The wall putty trowel is an indispensable tool at the most important stage of construction.... If we translate this word into our language from a foreign language, it will mean “shoulder blade”.

And in fact, the tool visually resembles it, because it consists of a handle, a plate or a working blade. But which spatula is the best for putty? You will learn about this in this article.

How to choose a professional construction trowel for wall putty

A professional trowel for finishing and walls must be made of steel. you can see the finishing putty for painting. Moreover, its thickness is not more than mm. Its canvas should bend and stand out with maximum rigidity.

The disposable spatulas are easy to recognize - they are complemented by a black plastic and metal handle working area.

Its thickness should not be more than 0.5mm. Such a tool, at the very minimum load, will begin to deform, while smoothly smooth walls it is extremely difficult to achieve with it. It does not level the surface, but only makes defects more noticeable, repeating and highlighting them against the general background.

It is not uncommon to purchase painting tools with a plate on the market, which stand out in widths from 80 to 450 mm. How many masters, so many opinions, and each defines the most handy spatula , on the market there are such sizes of spatulas for putty:

• classic, standard tool, which stands out with a width of 200 to 250 mm;
• additional, from 80 to 100 mm wide;
• corner spatulas for putty, the prices of which also vary.

For processing internal and external corners, it is rational to purchase professional spatulas. They are distinguished by two cavities located at an angle of 90 degrees.

Such spatulas are not in great demand, because their work requires the development of a certain technique, while the corners in the room must be even.

Many repairmen prefer not to spend extra money on the purchase of special corner spatulas, and create them in classic variations.

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A good spatula for wall putty is used to perform a variety of construction and repair work. Here under the wallpaper. To make a tool plate, a manufacturer uses different materials.

They often opt for metal, plastic or rubber. Today on the market you can buy spatulas that are used for highly specialized purposes.

For processing the bearing surface, it is rational to use products with a flat surface, a plastic or wood holder and a metal plate.

The material considered in the article is different, therefore its price will be based on the manufacturer and the type of material used.

Despite the fact that this tool is so called, it can be used not only for processing the facade, but also for interior decoration supporting structures.

A professional putty putty knife is distinguished by a more massive blade, which is made of strong steel, it does not lend itself to deformation during operation.

Using a similar tool, you can easily apply the construction mix to the surface to be treated. In its shape, the work surface resembles a quadrangle with two parallel and two non-parallel sides, with a width of thirty cm or more.

Facade tools are most often used simultaneously with painting tools. If the layer of putty will be applied in one continuous ball, it is more convenient to collect the building mixture from the container with a more compact analogue. Depending on the size of the ball will depend.

At the stage of applying the last ball, the spatula is used as additional element... A building mixture is placed on it, and using a paint spatula, it is collected in small portions and applied to the surface.

For fine finishing it is more rational to use a paint spatula. Using it, you can perform the following manipulations:

• make the surface as flat as possible after applying putty material;
• mask the seams between plasterboard layers. about plasterboard plasterboard for painting;
• earn defects and notches;
• handle complex structures.

As the facade trowel, it stands out in trapezoidal shape and completed with a plastic handle.

But despite the constructive identity, the painting tool stands out with the following differences:

• the minimum width of such a spatula is 20 mm;
• thickness. Plate painting tool, as a rule, thinner than that of the facade counterpart;
• elasticity level. The tool stands out for its more elastic and bendable blade;
• material. For the production of painting spatulas, alloy steel is used, which is resistant to corrosion due to the chromium content, while another considered analogue is made from steel with a carbon content of more than 0.6%.

Painting tools are divided into the following types:

• for professional and non-professional work;
• those that can be used once.

Metal scraper

If you still don’t know which trowel to choose for the filler, don’t forget to get a scraper.

It stands out for its narrow field of application and is used to remove excess building material from the surface.

Its feature is considered to be the thickest blade that does not deform, it is made of strong metal. Such a spatula stands out for its relatively small width, which is 50 mm.

Most often it is used for grouting seams. It is a solid sheet of rubber that varies in type and shape and its used to cover up scratches and dents on flooring from fibreboard.

But basically, such a spatula is purchased for grinding the seams of tiles, while during work you can not worry about its integrity.

Rubber can never affect the quality of the tile, no matter how hard you clean it. Putty knife perfectly repeats all irregularities and roughness surface, so it is ideal for grouting.

This type of spatula does not particularly stand out for its wide range. They can only be divided by a couple of characteristics: the size of the teeth, which are used to determine the ball of glue used, and the shape. The larger the ball, the longer. The latter varies only in width.

In the first case, a spatula with a width of 20 cm is used, then in the second the width may be the second larger. Such differences can be characterized different spheres application.

Pronged tools are used when working with small size fired clay rectangular wall plates, and a falcon tool for massive slabs that decorate floor and wall coverings.

Regarding the height of the teeth, then on the market the following standard sizes are presented: 0.6, 0.8, 1, 1.2, .4 mm... If you need a bigger tool, then get a classic spatula.

The thickness of the tile adhesive layer (its composition) can increase if it is applied simultaneously to both the facing surface and the tile. But only the directions of application of the material should be opposite.

When working with rectangular filler plates, it is worth paying attention to the rubber spatulas, which are used to rub the seams. By the way, they are used as spatulas for car putty, which also vary in width.

Classic sets of such tools consist of several types of spatulas. They are considered semi-professional and extremely tedious to work with. Most likely, it is more rational to use them for processing objects of small volume and for large tiles.

Sizes of putty tools

For processing walls, it is rational to choose the tools necessary in size.

Wide for alignment

To level the uneven base and to easily putty the walls use:

• wide type for facades (up to 600 mm);

• rule (1500-3000 mm).

Thanks to this, it is possible to eliminate the most coarse and massive defects. They are used for the application of the so-called initial putty mixture, while the material is applied in the thickest possible layer.

Is it convenient to putty with medium

Medium puttying tools (150 to 250 mm wide) are used to treat large irregularities and dents that remain after the initial treatment.

This trowel allows you to create the smoothest possible filler layer. The main task of such a spatula is to seal holes and eliminate visible defects.

After processing, the spatula may leave slight protrusions, which are removed after complete drying with special ribbed paper.

Narrow for puttying

Narrow (50–100 mm) suitable for small depressions left over from the previous material. After its application, there are practically no flaws on the surface.

It is irrational to use this tool to make the surface as smooth as possible, because it fully repeats all the chaotic irregularities on the walls. Moreover, it is often used to treat hard-to-reach areas. With this material, you can collect the mixture from the container and apply it to the work surface.

Choosing a tool for applying the finishing putty

In order not to get completely confused in the options presented and to purchase a product that will fulfill the assigned tasks, we recommend that you pay attention to such characteristics. First of all it is worth paying attention to the handle.

It should be comfortable, and it is better if there are no flaws or sharp protrusions on the metal surface on the surface. If they appear in the course of work, then this indicates that you are going to purchase a low quality product.

Do not purchase items that are too long and narrow. They will be inconvenient to use during operation, while they are most difficult to operate.

To level the surface, it is more rational to purchase a product that resembles a trapezoid in shape. Triangle or droplet tools are not as convenient.

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If, when pressing on the blade, it begins to bend strongly during operation, the building mixture will roll off such a spatula, it will even be difficult to apply it to the wall, not to mention leveling. Spatulas with excessive stiffness will undoubtedly deform during operation.

The correct spatula should be equipped with a blade that will spring slightly when pressed. To apply the finishing putty, you can use a tool whose blade is made of stainless steel.

This will allow it to be easily cleaned after use and will ensure it is free from corrosion, which will negatively affect the finish. Putty knife with iron cloth and metal spraying is considered a poor quality product and requires the utmost care to prevent rust formation.

It can negatively affect not only the material, but also the treated surface. Pay attention to the blade. It should not have sharpenings; it is rational to use such products for other types of work.

For more information on choosing a spatula, see the video:

How to clean the tool

There are many videos and articles on this topic on the Internet. But these two options are considered to be the most common.

• v tin can make a couple of cuts, and in the end you will have an accessible and effective adaptation for cleaning tools;
• arm yourself with a wet rag (to prevent dust) and an ordinary washcloth for descaling stainless dishes.

For effective cleaning, you just need to delicately treat the contaminated surface with iron shavings.

It is rational to use a wet rag to brush away loose dust particles. After a few minutes of manipulation, the instrument will look like new.

In this way, even an old, long-frozen putty can be easily cleaned. Some recommend using sandpaper, but it can damage the delicate surface of the trowel. This method can only be used by professionals who know how to control the intensity of friction.

conclusions

Of course, the fact that there is a large assortment of tools considered in the article in the hardware store should certainly please. But, alas, on the one hand, the choice is great, and this creates additional difficulties during the acquisition. What spatulas are needed for putty?

On the market today you can purchase any instrument you are interested in, while its price will be quite acceptable. The main thing is to decide on the type and purpose of the purchase, and everything else is a matter of technology.

The spatula is a multifunctional tool, applicable in various kinds construction works: elimination of surface defects, removal old finish, leveling the substrates before applying the topcoat.

Structurally, the product is a sheet of steel (plastic, rubber) with a straight or curved shape and equipped with a handle that allows you to simultaneously fix the edges of the sheet and use the tool with maximum convenience.

Spatulas are graded by functional purpose, as well as by size.

Spatula sizes

In terms of size, spatulas are divided into medium, narrow and wide varieties. Below is a detailed description of the existing tool sizes:

• Medium spatulas (cloth size in the range of 250-150 mm) are used to seal large defects in the base - cracks, recesses, pits, in the process of removing old wallpaper from the walls, whitewashing from the ceiling;
• Narrow spatulas (cloth size 100-50 millimeters) are used to seal the punches in wall surfaces, corners;
• The spatulas are wide. The size of the fabric of the product can be up to 300 millimeters, and therefore its use is most expedient when eliminating gross defects in the base, it helps to achieve excellent and deep leveling of the surface.

Spatulas for a specific type of work are selected not only by size, but also by functional purpose.

Types and varieties

The main types of spatulas are facade, painting, serrated, angular and curly products. Each type has its own design features and scope, so to choose the right tool correctly, with characteristics and specificity of application different types spatulas are recommended to be consulted in advance:

Facade spatulas

The tool of this type is made of stainless steel, has a fairly wide blade, comfortable hand... Due to the design features, the product will easily stir viscous mixtures, solutions with a caustic chemical composition. According to their intended purpose, facade spatulas are universal and can be used in carrying out a variety of repair and finishing works: to eliminate surface defects, clean the bases from layers of old finish, in the processes of applying primer or adhesive mixtures.

In order not to buy a fake, when purchasing a facade trowel, you should study its canvas. If there is grease on this part of the product, it means that the blade is not made of stainless steel, but of ordinary steel. Conventional steel blades corrode and break quickly.

Facade trowel

Painting spatulas

Most often they are used in the final part of finishing work. They are equipped with a flexible and highly resilient blade and are used for removing old paint and varnish coatings, in the process of sealing surface defects, plastering and filling substrates.

Painter's spatula

Notched trowels

Indispensable in the process of applying adhesive mixtures before laying tiles or perforating plastered walls before gluing vinyl wallpaper... A notched tool is also used to create a beautiful plaster texture. On sale to the consumer are offered models with different sizes of teeth, as well as universal options.

Notched trowel

The universal tool has rectangular shape, and each side has a row of teeth different sizes, however, this type of product is not very convenient in work, since the tool is not equipped with a handle.

Corner spatulas

Used for processing corner zones grounds. They differ not only in the special shape of the canvas, but also in its increased strength and thickness. The view is involved when working on plastering and filling the bases.

Angle spatula

Curly and plastic instruments are separate varieties. The latter type is used to purge air after wallpapering, and curly models are used in working with liquid wallpaper: their use allows you to create a beautiful pattern or an unusual pattern on the surface.

To choose a high-quality and useful spatula in work, the following criteria should be evaluated when buying it:

• Convenience of the handle. The speed and quality of the work carried out depend on this criterion. The tool should fit easily in the hand, hold firmly in it, so it is recommended to give preference to models with wide handles, but at the same time short. Separately, you should evaluate the type of blade: it must be even, without the slightest defects;
• The spatula is also selected according to the area of ​​application. The size of the tool, the material of its manufacture must correspond to the type of work to be performed. For example, a wide spatula will help to apply a layer of soil tightly, but will be useless in eliminating unevenness in the substrate.
• The tool must be of high quality and the best in this indicator are options with stainless steel blades. The stainless steel canvas will not leave marks on the walls, it is reliable and durable.

It is worth talking a little more about the choice of spatulas to perform different types works with different finishing materials:

• For laying work ceramic tiles notched trowels are ideal, as their use allows the correct distribution of adhesive composition on the surface of the base. The glue, due to the presence of teeth on the canvas, does not lie on the base in a continuous layer, but in neat grooves, which ensures its easy distribution over the surface and, as a result, a strong adhesion finishing material with a base;

When buying tile spatulas, it is important to pay attention to the choice of a tool with the right size teeth, which will be determined by the size of the tile. For example, for tiles of standard sizes, a tool with teeth of 6x6 millimeters (or 10x10 if the surface is uneven) is suitable. For a mosaic, it is more advisable to purchase a scraper with miniature teeth measuring 3x3 millimeters.

• To work with ceilings, a tool with a wide blade made of stainless steel alloy is purchased. The width of the product can be chosen at your own discretion, but do not forget that the spatula should be convenient to use. To prepare the ceiling base, it will be useful to buy a narrow and small scraper up to 10 millimeters in size. The tool is useful for processing individual areas that a wide spatula will not enter;
• Otherwise, spatulas are chosen for mounting stretch ceiling panels. The tool has a special design: its blade is curved and equipped with a special handle, thanks to which you can easily and easily fix the edges of the coating. The size of the tool will be selected based on the area of ​​the ceiling: the larger it is, the larger the spatula should be. In working with stretch ceiling coverings, tools of the following varieties are used: straight models with a spatula-shaped blade, curved models used for filling the stretch sheet into a baguette, corner spatulas.

For filling work, a scraper with a high-quality polished stainless steel blade is best suited. The width of the putty spatula can be different: handy tool is selected depending on the size of the base area to be processed and its evenness.

Even the highest quality tool will quickly deteriorate without proper care. This statement is also true for the spatulas. In order for the product to serve for a long time, it must be properly looked after:

• After completing the work, the canvas and the handle must be thoroughly washed and dried;
• The blade should not be a large number of heavy mixtures, subject the canvas to excessive mechanical stress;
• It is advisable not to allow the blade to come into contact with abrasive surfaces;
• It is better to store the spatulas in an upright position, hanging them on hooks or nails. When stored in boxes with other tools, there is a high risk of bending the blade of the product, after which the tool will become unusable.

It is almost impossible to restore a broken spatula, and therefore, if the tool breaks down, it would be best to buy a new one.

We hope that the instructions given in the article will help you choose a high-quality and reliable tool, optimal for use in the type of repair and finishing work that is planned to be carried out. The video that concludes the material will clearly tell you about the key points of choosing and using a construction trowel in the repair and decoration of premises.

It is used for leveling the surface with a plaster mixture, laying ceramic tiles, stripping, and other operations.

By appearance a spatula for wall putty resembles a shovel. Consists of a steel, rubber, wooden work surface, as well as a rubberized plastic handle.

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There are several types of hand tools for finishing. They differ in the shape of the working blade and handle, in the material of manufacture, and in the technological purpose. There are models designed to perform a wide range of tasks, there are narrow specializations. For example, a wall putty trowel consists of a flat steel spatula, wooden or plastic handle. Let's consider the main types:

• Façade
• Painting
• Angular
• Scraper spatula

Façade

Applicable for indoor and exterior decoration... It consists of a comfortable plastic handle and a reliable blade. The blade is made of high-strength steel, which practically does not bend, does not scratch.

The working plate is made in the shape of a trapezoid, which makes the work with the tool more convenient. Its width is 300-600 millimeters. It is not replaceable when working on large areas. For the manufacture of the working surface, high-carbon steel is used.

Plasterers often use a combination of facade and painting hand tools. Using a paint spatula, the solution is applied to the facade, and then stretched along the wall. During finishing, the opposite is true. The mortar is scooped up with a facade spatula, and then it is applied to the wall with a painting tool.

Painting

Compact hand-held tool that is used for finishing, where not the volume comes to the fore, but the accuracy and evenness of the application of the mortar mixture. In form, it differs little from the front. The handle is made of plastic. Working part made of strong, flexible steel with a sharpened outer edge. The shape of the blade is trapezoidal.

It has a wide range of applications:

• Final surface treatment after applying the main layer of plaster
• Sealing seams between sheet facing material
• Sealing small irregularities, cracks in a monolithic surface, mechanical dents
• Work in hard-to-reach places

There are several parameters that distinguish it from the front one:

• Working area width. It is in the range of 20-200 mm, which is less than that of a facade trowel
• A thinner and more flexible metal is used for the manufacture of a paint spatula
• Painting tool blade made of stainless steel. While for the facade analogue the best way high carbon steel

Angular

A highly specialized tool for working with right angles. It consists of two steel plates connected at right angles and a plastic handle. Scope of application is limited to putty inner corners... This is a laborious task that requires professional skills. For this type of work, builders often use a conventional facade or painting.

Scraper spatula

Used only to remove fresh sagging plaster mortar... The specificity of the field of application affects its design features... It is a narrow 50-70 mm tool with a robust working area made from thick hardened steel.

Application area

The basic rule is that each stage of finishing work requires its own tool with a certain width of the working part:

• Large trowels with a wide working area of ​​250-600 mm are used in the first stage of wall or ceiling leveling. They are designed for a one-time application of a thick layer plaster mix... This allows you to quickly level the surface, repair large potholes, chips. Working with the tool is called "rough" alignment
• Spatulas with a working area width of 150-250 mm are widely used for primary finishing on a relatively flat surface. A medium-sized tool performs the same operations as a large one, only with less energy. It is easier for them to work as a novice finisher
• A spatula with a narrow working area of ​​50-100 mm is used for finishing. With their help, small irregularities and chips are repaired, and work is also carried out in hard-to-reach places.

Selection rules

Hardware stores are literally inundated with tools from different manufacturers, cheap and expensive. There are a few tips to help you differentiate low-quality from high-quality:

1. A pen. In a good model, it fits comfortably in the hand, does not bend. There are no sagging of plastic, burrs on the surface. Don't settle for a black molded handle made of cheap plastic. This is an indicator of poor quality;
2. The length should be appropriate for the task at hand and not hinder the work. Too long will bend, short will touch the hand;
3. The shape of the canvas. The best option for classic plaster and putty it is a trapezoid;
4. The quality of the canvas. Flexibility is the main indicator good tool... If the blade flexes too much when pressed, the mortar will fall off. An overly hard working part can burst under pressure. The best option is a blade that is slightly springy;
5. Canvas material. Most practical option this is stainless steel... It does not collapse from water, it can be easily cleaned from the solution. There are cheap simple iron models. They are characterized by low quality, short service life;
6. A quality model has a dull blade.

Manufacturing companies can be divided according to the level of trust and popularity among ordinary users:

• The most rated, expensive and high-quality tools are produced by Sheetrock, Stayer, Anza
• In the middle segment in terms of price and quality, Kraftool, Zubr can be distinguished
• Fit, Brigadier stand out in the budget segment

The most common tools for construction, painting and other types of work are spatulas. The largest group among them is made up of spatulas for wall putty. Often they differ in typical sizes and shapes required for specific work.

Which trowel is best for wall filler?

The main types of spatulas include:

1. Painter's spatula- best suited for wall finishing. Using a paint spatula, the following types of work are performed:

• leveling of irregularities after preliminary application of the putty;
• repairing dents and cracks;
• putty of structures complex shape;
• masking the seams between drywall sheets.

The spatula has a trapezoidal shape and is usually equipped with a plastic handle. From all other types of putty spatulas, the painting has a number of distinctive features:

• small plate thickness;
• flexible and resilient blade;
• minimum value tool width is 2 cm;
• are made of stainless steel.

1. Facade trowel- as a rule, it is used for outdoor work, it is also used for interior decoration of premises as an auxiliary tool. Working surface, as well as a painting spatula, is made in the form of a trapezoid. The trowel for facades has a wide blade (from 30 to 60 cm), which is made of carbon steel, which has increased strength characteristics, so it practically does not lend itself to bending. The handle can be made of wood or plastic. The special shape of the spatula helps to apply building mixtures on large enough areas.

1. Angle spatula Is a specialized type of putty tool that allows you to machine inside and outside corners. The trowel shape is a right angle.

Other types of spatulas

In addition to the main types of staples on construction market tools for plastering walls, you can also find other forms of similar tools. Among them are:

• scraper spatula- it is used exclusively when it is necessary to remove an excess amount of materials from the treated surfaces. The width of such a spatula can vary between 50-70 mm, and the blade has a high degree of flexibility;
• rubber spatula- ideal for working with sealants, tile joints and small surfaces. They are usually produced with a plate width of 40-80 mm;
• curly spatula- it is used in order to give the treated surfaces a certain texture, for example, when applying liquid wallpaper and decorative plaster... Often, curly spatulas are made of plastic;
• notched trowel- necessary for applying construction glue to the surface. Depending on the type of glue, the type of spatula is selected individually. When using tile glue, a small-toothed spatula should be used; for gypsum glue, use a tool equipped with large teeth, and for liquid glue- a spatula with fine teeth having a triangular shape. The working plate width can be 200-300mm. Experts recommend working with a notched trowel only on level surfaces.

Standard sizes of trowels for wall filler

Any typical trowel for wall putty consists of a plate and a handle, and the quality of leveling the walls during work directly depends on the even edge of such a tool. The plate can be made from different types of material, mainly: metal, rubber, plastic.

Among the variety of models of spatulas for wall putty, there are:

• non-professional types- experts usually call them disposable. In appearance they have a thin plate (usually less than 0.5 mm) and a black plastic handle;
• professional- equipped with a 1 mm plate, which does not bend at the slightest load.

The main criterion for the quality of the spatula is its rigidity, which does not repeat, but corrects irregularities.

With regard to dimensional characteristics, it is considered standard:

• length- depending on the type of work, the length of the spatula is selected individually. A tool that is too long, like a short one, will not a good choice... When plastering walls, a long blade can bend and thereby negatively affect the quality of the wall finish;
• width- the most optimal size of a painting staple is considered to be 100-150 mm in combination with a facade staple with a web width of 300-450 mm. For putty, spatulas with a width of 2 to 80 cm are most often used. Narrow spatulas up to 8 cm are used when processing hard-to-reach places. It is not possible to completely level the surface with a narrow spatula, as it repeats the bends of the walls. A tool with a width of 10-25 cm is often called a typesetting tool, as it helps to transfer the putty mixture onto a working trowel. Spatulas up to 30 cm allow leveling small surfaces. The largest spatulas with a width of more than 30 cm help to correct noticeably curved walls, large and coarse defects. Using spatulas 60 cm wide, the initial putty of the walls is carried out with the obligatory application of a coarse thick layer.

Not being a professional finisher, you should not buy a spatula wider than 400 mm (it will be quite difficult to work with such a tool without having certain skills and knowledge).

Main manufacturers

Now there are many manufacturers of painting tools on the market. The most popular are the tools of the European brands "Matrix", "Santool", "Homa" and "Eurotex". Among Russian manufacturers, according to user reviews, the tool of the Zubr trade brand has proven itself well. All of the above manufacturers give a guarantee for all products, which indicates a high technical quality and reliability in working with the tool.

In order for the spatula to serve for a long time, regardless of its manufacturer, do not forget, after work, be sure to thoroughly rinse the tool from plaster or other materials.