The best brands of tile primers and how to prepare the composition with your own hands
During repair work, many people are interested in the durability of the coating. Before facing the surfaces, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules of their preparation. Using a special primer under the tiles allows to significantly increase the adhesion parameters of the material and the substrate. At the same time, it is important to choose the right composition and strictly follow the recommendations for its application.
Do you need a tile primer?
Primer is a special compound that must be coated before finishing. The main task of the material before laying the tiles is to increase the level of adhesion. It increases the adhesion of materials and prevents the absorption of moisture. This affects the uniformity of drying.
In addition, many formulations are distinguished by antiseptic characteristics. This provides reliable protection of the surface against damage caused by fungus and mold.Various components enter into the composition of such mixtures. These include substances that form a kind of film when drying. It can be resin or drying oil. Each of the tools has its own characteristics.
Many people want to know if the surface needs to be primed before tiling. This procedure is almost always necessary. This is especially true when dealing with porous or crumbling surfaces. The only situation where primer is not needed is when facing a dense concrete pavement. However, in this case, the layer of the substance will not damage.
Thanks to the use of a primer, it will be possible to obtain the following results:
- Strengthens the surface and increases adhesion. This effect is achieved by impregnating the pores of the material with the substance. This helps to strengthen its structure. As a result, the base becomes more resistant to the influence of different loads, and the risk of infection is reduced.
- Reduce material consumption. This mainly applies to subsequent coating. This saves money.
- Increase adhesion. Using a primer, it is possible to improve the quality of the coating and ensure the durability of the cladding.
- Reduce bacterial settling. Modern primers contain antiseptic and disinfectant ingredients. They will also help repair existing surface damage caused by fungus or mold and prevent its occurrence.
Advantages and disadvantages of applying a primer
There are many benefits to using a primer under tile. These include in particular the following:
- increased adhesion of surfaces;
- base dusting;
- reduction in glue consumption;
- lower financial costs;
- reduction in work.
Quality primers are practically devoid of drawbacks.Of course, good materials are quite expensive.
However, their use saves on other finishing materials.
Which primer is suitable
When decorating walls with tiles or porcelain stoneware, you need to choose the right floor. It depends on the base material. Most often, porcelain stoneware is laid on concrete. However, other options are also possible.
Popular types of primers include:
- Alkyd - provides a reliable and durable coating that penetrates deep layers of rough material. The primer is perfect for applying to the floor before laying the tiles. At the same time, the alkyd composition should not be applied to plaster walls or plasterboard.
- Acrylic - is considered the most common and is a universal composition. It can be applied to any surface.
- Combined - made on the basis of cement, lime, gypsum. The material can be used for porous surfaces. It is also allowed to apply the composition to plasterboard and concrete.
- With water-repellent properties - the substance is intended for rooms with high humidity parameters. This floor is most often used for toilets and bathrooms.
For mineral surfaces
This category includes brick surfaces, concrete, aerated concrete, plaster, cinder blocks. To prime such surfaces, it is recommended to use deep penetrating compounds. They penetrate the structure and close all the pores, increasing the adhesion of the tile adhesive and the substrate.
For loose substrates
To work with such bases, it is worth using a special reinforcing composition, which includes adhesive components.
For bases containing alkalis
Alkalis are often present in concrete and cement screeds treated with fire retardants. To neutralize their effect on the tiles, it is recommended to use an anti-alkaline primer.
Top Brands with Reviews and Value
The choice of floor is influenced by the type of surface. For application on brick bases, plaster surfaces and plasterboard, it is recommended to use the following means:
- Knauf Tiefengrund is a ready-to-use acrylic compound. It is part of the means of deep penetration. The mixture can be applied to highly absorbent surfaces. The cost of 1 kilogram is 65 rubles.
- Eskaro Aquastop Professional is a high concentration waterproofing primer. Thanks to its use, it is possible to avoid the ingress of moisture into the structure of the main wall. The composition is perfect for processing bathroom walls and other areas with high humidity. With its help, it is possible to increase the adhesion of the topcoat and the base. The cost of 1 kilogram is 300 rubles.
For application on concrete surfaces, the following means should be used:
- Knauf "Betokontakt" is used for processing concrete substrates before finishing. On average, you should use 350 grams per square meter of surface. The cost of 1 kilogram is 100 rubles.
- "Beton-contact prospectors" - suitable for heavy concrete surfaces. This substance improves the adhesion of the finish to the support. For 1 square meter of surface, 250 grams of product are required. The cost of 1 kilogram is 70 rubles.
If you want to buy a primer for different types of surfaces, you should pay attention to the composition "Prospectors Universal".This primer is designed to increase the adhesion of all facing materials. Thanks to its use, it is possible to save materials. A canister with a volume of 10 liters will cost 400-500 rubles. This is enough for an area treatment of 50 square meters.
working technique
In order for the primer to give the desired results, it is important to read the instructions for its application.
Preliminary consumption calculation
There is no standard application rate to soil. At the same time, there are a number of factors that affect the consumption of this substance. These include in particular the following:
- type and structure of the work surface;
- room temperature and humidity settings;
- chemical composition of the soil.
On average, there are the following consumption rates:
- contact with concrete - 350 milliliters of product are needed per 1 square meter;
- alkyd floor - only 100 milliliters of the substance go to 1 square of the surface;
- water-dispersing soil - 100 milliliters of product will be needed per square meter.
Preparation of tools and surfaces
Before applying the primer, prepare the surface well. It is necessary to remove the remnants of the old dye from it. For this, it is recommended to use washes. Standard methods using a hair dryer and a spatula are also suitable.
From the room in which the repair work is carried out, it is necessary to remove everything superfluous. Furniture and other furnishings can be damaged if a primer is applied.
It is important to level the surface well before applying the primer and the tile adhesive so that the tiles lay correctly. Cleaning the substrate from debris and dust is of great importance. To begin with, you need to use a broom or vacuum cleaner, then treat the surfaces with a damp cloth.
Before applying the primer, it is worth sticking tape on the baseboards, jambs and other important places. This will help prevent the primer from reaching the surface.
Before starting work, the following items should be prepared:
- wide roller - for applying a primer;
- brush - for processing difficult areas and places along the walls;
- tray - for priming and wetting the roller.
To prepare the primer for application to the surface, you need to open the canister with the substance and mix all the components thoroughly. This will help distribute the settled ingredients. Then pour the required volume of soil into a separate container. To properly dilute the mixture, it is worth considering its composition:
- It is recommended to mix the alkyd primer with thinner 649 or 650. Instead, it is allowed to use a solvent.
- Water-dispersing soil should be poured into a separate container and mixed with 1 liter of water.
- It is recommended to mix the two-component substance with a hardener.
- The one-component primer must be diluted with water, thinner or hardener.
It is not recommended to immediately dilute any concentrated or powdery soil. It is better to make a little of the product, since the prepared mixture has a short shelf life.
Application of a primer coat
Before applying the primer to the floor or walls, pour it into a tub or other container. Then moisten the roller in the composition. Then apply the first coat of primer. It should be quite thin. Processing should start from the corner farthest from the exit. Going back and finishing the job is not recommended.
In the next step, it is recommended to treat hard-to-reach areas. This should be done with a brush.In this case, you cannot leave blank areas untreated.
Before applying the second coat of primer, the first must be thoroughly dried. You can then move on to the next coating. Too loose surfaces should be primed in 3 coats.
After the substance has dried, it is important to ensure the quality of the work. To do this, you need to run your hand over the treated surface. If it stays clean, the primer is sufficient. If the hand gets dirty, another layer of substance is needed.
Drying time
The drying time is influenced by a number of factors - temperature, soil composition, surface material, air humidity parameters. Approximate drying rates can be as follows:
- acrylic primers dry in 8-9 hours;
- alkyd material dries in 11-13 hours;
- contact with concrete dries for more than a day.
The drying rate of the floor depends on the ability of the surface to absorb moisture. At the same time, it is impossible to determine it visually. Therefore, it is important to follow the instructions on the packaging.
When can you lay tiles?
The tiles can only be laid once completely dry. To check, a piece of film should be applied to the drying floor. If it fogs up, crystallization is complete.
How to prepare a primer for tiles with your own hands
Novice craftsmen don't want to spend money on professional soil. Therefore, they use the means at hand. To make a primer with your own hands, it is recommended to take a small amount of cement and mix it with water and PVA glue. First, you need to combine glue and water in a ratio of 1: 8. After that, it is worth adding cement to the composition.
After mixing the components, the substance must be strained through cheesecloth.At this stage, you can already use it. The shelf life of a homemade primer is no more than one day. Therefore, it is not recommended to prepare a large amount of the mixture.
What do the masters advise
In order to properly prepare the surface before using the tiles, it is recommended to proceed as follows:
- Prepare the base for priming. In this case, it is important to clean it from dirt, level the surface, putty the coating.
- Stir the soil well. This will make it completely seamless.
- Apply the primer to the surface using a roller, brush or spatula. The specific tool should be chosen taking into account the consistency of the mixture.
- After the layer is completely dry, you can again apply the composition. In this case, it is important to observe the time indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.
Applying a primer under the tiles gives excellent results. This substance increases the adhesion of materials and improves the structure of the coating. In order for the repair to be successful, before using the substance, it is important to read the instructions for its application and strictly follow the recommendations of experienced craftsmen.