Construction spatula for leveling. How to choose a quality spatula. Using tools of different sizes
Tsugunov Anton Valerievich
Reading time: 5 minutes
Finishing the walls is impossible without a simple but very important construction tool - a spatula. In translation from German, the word "spatula" means "shovel". Indeed, a tool designed for puttying has the form of a spatula, consisting of a handle and a plate or blade.
Types of spatulas for putty
Spatulas are used in a variety of construction and repair work, have different shape and purpose. The plate of this product can be made of different materials: metal, plastic, rubber. There are special spatulas designed for highly specialized types of work. For most often, flat products with a plastic or wooden handle and a metal plate or, in other words, a blade are used.
Facade spatulas
Despite its name, the facade spatula can be used not only for outdoor work, but also for interior decoration. It has a wide blade, which is made of high-strength steel and practically does not bend. This product can be applied to large areas. The shape of the working plate has the form of a trapezoid, and the width is from 30 to 60 centimeters.
Facade spatula is convenient to use when puttying walls in tandem with painting. When applying a continuous layer of putty with a large tool, you can draw the mixture from the container in a more compact way. During finishing a large facade spatula can act as an auxiliary. Putty can be applied to it, and with the help of a painter, take it in small portions and apply it to the wall.
Paint spatulas
For finishing walls, a paint spatula is best suited. It performs the following operations:
- unevenness is leveled after applying putty;
- the seams between are masked;
- cracks and dents are repaired;
- putty complex structures.
Like the facade tool, it has the shape of a trapezoid with a plastic handle. Despite the similarity of the design, the paint spatula has the following differences from the facade:
- Width. Minimum work surface width painting tool for putty - 2 cm, while the facade cannot be less than 20-30 cm.
- Thickness. The plate of the paint spatula is usually thinner than that of the front one.
- Elasticity. The blade of the painting tool is more elastic and flexible.
- Material. In the manufacture of painting products, stainless steel is used, while the front ones are made of high-carbon steel.
Paint spatulas can be divided into two groups:
- professional;
- unprofessional or disposable.
A high-quality professional tool for finishing walls has a steel thickness of about 1 millimeter, its blade bends moderately and has sufficient rigidity. A disposable product is easy to recognize - it has a black plastic handle and a working surface made of metal, the thickness of which does not exceed 0.5 mm. It bends at the slightest load, it is extremely difficult to achieve perfect smoothness of the walls with it, since it repeats all the irregularities.
The most common are paint spatulas with a plate having a width of 8 to 45 centimeters. Each master has own opinion about the most convenient size of the tools used, but the two most commonly used are the following sizes:
- the main tool having a width of 20 to 25 centimeters;
- auxiliary, 8 to 10 centimeters wide.
Corner spatulas
For putty internal corners There are specialized products. They have two surfaces located at an angle of 90 degrees to each other. Such tools are not in great demand, because they require certain skills and even corners in the room. Many professionals are turning away from the use of special corner trowels, preferring to form corners with a regular flat product.
The spatula-scraper has a narrow scope and is designed to remove excess putty from the surface. His distinctive feature is a thick, rigid blade made of specially durable metal. Its width is small and is 5-7 centimeters.
Using tools of different sizes
For different stages of wall decoration, you need to select tools of appropriate sizes:
- Wide facade or painting spatulas (up to 60 centimeters), as well as a rule (150-300 centimeters) are used on uneven surfaces and allow you to eliminate the most rough and large defects. With their help, the so-called occurs, the composition in this case is applied in a thick rough layer.
- Medium (15 to 25 centimeters wide) allow you to putty large irregularities and dents that remain after passing a wide tool. It allows you to achieve the smoothness of the putty layer. the main task medium-sized products - close up the pits. Small protrusions that may remain after it are removed from the dried putty using sandpaper.
- Narrow (5-10 centimeters) fill in smaller depressions left after a medium-sized spatula. After their work, there are practically no traces around the processed individual defect. It is impossible to level the surface using such a product, since it repeats all the smooth curves of the wall. Products of this type are also used for puttying hard-to-reach areas. In addition, they can play the role of a typesetting tool - with their help it is convenient to collect putty mixture from a container and apply it to a working spatula.
How to choose a quality spatula for putty
A large selection of tools in a hardware store, this is certainly good, but, unfortunately, too a large assortment makes selection difficult. In order not to get confused in the variety of spatulas and choose a convenient and high-quality product, you need to pay attention to the following features:
- The handle should fit comfortably in the hand, and there should be no nicks or burrs on its surface. The presence of such irregularities indicates the low quality of the product.
- Too long products are uncomfortable, as well as too narrow. During operation, it will be difficult to handle them.
- For putty, the trapezoidal shape of the product is best suited. Triangular or teardrop-shaped instruments are not as convenient and less reliable.
- A good tool should have a smooth blade with moderate but sufficient flexibility. If the blade bends too much when pressed, the mixture will fall from such a spatula and it will be difficult to even carry it to the wall. Too rigid products tend to break during operation. When pressing on the blade, it should spring back slightly.
- The tool blade for finishing putty must be made of of stainless steel, making it easy to clean after work, and ensuring that there is no rust that could ruin the finish.
- A metal-coated iron blade tool is a low quality product and requires extra care to prevent corrosion, which can damage not only the tool but also the finished surface.
- The blade of the putty tool should not be sharpened. Products with a sharpened blade are designed for other types of work, such as removing old wallpaper, paint and glue from walls.
There are many types of spatulas, as well as the work they perform: they can level walls and ceilings, peel off old wallpaper or paint, smooth wallpaper when pasting, lay tiles, etc. Spatulas can be either plastic or rubber, or metal. Going to a specialized store, or to the market, it is likely that you will not buy exactly what you need for this type of work. Unfortunately, not all sellers are up to date, especially in the markets. Today we will talk about spatulas for puttying walls.
So that this work does not become Sisyphean labor for you, and you do not have to suffer with a small spatula, which is extremely inconvenient and unproductive to work with, or, conversely, with too wide, you need to keep in mind that the most correct, if not to say, the only solution is to work with two spatulas at the same time (combined).
There are two types of flat spatulas:
- Spatula-shovel (painting);
- Facade spatula.
last whither large sizes than the first, and is intended for filling large areas. However, this does not mean at all that the facade spatula is intended exclusively for puttying facades. Indoors, it is used quite often. A spatula is extremely rarely putty, and it is an auxiliary tool for working with a facade spatula - it is used to put a putty composition on the blade of a facade spatula.
Applying decorative plaster with a spatula
Decorative plaster is a slightly different type of finish than simple putty. What kind of spatula is needed for it and how to choose the right tool?
For every kind decorative plaster the appropriate tool is selected. It can be a sponge, trowel, trowel, brush, trowel, figured rollers, etc., but the main tool for applying any kind of plaster is a spatula.
So, what should a spatula be like so that this type of wall plastering succeeds and pleases the eye for many years:
- notched;
- Angular;
- Rubber.
The shape of the spatula can be trapezoidal or rectangular.
The working surface of the stainless steel spatula must be perfectly flat, otherwise decorative trim will be of poor quality.
The main purpose of this kind of spatulas is to smooth the plaster over the surface of the wall.
Spatula dimensions: the right choice
Spatulas for applying plaster are very different. Any professional, in his arsenal, has at least several types and several sizes of those - it all depends on their purpose.
What should be the overall dimensions of the spatula:
- Blade width: most optimal size blades of a painting spatula - 100-150 mm, provided that this spatula will be used in tandem with the front one. Most optimal width facade spatula sheets - 300-450 mm.
- Blade length: spatula too long (with a "high" blade) - not quite the right choice! The blade of such a spatula will bend too much due to its large length. This will inevitably affect the quality of the wall decoration.
When choosing any spatula, you need to pay attention to the reliability of fastening the blade to the handle. The connection should not hang out - such a spatula cannot be worked for a long time - it will quickly become unusable.
If you are not a professional finisher, then you should not buy a spatula wider than 400mm, because they are quite difficult to work without certain skills. In addition, the wider the blade, the greater its deflection under pressure, and it will be extremely difficult to achieve a completely flat surface.
From such, it would seem, "little things" directly depends on what will be both the quality of the work performed and the time costs.
Choosing a spatula for puttying (video)
Which spatula is better for puttying walls: making a choice
Choosing a spatula for wall decoration is not so easy, with the current abundance of professional tools on the building products market.
You need to pay attention to the following parameters:
- First of all, on the handle, which should be short, hard and thick, in order not to create excessive elasticity when pressing on the spatula. The most practical handle is made of plastic - it is easier to clean it from putty material.
- The correct shape and strength of the blade metal is perhaps the most important indicator when choosing this tool. Bad blade geometry will force you to redo all the work.
When choosing a spatula for wall finishing, you should consider all of the above factors in order to achieve the quality of work you need.
The quality of the spatula blade: we pay special attention
A good, “branded” spatula, which a professional finisher uses constantly, that is, every day, lasts a long time - at least 3-4 years, or even more. Of course, such a spatula is somewhat more expensive, but this choice is fully justified, and, ultimately, it costs much less than the frequent replacement of cheap analogues.
You should not save too much money for the purchase of a spatula. Even if you are not a professional, and your goal is to decorate the walls of your apartment only, you should buy a normal tool, and not a penny "version". And now you will have a spatula in stock, without exaggeration, for all subsequent repairs to your home.
Selection Tips:
- Without special effort bend the spatula. If it bends too easily, don't take it.
- As for the material from which the canvas is made, then, undoubtedly, the priority has always been and remains for stainless steel. It is this spatula that is the most durable, does not blacken the wall during puttying and is easy to clean, both during and after work.
- Pay attention to the bend (“waves”) of the canvas, it should not be too large, although, in fairness, it should be noted that such defects are often characteristic even of famous brands of spatulas.
- And one more important nuance: during selection, the edge of the canvas along the entire length, with an edge, is applied to some flat surface.
There should ideally be no gaps between the edge of the web and the attached surface.
Choosing a spatula: what you need to pay attention to (video)
Without a well-chosen spatula, you won’t get the right wall decoration - this is an axiom, you don’t need to think and calculate here, you just need to remember it, moreover, once and for all. A spatula for high-quality putty is a prerequisite for this, because without a high-quality blade and an ergonomic, comfortable handle, there will be no sense. You can have truly "golden" hands, but without the right tool, all your efforts will be nullified! In the presence of huge selection, there is always the opportunity to make the right choice in order to work with the right tool.
Spatula for puttying walls - how to choose?
A spatula is the most commonly used tool for arranging repairs. The spatula for puttying walls is used at all stages of finishing work. It is important to choose the right tools for all jobs. A wide variety of shapes and sizes are designed to perform specific operations. Usually it is metal plastic with a comfortable handle. Be sure to have a sharp enough blade. It is used for finishing and painting works.
The working process
Selection criteria
The main property is sufficient blade rigidity. If this criterion is not met, then the work will be of poor quality. Professional devices are equipped with a comfortable rubberized handle. To organize any work, they acquire three types - narrow, wide and medium. Specialized models designed for corner finishing and application certain conditions on a surface.
Variety of models
How to hold a spatula when puttying walls
Reliable tools are made of durable steel. High-quality devices are not deformed and are easy to clean. Choose products with perfectly smooth surfaces and blade sharpening. professional tool must not bend under the pressure of the putty mixture.
Don't buy aluminum tools. They wear out quickly. Aluminum surfaces must be thoroughly washed and dried to prevent corrosion on the blade.
professional tools
The technique is as follows - applying putty and leveling it. Hold the tool at a 45 degree angle. Movements can be different best result achieved with uniform equally directed strokes. A small putty device is used to dispense the mixture into a large one. The use of the first is advisable if it is necessary to process small areas.
The width of the blade of the metal part must necessarily be greater than the width of the crack in order to be able to remove the defect qualitatively.
Application
Narrow tools are used to seal the smallest flaws in the walls and level smooth surfaces. Not suitable for rough leveling of walls.
The average spatula for wall putty removes pits, they smooth putty surfaces.
Large-sized tools with thick blades are used for rough primary processing and removal of large cracks.
Using a standard tool
It is always necessary to take into account the type of putty and the base material to select the best option.
The right spatula bends only with great effort, and the area in the blade area bends. The central part remains motionless. The mixture is placed in the center. And then spread on the surface with dashed movements. To save, the plastic mixture is mixed with the main mixture until a homogeneous consistency is formed. Thick material can no longer be used.
The corners of the spatula must be held free hand so that the mixture does not fall on the floor. To cut the bumps, you need to press evenly on the entire plane of the blade. Sealing of large pits is carried out strictly at right angles.
Corner model
In order not to form bumps and sagging, it is necessary to reduce the angle of inclination of the tool to the base, for example, from 60 to 25 degrees and to a flat application.
Process Features
The final result depends on the quality of work. The technique depends on what material the post-processing will be done - wallpaper, paint, plaster, etc., while there are standard procedures in all processes.
The whole process is logically divided into several stages.
The first is the preparation of walls, tools and mixtures. All cracks and irregularities must be removed, surfaces sanded and degreased for better bonding of materials.
To proceed to the next step, you need to clearly know how to hold the spatula when puttying the walls. After the base has dried, a starting putty is applied. To do this, it is necessary to dilute the dry mixture with water to the desired consistency. It is recommended to mix large volumes with a construction mixer to obtain an absolutely homogeneous mixture. With a small spatula, the material is applied to a wide one. At an angle of 45 degrees, application to the surface begins. Clean off drying excess on a large tool in time to prevent scratches on the walls.
Proper mixture distribution
After drying, a primer is applied again to improve the quality of the last finishing layer. Decorating is carried out with both standard and figured spatulas to obtain the expected effect.
Weight distribution on the wall
The process is easy enough. But if the work is planned to be performed for the first time, then it is better to resort to the help of specialists.
- Preliminarily securely seal joints and cracks. This will help to avoid the destruction of the walls in the future.
- Choose only quality blends.
- Carry out all the steps according to the instructions.
- Buy dry putty. Their quality is much higher than usual.
- Before work, clean and sand the surfaces of the walls.
- For large volumes of work, always use large-sized tools so that the mixtures do not dry out during work.
- All work is carried out in a respirator.
- Use two spatulas. This will speed up the finishing process.
- Wash tools clean after use. Otherwise, the cement may dry out.
Result of work
Conclusion
There are a lot of spatulas for puttying walls on the construction market. Choose models for specific purposes. This will help save time and a decent amount of rework finishing work. Purchase tools from reliable suppliers to avoid incidental situations when the device breaks in the middle of filling work and disrupts the entire process technology.
Video review on choosing a spatula for wall putty
How to choose a quality spatula
The spatula is one of the most widely used types of tools in finishing, painting and facing works both indoors and outdoors of buildings. With it, you can remove old coatings, apply plasters, fillers and decorative compositions, grout seams, press wallpaper, apply adhesive and much more.
In order to carry out quality work, you should choose best option high quality, how to do this, we will consider in this review.
In the photo: there are a huge number of spatulas, the main thing is to choose the right one for a particular situation
Overview of the main types of tools
In order not to make a mistake when buying, you need to clearly understand what kind of work is being done with a spatula, because you will have to work with your own hands. Next, you should choose the most optimal option, both in terms of quality and price, in retail chains there are many options, the price of which is unjustified.
Paint spatulas
This group of products is characterized by the following properties:
- The main purpose of the products is to putty surfaces indoors.
- The blades on such products are elastic and thin enough.
- The price of such options is quite low.
- These attachments are not suitable for heavy mix and heavy duty operations.
How to choose a spatula for putty?
Pay attention to the following factors:
- The handle should fit comfortably in the hand, there should be no burrs or shells on the plastic surface - this is evidence of the poor quality of injection molding equipment.
- The length of the handle should not be too long, a wide and not very long configuration is much more convenient.
- The shape of the product should be trapezoidal, triangular products are less reliable and it is not very convenient to work with them, especially if it narrow version used to apply the solution.
- Press on the blade - it should not bend much, if so, then the metal is too thin, and such a product will fail very soon. The closer to each other the ratio of the length and width of the blade, the more reliable the product.
- All metal elements spatulas must be made of stainless steel, this guarantees the resistance of the product to corrosion and ease of cleaning after work. In addition, all metal surfaces should be smooth.
Paint spatulas are ideal for small-scale finishing work
Tip! If you come across a spatula with a sharpened blade, then you should know that it is not suitable for puttying, for example, drywall, its purpose is to remove old wallpaper and paintwork from surfaces during repairs.
Facade spatulas
The instrument of this group must meet the following requirements:
- High reliability, as you will have to work with heavy mixtures.
- Enough big size, since with the help of these devices, large areas are finished.
- The use of high-quality materials in production, since many mixtures contain aggressive substances that can damage the metal.
When considering which spatula is best for puttying facades, you should pay attention to the following factors:
- If you are not a professional in this area, then you should not purchase options wider than 400 mm, they are quite difficult to work with, and the wider the canvas, the more it sags under pressure, and the more difficult it is to achieve perfect quality surfaces.
- It is much more convenient to work with spatulas, in which the handle is made at a slight inclination, this position is more ergonomic, in addition, the hand will be less tired during operation.
Tilt handle enhances ease of use
- Pay attention to the place where the handle is attached to the blade - it must be reliable and durable - the elements should not hang out, otherwise the product will quickly fail.
- The most important factor by which a tool is selected is the correct geometry and strength of the metal on the blade, it must be absolutely even, otherwise smooth walls you can hardly. As practice shows, the blades on eight out of ten cheap products are curved, in expensive versions this problem is less relevant. The thicker the metal, the longer the tool will last.
Tip! Most professionals use facade spatulas for interior decoration– they are much more reliable and tougher, which provides more high quality application of mixtures and long service life.
The smaller the difference between the width of the fastener and the working part, the stronger and stiffer the product.
notched trowels
This type is used in finishing when applying adhesive composition under facing materials – ceramic tiles, natural and fake diamond and other similar products.
When choosing these spatulas, consider the following factors:
- The handle should be comfortable, the place of attachment to the blade should be strong and rigid. Since such products are not subjected to high loads, manufacturers sometimes save on the handle, and it turns out to be not very reliable.
- The size of the teeth affects the adhesive application layer - the larger they are, the thicker the layer. As a rule, the most popular are medium options with a tooth height of 6-8 mm.
- The blade must be made of stainless steel, this guarantees its durability.
With this device, it is very easy to apply a uniform layer of adhesive.
Rubber spatulas
As a rule, a rubber spatula is not used for puttying. This group of products is used for repairing scratches on wooden and laminated surfaces, as well as for sealing joints on surfaces lined with ceramic tiles.
When choosing them, keep the following in mind:
- If the product is completely rubber, the handle should be firm enough and comfortable to work with.
- If present wooden handle, then its attachment to the rubber must be reliable.
Such products will help close the seams without damaging the material.
Conclusion
We hope this instruction will help you choose the best option for your repair. (See also the article How to putty the ceiling for painting with your own hands.) There are also Various types products: for finishing corners or smoothing wallpaper, but when choosing them, you can use the above tips, and then your spatula will be a reliable assistant in any work. The video in this article will clearly show some features of the choice and use of products.
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The most common tools for construction, painting and other types of work are spatulas. The largest group among them are spatulas for puttying walls. They often differ standard sizes and forms necessary for carrying out specific work.
What is the best spatula for wall putty?
The main types of spatulas include:
- Paint spatula - best suited for finishing walls. With the help of a paint spatula, the following types of work are performed:
- leveling of irregularities after preliminary application of putty;
- sealing dents and cracks;
- puttying structures of complex shape;
- masking the seams between sheets of drywall.
The spatula has a trapezoidal shape and is most often equipped with a plastic handle. From all other types of putty spatulas, painting has a number of distinctive features:
- small plate thickness;
- flexible and elastic blade;
- the minimum width of the tool is 2 cm;
- are made of stainless steel.
- Facade spatula - as a rule, it is used for outdoor work, it is also used for interior decoration as auxiliary tool. The working surface, as well as that of a painting spatula, is made in the form of a trapezoid. The spatula for facades has a wide blade (from 30 to 60 cm), which is made of carbon steel, which has increased strength characteristics, so it is practically not bendable. The handle can be made of wood or plastic. The special shape of the spatula helps to apply building mixtures over large enough areas.
- Angle spatula is specialized view a puttying tool that allows you to process internal and external corners. The shape of the spatula is a right angle.
Other types of spatulas
In addition to the main types of staples, other forms of such a tool can also be found on the construction market for wall puttying tools. Among them are:
- scraper spatula - used exclusively when it is necessary to remove excess materials from the treated surfaces. The width of such a spatula can vary between 50-70 mm, and the blade has a high degree of flexibility;
- rubber spatula - ideal for working with sealants, processing tile joints and puttying small surfaces. They are usually produced with a plate width of 40-80 mm;
- curly spatula - used to give the treated surfaces a certain texture, for example, when applying liquid wallpaper and decorative plaster. Often curly spatulas are made of plastic;
- notched trowel - necessary for applying construction adhesive to the surface. Depending on the type of glue, the type of spatula is selected individually. When using tile adhesive, take a spatula with large teeth, for gypsum glue, a tool equipped with large teeth is used, and for liquid glue- a spatula with fine triangular teeth is ideal. The width of the working plate can be 200-300mm.
We consider the types and sizes of spatulas for puttying walls
Standard sizes of spatulas for puttying walls
Any typical spatula for puttying walls consists of a plate and a handle, and the quality of wall alignment during operation directly depends on the even edge of such a tool. The plate can be made from different types of material, mainly metal, rubber, plastic.
Among the whole variety of models of spatulas for puttying walls, there are:
- non-professional types - experts usually call them disposable. By appearance they have a thin plate (usually less than 0.5 mm) and a black plastic handle;
- professional - equipped with a 1 mm plate, which does not bend at the slightest load.
The main criterion for the quality of a spatula is its rigidity, which does not repeat, but corrects irregularities.
With regards to dimensional characteristics, it is considered standard to consider:
- length - depending on the type of work, the length of the spatula is selected individually. Too long a tool, like a short one will not good choice. When puttying walls, a long blade can bend and thereby negatively affect the quality of the wall finish;
- width - the most optimal size of the painting staple is considered to be 100-150 mm in combination with a facade staple with a web width of 300-450 mm. For puttying, spatulas with a width of 2 to 80 cm are most often used. Narrow spatulas up to 8 cm are used when processing hard-to-reach places. It is impossible to completely level the surface with a narrow spatula, as it repeats the curves of the walls. A tool with a width of 10-25 cm is often called a type-setting tool, as it helps to carry putty mix on a working spatula. Spatulas up to 30 cm allow you to level small surfaces. The largest spatulas with a width of more than 30 cm help to correct noticeably curved walls, large and gross defects. Using spatulas 60 cm wide, the initial puttying of the walls is carried out with the obligatory application of a coarse thick layer.
Not being a professional finisher, you should not buy a spatula wider than 400 mm (it will be quite difficult to work with such a tool without certain skills and knowledge).
Main manufacturers
Now there are many manufacturers of painting tools on the market. The instrument of European trademarks"Matrix", "Santool", "Homa" and "Eurotex". Among Russian manufacturers, according to user reviews, the tool of the Zubr trade brand has proven itself well. All of the above manufacturers provide a guarantee for all products, which indicates high technical quality and reliability in working with the tool.
In order for the spatula to last for a long time, regardless of its manufacturer, do not forget to thoroughly rinse the tool from plaster or other materials after work.
Puttying is a very important stage of each repair, because when pasting wallpaper or painting a wall, it is very important on which surface this work will be done.
Therefore, starting repairs on their own, each owner will certainly face the question: what kind of tool for puttying the walls will he probably need, and what is not necessary for this process.
Here's what you can't do without:
- Drill with a special nozzle - a mixer;
- A set of spatulas of various sizes;
- Rule;
- Sandpaper;
- Grinding bar (skinter);
- Primer rollers;
- Mixing container.
It is worth considering in more detail what is required for what and how it is used.
Drill with nozzle - mixer
Putty mixture is sold mainly in bags in the form of a dry mix.
Spatula for puttying walls. What do you need to know?
Water is added to this mixture according to the instructions. Therefore, for the preparation of putty, a drill with a mixer is simply necessary.
Of course, you can try to stir manually, but this will not give a good result, only time will be lost in vain.
The fact is that manually stirring a large volume will not work, and applying the mixture in small doses is unproductive. Yes, and it will not work to manually mix as thoroughly as it can be done with a mixer.
When mixing by hand, unbroken lumps of putty will definitely remain, which will interfere with the quality application of the mixture to the surface.
Set of spatulas in various sizes
After all, the quality of the repair depends on the right choice. When choosing, pay attention to the following:
- The blade should be made of stainless steel, which will facilitate its cleaning after completion of work and will help to avoid rust during further storage;
- The metal part must be perfectly flat and smooth. If there are roughnesses on it, then this drawback must be eliminated by treating the problem area with a piece of sandpaper;
- For the convenience of applying the mixture, the shape of the plate should be trapezoidal;
- When pressing on the blade, there should not be a strong bend, otherwise it will mean the unreliability of the product due to the too thin metal used for its production;
- The handle should be short, wide and not too heavy, otherwise hold the tool for a long time the weight will be very uncomfortable.
The spatula is the main tool for puttying walls. To carry out this type of work, it is necessary to keep several devices of various sizes on hand:
- From 4 to 8 cm - designed for work in hard-to-reach places - behind radiators, pipes or in corners;
- 10 cm - it is convenient for them to get the putty out of the bucket and apply it to a large spatula;
- 25 cm - used for puttying small irregularities;
- 35 cm - with a tool of this size it is good to seal various seams;
- A large spatula with a size of 45 to 60 cm is intended for basic puttying work.
rule
The rule is a perfectly flat metal tool that checks if the wall is well aligned. To carry out such a test, it is enough to attach it to the wall with an edge.
In this case, you need to make sure that the guide is located exactly vertically. If the surface does not have flaws in the form of bulges or, conversely, recesses, then a flat plank will fit snugly against the wall.
If mistakes were made when leveling the wall, then the end of the rail will “walk”.
Another way to use this tool is to smooth out excess plaster when applying the mixture to the surface. The optimal size of the rule is 1.5 - 2 meters.
Sandpaper
Sandpaper, colloquially referred to as sandpaper, is used for sanding walls after the plaster has dried. This is required due to the fact that after the completion of the work there are still some shortcomings - traces of the spatula, small excesses of the solution.
The first stage of grinding is best done with a coarse-grained sandpaper marked from P100 to P180. The final finish is carried out with sandpaper marked from P220 to P280.
When performing this type of work, care must be taken to protect the eyes and respiratory organs from fine dust flying in abundance.
Sanding bar, roller, primer brush and container
The sanding bar, or manual skinner, is a flat surface with sandpaper clamps and a handle for convenience.
Such a tool is much more convenient to carry out grinding. This procedure is carried out from top to bottom, processing in turn small areas in circular motions.
It is better to choose a velor roller - with its help, the procedure will be carried out neatly and without unnecessary splashes. For processing corners and hard-to-reach places, it is more convenient to use a brush.
A construction bucket is purchased at any hardware store. But if there is no desire to spend extra money, then you can use an old household bucket, which you will not be sorry to throw away later.
At the end of the work, the tool for puttying the walls must be thoroughly washed and wiped dry with a dry cloth. In the future, these tools are kept separate from the rest.
For quality repair and construction works a spatula is often needed. With the help of this tool, putty is applied, old wallpaper is removed, gaps in walls and openings are eliminated, and many works related to decorating rooms are performed, giving curly shapes to surfaces. To choose the right working tool, you need to understand its varieties, application features.
Criteria for choosing a repair tool
The right choice can significantly save the time allotted for repairs. A simple device easy enough to clean any surface old plaster, a layer of paint, dried glue. It is much easier to handle potholes on the walls, cracks, especially in small areas, with a comfortable and high-quality design with a handle.
Before you buy a working tool for puttying walls, you should adhere to the basic rules - criteria quality choice. It should be noted the following:
These features will help determine the choice of spatula for puttying walls.
Varieties of spatulas
The choice of finishing tool will depend mainly on the specifics of the work performed.. The range is very large. Types of spatulas:
Some designs are intended primarily for leveling surfaces, repairing cracks, eliminating flaws, while others are used to create a relief texture, imitate figures. Let's take a closer look at the features of use.
Paint spatulas and their application
Finishing designs with a narrow blade and a comfortable handle are very common. Apply a spatula painting in two cases:
- As an aid in working with wide finishing tools. Often they are called a “shovel”, with its help they apply and distribute the composition of the necessary mixtures over wide and large blades.
- For leveling surfaces, grouting, work in hard-to-reach areas. Just narrow scrapers gently correct the work in difficult places, evenly distribute putty on small areas.
The most reliable paint spatulas have a trapezoidal shape. Triangular devices are not so strong, they can bend a lot during operation. The most durable is considered a rectangular shape. The thickness of the metal on the blades in amateur tools is approximately 0.5 or 0.6 mm; in professional spatulas, a sheet of 1 mm or more is used.
Handles can be made from either plastic or rubber. The latter option is used in professional models, where the handles are both ergonomic in shape and anti-slip. Such designs, of course, are more expensive in cost. To make the handles comfortable to use, they must be short and wide.
Facade models and their features
What finishing tools do professionals prefer? facade view- ideal spatula for wall puttying. Using this model, the solution can not only be quickly, but also qualitatively distributed over even surfaces. In the process of work, finishing structures are subjected to heavy loads, and therefore the requirements for them are very high.
Blades should be from 200 to 800 mm. Many professionals more often advise choosing a working part size range from 300 to 450 mm for quality work. With a device equipped with a blade of 600 mm or more, not even all experienced specialists can handle it.
Professional facade models have a thicker blade and a rubberized handle, amateur ones are a little simpler. The cost of products depends on the design and quality of materials. The main criteria for choosing a facade model include:
- blade quality;
- type of working handle;
- attachment of the handle to the blade.
To work with finishing putty choose a spatula not with a flexible, but with a rigid blade. In this case, the composition will be distributed evenly and not repeat surface flaws. It is important to check the plane working area the edge must be even. It is desirable to choose a handle rubberized. For ease of use, it should be tilted.
Originality and indispensability of angle spatulas
Not only for inexperienced builders, but even for professionals, it is the procedure for processing corners that causes particular difficulties in the process of finishing work. With the use of special designs, it will be much faster, easier, and better to connect the surfaces evenly.
There are two types of corner spatulas:
- For inside corners.
- For outdoor.
Each type is very easy to identify by the location of the handle. For the first models, it is inside the structure, and for the second, it is outside. In addition to the handle, such structures have an angle-forming part. The width of the working sides must be at least 70 mm.
When choosing an angle spatula, it is necessary to take into account the nuances:
- The working part must be made of stainless steel and be rigid in order to form ideal angles.
- The handle must have a good fit.
Working with this type of spatula is very simple. The composition is applied with a narrow tool, and leveled with the help of an angular rigid fixture.
Unusual Japanese type of instruments
This type of design is very different from traditional options. A Japanese spatula is a rectangular plate with a plastic holder attached to one side. The design is very simple but strong.
Tools are usually sold in sets. Each pack contains 4 pieces different size designed to perform a certain type of work. The width of the main part is 60, 80, 100 and 120 mm.
The blade in the Japanese version of the design must be both flexible and resilient.. The model of such a finishing tool is used in the following works:
- Finishing complex structures and arches with convex shapes or concave surfaces. Irreplaceable japanese model in plaster of the relief bases.
- Repair in confined spaces.
- Application of a very thin putty layer. With a compact scraper, the composition is dosed more precisely than with traditional models.
A set of such tools is not very expensive. When buying, you need to check the quality of the metal. It is important that the structure does not deform when bent.
The convenience of rubber spatulas
This type is indispensable in finishing work with complex planes, great for filling small cracks, repairing minor damage. With a rubber base, you can easily distribute a thick mortar mixture in an even layer.
Dimensions rubber spatulas are different, vary from 2 to 20 cm. Choose a tool individually, it all depends on the specifics of the work performed. The rubber from which the base is made can also be of different stiffness. For finishing, it is better to choose a less flexible design.
The handle can be standard, rubber models are produced without a holder like Japanese instruments. Such a spatula can also be made in the form of a simple spatula.
Using rubber tools, it is best to apply putty on concave structures, seal corner joints, and correct uneven surfaces.
Notched designs for uniform application of mixtures
When laying porcelain stoneware, drywall, linoleum, carpet, it is very convenient to use a specially designed type of finishing relief tool. The use of a notched trowel prevents overspending adhesive mixtures which is very economical. The width of the brackets must be equal to their height. The thickness of the applied solution directly depends on these parameters.
Devices with large teeth are used for facing plasterboard, porcelain stoneware surfaces. Using tools with medium staples, apply glue to ordinary tiles. But fine-toothed - used for carpet or linoleum flooring.
It is worth noting that for laying tiles choose a tool with a teeth width of 6 mm. In this case, the optimal size of the thickness of the adhesive or its composition should also be 6 mm, only in this way the tile will not fall off and will adhere well to the surface. When leveling the walls, it is worth choosing structures with different tooth heights, which will allow you to easily change the thickness of the adhesive by about 2 times. The width of the serrated structure must be equal to the size of the tile to be laid.
Scrapers and plastic models
What tools will greatly simplify the finishing work associated with wallpapering? Of course, these are plastic spatulas and scrapers. To remove paint and old wallpaper from the walls, you need a tool with a working base made of durable metal. To do this, use a special scraper. This design is versatile, as it includes a sharp blade, a roller cleaning tool, and a powerful nail puller. The blade of the device should be even, the blade should be sharp, and the handle should be well attached.
Plastic models are used to smooth the wallpaper. The workflow is thus accelerated several times. Such spatulas are called “wall smoothers”. The design should have just an ideal working surface so that no burrs damage the canvas of pasted wallpaper. When choosing a plastic spatula, pay attention to the absence of chips, comfortable handle, a clearly recommended tool width of 20 to 25 cm.
Features of storage and care
All necessary repair and finishing work will be carried out correctly only with the help of quality tool. It is important to take into account the recommendations for the use, operation, storage of spatulas. For example, after use, finishing fixtures must be washed and dried well.
The blade should not be subjected to heavy mechanical loads, so it is not recommended to apply too heavy mixtures. The working base of the tool should be in contact with abrasive surfaces to a minimum.
It is better to store spatulas vertically, carefully attaching them to a carnation. It is not recommended to keep in toolboxes so that the blades do not bend.
Choosing a tool among a wide range should be practical, based on the specifics necessary work. Proper operation spatula will be the key to high-quality finishing of the room.
