Structural paint – advantages, disadvantages, painting technique

Today, when decorating walls in private houses and apartments, standard solutions for wallpapering and using oil paints are used less and less. Construction companies provide a variety of products for indoor and outdoor applications. The universal solution is structural acrylic paints that are suitable for many surfaces. They can also be silicone, mineral or silicate..

It is an interesting solution for residential and public buildings. It can be applied to drywall, gypsum and even wood-based panels. It is a good alternative to standard paint. It is used for painting interior walls, corridors and fireplaces. Even uneven surfaces can be an excellent base for such coverage. It hides irregularities and defects, while preparing the wall for painting is not necessary. What are the pros and cons of such compositions? How to prepare a wall for painting with this material?

Structural paint for walls and ceilings – features

The coating can even be used for wood finishing or brickwork, and novice craftsmen can also do the work. Structural paint is simple to work with; it is enough to find ready-made solutions on the Internet. In production, a structuring filler is added to the composition of the material. Before starting work, you need to evaluate all types of coatings, familiarize yourself with the differences.

Hardware stores offer various types of similar compounds, ranging from silicate and acrylic to silicone. Mineral structural paint for ceilings and floors is also popular. According to the filler used, the coating can be endowed with certain properties:

  • In the production of mineral coatings, cement and lime are used. When preparing, the mixture must be diluted with water until the desired consistency is obtained. It is the best structural paint for outdoor and outdoor use..

  • Acrylic fillers are resistant to wear and adverse weather conditions. They do not need to be diluted, since such mixtures are sold ready-to-use. Acrylic paint coatings can be applied to all types of surfaces.

  • Silicone mixtures are made using silicone resins, due to which they are highly practical..

  • Silicate-type fillers have the highest cost. They are intended exclusively for mineral surfaces / silicate primers.

Advantages and disadvantages

Such coatings have many advantages compared to classic oil-based dyes:

  • Water permeability. Creating a textured finish is an opportunity to create a breathable surface. After application, the layer of material does not impede the movement of air masses, as well as the penetration of water vapor. This ensures that moisture can be released into the atmosphere, as a result of which the risk of walls getting wet is eliminated..

  • Defect masking. Due to the thick layer, surface imperfections are perfectly masked, from scratches to cracks. The coating has the properties of plaster, so it fills in any irregularities. Also, with the help of a mixture, it is possible to create unique textures, which cannot be achieved by using other coatings..

  • Creation of any colors. Thanks to the white base color, it is possible to create any color scheme to obtain the required shade. If the surface needs to be coated with white, then you do not need to use colors.

  • Easy maintenance. Structural paint finishes are easy to clean. Due to its moisture permeability, porosity, it can be washed without risking the aesthetics of the surface. Removing dust and dirt is a simple task, while after drying, the surface returns to its original appearance.

The only negative is the high prices for such materials. But the high price is fully paid off by the durability of the finish..

Cleaning the old wall

Repair of walls should begin with cleaning them from dust, cobwebs, with further degreasing. Proper cleaning and degreasing of the interior walls will ensure better adhesion of the compound, better coverage, and uniformity of color. Otherwise, the work may be done in vain, and the result will be unaesthetic. Painter soap in the form of a thick paste can be used to degrease walls, and it can even be used on a facade. The dipole structure of the paint soap attracts all impurities, creating a safe base for painting. Some surfaces are also covered with unsightly mold, which can be cleaned with paint soap. We start cleaning the walls by dissolving the soap with water, then the solution is applied with a desktop brush from ceiling to floor. The soap dries for about 20-45 minutes – during this time, do not forget to ventilate the room well.

Structural paint tools

These coatings are available in many colors; mixing white paint with dye is a popular solution. The result depends on which tool we use. Structural paint does not require filling holes, cracks or defects. Painting walls with such a coating should begin with a set of necessary tools. You will need:

  • Bucket.

  • Mixer.

  • Grater.

  • Sponge, brush, roller.

Structural paint – application method

If the wall is sufficiently cleaned and the surface has been primed (using a suitable primer improves paint adhesion), you can proceed to applying the material to the surface. It is important to know how to apply the structural paint correctly. Based on the type of composition and the desired effect, we – start by applying a base paint, and then apply a layer of effect with a brush. A very popular decorative effect is “concrete,” requiring the help of another person. Each paint on the package has precise and detailed instructions, which will be of great help even for an amateur. The composition must be applied carefully. The first layer should be thin and remember to stir the mixture as you paint. It should be remembered that we are giving a wet texture, so the first layer should not dry out..

The option for obtaining the relief must be chosen when purchasing the material. All effects are indicated on the package, their achievement is possible thanks to the components that are included in the product. You can make adjustments to the texture using the following methods:

  • To create a unique coating, a brush is used with which chaotic movements are performed, to smear wide layers. To simplify the process, a standard layer is executed, which is then chaotically adjusted..

  • The structured paint roller helps to create a variety of patterns that can be changed based on the length of the pile or the type of material.

  • Using sponges, you need to get ready for long-term work, while the coating turns out to be beautiful. The tool is used to slap the wall to create a distinctive pattern. The texture of the sponge affects the pattern. For such purposes, special sponges are sold in hardware stores..

  • When using a spatula, you need to move randomly to create different stripes. Using this tool, design options are initially thought out, which will allow you to purchase spatulas of the right size.

All structural coatings on the market are characterized by high consumption (in the range of 100-300 grams per square meter). This is due to the need to apply a thick layer. Also, the consumption is affected by the density of the material, the size of the filler fraction. The coarser the grains, the higher the consumption.

Structural paint – things to keep in mind?

Painting with such a coating is not difficult, even amateurs can perform work, but it is worth remembering a few basic rules. In addition to the correct preparation of the base, you should also pay attention to the amount of compound applied to the brush. When applying more of the composition, the particles will flow down the wall and concentrate on the bottom. It should be borne in mind that such materials are much more expensive than standard coatings. In addition, removing structured paint is more problematic and requires more work. It is best to remove it mechanically with sandpaper. Removal method depends on layer thickness.

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