Whenever any infrastructure is constructed, a very crucial phenomenon happens to be its painting, as it is after painting that the surface of the infrastructure shines through the whole establishment.
However, the complete process of painting requires multiple steps, and the two most common tools used throughout the process are known as Primer and Putty.
While these two are very different from one another, it can be a difficult task to technically differentiate between these two.
Key Takeaways
- Primer is a preparatory coating applied to surfaces before painting, ensuring better paint adhesion, while the putty is a paste used to fill cracks, holes, and imperfections on surfaces.
- Putty is applied before primer, as it helps create a smooth and even surface for the primer to adhere to.
- Primers are available in various types, such as oil-based, latex, and shellac, while putty comes in two forms: acrylic and oil-based.
Primer vs Putty
Primer is applied in a thin, even layer creating a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to, and can help to prevent rust and other forms of corrosion. Putty is made from a combination of materials, such as gypsum, clay, and linseed oil, and can be used on a variety of surfaces.
A primer basically happens to be a material that is used on the wall before applying the final paint as it provides the painting support to get an even finish on the wall.
Usually, this particular material happens to be in the form of liquid and neutralizes the wall with a neutral color before the application of any paint color.
But on the other hand, putty happens to be a very different material and serves a completely different purpose.
It essentially helps the person to apply the primer evenly as it gets rid of all the uneven structures that are present on the wall after the necessary construction work.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Primer | Putty |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The term refers to a liquid material that is used in the process of painting any wall. | The term refers to a semi-liquid material that is used in the process of painting any wall. |
| Texture | The texture of this particular material happens to be in liquid form. | The texture of this particular material happens to be either in powder form or in semi-liquid form. |
| Order of use | This particular material is used just before applying the paint. | This particular material is used just before applying the primer. |
| Purpose | This material is used so as to make the paint look smooth in the finishing. | This material is used to get rid of all the uneven spots of the wall before applying primer. |
| Made by | This particular material consists of synthetic resin, solvent, and additive agents. | This particular material consists of a mixture of white cement with water and additives. |
What is Primer?
Consisting of synthetic resin, multiple solvents, and other additive agents, a primer happens to be a very crucial tool in completing any painting process on any possible surface.
This particular material happens to be very significant in nature and is used just before applying any coat of paint on the wall.
The very basic purpose behind applying this particular material is that it makes sure that when the paint is applied to the wall, it provides finishing and even looks on the wall; hence before applying the actual paint, this particular material is painted on the wall so as to get an even texture.
It not just enhances the texture but also acts as an adhesive between the wall and the paint, as in some cases, the paint does not naturally get attached to the wall, and primer plays a significant role in this process.
This particular material comes in a liquid form and looks just like any other paint however happens to be very neutral in color as it just provides the base for the paint.
What is Putty?
Made after mixing a certain amount of white cement with water and additive agents, a particular material known as Putty is manufactured and utilized in the process of painting any wall or like surface.
The very basic quality that differentiates this particular material from all other related materials is that it exists in a solid shape or a semisolid shape further.
Initially, this material comes in the shape of a powder, and after mixing it with necessary agents, it acquires this shape of a semisolid material that is painted on the wall so as to make all the uneven spots even.
It can simply be understood as the basis for applying the primer on any wall, and it makes sure that when the primer is applied, the wall happens to be in an even shape and texture, which is further reformed by the primer itself.
Either very look of it this particular material looks like a dough and contains a lot of plasticities that is used to increase the adhesiveness of the surface.
Its clay-type looks and texture make it very easy to provide a base for any primer or paint coat. However, apart from construction, it is sometimes used in other industries also.
Main Differences Between Primer and Putty
- Primer is a liquid kind of material used in the process of painting, while on the other hand, Putty is a powder kind of material used in the same process.
- Primer happens to be in a liquid state, while on the other hand, Putty happens to be in a solid or semi-solid state.
- Primer is applied after applying putty while on the other hand, Putty is applied before applying primer.
- Primer serves as a tool for obtaining more finishing for the wall, while on the other hand, Putty gets rid of all the uneven textures that are present on the wall.
- Primer is made of synthetic resin and other additives while on the other hand, Putty is made of white cement added with other additives.
References
- https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000147
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263822301000356
Last Updated : 16 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
