Damage to the walls of a house or business premises requires repairs. However, applying filler correctly requires a process that must be followed precisely to achieve more professional results.
Clean the wall and protect yourself
When you're going to fill a wall, it's advisable to use sandpaper to clean and smooth the area before applying the wall filler. However, keep in mind that sanding can release particles into the air that are harmful to your lungs and eyes. For this reason, we recommend wearing a mask, safety glasses, and gloves.
Once you've cleaned the area, you can use a brush to remove dust from the wall and sweep up any dust that has fallen to the floor. Then, clean and dampen the wall with a clean sponge, thoroughly wet with water. Once you've done that, you can move on to the next step.
Use masking tape for protection
Just like when you're painting, it's necessary to cover any items you don't want to get paint on that are near the area you're repairing with filler. For example, you can protect baseboards, window and door frames, moldings, and even furniture attached to the wall. This way, you won't have to worry, as they won't be at risk of getting stained.
Mix the wall repair putty
Depending on the type of putty you buy, you may not need to do this step, especially if you buy it pre-mixed. However, if you buy it in powder form, you'll need to add a ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part putty. You should stir the mixture until it becomes smooth and lump-free, so it's recommended to use a stirring stick until it reaches a consistency that allows for easy application—not too hard or dry, nor too runny or wet.
You shouldn't mix too much at once, even if you have to cover large areas. It's best to mix only what you'll need within one or two hours. Also, make sure the putty stays moist, especially when working in summer or high temperatures.
Apply a first coat of wall filler
With these tips in mind, you can now apply the wall filler to repair holes and cracks using a small spatula. The goal is to apply it in such a way that there are no uneven areas or excess filler. At first, it may seem complicated and frustrating, but with practice, you'll find it's quite simple.
Once you've applied the mixture, you should let it dry and then sand and clean it again. If you're wondering how long wall filler takes to dry, you should know that while the process is faster in summer and can take as little as 5 hours, in winter it can take longer, between 12 and 24 hours , so you'll need to be patient.
Apply the second coat of wall repair putty
Once you've sanded and cleaned the wall after applying the first coat of wall filler, you can apply the second coat , which will usually give the wall a perfect finish. To do this, simply repeat the same procedure described in the previous step and mix another small amount of filler to apply with a spatula until the wall is completely smooth and free of imperfections.
If any marks remain, don't worry, because once it dries, you can sand it down until it's perfectly smooth . And if you still think the imperfection is noticeable, you can repeat the process a third or fourth time until it's no longer obvious that there was a hole or crack there. Once you're satisfied, you can sand and clean the area , and then paint the walls as usual.
Source: https://jucarsa.es/consejos
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