Application Methods, Pros and Cons of Mixtures- Review + Video

After the completion of the construction or cleaning during the overhaul of the main walls and partitions, the process of surface finishing begins. For external walls and internal rooms, there is a difference in the materials used.

Outdoor surfaces require coatings with materials that will withstand the negative effects of atmospheric agents. Most often, a combination is used for these purposes as part of facade finishing systems. They are based on cement.

General information about Knauf plaster

Internal surfaces do not experience such strong harmful effects. Therefore, simpler compositions can be used for these purposes, but it is desirable that they be made from raw materials that do not harm human health. The products of the Knauf concern fully meet these criteria.

Knauf gypsum plasters are a good solution for the initial stage of finishing work.

Basic composition

A dry plaster mixture is made from gypsum stone of geological deposits.

It is crushed to a powdery state, water is removed under high temperature and mixed with a small amount of polymer additives. They give the finished liquid mixture plasticity and slow down the reactions that occur with gypsum when exposed to water.

Ready dry mix contains up to 90% of natural substances, and the rest of the place is given to polymers.

Extraction of raw materials in different deposits gives Knauf products special characteristics. The plaster differs in color, grain size and intended use:

• pink color acquires when made from raw materials with a corresponding shade.

  More often, for objectivity, such plaster is used on walls with a high degree of deformation. The substance is composed of large particles.

• Plaster, white or with a beige tint, is universal, suitable for finishing walls and ceilings immediately before painting or using wallpaper. Most often, with proper application and surface treatment, the use of finishing compounds is not required.
• Plaster with a gray tint is suitable for wall decoration with a thick layer of material.

  The use of white finishing compounds is mandatory in the future. This is due to the fact that the gray color appears through paint or thin wallpaper.

The product is produced only in dry powder and packed in multi-layer paper bags. According to the storage conditions, the bags are kept in a dry place.

Water is used to prepare the working mixture.

Its amount is taken equal to obtain the required amount of material equal to the output in 30 minutes.

Methods of applying material to the surface

There are two main methods of applying Knauf gypsum plaster.

Applied by hand

A plaster trowel or plaster bucket is used. The method is called drop-in.The material is poured onto the surface and then leveled with a wide spatula or trapezoidal rule.

This method is often used on small areas of the surface. If it is necessary to produce thick layers, the work is divided into several stages with layer-by-layer application of the material, each layer must be dried.

An indication of the method of applying the finished material is written on the packaging. The consistency of the product for manual application is much thicker and more elastic, the fractions are large.

Machine application

Suitable for large volumes.

The material is applied to the surface using beacons. Aligned using a rule.

The material consists of more polymers and sulfur for hardening than a mixture for manual application. Gypsum is ground into fine dust.

Until completely dry, the surface is moistened with water and smoothed with a spatula with a horizontal mirror or a trowel covered with a sponge.

After complete drying, the surface becomes glossy. Further processing with the finishing mixture is not required.

Not used for finishing ceilings due to its liquid consistency.

Which surfaces should be treated with Knauf plaster

Before using the gypsum mixture for plastering, the surfaces are treated with primers to remove dust. Oil stains or areas with complex contamination are treated with a concrete contact mixture, exfoliating areas of building material or old coatings are preliminarily removed.

Gypsum plaster is used for finishing surfaces of different materials:

• Concrete walls and ceilings.
• Brickwork.
• Polyurethane foam surfaces.
• Walls made of aerated concrete porous blocks.
• Wood coverings.

Positive qualities of Knauf plaster

• Environmental clean material.
• Improves indoor climate by adjusting humidity.
• Long service life.
• Not expensive for the price.
• Easy to use plaster.

• You can work with such material on your own, without involving outside specialists.
• Suitable for many surfaces.
• Fast preparation of the working mixture.
• The damaged area is easily repaired.
• Resistant material against sudden temperature changes.

• Dries quickly on surfaces.
• A dry surface can be easily abraded with an abrasive tool.

Negative aspects of gypsum plaster

• Short shelf life of the ready working mixture.
• The shelf life of dry mix in a warehouse does not exceed 6 months.
• A layer of plaster on the surface of a wall or ceiling is dried only naturally; when heated, uneven or sharp loss of moisture leads to cracking of the material.

• Not applicable in rooms with high humidity.

After complete drying, the material shrinks.

The main products of Knauf plaster mixes

Several variants of Knauf gypsum plasters are produced in German production:

• Rotband universal mixture is used for interior finishing works, applied to all types of surfaces. Suitable for walls and ceilings.
• Goldband is only suitable for concrete, brick and stone surfaces.

  Apply to walls only.

• Start Plaster for preparation and smoothing with a small layer of surfaces before applying the main finishing material.
• Mixture MP-75 is intended for machine application. The layer should not exceed 25 mm.
• Plaster MH Start is applied only with a plastering machine.

  The layer is applied within 10 mm.

Conclusion

The high quality of Knauf products holds the first places in popularity. Only the din factor can disturb the quality of the mixture, this is improper storage or expired. It is necessary to choose only fresh materials. All of their technical characteristics will correspond to the stated standards on the packaging.

Only in this case are high-quality surfaces obtained for a moderate price.