Is it necessary to prime the wallpaper before painting, the choice of material and the main mistakes
Pasting walls with wallpaper is considered one of the most popular types of finishing work. There are many types of materials on the market today - from standard paper coverings to modern fiberglass wallpapers. A separate place is occupied by wallpaper, which is then dyed. At the same time, many people are interested in the question of whether it is necessary to prime the wallpaper before painting.
Content
Does the wallpaper need to be primed before painting?
Priming the wallpaper before painting is considered a very important step. Thanks to this procedure, the paint will adhere perfectly and will not be absorbed by the glued surface. Fleece and fiberglass need to be treated. Non-woven vinyl wallpaper is water repellent. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a primer.
At the same time, there are paints and varnishes that themselves perform the functions of a primer. These include in particular the following:
- Wallpaper paints - these are mixed with water to apply the first coat as an intermediate coat. In this case, a separate floor is not necessary.
- Universal 2 in 1 primers - applied in 2 steps. The first layer is a colored base and the second is considered the finish.
In other situations, a primer is necessary. It must be applied twice. The first time this is done before gluing the wallpaper, the second - before painting it.
Principle of operation
When applied to the surface, the primer penetrates the depth of the substrate. With its help, it is possible to fill all the pores and cracks. In addition, the substance binds the remains of construction dust. Due to this, the canvas does not peel off the walls, because the adhesive layer completely impregnates it. In addition, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of glue.
Not insignificant is the second property of primer mixtures, namely an increase in the quality of adhesion between the base and the finish. Thanks to this feature of the material, the wallpaper adheres to the walls much better, without getting into corners and joints.
If you have doubts about the need to prime the glass wallpaper before painting, you should use a special compound - diluted glue. This will help improve the adhesion of the materials.
Advantages and disadvantages of applying a primer coat
The use of special primers has many advantages.
These include in particular the following:
- improved adhesion between the base and the decorative layer;
- additional protection for wallpaper;
- dye saver;
- increase the durability of the material used for decoration;
- even coloring of the walls - no stains or streaks appear on them.
Which primer is suitable: types and properties
Moreover, they have different types. The most popular are:
- paper;
- nonwoven;
- improved vinyl;
- glass wallpaper.
The choice of a primer mixture is recommended taking into account the type of surface. Today, there are many types of formulations in hardware stores. At the same time, primers for a specific surface and universal substances are distinguished.
The most popular remedies include:
- Acrylic primer. For application on wallpaper, you can use conventional substances or deep-penetrating compositions. It is better to give preference to products of well-known brands. These brands include Knauf, Prospectors. It should be borne in mind that the type of surface to be treated and the degree of its porosity directly affect the consumption of material. On average, 1 square meter requires 100-200 milliliters of soil. To apply the substance, a paint roller is needed. It is applied to hard-to-reach places with a brush.
- Wallpaper paste. Before using it, you should carefully study the instructions. It must contain information indicating that the product is authorized for use as a primer. If there is no such mark, it is better to give preference to an acrylic compound. In the case of using wallpaper glue as a primer, you must clearly observe the proportions. Otherwise, the cost of the product increases, which leads to an increase in the cost of repair work.
- PVA-based primer. This option is considered quite well-known and proven. This type of glue is very popular. It is often used for construction work. Some craftsmen are still convinced that PVA is the best option. That said, using special primers is just a waste of money.Professionals point out that the main advantage of PVA is its affordability. In addition, this glue is significantly inferior to modern floors in terms of strength, adhesion and durability. In addition, it is very problematic to find high-quality glue today. Therefore, PVA can be used only for budget construction work, when you need to save every penny.
How to apply the material
To prepare the wallpaper for painting, it is recommended to use a velvet or fur roller. The tool should have a short or medium pile. Its length depends on the texture of the wallpaper. The more pronounced the relief on the surface, the longer the villi should be. The use of foam rollers is not recommended.
It is important to take into account that the villi often fall off the new rollers when applying the primer mixture. They stick to the stain and stay on the walls. To avoid such problems, it is important to roll the new tool well on the adhesive surface of the tape. The battery that does not adhere well will remain on the adhesive tape.
For high-quality processing of corners, it is recommended to use a narrow roller. The brushes are also suitable for priming hard to reach areas.
Calculator for 1 square meter
The cost of a primer mix depends on many factors. This is influenced by the type of surface to be treated and the degree of its porosity. You also have to consider the type of soil. For example, the consumption of high-quality acrylic composition is on average 100-200 milliliters per square meter.
Preparatory stage
First you need to choose the right primer. In doing so, it is recommended to consider the following characteristics:
- The material from which the wallpaper is made.
- The chemical composition of the dye.
So, for application on glass wallpaper, it is permissible to choose any type of floor, including wallpaper glue diluted with water. In other situations, the primer should be purchased taking into account the chemical composition of the wallpaper.
Before painting, it is important to pay attention to the following points:
- Wait 1 day from the time of gluing the walls. This is the period of time required for the wallpaper paste to dry completely.
- Remove glue residue with a damp cloth.
- If you plan to prime old wallpaper, it is important to carefully examine its condition. In the presence of delamination, tears or other defects, the problem areas must be glued.
- Remove stains, dirt, oily deposits from old upholstery. It should be wiped with a damp cloth with detergent and dried thoroughly.
- It is recommended to remove dust from fresh wallpaper. To do this, you can use a brush or a vacuum cleaner.
- Apply a primer that matches the base and colorant.
Before starting work, it is recommended to cover floors, batteries and window sills with newspapers or plastic wrap. This will help keep the dye from getting in. It is best to remove sockets, baseboards and switches. If this is not possible, they can be sealed with tape.
Surface dressing technique
Wallpaper primed by professional craftsmen for painting in accordance with certain rules. In this case, you must do the following:
- Thoroughly mix the composition. If it is too thick, add a little water.
- Apply a primer mixture.This can be done with a roller. It is recommended to brush hard to reach places.
- Thoroughly dry the surface.
Drying time
Wallpaper and stain manufacturers advise waiting at least 2 days after applying the primer. Before painting the walls, it is important to ensure that the wallpaper is completely dry. If you start subsequent work in advance, you risk getting an unpredictable result. Stains may appear on the surface. In addition, the wallpaper can simply fall off.
Continuation of work
After priming the walls, you can proceed to apply the stain. For this, a water-based dispersion paint or other water-based composition is most suitable. It is also allowed to use substances based on acrylate or latex. To achieve good results, you should give preference to quality dyes.
The main errors and recommendations of the masters
When using primers for wallpaper, many beginners make the following mistakes:
- choosing the wrong primer;
- do not prepare the surface for coating;
- do not withstand the time required to dry the coating.
At the same time, professional masters advise to follow the following recommendations:
- It is recommended to use a paint roller to apply the primer mixture to the pasted wall. A wide brush is also suitable for this purpose.
- It is important to ensure that the wallpaper paste is dry before applying the primer mixture. This means that it is permissible to apply the composition a few hours after gluing. However, it is better to do it the next day.
- After applying the primer, wait at least another day. However, it is best to let the mixture dry for 48 hours.
- When using a water-dispersion or water-based paint, it is important to give preference to a primer with water-repellent properties.
The paintable wallpaper primer has a number of advantages. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to significantly increase the degree of adhesion and strength of materials. At the same time, it is important to choose the right mixture of primers and strictly follow the rules for their application.