What they are for, how they work, when to use them, when not to use them, the application cycle, and the biggest mistake you can make.

Hi, today I want to talk about Insolanti or Primer products for walls.
All of us manufacturers have in our catalog various insulators or primers created to be able to solve various surface problems.
First, let’s understand what insulators are and what they are used for.
All insulators or primers come in liquid form.
They can be vinyl or acrylic in nature, water-based or solvent-based (this one widely used for exterior use), they can be diluted or ready to use.

What is the purpose of applying a coat of insulation? 

What is the purpose of applying a coat of insulation? 
An insulation serves not only to insulate the surface but also to consolidate it, making the absorption of the wall uniform, thus ensuring even painting and reducing paint consumption.

how does it work?

Once applied a part of it penetrates while another part remains on the surface which once dried provides consolidation i.e., blocking all micro dust particles present by isolating them.

When is it really necessary to use insulation? 

As I have already written in a few articles the application of an insulator on a new substrate, on a gypsum based skim coat, on old dusty substrates, after filling a large hole or crack, after doing a partial wall shaving or before applying a good washable paint over a tempera it is FUNDAMENTAL to apply a coat of Insulator!

Another very important thing since it is a transparent product is not to leave areas untreated and to follow well the instructions for use of the insulator because poor or excessive use of insulator can cause problems.

Type poor dilution can result in:

• If too diluted, it fails to even out and consolidate the wall, resulting in peeling paint and patchy painting
• If undiluted therefore too concentrated it can create problems in the painting phase since in some places the paint may fail to penetrate the substrate causing anti-aesthetic translucent effects.

Insulating the wall too much by no longer allowing it to breathe (especially if it is a cold wall or one exposed to moisture) can even lead to mold growth.

Can be done without using insulation? 

Only in case you need to repaint an already painted wall that has no detachments, no cracks, no mold, no dust, and the paint to be covered is a good washable one can skip the coat of insulation (always ask your dealer for advice).

Application cycle of an insulator

Depending on the state of the surface to be treated, the insulator and its dilution change.

• If we have old paint on the surface to be treated, it is a good idea to remove all those parts in the detached stages by brushing or sanding, level the irregularities with a wall filler, and then apply a coat of insulation. When dry, you can proceed with the application of your paint.

• In the case of new surfaces, the application of an insulator will serve to block the dust on the surface. In this case you will only need to apply one coat of insulator.

• In case there is presence of strongly alkaline paints or coatings such as lime, it is advisable to eliminate them totally, and apply a good insulator that has a high neutralizing power such as an insulator based on acrylic resins dissolved in solvent or an insulator based on micronized acrylic resins dissolved in water with high penetrating power.

WHAT NOT TO DO (the biggest mistake to avoid).

Often a few years ago (and sometimes even today) I would hear someone say that to save the application of the coat of insulation they preferred to add it directly into the paint.
This maneuver only served to increase the resin already in the paint and certainly not to insulate and consolidate the wall, losing the penetration property of the insulator.
As time went on and after several works of persuasion fortunately it was realized that there was nothing more wrong.

Conclusions

As we paint companies have developed new exterior or interior products, we have also developed their insulators.
Like for a paint that is siloxane in nature or potassium silicate based, or lime based, or for a decorative paint we have created for each type of product an insulator that has the same characteristics as the paint.
In simple terms if I have to apply a siloxane paint I must first apply a coat of siloxane-based insulator is so on for the other products I have indicated.
By doing so you will have applied the complete application cycle and consequently achieve the expected results.
Your trusted dealer or applicator will certainly know how to advise you based on the paint you have chosen which insulator to apply.

HELLO and see you next article