In the modern construction market, concrete contact is presented in a wide range. Each manufacturer makes its own changes to the recipe, which affects the characteristics of the material. Let's look at the main differences between soils from popular manufacturers. Let's get acquainted with the features of the composition and subtleties of application. After reading the article, when choosing a concrete contact or working tool, there will be fewer questions for consultants and craftsmen, and the final result will be better.
Original Betokontakt from Germany Source forum.saransk.ru
Specifications
Let's look at what concrete contact is and why it is needed. A popular primer is supplied by almost every manufacturer of paints and varnishes or leveling mixtures. The developers of the composition are recognized as German technologists from the family enterprise Feidal. In the original version, the pink liquid mass is represented by 40-50% solid/dry matter, the rest binding with functional additives.
The technical characteristics of concrete contact are determined by three groups of components:
- acrylic dispersion is responsible for adhesion indicators;
- quartz sand or analogues provide roughness;
- functional additives that give the coating water resistance, resistance to biological or corrosive damage.
Healthy soil has a neutral acidity level. This explains the absence of chemical reactions between the coating and any plaster/adhesive solutions based on a mineral binder, for which concrete contact is more often used.
Mechanical plastering of walls using concrete contact Source specteh-rzn.speczakaz.info
The consumption of primer material directly depends on the size of the solid filler. So, for the most part, the fraction of grains or crystals is 0.3-0.6 mm. The lower the indicator, the less composition will be needed to treat a given area. The dependence also lies in the processed base:
- high-density monolithic/slab concrete – from 350 grams per sq.m;
- tiles, porcelain stoneware – about 150-250 grams/sq.m;
- oil/alkyd paint with continuous coating – at least 200 grams.
To make it easier to monitor the solidity of the coating, manufacturers add pigment additives to the soil. Pink color predominates, blue is less common. The Tex company has found a more original solution - as the composition dries, it begins to turn red on the surface.
How to buy concrete contact and not go broke on construction
Not a single professional will advise saving on priming surfaces with concrete contact. In order for the plaster, glue or topcoat to last long and firmly, the layer of such primer must be applied evenly, without gaps and have sufficient thickness. The greater the thickness of the concrete contact layer, the better its adhesive properties are manifested. There is no point in saving here - you can lose much more by spoiling, for example, not cheap drywall, tiles and other materials that have fallen off.
The sufficiency of the thickness of the covering concrete contact is determined simply: you need to run any spatula over the dried surface, and if the sand particles crumble, you need to apply another layer.
The cost of concrete contacts on the Russian market varies greatly, so the average price will not make much sense.
You can buy high-quality concrete contacts much cheaper from domestic manufacturers, especially since high cost does not always mean better quality. Often the price of concrete contact per 1 m2 is no more than 10 - 20 rubles (one-time coating).
Attention! Due to the fact that there are often counterfeits of the product or failure to comply with storage standards, an important question is: where to buy concrete contact? The answer is only from reliable suppliers, in specialized stores with stable temperatures, or through the manufacturer’s website.
Based on the consumption rates, it turns out that a 10-liter can of concrete contact is enough to cover 20 - 50 square meters. meters of surface.
If you also take into account the service life of the coating, it turns out that it is not that expensive.
Purpose
The scope of application of the soil lies in the information about what it is - concrete contact. The acrylic binder has the ability to penetrate deeply. The composition forms a vapor-permeable rough film. Such properties are valued when working with substrates that do not absorb moisture and have a smooth surface. A common option of this type is concrete.
Smooth concrete floor Source yandex.net
The high adhesive ability of the soil ensures a strong connection of materials. To tear off the coating you will need to apply an average force of 100 g/sq.mm. This suggests that the base treated with concrete contact will be able to withstand a large layer of leveling plaster and cladding.
Among other things, due to the filler and the properties of the acrylic component, the dry residue can strengthen the base. The film has a high tensile strength. This is especially true when finishing an old base with microcracks.
As a result, the scope of application of concrete contact extends to the treatment of surfaces of the following nature:
- high-density concrete (panel houses, columns);
- ceramic tiles for finishing without dismantling the coating (two-layer application of primer is recommended);
- dry wooden base to be plastered (other compositions are not suitable);
- metal structures for any purpose without pre-treatment with an anti-corrosion compound;
- plastic or glass surface with correct calculation of the weight load of subsequent finishing.
Priming a painted surface Source snappygoat.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in finishing materials.
Separately, a primer with sand is considered for suitability for brickwork. Not all manufacturers include such a base in their scope of application. The reason is the heterogeneity of ceramic blocks and grout. The latter refers to porous materials that are rarely permissible to be covered with concrete contact.
Acrylic-based compositions can be diluted with water if necessary (not recommended). After drying, the coating can be painted with dispersion paints. Often the surface is decorated using concrete contact. If the composition is not stirred until smooth, then using a brush you can form a chaotic pattern. This way, you don’t have to align the walls with the ceilings, but you can visually transform it for a long time, and additionally protect it from fungus, mold, and corrosion.
Often in the old foundation, finishers are faced with oil paint and chalk. Such finishing is subject to maximum elimination. Next, you should make notches under the plaster or cladding using an ax or a hammer with a chisel, and sand the surface with a coarse abrasive to create roughness.
Notches on a complex base Source couo.ru
After removing grease stains and dust, priming can be carried out, preferably in two layers with intermediate drying.
Among the recommendations you can find the use of contact concrete under putty. However, this material is intended for thin layer application and finishing. The sand contained in the soil will contribute to the formation of scratches and, in general, the composition will be a waste of time, effort, and money. For final leveling, it is enough to treat the base with a dust-removing agent for plaster, a highly specialized primer for metal, plastic, and glass.
Restrictions on use
Most manufacturers and consultants on trading platforms position concrete contact as a universal material. This applies to any soil regarding the nature of the finish with the base, but not suitability for work indoors and outdoors. Samples applicable in both directions exist, but their number is limited. In fact, some soils cannot be used for treating the facade, roof, or basement.
Primer for interior work Source stpulscen.ru
Some options are only permissible for substrates in dry rooms. It is important to first read the instructions on the labels of the cans or buckets.
Due to the high strength of the film, soil is often used to strengthen a loose foundation, for which concrete contact is unsuitable. The composition will penetrate into pores and microcracks, but only superficially. As a result, the finish may fall off the wall or ceiling in a layer under its own weight. Here you need a special strengthening agent with deep penetration.
In order to enhance adhesion and reduce absorbency, any porous substrates must be treated. Soil with quartz sand is not suitable for this, since the binder component will mostly end up in the pores. As a result, the permeability of the breathable surface will decrease to an insignificant extent, and the bond between the filler grains will be insufficient to withstand the declared mechanical load. The solution here is an impregnating agent, which is applied in 2-4 layers with intermediate drying.
Porous materials Source prom.st
Varieties
Primer for concrete and smooth non-absorbent surfaces is divided into 2 types:
- concrete contact for external work;
- for interior work;
- universal.
The soil for outdoor work is predominantly frost-resistant, able to withstand winter frosts and atmospheric influences (humidity, temperature changes, solar UV rays). Concrete contact for interior work is resistant to moisture and fungi, and forms an ideal surface for interior decoration.
The universal concrete primer is suitable for indoor and outdoor work and meets the requirements for indoor and outdoor use at the same time. This is convenient to purchase during construction, when there is a need for parallel or sequential cladding of rooms and facades.
Video description
From the video you can get acquainted with the features of various primers:
There are points for which concrete contact is needed, but with limitations. This applies to metal, wood, plastic and glass. The expected result will be obtained only on a mineral surface with the listed inclusions. For a solid base, the option of subsequent finishing with light weight using paints and varnishes would be relevant.
Experts note deviations from the expected when concrete contact is used under self-leveling floors. If you have to work with cement mortar, the adhesion is good, but gypsum does not spread. As a result, cracks and peeling of the coating appear.
Reviews
As you would expect, reviews of concrete contact are in most cases positive. There have still been no disputes about which mixture manufacturer is better. But occasionally there are negative reviews, but they are more likely about sellers, not about manufacturers.
On one of the forums, a man told a terrible story that after applying concrete contact to the ceiling and then whitewashing it, the result was not satisfactory. At first, pinkish reflections could be seen under the layer of white. And after a week, the whitewash began to chip off along with the primer.
Professional builders in this case explain that either the composition was purchased with an expired expiration date or after repeated freezing, or a fake was purchased.
Such cases, unfortunately, do occur. Therefore, if the purchase of concrete contact occurs not in a specialized store, but in the market, then it is better to open the container and check the homogeneity of the mixture. If the solution is not homogeneous, the purchase should be abandoned.
Errors at work
Due to inexperience or ignorance, building materials for intermediate installation are often used, making mistakes. The consequences of this can be unpredictable, and it is almost impossible to track the processes of destruction under finishing in a timely manner. This also applies to concrete contact.
Consequences of violating plastering technology Source kontrolstroy.ru
In reviews, there is often a remark about adhesives and leveling mixtures that they have poor adhesion to soil with quartz. This is only possible if the solution contains an excess amount of water. This drawback leads to the separation of mixtures due to a disrupted moisture transfer process and a low concentration of the binder component.
Deviations from the declared soil parameters may occur for the following reasons:
- applying the composition at temperatures below +7 – +10°C or above +25°C, at a relative air humidity above 65%;
- processing frozen or wet bases;
- finishing of an unprepared surface (dust, grease stains, affected areas, weak spots);
- inadequate drying of the coating (how long the concrete contact dries depends on the recipe, the original takes only 3-4 hours);
- wind or draft accelerates the process of water loss and the formation of dry residue, but disrupts its quality;
- adding water reduces the concentration of the binder and deteriorates the quality of the adhesive film;
- use of cheap analogues of Betokontakt for “heavy” finishing.
“Heavy” wall cladding with porcelain stoneware Source otdelkino.ru
Dust can be invisible, but it actively sticks to the primed surface. The plaster and glue will peel off from such a base. You will have to do the pre-treatment again.
The solid filler is heavier than the other components in concrete contact. It settles relatively quickly to the bottom of any working container. Therefore, it is important to stir the composition periodically.
The original soil is stored in an airtight container for only 2 years, analogues from six months. Mostly natural ingredients will most likely not cause any harm to health after the expiration date. But quality indicators will noticeably decrease. After sub-zero temperatures during storage, it will be possible to work only with frost-resistant soil. But in any case, it is applied at temperatures above +7 – +10°C to +25°C. This applies to the material, the base and the air.
Instructions for using concrete contact
Working with polymer-sand primer for smooth surfaces is easy. For manual work you will need:
- ready-made concrete contact solution or dry mixture for self-preparation;
- roller with a long handle for covering walls or floors;
- wide brush for working corners;
- tray for rolling out the solution.
For faster work, the only tools you need are a spray gun.
Stage 1: preparation
For new surfaces, removing traces of formwork and degreasing is sufficient if lubricants were used to remove the form. It is also necessary to get rid of traces of bitumen and dust deposits.
To work with indoor concrete contact, it is necessary to create optimal temperature conditions of +5°...+30°C according to the instructions. However, it is recommended to coat the walls at a temperature of about 20° - this way the solution adheres better and does not set prematurely in the tray and on the brush (roller). The room should be well ventilated to normalize the humidity level.
Stage 2: application
How to apply concrete contact with a brush and roller:
- they start working from the corners - they are painted over with a brush in the same way as with paint;
- It is convenient to cover the main area with a roller, dipping it into a tray with primer, rolling out the remains on the grate and applying the product to the walls.
When applying manually, the solution in the bucket must be stirred periodically - grains of sand settle at the bottom of the container.
Before loading the concrete contact into the spray gun, it is necessary to add 0.05 liters of water per 1 kg of soil to obtain a working consistency. The emulsion should be applied at a time, continuously covering the entire wall, floor or ceiling.
Application Tools
The choice of one or another painting tool depends on several points. The main ones are the nature of the building material, the shape, composition and structure of the base, ease of use. Concrete contact is a liquid mass, similar in consistency to kefir, but sometimes a little thicker.
Priming a flat surface with a paint roller Source eyecorrector.ru
A spray gun is also not suitable here because of the hard grain filler.
Since the composition of the concrete contact primer does not include organic solvents, acids, alkalis, or other aggressive components, it is permissible to use tools with any bristles and fur coats by nature. But there are still restrictions.
Soft materials quickly become unusable due to sand. Flat brushes do not pick up much thick mass and do not distribute the filler well over the base. It is more rational to use brushes with hard or medium-hard bristles. In general, it is more difficult to work with a roller for three reasons:
- the grain component is unevenly distributed on the surface;
- solid particles actively scatter over the area depending on the speed of rotation of the roller;
- Short pile and fur take up little soil, while long pile significantly weighs down the tool and splashes more.
As a result, the soil and concrete contact with minimal losses and maximum quality will be applied using a brush with synthetic or mixed bristles.
Distribution of betocontact with maklovitsa Source gidpokraske.ru
In terms of length, it is better to choose medium. It is noticeably easier and faster to work with a roller, but the consumption of the applied acrylic composition will increase, the solid filler will be unevenly distributed, and a lot of debris and splashes will form.
During priming, it is important to protect the skin from betocontact. The same goes for clothes and shoes, if they are not work shoes. Before drying, the composition is easily washed off and washed off. But the splashes and droplets begin to harden after just a few minutes.
After drying, the primer will be very difficult to remove due to its high adhesive ability. The fabric will have to be cut and scraped, but damage cannot be completely avoided. Concrete contact can be removed from the hairline only together with the hair. A rich cream or oil can make the task easier and reduce trauma.
Compound
Any variation of Concrete Contact, regardless of the manufacturer, contains the following:
- Acrylic dispersion or copolymers. Responsible for adhesion - stickiness. Leaves a sticky viscous layer after drying. The quality of the polymers included in the composition affects the durability of the primer.
- Fillers. Mostly quartz sand, but there are others. They are used to create roughness, which improves adhesion when applying the next layer.
- Additives and additives that give Betonokontakt additional properties: water repellency, frost resistance, antibacterial properties.
- Dyes. To control the application process without bald spots. When such a component is not in the composition, you can add it yourself.
- The acidity level of Betonokontakt is neutral, which allows the primer to be used under both gypsum and cement putties and plasters.
Popular manufacturers
With the use of concrete contact primer, we’ve figured out its basic characteristics, and let’s get acquainted with the distinctive features of compositions from different manufacturers.
Knauf brand soil Source stpulscen.ru
Let’s take the original version of Betokontakt as an example: it dries in 3-4 hours, the consistency is a little thick, the condition is viscous, the filler is fine-grained. Below we consider individual properties of analogues:
- Bolars is too thick, difficult to work with, takes more than a day to dry;
- Olympus - expensive, but not inferior to the original composition;
- Osnovit (Bettokont) - sand settles quickly, dries in up to 2 hours, the manufacturer limits its use only for gypsum solutions;
- Plitonite – the filler is lightweight, so it settles slowly and does not require frequent mixing;
- Pufas – marked by lower adhesion to concrete against the background of Betokontakt;
- Prospectors - dries up to 4 hours, the sand fraction is coarse, which is important for rough leveling finishing and heavy cladding;
- Ceresite is the most common object for counterfeiting.
The German brand Knauf produces relatively inexpensive soil. It has low moisture resistance, so applying liquid solutions is not recommended. In contrast, they put a moisture-resistant sample with marble chips under the Shtock brand.
Akrimax-Lux brand soil Source storg.ru
Instead of output
Before purchasing a primer, read the instructions carefully. After all, each composition has its own purpose, and this must be taken into account before purchasing. Some primers are suitable only for a gypsum layer, others - for gypsum and cement. There are mixtures for external use, and some only for interior use. Universal options are also sold.
On store shelves you can find compositions that are suitable for application to painted walls or ceramic tiles. The main thing is that before you pay for your purchase, carefully study the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the use of their products.
Briefly about the main thing
Betokontakt is made from acrylic dispersion, fine-grained solid filler, and functional additives.
Almost all manufacturers add pigment additives to the composition to monitor the consistency of the coating.
The main task of the primer is to create good adhesion of solutions with smooth and dense concrete. Additionally, such substrates as ceramic cladding, brickwork, and oil paint are considered. Such surfaces are not always included in the list of acceptable ones for a particular brand of soil.
In the recommendations, you must find out information about the possible use of the material outside and in wet rooms, since not all options are universal.
general information
Let's find out why Concrete contact is needed. When it is necessary to roughen non-absorbent, dense, smooth substrates to improve adhesion (adhesion, stickiness), the Betonokontakt primer is successfully used. This makes it easier to subsequently lay plaster and gypsum putty. The material design varies, designed for different operating conditions and requirements for the basic rough surface.
The primer was invented by the German company FEIDAL. In the original it is called Betokontakt. In Russia, it is most often called Betonokontakt, since initially the ready-made mixture was always applied to concrete.
There are various other names for soil that are given by manufacturers to distinguish their product from competitors. The original composition remains with the company-inventor.
For others it may differ slightly.
Concrete contact has the following positive qualities:
- environmental friendliness;
- vapor permeability;
- high drying speed;
- long service life;
- durability.
How to choose concrete contact correctly
The question arises: how not to make mistakes when buying?
Choose a primer produced by well-known companies that are sensitive to their reputation. If you see an expensive brand of concrete contact at a too low price, this is a reason to be wary.
You can evaluate the quality of the primer visually. High-quality material always has a pink, blue or purple color to control the evenness of the coating. If the primer is almost white, this is a sign that it may have been heavily diluted with water.
Video: Primer: types, mistakes, how to deceive? Secrets of materials and advice from a professional
Concrete contact is one of the types of primers that cannot be avoided when carrying out finishing work. In addition to adhesion, it gives surfaces additional characteristics: strength, waterproofing properties, resistance to mold and mildew, and also provides dust removal from concrete surfaces. The use of concrete contact allows finishing work not only on new surfaces, but also on those that have already been previously painted or tiled. To obtain a reliable and durable coating, it is important to use high-quality material and not try to save money by diluting it with water.
Means of protection
Concrete contacts are chemically safe solutions, completely non-toxic. Nevertheless, it is recommended to use protective equipment when working with them - drops that get on the skin are not easy to wash off.
Windows and installed doors should be protected - they should be covered with cloth or covered with paper for the same purpose to prevent drops of acrylic and sand from settling. It is difficult to remove them due to the high adhesion of concrete contact with any surfaces. In addition, drops of soil can scratch the glass when removed.
Questions and answers
Since concrete contact appeared relatively recently and belongs to a line of innovative materials, questions often arise regarding the possibilities of its use for various coatings and comparison with other similar priming agents.
What is better concrete contact or deep penetration primer?
When comparing concrete contact and deep penetration primer, it is important to understand the fundamental difference between these materials. Yes, they both increase the adhesion of materials, but only the concrete contact acts as a kind of “adhesive” layer and creates the necessary rough texture to which the plaster or putty “adheres” firmly.
Is it possible to glue wallpaper to concrete contact?
You can wallpaper walls and ceilings directly over the concrete contact primer in the following cases:
- When the surface of the walls is perfectly flat and painted with oil or water-based paint.
- The structure of the wallpaper is dense with a convex texture.
- When gluing wallpaper in a room with high humidity.
In all other cases, it is recommended to first apply putty and only after that, using an acrylic primer, wallpaper the walls.
Is it possible to apply concrete contact to whitewash?
Whitewash can be lime or chalk. Lime can be painted with concrete contact without any problems, but chalk whitewash will have to be washed away with water. In any case, you need to check the strength of the whitewash layer, remove excess layers of whitewash with a metal spatula and smooth out any irregularities with sanding paper. The surface is cleaned of dust with a brush or wet method. The latter option is more attractive, since in this case, after drying, the whitewash layer is further strengthened.
How to replace concrete contact?
It is difficult to find a complete replacement for the Betonokontakt primer. After all, each type of primer has its own recommended area of application. Sometimes you can use a deep penetration acrylic primer instead of this product, but only under certain conditions. In those days when there was no priming liquid for concrete contact, home craftsmen used a homemade mixture of PVA glue, cement M 400 - M 500 and sifted sand to increase the roughness of smooth surfaces. But all these homemade mixtures cannot be an alternative to Concrete Contact.
With the advent of the Betonokontakt primer composition, the finishing work of interior spaces and exterior facades has been greatly simplified, which has improved the quality of the work performed. The combination of unique performance properties, durability and reliability has made concrete contact an indispensable building material.
What surfaces can be treated
Betonkontakt is intended primarily for treating concrete and brick walls for the application of gypsum plaster.
Hardened concrete, like brick, has a fairly smooth and low-porosity surface with low adhesion. Concrete contact does not penetrate deep into the base, but forms a thin film on its surface. Thanks to the addition of quartz sand, this film has a rough surface to which any finishing materials adhere well.
In addition to a concrete or brick base, the following surfaces can be treated with concrete contact:
- tree;
- metal;
- ceramics;
- drywall;
- asbestos cement.
In addition, surfaces with an already applied layer of paint or old tiles are treated with a primer. If these finishing materials hold tightly, a new coating can be applied over them. Neither paint, nor tiles, nor plaster will stick to a smooth painted or ceramic tiled surface, but if you first treat it with a concrete contact primer, adhesion will increase and it will be possible to apply new finishing materials.
Thanks to the use of concrete contact, it is possible not to use a mesh under the plaster and not to prime the surface with PVA glue; The plaster will hold up just fine. Thus, the use of concrete contact significantly reduces the labor intensity of plastering work and the time spent on it.
Important!
It is not recommended to apply cement plaster to concrete contact. It can tear the primer layer and peel off.
Betonkontakt is also used to prime the surface of a concrete screed in order to bind residual dust before laying the floor covering.
What to apply?
Before applying the mixture, you need to select the following tools:
- roller;
- wide brush;
- spray gun;
- capacity.
A wide brush allows for an even coating, provides high-quality adhesion to the surface, and corrects cracks and crevices. The tool is used for finishing small areas and beams.
The composition is applied to a painted wall panel or plasterboard floors using a roller. Other tools provide insufficiently dense application for the composition.
Recommendations
Concrete contact cannot be applied before plastering with a cement mixture. The peel-off strength of the film after such a primer is 0.1 MPa less than that required for cement-based mortars. Therefore, plastering with cement compositions should be carried out only on concrete.
When purchasing a primer, you need to pay attention to the production date and storage conditions. It is recommended to use only formulations that have been manufactured less than a year. If the concrete contact was stored incorrectly and was subject to freezing, there is no point in using it. After defrosting, this mixture loses its adhesive properties.
To reduce the consumption of concrete contact, the surface is pre-coated with a deep penetration primer. If the base is too dry and porous, after the first layer has dried, you need to apply the primer again. Treatment with concrete contact is possible only after the soil has completely dried.
What is concrete contact, see below.
Primer consumption
The consumption of concrete contact per m2 depends on the porosity of the treated surfaces:
- 500 g/m2 or more for a highly porous base (ash block, wall plastered with a clay-sand mixture);
- 300-350 g/m2 for concrete slabs or brick walls of medium porosity;
- 150 g/m when covering smooth and slightly porous substrates (paint, metal, glass, ceramics).
The consumption of concrete contact will have to be doubled if 48 hours have passed after drying. We'll have to process the wall again. The fact is that dust particles stick to the rough layer, worsening the technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer.
