material.

The composition of the latex primer are natural ingredients. Latex is a natural substance that is obtained from the juice of rubber. It is characterized by the ability to increase and maintain the elasticity and resilience of materials, as well as the resistance to their stretching and compression, has hydrophobic properties (prevents the ingress of moisture). Due to the high cost of natural raw materials prices for latex primer are quite high.

Perfectly protecting the base, latex primer is inferior to acrylic in adhesion to the decorative layer.But if it is necessary to strengthen loose and crumbly surfaces or stick wallpaper in a room with high humidity, you should pay attention to this type of base.

The name of this type speaks for itself. This primer is ideal for all types of surfaces - from smooth to loose and crumbling. A distinctive feature is its ability to preserve properties with decreasing and increasing temperatures. Even after a five-time freeze-thaw process, the universal primer continues to cope with its mission.

Universal primer created using acrylic polymers and the addition of resinous polymers that enhance the effect. It penetrates deep into the structure of the wall, at the same time forming a protective film on the surface. In this way, it strengthens the base, protecting it from unwanted external factors, without reducing the adhesive abilities. Most often, this primer is applied in 2 stages. It ideally lays on bases from gazo-and reinforced concrete, gypsum cardboard and on many other surfaces.

Some people prefer to prime the walls before glueing the wallpaper with glue. For priming, either the PVA glue diluted with water is chosen, or the surface is treated with casein (wallpaper) glue. This option attracts many at relatively low price, ease of preparation, naturalness and environmental friendliness. Consider the features of each option.

There are many pros and cons of this type of wall preparation for decoration. If you still decide to use wallpaper glue as a base before sticking, it is better to choose it according to the type of wallpaper. To find out whether such a composition is suitable for priming, you need to refer to the package. The instructions for some types of glue contain recommendations for dilution and proportions for the use of glue as a primer. It is better not to use glue that is not suitable for this purpose, as this can lead to dire consequences and repeated repair.

Some brands produce wallpaper glue with a color indicator that helps to evenly apply the product to the entire surface. In order to prepare a mixture of base glue, does not require special skills.In addition to ease of dilution and application, this method is also very economical.

Glue is used as a primer since Soviet times. This universal adhesive, deciphered as polyvinyl acetate, is used in everyday life, art and construction industry. Glue is a thick white suspension, which becomes transparent after complete drying.

There are many types of PVA gluethat differ in properties and purpose (construction, carpentry, furniture). Available as universal versions of the product, and specialized. The composition of PVA glue includes mineral particles, due to which the adhesive properties increase. It is added to building concrete mixes and putty to increase strength.

To prepare a primer mixture, PVA glue is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 2.However, many experts do not recommend using glue as a primer in this form. First, over time, a film of frozen glue risks loosening along with a decorative coating, causing you a lot of trouble. Secondly, over time, the composition acquires a yellow color, which can lead to its transmission through the wallpaper. This can spoil the look of the finish.

Therefore, if it is not about quality, but about quick and low-cost repairs, this option can be considered. When using expensive materials and painstakingly and reverently achieving excellent results, this option should be postponed and acquired professional specialized tools.

Liquid wallpaper are very popular. In their structure, they are similar to plaster, but they contain cellulose fibers and silk particles, making it look so unusual. Finishing such material is considered "jewelry" work, so the preparation for the application must be performed perfectly.

To summarize, what criteria should rely when choosing a primer under the wallpaper to obtain an excellent result.

Product Features:

• proportions;
• consumption;
• application method;
• drying time;
• shelf life and date of manufacture.

Depending on the purpose:

• antiseptic additives protect the surface from mold and fungus;
• the primer of deep penetration fills microcracks and strengthens the surface, penetrating into the structure;
• a primer with a smoothing effect eliminates visible defects, making the surface perfectly smooth;
• pigmented white primer is ideal for light wallpaper, as it can hide spots under them.

Sometimes, despite compliance with all recommendations, the result of the repair is unsatisfactory.

The main reasons in such cases, as practice shows, are the following points:

• the mixture was not selected correctly, taking into account the type of surface to be applied;
• the soil does not match the humidity level of the room;
• wallpaper turned out to be too dense.

Be attentive and patient, and you will definitely succeed.

About the fact that it is better to prime the walls before sticking wallpaper, see the video below.