Types and subtleties of using latex putty

Putty is a solution that serves to level surfaces and eliminate cracks, chips, small depressions. The putty has a lot of varieties, and the spheres of its application are also different. One of the innovative solutions is latex putty. It should be borne in mind the pros and cons of this composition.

From a technical point of view, this material is unique. That is why its use has become popular among both beginners and professional craftsmen.

Latex putty is used on various coatings, including:

• gypsum surfaces;
• walls covered with plaster;
• brick walls;
• concrete surfaces.

The only base that the latex putty is not applicable to is metal. This must be remembered. Latex mortar can be used as a finishing putty, which perfectly levels the walls. They can also be used to seal joints in plasterboard sheets. For patching minor damages and small defects on the walls, latex solution is a real salvation.

If cracks appear in a concrete wall or in bricks, choosing a latex mortar will be the right solution to fix them. It is also convenient for them to align corners.

The latex putty contains:

• latex as a binder;
• plasticizers;
• fillers;
• purified water;
• antiseptics;
• hardening regulators;
• modifiers.

If we talk about technical characteristics, then it is worth pointing out that:

• The layer thickness is rather thin - up to 3 mm.
• Consumption depends on which layer to apply the solution, but on average - from 0.5 kg to 2 kg per m2. If the mixture is applied in a layer of 1 mm, then the consumption will be minimal.
• The complete drying process takes about a day. This largely depends on the manufacturer and the premises where the material is used. The ideal temperature for filling is +20 degrees.

• The interval between coats is 12 hours. This time is sufficient for drying to allow the next coat to be applied.
• The shelf life is 24 months.
• There are no toxic substances.

Each type of filler material has its own disadvantages and advantages. Latex putty is no exception. The solution has much more positive qualities than negative ones.

The pluses include the following:

• There is no shrinkage, the putty does not bubble, and no cracks appear in its layer.
• The increased level of adhesion, which allows the solution not to crumble after complete drying.
• High strength
• Withstands temperature fluctuations.
• Ease of use, so its use is within the power of both experienced craftsmen and ordinary people who make repairs in an apartment on their own.
• Wide range of colors.

• It is sold ready-to-use and therefore does not require any additional mixing.
• Increased plasticity, which greatly facilitates the application of the solution to the walls.
• The ability to penetrate deep into the surface of the walls, smoothly filling, like liquid rubber, all cracks and crevices.

The cons of the putty material are as follows:

• high price;
• the reaction of the solution to low air temperature. If you store the putty in a cold room, then it may freeze.

It is important to remember that the ingress of dry foreign particles into the putty can cause scratching of the surface during work, so it is better to keep the container with the solution closed.

If we compare the latex mixture with acrylic putty, then there are differences:

• Latex solution differs from acrylic solution in price. Latex putty against acrylic seems to be an extremely expensive material.

• When choosing a putty, you need to know in advance on which surface it will be applied: if on wood, then there is nothing better than acrylic. For everyone else, the preferable option is latex putty.
• Another distinguishing feature of latex mortar is the ability to form a thin and neat protective film during operation.

As such, there are no varieties of latex putty. The options vary slightly in composition. Some manufacturers add antiseptics to the mixture, others make the putty material more resistant to frost. For wood surfaces, a separate type of latex putty is produced, although, according to experts, an acrylic solution is an ideal option for wood surfaces.

There are no latex solutions that can be used on metal surfaces.

Due to the rapid growth in popularity of latex putty solutions, almost every manufacturer presents its own line of products of this type on the building materials market.

The most reliable, according to experts and experienced craftsmen, are the following brands:

• Knauf;
• Caparol;
• "Tex";
• Sheetrock;
• Profilux;
• Vetonit.

Knauf Is a German manufacturer that has proven itself in the building materials market. The use of this putty requires special skills, so it is not recommended for beginners to use it during self-repairs. It is also difficult to grind. The solution is quite plastic. It is ideal for filling paintable walls. On sale, the product is presented in the form of a ready-made solution or in mixtures.

Putty Caparol easy to use, low solution consumption is characteristic. The main advantage is the affordable price. It is used on brick and concrete walls.

The most demanded product suppliers Sheetrock are Russia and America. The solution is soft in work, does not reach for the spatula, and lends itself to grinding without effort. A white solution is used for filling concrete, painted, plasterboard and already plastered walls. It cannot be used in the bathroom or in the pool, as the plaster does not tolerate high humidity. Ideal solution for preparing walls for wallpapering or painting.

Putty Vetonit - medium quality mixture. It is easy to work with, it is easy to dilute, but the mixture is not very good for filling walls for wallpapering, since in the future it will be removed along with the wallpaper. Sold in bags of 5 kg (volume - 3.5 liters), there are other packaging. Suitable for filling concrete, plasterboard and plastered surfaces, but only indoors. It is used as a finishing putty in rooms where there is no high humidity.

"Tex" - one of the most demanded manufacturers. The solution is suitable for eliminating all defects on walls made of concrete, wood, drywall, brick. It works well on plastered surfaces.

Latex putty "Profi" from "Tex" gained popularity due to the unique combination of the constituent components of the solution. Plastic polymers in combination with artificial hardeners create a unique protective barrier against moisture.

The material is intended for a variety of surfaces:

• brick walls;
• plasterboard surfaces;
• wood fiber coatings;
• wooden walls;
• concrete floors;

The functions of the "Profi" latex putty are various:

• alignment of corners, seams;
• elimination of deep cracks in the walls;
• sealing depressions;
• general leveling of walls before further repairs, for example: wallpapering or painting.

Technical characteristics of the latex putty "Profi" from the manufacturer "Tex", which is sold in the form of a ready-made solution of 16 kg in plastic containers, are as follows:

• the thickness of the applied layer is thin: from 1 to 3 mm.
• With the most economical application, the consumption will be 0.5 kg per 1 m2.
• The shelf life is 12-24 months.
• The storage temperature should be above +5 degrees, since the putty is prone to freezing.
• On sale you can find a solution in plastic buckets weighing from 1 to 30 kg.
• Does not contain toxic substances, does not cause allergic reactions.

Reviews of those who have ever used this building material are only positive.

Profilux Profisheet is designed for filling walls indoors as well as outside buildings. It is able to level surfaces, it is used to seal joints and cracks, as well as to eliminate all imperfections in the wall surface before the next stage of repair work.

The main properties of the Profisheet putty are as follows:

• increased strength;
• there is a slight shrinkage;
• dullness of the surface;
• high adhesion to surfaces such as concrete, brick, glass, plaster;
• acts as a finishing putty.

The technical characteristics inherent in this type of putty are as follows:

• white solution;
• material consumption is 1 kg per 2-4 m2;
• purified water acts as a diluent;
• a layer with a thickness of 1 mm is applied;
• the mixture is non-toxic.

Before buying any building material, it is always useful to find out the opinion of a specialist, to get useful advice from a master or a person who has used this or that putty solution. So, choosing and using a latex putty, you must:

• determine the type of surface on which it will be applied, since latex solution is not suitable for metal surfaces, and acrylic putty would be an ideal choice for wooden walls.
• For internal work, almost all types are used, and for external work, only a few types of mixtures are used.
• You need to buy this type of putty only in heated stores.

You need to make a small amount of the solution to work. It is best to dilute the mixture a little at a time. This is due to the fact that the solution dries quickly. If a ready-made solution is used, then it must be laid out in small portions in another container so that debris does not get into the main container, which can subsequently scratch the walls.

• On the walls, pre-treated with a primer, the putty lays down better, more economically.
• If the putty solution is used for other purposes (for example, for papier-mâché), then it should be applied with a rubber trowel, and not the standard one for walls or ceilings.

Before puttingty the walls, you need, in addition to the solution, to purchase a number of tools for filling:

• several spatulas (a narrow one is needed for hard-to-reach places, a wide one for walls);
• an angled spatula is needed for convenience. It will help in the process of aligning the corners;
• a tool for grinding - a float with a foam rubber layer. Sandpaper used with standard fillers will not work;
• brush;
• roller.

First you need to prepare the walls. This means cleaning the surface of old paint and other debris, including grease stains and soot. Next, the wall will need to be primed and allowed to dry completely. The primer strengthens the walls, removes the last dust particles and helps the wall absorb moisture evenly. After drying, you can start filling.

The mortar is evenly applied in a thin layer using a wide spatula. If the room is too hot, then so that the working material does not dry excessively, the wall being treated is sprayed with water. An ordinary spray bottle is suitable for this. The latex solution dries out for a relatively short time. The final stage is grinding. Material consumption per 1m2 depends on the thickness of the layer that is applied to the wall. So, the costs can be either 0.5 kg of solution per m2, or 2 kg.

If the latex putty is purchased in the form of a dry mix, then the solution will need to be prepared by yourself. For this, the mixture must be diluted with purified water. It is important to observe the exact proportions indicated on the package. If you see that the solution is too thick, dilute it a little with water, otherwise air bubbles will appear on the walls. Since latex putty is presented on the market with an abundance of shades, you can save on paint by performing high-quality puttying, choosing the color to your liking. It is also allowed to mix white putty with any color, in order to get an unusual, but desired shade as a result.

For information on how to putty walls, see the next video.