Fully equipping a new living space or performing ordinary repairs, many developers, when looking for useful information, often wonder what a finishing material such as a primer is for, and whether it can be dispensed with. Of course, nothing prevents you from neglecting the application of this mixture, however, the end result of all further manipulations with the processing of a particular surface of the room may turn out to be far from ideal. This is primarily due to the fact that this solution plays an important role in the finishing process. Therefore, one should consider in more detail its properties and types, as well as focus on how long the primer dries, since failure to comply with certain time frames can significantly spoil a seemingly flawless repair.
Need to use a primer
In the event that the surface is treated with the right mixture, such finishing materials as paint, mastic, decorative plaster, etc., will lie on it much better. In addition, almost every primer is enrichedspecial antifungal components that have an antiseptic effect and prevent the appearance of mold. The choice of a particular solution is influenced by the type of room being equipped, as well as the features of the surface to be treated.
In the event that the primer is not chosen correctly, there is not only an immediate threat to the quality of the repair being performed, but also a he alth hazard, since those compositions that are not intended for application in a residential area can be very toxic.
Externally, any primer, the characteristics of which, however, may vary, is a liquid mixture enriched with polymers and other useful substances. Its main purpose is the basis for other coatings. Due to the lack of any decorative properties, such solutions are never used for the purpose of facial finishing, which, however, does not in any way reduce the need for their use.
Categories of primers
While earlier it was customary to apply the same primer for various repairs, today, thanks to the development of production technologies and a wide choice, you can use any solution suitable for various purposes.
As mentioned above, the type of primer to be applied depends on the type of surface being treated, as well as on the climatic conditions in the room, in particular with regard to humidity.
As a rule, the main components of each mixture are resin, bitumen,various types of glue and oil, as well as special reagents. It is based on what special additives are used that there is a division of the product in question into the following categories:
- Acrylic-based compound (applies well and is suitable for almost any surface);
- alkyd mix (may be used for hard textured surfaces like PVC, tile or steel);
- aqueous solution (colorless material suitable for interior decoration only);
- primer, the main components of which are minerals (consists of cement and can only be used to work with concrete or brick, and also serves to level the desired area);
- highly specialized formulations.
Of course, each mixture must be selected individually, but it is worth highlighting, perhaps, such a solution as an acrylic primer, the universal system of which makes it truly indispensable.
How long should the primer dry
Knowing the time required for this solution to dry completely is required for several reasons. So, only at the end of polymerization, you can begin the next stage of finishing work. Detailed information will help you plan your time wisely and spend it as rationally as possible. The reviews note that this is especially important when performing major repairs, when literally every minute counts.
To find out how long the primer dries, it is necessary to study the factors affecting this process, as well as to understand the characteristics of the polymerization of one or anothersolution.
Factors affecting the drying of primer mixtures
To understand how long it takes the solution to fully harden, you can do the following: by defining the criteria that affect this period. Among them are the following:
- The main components of the composition. In the event that the evaporation time of the solvent used in the mixture is short, and there are many solids, the primer will dry quickly. It should be noted that in accordance with this factor, water-based solutions are less advantageous, since in such formulations the solvents evaporate very quickly.
- Structural integrity of the foundation. Everything is absolutely logical here: the deeper the mixture penetrates inside, the longer the evaporation process will take place. Answering the question as to how long the primer dries on the walls of a particular material, it should be noted that the leaders are the surface compositions, since in some cases it is possible to process the required area on top of the mortar within an hour after its application.
- Climatic conditions in the room. It would be best to use a primer in a room where the temperature is in the range from +15 to +30 ° C, and the humidity does not exceed 80%. If the indicators are different, then the polymerization will take much longer, and in some cases the substance may simply never be able to dry completely.
You should also not forget that excessively rapid hardening will also not benefit the mixture, because if the normal regime is violated, adhesiveproperties are significantly weakened, and the base is able to deform.
Polymerization time of formulations
According to the type of material used and the duration of polymerization, the following types of primer are distinguished:
- Quick-dry mixes. These include, first of all, alkyd solutions. Such substances have a high level of toxicity, but paint can be applied over them after a very short period of time. When working with them, it is extremely important to use a respirator, goggles and gloves.
- Normally drying mortars. Often, in order to find out how long the primer dries, you need to read the instructions supplied by the manufacturer. As a rule, such mixtures are required to be left for a period of 4 to 6 hours.
- Compounds drying slowly. These materials include oil-based substances. Typically, a surface treated with such a mixture is left to dry for at least a day.
How to properly apply a primer
As a rule, such questions arise for those who decide to finish the premises on their own, that is, without resorting to the help of professionals. To figure out how long the primer dries on the walls, you need to remember a certain application technique.
The algorithm of the whole work is as follows:
- It is extremely important to follow the recommendations and advice of the manufacturer. This is especially true for the process of diluting the mixture to the desired consistency, since, for example,too thick a solution can dry for a very long time, in addition, improper preparation of the composition often causes the loss of all its adhesive properties.
- When treating the surface with a primer, it is important to avoid the appearance of streaks and drops, and the material itself is best applied in a thin layer with a roller and brush.
- The use of a penetrating mixture on a porous substrate requires laying the mortar in several levels. At the same time, it is important not to forget that the surface should be covered a second time shortly before the final drying of the first layer.
Suitable conditions for drying the compound
Interior decorators recommend taking into account some recommendations so that the primer, whose universal side is undeniable, dries faster and better.
If the basis for the work was wallpaper glue, then you can fix the wallpaper on a surface that has not completely dried out.
If a contact solution was used, which costs a little more but has higher specifications, it is best to leave the treated area for about 4 hours.
The best advice for those interested in how long the primer dries before wallpapering is the following: apply the composition in the afternoon, and proceed to further finishing the next morning, that is, leave the material for at least 8 hours. With this method, as noted in the reviews, the composition will definitely dry well, andno flaws will appear on its surface.
Compliance with the rules during the drying of the primer
When working with such mixtures, it is extremely important to strictly follow these rules:
- it is not recommended to allow any temperature differences in the equipped room;
- it is very important to avoid any, even the slightest drafts, otherwise the primer coat may dry unevenly;
- it is harmful for the material to speed up the process of its polymerization by heating the surfaces with a hair dryer or other device that releases warm air (this will not shorten the waiting time at all, but will only worsen the adhesion of the mixture to the base).
All of the above tips will help answer the question of how long the primer dries, and compliance with the rules of work will be the key to a high-quality and durable finish.
