Without Putty Wall Paint: Will It Work? Our Tips and Concerns

Painting Tips / By

Are you looking to give your home a new look? A fresh coat of paint is undoubtedly the quickest, cheapest, and most effective method to switch up the atmosphere in your house. Imagine the confidence boost you will get when your visitors compliment the elegance and finish of your interior design and the colors on your walls.

If you are tempted to rush into the painting without applying some wall putty, this article will help you make the right choice. You probably already know painting without wall putty is not a good idea. Though it can be done, getting a smooth and tidy finish is much harder. Especially if you are not a professional painter!

Join us and discover everything you need to know on this topic, including:

  • What is wall putty?
  • Is wall putty mandatory before applying paint?
  • Which type of wall putty should you use?
  • How to apply wall putty
  • Advantages of applying wall putty before painting

What is wall putty?

Wall putty, or paint putty, is a powder comprised of cement, minerals, and polymers. It is usually sold in a white or off-white color to ensure it blends with your chosen colors without altering their shade. This versatile material is typically spread on walls before painting. It is so flexible that it can be applied on pre-cast, concrete, or rendered walls to provide the finest paint and wall finish.

Wall putty conceals the cracks and holes that might otherwise prevent the smooth application of paint. If you think your wall has no cracks or holes to conceal, you should know that putty is good for much more than a silky finish. It also protects your paint and walls from mold, cracking, and staining.

Painters frequently take extra caution to apply putty to walls in the best way possible. We have included handy tips on how to apply wall putty without messing up.

Is wall putty mandatory before applying paint?

If your wall is perfect, without a single crack or hole, you may get a smooth, silky finish without applying wall putty. However, there are various reasons why this is not advisable. Most importantly, your paint will have a significantly shorter lifespan when applied directly to the wall. Paint applied on the wall will always peel and crack long before the paint that was applied on the wall putty.

You will never regret investing time and effort to get superior painting results.

Your reward will be a durable immaculate finish that creates the ideal ambiance. Many people believe that the finest or ideal paint choice will suffice to produce a flawless wall finish. However, a great wall finish will require a lot more effort.

Do you want your paint to have a superior finish and last longer? Well, using wall putty is the best option. It will help hide any flaws on your walls and give the paint a smooth finish. Consequently, this will give the interior wall color of your house the utmost beauty and perfection. Everyone will be shocked to hear you did not hire a professional painter for such a flawless finish.

What type of wall putty should you use?

There are two types of wall putty. Each has unique advantages that make it better suited for certain projects and experience levels.

Cement wall putty is best left for seasoned professionals. This type of putty is heavy grade and requires expert handling. It is commonly used to repair damaged concrete or masonry surfaces. Available in powder form, this putty needs about a day to dry and form a surface that is as hard as cement.

Acrylic wall putty is much suited for DIYers. It is easy to work and dries much faster than cement putty. Should you mess up, no need to sweat it! You can remove acrylic putty and reapply it without having to chip away at a tough cement surface.

You can purchase the powder form or a ready-to-use premixed putty. Professional painters also rely on acrylic wall putty when working on drywall or plaster walls because cement putty is too dense for such light surfaces.

Acrylic putty has the added benefit of being tintable. You can purchase a color similar to your paint. The only downside is that it only lasts for a short time as cement putty. Acrylic putty is much more vulnerable to cracking and chipping.

How to apply wall putty

  • Start by sanding the surface. It will make the putty adhere to the wall more effectively and produce a smoother surface. Then, clear the area of any loose debris.
  • Before applying putty to any holes or cracks, clean them of grime or dirt using a wire or screwdriver.
  • Use a wide flat-bladed knife to apply the putty in one direction after mixing it as directed. Begin in a corner, then make your way outside. This method of application will aid in preventing the emergence of lumps or irregularities on the surface.
  • When applying the putty, make sure the knife’s blade is sharp so you can easily slide across the whole surface to ensure a uniform application.
  • If an additional layer is required, do so because it will aid in smoothing out any wrinkles or air pockets.
  • Before painting, give it no less than 24 hours to settle. Letting it dry fully is crucial to prevent paint from chipping over time.
  • Before painting, sand the surface once more to make it more even.
  • Once your surface is prepared, you can paint over it with a sponge or brush. Paint putty will provide the perfect wall finish.

Advantages of applying wall putty before painting

The benefits of using wall putty are as follows:

  • It repairs imperfections 

Wall putty is used to fill in gaps created by damage or water leaks. If you intend to put your house on the market, you must do this because it will help repair the integrity of the structure of your walls.

  • Creates a foundation for fresh paint

Wall putty smooths out surface flaws, imperfections, and fissures when properly applied. The plastered surfaces and base concrete creates outstanding bonding. As a result, it can produce a smooth, undulation-free surface for an excellent paint finish when applied to a home’s exterior or interior walls.

  • Enhancing insulation

Since it fills the gaps and cracks between the wall and the frame, wall putty is additionally used to boost the insulation of your house. It will lower your energy costs by cooling your house in the summer and warming it in the winter.

  • Versatility

Putty is available in a variety of colors and textures. It has multiple uses because you can apply it to metal, windows, ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. It serves as the ideal undercoat before painting wall surfaces.

Wall putty is also simple to apply to both internal and exterior surfaces. Additionally, you can apply the putty to wet, dry, old, or new walls to create a flawless surface.

  • Ease of use and application 

Wall putty is a fantastic DIY home repair option because it is simple to use and apply. If you want, you can even paint them to make your unique color!

  • Quick drying

Wall putty dries in just 24 hours—making the procedure simple and quick. By doing this, you can rapidly resume using your wall after application.

  • Moisture-resistant

Wall putties are water-resistant and won’t peel or fracture over time. They are, therefore, a fantastic option for bathrooms and kitchens, which frequently experience moisture.

  • Long-lasting

Wall putty comprises high-quality polymers that prevent chipping or cracking as easily as paint, so it doesn’t flake or get easily ruined. As a result, it can be applied to surfaces that experience drastic temperature changes.

  • Simple to remove

Wall putty is simple to remove without harming the wall’s surface. You can remove it by lightly sanding it with fine grit.

  • Prolongs the life of the paint

Wall Putty extends the life of wall paint when applied to walls before painting because it has exceptional adhesion and tensile strength. In addition, wall putty makes walls impervious to water and flake erosion and slows down paint deterioration.

  • Saves you money

Since wall putty provides a surface smooth enough for the paint to adhere to, it is less expensive to use before painting. This way, you won’t have to repaint your walls every few years.

Conclusion

It’s always a good idea to apply wall putty before painting. It adds a protective layer against damage to the wall and helps level the surface so that the paint adheres better. Skipping this quick and cheap step could cause disastrous results. Why risk it ending up with a terrible paint job after devoting time, money, and energy to make your space look better?

If you remain uncertain about the best choice, consult a specialist at your nearby hardware store. They will offer more guidance on whether or not to use wall putty and assist you in selecting the best one for your project needs and experience level.

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