We continue to talk about painting the ceiling. In the previous lesson we thoroughly cleaned it down to concrete. It was not easy, and we gave a lot of effort. Let's move on. Today we will learn how to prime a ceiling, what tools and materials we will need for this.
How to prime a ceiling
Before priming the ceiling, make sure that after this you will not create a lot of dust in the room (for example, sanding a wall). The ceiling is primed so that immediately afterwards it can either be plastered or puttied, which means everything must be clean.
So, what exactly does a ceiling primer consist of? You need to take either a ready-made primer or a concentrate, which needs to be diluted in the required proportion (1:2, 1:3, 1:5). You can read the proportions on the primer label. Now there is a sea of primers on the market, so it’s quite difficult to say which is better and which is worse. Here's one I worked with:
Be sure to buy a bathtub in the store, because it will be much more convenient for you to work with. There are baths different sizes. Choose a size so that the roller fits completely in it.
Next, you will simply dip the roller into the bath, shake off excess, lightly roll the roller along the inclined ribbed plane of the bath and apply the primer to the ceiling. The bath will be useful for a similar procedure when you are already painting the ceiling.
If the ceilings are high, then it is very convenient to take care of the roller extension in advance - this is a special long stick on which the roller is mounted. In this case, you will not need to jump from the stool (stepladder) to the floor and back, but you will simply work calmly, standing on the floor:
So, having installed the roller on the extension, begin to coat the entire ceiling. If you have a step under your ceiling, then naturally, anoint it too.
After you finish the job, you need to wait about 2 hours for the primer to dry. After this, prime the ceiling a second time.
Important!
Don't forget to wash the tray and roller thoroughly. The primer has strong adhesive properties. While you are priming, nothing will happen to the tray and roller - they are washed well with water. But if you forget to wash the tools and leave them lying around, for example, for one day, then the roller can be thrown away. The bath will also be unsightly and it will be very difficult to scrape it off from the ingrained primer. In general, when making repairs, make it a rule: always put your tools in order after work. Otherwise, you will have difficulties out of the blue, such as in this video: .
Generally speaking, ceiling primer and wall primer are very similar. Therefore, if you have any questions regarding ceiling primer, take a look at my article:. Almost all the same tips and subtleties are suitable for the ceiling.
This concludes the lesson. Today we learned how to prime a ceiling.
Any novice master may wonder whether it is necessary to prime the ceiling before painting. Next, another relevant topic for conversation is whether it is necessary to prime the ceiling skirting boards. In general, how to properly prime a ceiling? Let's consider all these issues in detail so that there are no annoying mistakes in the future.
It should be noted right away that all work of this level is carried out exclusively with your own hands, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of the procedures.
Primer - what functions does it perform?
A completely reasonable question that may arise in any person’s head is why do you need a primer at all? The purpose of this procedure is to prepare the ceiling or any other surface for further finishing work. Such work can be: painting, and much more.
This repair operation performs very important function– protective:
- The surface gains additional strength, its layers are impregnated and glued together;
- Moreover, the surface becomes more moisture resistant after applying the primer. At the same time, she does not lose her ability to “breathe”;
- The consumption of paint or other decorative and finishing materials is significantly reduced if work is carried out on a surface that has been primed. That is, to the question: “Does the ceiling need to be primed?” the answer will be unequivocal - of course, it is necessary.
Liquid paint instead of primer - is this acceptable?
IN certain situations When performing construction work, they use paint rather than primer.
In such a situation, the paint is pre-diluted so that the composition is as liquid as possible. Many people ask the question: is it even possible to do this, if this makes any sense?
First of all, when the paint is liquid, it not only penetrates well, but also compacts the surface remarkably well - no worse than primers created specifically for this purpose. But this is only that small part of the iceberg that you see with the naked eye. But what if we look at the process in more detail?
Liquid paint, in fact, contains many large particles of fillers and solvents - they are part of the material. It is because of this that the paint will only interact with the top layer of your surface. At the same time, it will definitely seal all micropores and will not penetrate inside under any conditions. That is, it is better not to prime the surface with paint - not a single specialist will recommend this.
What exactly is a better primer?
It is not entirely correct to compare a primer and any paint. The primer is a very fine suspension of polymer resins and that says it all.
What else can you say about primer?:
- Compositions deep penetration fall into the very thickness of the material being processed. Next, polymerization occurs - and the layers of the treated material are glued together;
- Microparticles of the substance are approximately 10 times smaller than paint particles. They have very high permeability - this figure is even higher than that of high-quality drinking water.
Thus, we figured it out - liquid paint Not at all suitable for the role of soil. Moreover, in order to prime the surface of the ceiling. Upper layer paint can seal - but this will not add strength, it will simply form a thin film that will definitely not give reliable support all subsequent layers (including decorative ones).
Is ceiling primer necessary at all?
There are people who do not prime the surface. In fact this is not always the case correct solution. Let's consider the factors who speak in favor of primer:
- Regardless of what the ceiling is finished with, your finish will definitely be subject to downward pressure. She also carries a serious burden on herself. Because of this, over time, the base of the ceiling, which has not been primed, will crumble and shedding will occur - even if your ceiling has been pasted over ceiling tiles using high quality glue;
- The durability and strength of the ceiling coating depends directly on the adhesion ability ceiling surface and paint or some other coating. The primer gives your surface this property ideally.
Dust and loose microparticles
Repair or construction works are quite dirty processes. During such actions, a lot of dust always arises. Even when you drive into new apartment, the repair of which has already been completed, you have to do the cleaning - not once or twice. Only after this does the construction dust disappear.
During finishing work, it is impossible to remove all the dust - even if a powerful vacuum cleaner is used for this. The ceiling surface is no exception; dust particles are also sure to settle here.
When they get between the ceiling surface and the paint, the level of adhesion decreases - which is not in the best possible way affects the quality of the coating. Putty, paint, and glue can hardly cope with such dust.
As a result of this phenomenon, the ceiling finish may begin to peel off quickly - and this is due to small particles that are not secured. Should I prime the ceiling before painting in this case? Of course, it is better to do such work - in order to protect yourself from possible problems in future.
How to prime a ceiling
This is not to say that this issue is too complex. But the work is carried out in several stages, each of which is quite important. Let's look at this process in more detail - how to apply a primer to the ceiling.
Preparatory work
First of all, you need to prepare the surface. This is where almost every finishing work. If you do not prepare, you are unlikely to get a strong enough adhesion - that is, the coating will not last long.
The preparation goes something like this::
- First you need to carefully examine work surface. The old covering is dismantled. If wallpaper was previously applied, there may be problems with removing it, but everything can be easily solved if you approach the matter wisely;
- If you need to remove plaster, pay attention to its degree of delamination. If the defects are already noticeable, simply knock down the layers with a hammer and chisel;
- If paint has been applied, you can remove it easily. In this work, a metal brush is used - a very effective tool.
If there is old plaster on the surface and it is already crumbling, you need to remove it accurately. In this situation, even deep penetration primer will not help - adhesion will be minimal.
- When the layer with the old coating is removed, the surface will not be even at all. It will be necessary to putty it. It is necessary to apply the appropriate substance and wait until everything dries completely.
Apply primer
Before starting this work, you should carefully study the instructions - they usually indicate the consumption of material (primer) for each square meter surfaces. The time it takes for the composition to dry is also usually noted there. This is very important, because depending on the type of primer, these parameters can vary dramatically.
The application process looks like this in detail::
- First of all, it is necessary to remove dust from the surface - this is done in advance. A vacuum cleaner or brush will help with this work;
- Then they begin to apply the primer - the main thing while working is to ensure that there are no unprimed areas of the ceiling left. A spray bottle is the ideal tool for this job;
- However, if you don’t have one on hand, you can always use a roller.
It is not recommended to use brushes for applying primer - they leave noticeable marks that are not so easy to hide later even under a layer of paint.
- Porous surfaces sometimes require a double coat of primer. For example, you will have to do this with a sanded or putty ceiling. In this situation, you will also have to wait until each layer of primer dries, only then can work continue
- When working with primer, be sure to use a respirator and gloves for protection. No one is immune from allergic reactions when working with any chemicals.
Which primer is better - choose the type
Today there are many types of primer; choosing the best one is not always easy. You should focus on the purpose of use, as well as on the surface that you are going to process soon. You can purchase universal primers - they can be used on any surface.
Some specialized soil is used only for a specific purpose. For example, these are primers for floors, ceilings, and for rough finishing. You can also add an antifungal primer here. Now let’s take a closer look at what is the best way to prime the ceiling before painting.
Here everything is as follows:
- Typically, mineral-based primers are used to treat ceilings before painting. They contain cement - an excellent binder. Such primers are used on brick, concrete, silicate surfaces - for rough finishing purposes;
- Primers with alkyd base – this remedy is universal, excellent for wood products. Moreover, this primer is also used for application to chipboard, fiberboard, glass and galvanized surfaces;
- A special primer intended for wood will perfectly protect the surface from fungus and moisture, and paint consumption will be reduced thanks to its use;
- Primers on acrylic base are famous for their excellent adhesive properties - this applies to any surface. This type of soil is universal. Concrete, brick, putty, plaster, drywall - this is not the entire list of materials on which it will ideally fit. acrylic primer. Because of this, these primers are in great demand today;
- Soils for metal surfaces his appearance reminiscent of paint, such substances create all the conditions for maximum adhesion to metal. These are special purpose primers.
Be sure to watch the video on how to apply primer before painting the ceiling - this will save you from common mistakes.
Results
You should not skimp on primer, nor should you refuse this type of work. In terms of finances, this still won’t justify itself; there will also be costs to correct various problems with the ceiling surface.
The secret is to choose a specialized primer for your ceiling or one that has a mineral base. Universal primers are often used for ceilings. It is important to study the instructions carefully and buy the product that will match the surface. They usually decide on the spot whether to prime ceiling plinth. It’s better to just remove it – if it comes off easily.
Many people, when making renovations in their apartment for the first time and reaching the stage of finishing the ceiling, stop due to misunderstanding further work. This is especially common already at the priming stage, because if many have heard about painting and whitewashing surfaces, and some have even done it, then priming walls is already considered the domain of professionals. However, this is a wrong opinion. You can apply the primer to the ceiling yourself; you just need to follow the instructions presented in this article.
The first step is to figure out why a primer is needed at all and whether it is possible to do without it when finishing the ceiling and walls.
To immediately answer the second question - it is almost impossible to do without a primer and get a high-quality result. The walls will deteriorate faster, and soon the repairs will have to be done again.
Why do you need a primer:
- First of all, the primer strengthens the material of the walls and ceiling, thereby increasing their durability;
- The primer improves the adhesion of the ceiling and the materials applied with the next layer (plaster, wallpaper, paint and others).
What happens if you neglect the primer and immediately apply it to concrete wall, for example, paint? Many have already encountered the consequences of such neglect of the primer when builders painted the walls in their entrance. As a rule, they prefer to save on the primer layer. Because of this, residents end up with shabby walls after three years.
If you do not want to get the same result on the ceiling in your apartment, prime it first, and only then apply a decorative layer.
Also, don’t forget to wipe off any dust from the surface before applying primer to it. Many people forget about this little detail, and as a result they end up with a poor-quality primer layer that begins to fall apart after just a year.
Types of primers for ceilings
The main thing to remember when choosing a primer in a store is its compatibility with the material of your ceiling.
As a rule, ceilings in most cases are made of concrete and much less often of wood. Therefore, when choosing a paint, look at the composition to see if it suits your ceiling. But if you have a concrete ceiling, then there will be no problems with choosing a primer - they are very common and are available in every hardware store.
List of ceiling primers:
- Strengthening primer;
- Deep penetration primer;
- Primer general purpose;
- Primer-impregnation.
The first two types are for concrete surfaces, the next two are for wooden surfaces, respectively.
You can choose a strengthening primer only in cases where the concrete is already beginning to deteriorate, cracks are visible on it, or it is beginning to crumble. The fact is that such a primer is intended, as the name suggests, to strengthen the main layers of ceilings that are already beginning to deteriorate. But this type of primer is not suitable for entire products - its consistency will not allow it to be absorbed well, and you will only ruin the walls.
Deep penetration primer is more universal and is suitable for initially strong walls. This primer is applied just before applying the facing layer to the wall, and its composition promotes stronger adhesion between the materials. If you have crumbling walls, it is still better to choose a strengthening primer - it contains an adhesive substance, and the walls will become stronger.
A general purpose primer improves the properties of wood, making it less susceptible to moisture and smoother. If your ceiling is made of wood, then this primer will be the most optimal for you.
Primer-impregnation is in less demand when repair work in residential areas. Main Features Such a primer is able to protect the material from termites and other insects, as well as the process of rotting.
Is there some more separate species primer, the composition of which promotes even greater adhesion. It is used for priming glass, tiles and plastic, but ceilings and walls, as a rule, are not made from these materials.
How to apply primer to the ceiling
Most often, the primer is applied with a regular roller, which can be purchased at any hardware store.
A less common option is to apply the primer with a brush. A construction brush is used in cases where applying a primer layer with a roller is inconvenient or not possible at all. For example, in narrow and hard to reach places Oh. But it is already problematic to prime large spaces with a brush, since the consistency of the primer does not apply well to the brush.
There is a third device for applying primer - a sprayer. It is used even less often, and, unlike a brush, on the contrary, over too large areas. For example, in barracks and warehouses.
If you are priming the ceiling, then even on large areas it is preferable to use a roller.
Ceiling primer roller
A roller is the optimal means for applying primer to the ceiling. If you don’t have hard-to-reach places that only a brush can handle, then you won’t need anything else except one roller.
The roller consists of three parts:
- Plastic handle;
- Metal rod;
- Rotating bobbin;
- Foam cylinder for reel.
If you have a high ceiling, then buy a roller with an extended handle.
Ceiling primer materials
Try not to neglect the quality of the primer solution, as this can affect the quality of the final work.
Materials you will need to prime the ceiling and walls:
- The primer itself;
- Roller;
- Plastic bath;
- Latex gloves.
The latter are necessary to protect your hands from getting primer. And although its composition is harmless to the skin, it can be problematic to wash it off in the future.
Don't forget to check whether the primer you choose is suitable for your ceiling material.
Correct ceiling primer
You can properly prime the ceiling and walls with your own hands. To do this, you just need to follow the instructions provided.
Instructions for applying primer:
- Pour some of the primer into the prepared plastic tray;
- Dip the roller into the solution, lift it up, and then lightly shake to remove excess. Otherwise, this excess will drip onto the floor while working.
- Carefully apply the primer to the wall;
- You will likely need to apply at least two coats. To do this, you need to wait until the first layer is completely dry (several hours), and only then apply the next one.
If you want to see how primer is applied in practice, you can watch the corresponding video.
Keep in mind that some manufacturers' primers must be diluted with water. Companies write such information on the label of raw materials.
How long does it take for primer to dry on a ceiling?
Read the label of the can for the exact drying time of the primer. But, as a rule, the complete drying time is about two hours, after which you can apply the next layers or begin applying the facing material.
Once you are finished and the primer has dried, wash the roller thoroughly. Otherwise, after it dries, it will be problematic to do this.
Do-it-yourself ceiling primer (video)
The main thing is to prevent the primer from getting on the floor, walls and furniture. If a few drops do fall, you should immediately wipe them off with a cloth. Also, always wear a hat and gloves. As you can see, the process of priming the ceiling is very simple, and sometimes it is not at all necessary to resort to the help of specialists.
Smooth, beautiful ceiling Gives any room a well-groomed and stylish look. And for him high-quality finishing important point is a correctly applied primer for the ceiling.
In this article we will look at what types of primer there are, which primer to choose for the ceiling when various options finishing. Let's look at the nuances of its application, how to prime the ceiling before gluing wallpaper, applying paint or installing tile materials.
- Improving the adhesion of the ceiling to the finishing material.
- Reducing the consumption of finishing materials (glue, paint, plaster).
- Surface hardening. Primer particles penetrate into the ceiling surface and form strong connections.
- Ensuring uniform absorption.
- Ceiling leveling.
- Antibacterial function.
- Reducing moisture absorption by the ceiling surface.
- Increased service life of subsequent finishing.
A primer is a homogeneous liquid that consists of a film-forming substance, additives and a dye pigment (see Types of construction primers and their scope).
With its help you can create an ideal ceiling surface. For example, using a colored primer, you can hide the texture of wood or stains on the ceiling and the paint you use later will lay down beautifully. The number of layers applied to the ceiling is determined individually - it depends on the condition of the surface.
Types of ceiling primers depending on composition
The choice of ceiling coating depends on several factors - the material from which it is made and the coating that will be subsequently applied. In order to decide which primer to choose for the ceiling, you should not be lazy and carefully study the information on the packaging. The instructions will help you make the right choice.
Ceiling primer - which one to choose:
- Very durable impregnation. Can be used on metal, wood and even tiles. It is forbidden to apply to plaster and plasterboard. Typically, this primer is used to prime the ceiling before painting with alkyd enamels and paints. Drying time up to 15 hours.
- Acrylic primer. The most versatile coating. Doesn't have unpleasant odor. Penetrates very deeply into the surface being treated. Used for application to brick, concrete, plasterboard, wood, wallpaper, plaster. This coating is not used for priming metal. These compounds have a very reasonable price. Acrylic composition primer is performed before painting the ceiling with paints on water based and applying tile adhesive. Such compositions dry within 5 hours. There are modifications: deep penetration primer, colorless, antifungal primer.
- Shellac primer. Apply to ceilings made of them coniferous species wood, since such a primer does not allow resins to stand out. Dries in a few hours.
- Polyvinyl acetate primer. Used for treating concrete, wood, and surfaces coated with plaster.
- The main purpose is the impregnation of concrete surfaces, as well as brick, expanded clay concrete and gas silicate blocks. Belongs to the category of quick-drying.
- Apply to concrete surfaces and metal.
- Aluminum primer. Used to impregnate wood. It insulates wood from moisture, which creates an obstacle to the formation of mold and fungi.
- Silicate soil. Suitable for use on brick, concrete and plaster. The composition contains alkalis, which prevents the formation of microorganisms. It is mainly used for outdoor work.
For residential ceilings, acrylic, mineral and alkyd primers are mainly used.
Important! Experts advise for preliminary and finishing ceiling, purchase compounds from one manufacturer. This can improve the quality of work performed.
It’s quite possible to prepare a primer for applying to the ceiling yourself:
- Deep penetration soil.
For this you will need: 1 liter of PVA glue, 8 liters of water, a little cement (no more than a glass). Pour water into the glue (stirring) and stir thoroughly. Add cement. Blend until smooth. Filter through several layers of gauze. Can be applied to the surface. (see Consumption of deep penetration primer per 1 sq.m.)
- Primer to strengthen the ceiling.
Solutions are being prepared copper sulfate(1 liter of water and a glass of copper sulfate) and bone tile glue (10%). Mix the glue solution with drying oil (30 g), laundry soap (0.25 kg), and add copper sulfate.
Add water to make 10 liters. Sifted chalk powder (2 kg) is poured in. The entire composition is thoroughly mixed and rubbed through a sieve.
However, commercially produced compositions are superior to such soils in their characteristics.
Stages of priming the ceiling
Tools you will need to apply the primer:
Roller Sandpaper Eye protection Container for primer Brush 
Ladder
It should be noted that it is more advisable to finish the ceiling before starting work on the walls and floor. Let's take a step-by-step look at how to prime a ceiling with your own hands.
Surface preparation
The room is cleared of furniture, or it is covered with a film to prevent dirt and drops of soil from getting on it.
Depending on the previously applied coating, the whitewash is washed off, wallpaper or tiles are removed.
Using a spatula or sandpaper, remove peelings and glue residues. old paint can be removed using a spatula and heating the surface with a hair dryer.
If necessary, the surface is washed with water. The remaining work should be carried out after the ceiling has completely dried.
If there are cracks or voids in the joints, they are all sealed with putty. After this, you should wait until the ceiling dries. Before priming, it is better to degrease the clean surface of the ceiling.
Application of primer
The composition is poured into a tray (suitable for the size of the roller), in which it is convenient to apply it to the roller. The roller is soaked in the solution, and the excess is removed using the ribbed surface of the bath.
Procedure for priming:
- Priming the ceiling is carried out evenly with smooth movements. It is very important to ensure that the soil lies evenly without leaving marks.
- Typically the primer is applied in two layers.. The first is parallel to the wall in which the window is located. In places where it is difficult to reach with a roller, the primer is applied with a brush.
- After application, you should wait as long as the primer on the ceiling dries(according to instructions). Then apply a second layer, perpendicular to the first.
- If paint will be applied to the ceiling in the future, it is better to use a lint roller, which will remove unnecessary air bubbles.
In the presence of the necessary tool, the ceiling can be primed by spraying the composition using a spray gun (as shown in the photo).
Thus, the ceiling is primed before wallpapering, painting and gluing tiles.
In order for the ceiling to be beautiful and neat, it is necessary not only to cover the cracks on its surface, but also to prime it. A primer mixture is a solution consisting of a film-forming substance and coloring pigments. It is used to level the surface of the ceiling. If the unevenness of the ceiling is minimal (up to 3mm), the primer that penetrates the surface as deeply as possible is used.
On the other hand, the question arises, what is a ceiling primer, and why should you use this particular solution and not any other. This mixture is widely used for finishing ceiling surfaces due to the fact that it perfectly binds moisture. This property allows the ceiling to evenly absorb moisture when painting, without leaving areas that are too dry or too wet with paint. In addition, the paint can simply fly off the ceiling, creating unsightly holes in the cladding.
Types of primers for ceilings
Based on the surface, the required mixture is selected. Some ceilings are smoother than others, some have a different nature of material (wood, reinforced concrete, brick, cement, plaster, fiber).
There's something for every occasion best option:
Also, keep in mind that enamel primer is much more would be better suited For interior spaces rather than an alkyd resin-based analogue, which is better used outside buildings.
Classification of primers by area of application
Primers are divided not only according to the material of preparation, but also according to the scope of their application. In order to understand which primer is best for the ceiling, you will need to determine what you want to cover the ceiling with.
Based on this, a selection of a certain type of solution will be made, which are:
- Primer for water-based paints
- Universal primer
- Special primer
- Primer for enamel
- Primer mixture
Having understood the names of each type of primer mixtures, you can begin to directly describe them:
How to prime a ceiling, details in the video:
How to prime a ceiling
This process can be carried out either manually or using special tools.
To apply layers of solution you will need the following items:
- Of course you will need main character similar work - the primer itself.
- Roller bath. It is necessary to take into account its size so that it fits perfectly with the roller.
- The roller itself, the brush, I quote, can be replaced with a spray gun. For high ceilings You will need a roller extension. To avoid leaving marks, the last layer will need to be applied not with a brush, but with a roller.
Having collected all the tools, work begins. To prevent the primer from blurring or becoming unreliable, it is not recommended to add more water than specified on the label.
So, the workflow:
- It is best to apply the initial layer not parallel to the rays of sunlight entering the room window. Further, on the contrary, the layer is applied in parallel.
- Correct application depends on whether the correct primer for the ceiling has been selected. In addition, before application, the surface should be cleaned of dust, rust, dirt and grease, and dried as much as possible. It is better to sand the wood.
- The next layer of solution must be applied to the sanded first one. Next, you need to level the resulting surface with putty.
- If necessary, you can apply another coat of primer before starting to cover the ceiling. This will allow you to achieve a smooth ceiling level with photo paper. However, even a ceiling coated with two layers of primer is often ready for further finishing and painting.
The correct answer to the question “which primer to choose for the ceiling” can only be given by the ceiling. Based on its properties, it is possible to determine the most suitable option, which will last the longest possible period of time and will delight you with its beauty every day. Besides, perfect choice It can also save a significant amount of money, since with some approaches you can get by with just priming without spending money on painting the ceiling.
