QUESTION OF THE MONTH. Which Filler Is The Right One?

Before applying a coating, there is often the preparation of the substrate and thus the choice of filler. But which filler is the right one?

According to DIN 55945, fillers or leveling compounds are highly pigmented and filled coating materials that are used to level unevenness. In order to achieve the desired flatness or to close cracks and holes, the suitable filler must be selected.

A good approach is to categorize them by type of application, binder, substrate and application method.

Typical applications are as a leveling compound and as a filler for damage. Filling of transitions between components may also be required. As a binder base z. B. synthetic resin dispersion, oil or natural plaster. The offer includes spray and draw fillers. Depending on the substrate material, special wood or metal spatulas can be used. Furthermore, attention should be paid to the area of application, whether inside or outside. Putties for indoor use are usually water-soluble and therefore not weatherproof.

So-called gypsum-based fillers dry quickly and are very easy to sand. They are used indoors, preferably on mineral substrates. As they can be coated with almost all coating materials, gypsum fillers are particularly suitable for working on walls and ceilings. They are also suitable for grouting and filling dowel holes. Thanks to glue or dispersion additives, hardening is delayed and elasticity increased.

A plastic dispersion filler also has very good sandability. Both dry and wet grinding are possible. The ready-to-use interior filler is made up of components such as chalk, heavy spar, polyvinyl acetate and, if necessary, hydraulic binders. In conjunction with a primer, it has very good adhesion and can then be painted over with emulsion paints. Plastic dispersion filler is ideal for processing on large wood and plaster surfaces.