Preparation of the substrate for textured resins (with a spatula)

Before applying a textured resin with a trowel, the substrate must be carefully assessed. Walls, screeds, old tiles, plasterboard, or fiberboard: each surface reacts differently and requires targeted interventions. A slightly cracked wall won't behave like an uncured screed or an old, glossy, poorly bonded finish.

The first step is always to identify any structural issues: through cracks, flaking plaster, damp areas, and swelling. If these issues are not addressed properly, the resin tends to mimic the defects in the substrate or crack at the weak points. In the most problematic cases, it's necessary to intervene with reinforced skim coats, localized repairs, or specific moisture treatment products.

The next stage is mechanical cleaning and preparation. Old, flaking paint, glue residue, dust, and dirt must be removed. On existing floors and tiles, it's often advisable to perform a light mechanical roughing to improve the adhesion of subsequent layers. The goal is to achieve a clean, stable surface with the most uniform absorption possible.

This is where the primer and base coat system comes into play. Specific primers for absorbent substrates, adhesion promoters for tiles or smooth surfaces, epoxy or acrylic bases with mineral fillers: each resin cycle involves a sequence designed to create the ideal base for the textured coating. This phase corrects small irregularities and begins to visually even out the surface, reducing the risk of streaks and stains.

An often overlooked aspect is timing. Screeds that are not yet dry, plaster that is too fresh, and work performed in cold, humid environments can affect the polymerization of the products. It is therefore important to respect the technical times between coats, ensuring that the climatic conditions (temperature, humidity, air exchange) are compatible with the manufacturer's recommendations.

A successful spatula-based resin is the sum of these preliminary steps. The end customer only sees the finish, but the system's true reliability is built in the preceding stages: substrate analysis, defect correction, appropriate primers, and adherence to drying times.