Types of primers and how to apply them

The primer is a coating prior to the application of a final finish, which is applied on certain surfaces to provide it with different characteristics such as regulating absorption, protecting and/or favouring the adherence of the final finish.

The use of such primers is not always compulsory, but it is always highly recommended and sometimes essential, as is the case with surfaces such as wood, metal, ceramic tiles and sometimes surfaces such as plaster or concrete. One of its important advantages is that the primer improves the adhesion of paint or other materials for subsequent application.

What types of primers are there

Depending on the surface we are going to work on, the type of primer will be different. Nowadays there is a wide variety of types, some of them can be used on most surfaces and we can call them universal.

In the case of screeds and screed mortars, two main groups can be distinguished:

• Those used as buffering and absorption regulators
• And those used as bonding bridges to favour the adhesion of the new material on the substrate and at the same time to regulate absorption and give homogeneity to the entire surface on which we are going to apply the new flooring.

The type of primer will be determined by the conditions of the substrate, including porosity and roughness, as mentioned above.

Another factor to take into account is the residual humidity of the substrate. Depending on their composition, primers can be acrylic or epoxy. Acrylics use water as a diluent and are environmentally friendly. Depending on their characteristics, they can be used as a filler and absorption regulator or as a bonding bridge.

A universal primer is not only one that is compatible with a wide variety of substrates, but also one that offers both characteristics, that of regularising absorption and plugging the pores of the substrate and guaranteeing adhesion by acting as a bonding bridge.

How to apply primers depending on the surface

Depending on the surface, the procedure may vary, but in general, it is always the same process. The first thing to do is to check the condition of the substrate, to determine whether it needs to be removed or whether it can be worked on.

As experts, our recommendation is to work on new areas, without old products that may hinder the adhesion of the new material to the substrate.

Once analysed, we will begin to clean the entire surface, removing all the old material. This is an essential step in any renovation. Depending on the state of the area, you will have to carry out a more thorough cleaning or not. In the case of any unforeseen event, we must leave everything and solve it first.

When the entire surface is clean, we can start to apply the primer and finally apply the new material. It is important to choose well all the materials we are going to use, read carefully their application procedure because otherwise, all our previous work will have been useless.

Molins Primer Products

In Molins we have a wide variety of primers designed for any type of application you need for your reform.

Epoxy resin based primers for the realisation of epoxy or polyurethane based finishes such as BETOPOX® PRIMER a clear two component, 100% solid, low viscosity epoxy resin primer or BETOPOX® PRIMER W a clear water based epoxy resinprimer, designed for application as a primer coat for epoxy or polyurethane based finishes with a residual moisture content of less than 4%.

On the other hand, we have acrylic resin-based primers, such as PROPAM® PRIMER SOL. This is a single-component product based on acrylic polymers in aqueous dispersion, which effectively seals difficult, porous mortar and concrete surfaces, homogenising the absorption of the surface and preventing water loss within the substrate, thanks to its sealing function.

Finally, we have the universal adhesion primer PROPAM® GRIP+, suitable for indoor and outdoor use, both in flooring and coatings on all types of surfaces, with or without absorption.

A great advantage of this product is that it is directly applied and ready to use. It is based on acrylic resins in dispersion and siliceous quartz aggregates, for the application of cementitious floor and wall coverings and ceramic adhesives on all types of absorbent and non-absorbent substrates.

PROPAM® GRIP+ is the universal primer, not only because it regulates the abosorption of the substrate but also because it prevents the appearance of certain pathologies such as crarets or air bubbles, as well as roughening the surface to favour the adherence of the final finish.

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