It can be difficult to get a clean, polished finish on the corners of your walls, especially if you’re doing it yourself. But anyone who is willing to put in a little time and effort can complete the task if they have the right tools and techniques. Whether you’re starting a new construction project or updating an old room, knowing how to apply putty correctly is crucial to getting a professional finish.
We’ll take you step-by-step through the entire procedure in this tutorial, starting with surface preparation, going over putty application, and concluding with sanding for a smooth finish. You just need to follow along and you’ll be able to confidently navigate those challenging corners without having to be an expert.
Your wall corners can be perfectly smooth and primed for painting if you know a few easy techniques and understand the fundamentals of putty application. It’s not as hard as you might think to achieve a perfect finish with a little practice.
- When puttying the corners of the walls is required
- How to do preparatory work
- Tools
- Materials
- Do-it-yourself corner filling technology
- How to bring out external corners on a wall when puttying
- How to bring out internal corners with putty
- Curved angles of arches
- Where the wall meets the ceiling
- How to putty a corner correctly if it is initially uneven
- Video on the topic
- How to easily putty corners, difficult places, at once, without alterations!
- Plastering corners
- HOW TO ALIGN THE CORNERS OF WALLS ON A BUDGET and quickly with your own hands.
- How to putty an ideal inner corner? Visual example. Putty plaster video video tutorial.
- Plastering walls, installing beacons and perforated corners. Apartment renovation Omsk
When puttying the corners of the walls is required
Dismantling the previous finish is the first step in any cosmetic or major repairs. All the flaws that were the foundation were removed during this process. It cannot have the front coating applied right away because it will lie unevenly and look messy and unattractive. As a result, a series of procedures are used to level, clean, and strengthen the surfaces.
One of them is caulking the wall corners.
- elimination of curvature at the joints of the slabs;
- surface leveling;
- sealing of large defects;
- giving structures a given shape.
After plastering the walls and allowing the solution to solidify, joint zones are adjusted.
How to do preparatory work
The accuracy of the preparatory work determines the quality of the repair outcome as well as the extent of potential losses and consequences. During the plastering process, long devices are used, splashes fly, and a solution is used. There’s a good chance of breaking furniture.
- take out of the room as many interior items as possible;
- close the windows with plywood or cardboard;
- cover upholstered and cabinet furniture with mounting film;
- cover the floors with thick material;
- ensure good lighting and ventilation;
- treat surfaces twice with an antiseptic and a deep penetration primer.
It is important to buy a stable stepladder, a helmet, safety glasses, and gloves to ensure that the puttying of internal corners is done both well and without injuries.
Tools
It takes multiple devices working simultaneously to create an even corner. This maintains the precise geometry both horizontally and vertically, resulting in smooth surfaces.
- mixer or powerful drill;
- straight spatulas with a blade of 100 and 250 mm;
- tape measure;
- oil level;
- angle spatula;
- paint brush;
- roller;
- solution tray (pump room);
- sanding float with a set of grids;
- 200 cm rule;
- pencil;
- scissors.
The foundation of a perfect completion of the task is knowledge and comprehension of the putty corner process.
Materials
A crucial aspect of puttying surfaces is selecting the right materials.
- antiseptic;
- deep penetration primer;
- starting mixture;
- finishing composition;
- plastic or steel perforated profiles for external fastening;
- serpyanka mesh to strengthen the inner corner.
The right combination of materials, application technique, and sequencing are the answers to the puzzle of how to putty a wall’s corners. The products come in paste and powder form. While the latter can be used right away after opening the container, the former must be diluted to the appropriate consistency.
Putty is classified as either cement or gypsum depending on the binder’s composition. The first ones set faster and are softer and lighter. To ensure you have time to apply the paste before it hardens, prepare a small amount before leveling the corners. Products made of cement are known for their greater strength and water resistance. They can be used in moist environments.
Do-it-yourself corner filling technology
Plastering walls and joints requires paying attention to the order in which solutions are applied, the amount of time it takes for them to get stronger, and the rough and final finishing.
As a result, a primer ought to be applied both before and after the process. Absorbing into the surface, the liquid fortifies it, boosts adhesion, and keeps moisture from being pulled away from solutions that will be used later. Once the primer has dried completely, layers are applied.
Starter putty is applied thickly and is meant to be used for rough base leveling. Employed when there is a notable deviation from the wall and ceiling’s geometrical specifications. To rectify minor imperfections in a corner, only the final composition is utilized. Strength is not a defining characteristic, although it can be enhanced with the aid of a premium primer.
Universal plaster is available as a paste with a consistency that is specifically chosen by the manufacturer; it is recommended for novice craftspeople.
How to bring out external corners on a wall when puttying
It is best to work on the outside corner last to avoid damaging it inadvertently when completing the walls and their interior surrounding.
- try on the profile, cut off the excess;
- apply a small amount of paste to the surface;
- attach the corner to the ledge, press it so that the solution comes out through the perforated holes;
- use a level to check the position of the profile vertically, make corrections by adding paste and pressing in protruding places;
- use an angle spatula to apply the solution to both walls;
- wait for the mixture to dry, process it with a float;
- wipe off dust, apply an antiseptic and primer.
You must reputty, polish, and prime if the cement-based paste has cracked.
How to bring out internal corners with putty
Internal joints are more challenging to remove, particularly if they are larger or smaller than 90°.
- use a level and a rule to take measurements, determine the degree of curvature of the surface;
- make and set beacons from the starting solution;
- apply putty first to one, then to the second wall;
- align both surfaces one by one;
- glue the serpyanka tape along the entire length of the ledge;
- draw an internal straight line with precise vertical alignment;
- draw a line with a spatula with adjustable blades;
- wait for the mixture to dry, process it with a float;
- wipe off dust, apply an antiseptic and primer.
You should be prepared that removing inwardly tilted walls will require more than one bag of mixture and several labor-intensive days.
Curved angles of arches
These patterns, which are made for interior and balcony openings and corridors, are growing in popularity. Sheets of plasterboard are employed as the frame. Producers create flexible perforated profiles with the express purpose of fortifying the arch’s walls.
- grind off the arched edges as smoothly as possible;
- After priming, apply the finishing solution to the contour;
- give the profile the desired shape, press it into the putty;
- adjust the circles using a template or relying on your own eye;
- go through the corners with a rectangular spatula;
- wait for the mixture to dry, process it with a grater;
- wipe off dust, apply antiseptic and primer.
The master must choose the profile material before beginning to create an arch. Although plastic doesn’t rust, installation may be challenging due to its elasticity. Although metal is more malleable, moisture can cause it to corrode, which can cause brown spots to appear.
Where the wall meets the ceiling
One of the hardest areas to work is around the joints in walls and ceiling slabs because the master must be at a height where his hands must always be raised. He could easily lose his balance and bang his head on the ceiling. As a result, one must approach this kind of activity very responsibly.
The adjustment principle is the same internal angle as wall alignment; it’s just horizontal. After the walls have reached their ultimate smoothness, adjustment is made. The majority of the time, the slabs are even, and not much mortar is needed. In cases where there are notable variations, plaster is applied in multiple steps.
- determine the lowest angle in the room;
- use the level to draw a closed line along the walls in accordance with the found point;
- attach beacons to the ceiling with the corresponding height differences in size;
- fill the gaps between the beacons with mortar,
- draw clear demarcation lines along the joints;
- process the surfaces with a grater;
- cover the surfaces with a primer.
Up to a maximum of 5 cm of putty may be applied to the ceiling. Increasing it is not acceptable because there is a risk of peeling and cracks developing.
Learning how to putty wall corners on your own is a useful skill that can change the look of any room. Smooth, tidy corners that look professionally done can be achieved with the right equipment, a little perseverance, and some basic techniques. From surface preparation to putty application, this guide will take you step-by-step through the entire process, guaranteeing a perfect finish that will improve the look and longevity of your walls.
How to putty a corner correctly if it is initially uneven
This is a frequent occurrence, particularly in homes that have shrunk after standing for more than ten years.
- Step-by-step sealing of irregularities with mortar and a spatula. The mixture must be applied from the bottom up. Vertical lines drawn on adjacent walls are used for orientation. First, holes and cracks are sealed, and then the depressions are filled.
- Grinding down protruding fragments. The process is long, labor-intensive and dusty. The work is carried out with a grinder or a grinding machine. After this, the surfaces are primed and plastered.
- Step-by-step sealing with starting and finishing putty. The volume and duration of the procedure depend on the degree of deformation of the surfaces.
When using a multi-layer coating, technological intervals must be maintained. They are twelve hours for cement mixtures, six hours for the finishing composition, and three hours for the starting putty.
Step | Description |
1 | Prepare the surface by cleaning the corners and removing any dust or loose material. |
2 | Apply a thin layer of primer to ensure the putty adheres well. |
3 | Mix the putty according to the instructions, making sure it is smooth and free of lumps. |
4 | Use a putty knife to apply the first layer of putty along the corner, smoothing it out evenly. |
5 | Allow the first layer to dry, then sand it lightly to create a smooth surface. |
6 | Apply a second layer of putty if needed, ensuring it blends well with the surrounding wall. |
7 | Once the final layer is dry, sand it again for a seamless finish. |
8 | Wipe the area clean of any dust, then apply paint or wallpaper as desired. |
You ought to be able to confidently putty the corners of your walls by this point. Smooth, polished corners are achievable with the right supplies and a little perseverance, even though it may seem like an overwhelming task at first.
The best outcomes are established by starting with making sure your corners are properly prepared. Don’t forget to apply the putty in layers, letting each one completely dry before applying the next. This method guarantees a long-lasting finish and helps prevent cracks in addition to adding the required thickness.
Using a flexible spatula or trowel, carefully smooth out the putty as you go, paying special attention to the edges where the walls meet. This will assist you in drawing crisp, clean lines that will improve the room’s overall appearance.
Ultimately, a quick sanding will smooth out the putty’s surface and prepare it for painting or other finishing touches after it has dried. By following these instructions, your corners will appear smooth and expertly constructed, giving your room a refined appearance.