Are you going to glue wallpaper? In this case, do not underestimate the preparation of the base.
One important step you should not skip is penetrating the walls.
Yulia Tychino explains what penetration is, what it is needed for, and how to apply penetrating paint correctly.
Why penetrate walls?
Penetrating paint is used to prepare various types of base for further application of not only wallpaper, but also paint, tiles or plaster.
The main reason why wall penetration is recommended is because it reduces the absorbency of the wall, which causes the applied adhesive to dry too quickly and makes it difficult to lay the wallpaper.
As a result, penetration ensures better adhesion of the wallpaper – it will stick to the wall better and its edges will not come off. The wallpaper will also be much easier to handle during pasting, and it will also be easy to remove when the time comes.
How to remove wallpaper easily and quickly? We described it to you step by step in the previous article.
What substrate needs to be penetrated?
Not sure if all types of substrates need to be impregnated? In general, it is recommended to impregnate all substrates that you want to thoroughly prepare for wallpapering, whether it is plaster, drywall, brick or non-load-bearing concrete.
But penetration is especially important:
- absorbent materials,
- multi-coated substrates,
- bases with new plaster
- substrates in the kitchen or bathroom.
You can find out whether the base is absorbent by a simple test. Spray water on the wall with a brush or sprayer. If the surface absorbency is good, the base surface will change color after a short time under the influence of water. If the absorbency is too high, the surface will quickly darken. In this case, it is necessary to use a deep penetration coating.
Penetration depending on the type of wallpaper
When gluing wallpaper with a paper backing layer (usually paper and vinyl wallpaper), there is usually no need to apply a penetrating coating to the wall. It is enough to use wallpaper glue when gluing the wallpaper, which also serves as an impregnation.
On the contrary, you can't do without pre-deepening the walls before pasting non-woven wallpaper. The glue is applied directly to the wall and there is a risk that it will dry before you have time to paste the wallpaper.
What is the difference between different types of wallpaper? Read the article about the differences between vinyl, non-woven and paper wallpaper.
How to act when walls are broken through
First, select the appropriate penetrating coating (according to the type of substrate) and read the manufacturer's instructions (dilution and drying time).
First of all, remove all grease and dust from the wall. Use a brush or a rag for this.
Fill any uneven areas and cracks.
If there is old paint left on the walls, it is ideal to remove it.
Apply penetrating liquid with a roller, brush or spray onto a clean, degreased and dry surface.
Find out about the possibility of dilution directly in the instructions for a specific product.
Allow the penetration to dry.
If the substrate is not completely cured, repeat the coating.
After proper drying, you can begin wallpapering or painting.
Types of penetrating coatings
Universal penetration - suitable for painting new walls and plasters or surfaces in good quality, without dirt and grease.
Deep penetration - used to cover old and more demanding masonry and old plaster. Thanks to the microscopic particles of the binder, it penetrates deeply into porous materials and provides high-quality deep strengthening of the base.
Acrylate Penetration – penetration under wallpaper and coatings based on acrylate copolymer. This is a basic penetrating coating suitable for both interior and exterior use. Ideal for absorbent porous surfaces such as sand plaster, plasterboard or brick.
Fungicidal penetration – suitable for surfaces affected by fungi, rooms with high humidity or buildings near water, forests or flooded areas.
You can also encounter silicone and silicate penetration. But these are only applied to the wall if you are going to paint. Another type is epoxy impregnation, but this is usually used for floors.
Secrets and Tricks
If you are going to glue wallpaper on a freshly plastered wall, wait about a month for the plaster to mature.
Before penetration, remove all grease and dust from the wall, uneven areas and cracks must be filled and old paint must be removed.
If you are dealing with a highly absorbent substrate, you may need to saturate it more than once.
Conversely, for poorly absorbent surfaces, it is recommended to pre-dilute the impregnation with water according to the instructions.
How long does it take for the impregnation to dry? Usually you will have to wait from 1 to 12 hours.
Do not paint at temperatures below 5°C.
Penetrating paint is not suitable for application in strong sunlight.
Expert: Julia Tychino
