What and how to paint the base of gypsum?

Such a mineral material as gypsum is widely used not only in medicine and art, but also in construction. In particular, various materials for interior decoration are poured from gypsum mortar. Gypsum-based mixtures are used as plaster. What kind of material is this? What are its features, advantages and disadvantages? Is it also possible to color gypsum products and how to paint gypsum?

Finishing materials for gypsum interior decoration

Gypsum in construction and repair

Building gypsum is obtained from gypsum stone, previously burned and ground into powder. Then it is kneaded until a paste-like mass, better known as alabaster, is obtained. It is widely used for construction and repair work, the manufacture of various decorative products, as well as binding materials at intermediate stages of construction and repair work.

It is gypsum mortar that is most often used for modeling and stucco molding, the production of small architectural forms, pouring decorative tiles or artificial decorative stone (brick).

The mixture quickly sets and hardens. Therefore, you need to be able to work with him in order to have time to implement your plan. The working substance has a white tint.

The material is quite easy to prepare and use, affordable and has a wide range of applications. Another advantage is environmental safety (as it is made from natural raw materials). It is able to "breathe", maintaining a certain level of humidity.

The use of gypsum materials in interior decoration is very, very popular. With it, you can create real interior masterpieces.

It is not superfluous to mention the following properties of the material:

• ease of installation and processing;
• ease;
• incombustibility.

However, in operation, the gypsum base shows itself in different ways. Alabaster, unfortunately, is afraid of water (since gypsum powder dissolves with water), it is subject to abrasion and mechanical stress.

To increase the strength of gypsum materials, manufacturers use various reinforcing additives (plasticizers, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate glue).

So today, there are several brands of building gypsum on sale, differing in the degree of compression exposure. The highest grades are used in the production of decorative elements, even for facade (exterior) decoration of buildings.

Application:

• plastering of walls and ceilings in rooms of different functionality, where humidity does not exceed 60%;
• arrangement of various partitions;
• production of stucco interior decoration;
• production of dry sheet gypsum, drywall and other gypsum-based building materials and mortars;
• production of all kinds of architectural and facing products (including bricks);
• souvenirs and interior items (figurines, planters, columns, coasters, and so on).

Gypsum painting

If desired, gypsum materials can be given a completely unimaginable look, including imitating naturalness (for example, wood). Here various technologies of toning, coloring, "aging" are used.

Marble tinting. A well-dried gypsum product is impregnated with heated drying oil or shellac-rosin alcohol solution. Impregnation fits well, without streaks, creating protection against moisture. Gradually dried primed surface becomes similar to aged marble.

Wax tint. Impregnation is used, consisting of wax dissolved in turpentine (gasoline) with a slight addition of yellow oil paint. After the impregnation dries, the surface is rubbed until glossy.

Ivory tinted. Soap maker, nitro varnish and a little yellow oil paint are used. Matte surface is given by rubbing with talcum powder.

Patination. Various shades of brown or brown-green are selected and mixed with other substances. Staining is recommended to be done in three layers, moreover, in the recesses, processing usually occurs with a mixture that is more viscous in consistency. The technology of applying the dye is also important here:

• the first layer is lighter, after which it is lightly cleaned with sandpaper and wiped with acetone;
• the second layer - the coloring mixture is darker and thicker;
• the third layer - to give a dull finish, a little wax is dissolved in the paint.

The following additives will help shade or enhance the imitation: bronze powder, talc and chromium oxide, graphite powder, sienna, ocher, umber, soot, cobalt green, or lead. These are all semi-professional ways of coloring gypsum-based materials. On sale there are traditional paints on plaster.

The most used coloring mixtures for interior work are acrylic aqueous emulsions or dispersions. After drying, they create a strong protective film that protects the base from moisture. In addition, all water-based paints are environmentally friendly, which means that they are applicable inside any premises, including residential ones.

In the manufacture of decorative bricks or stone based on gypsum, the working solution is tinted. For this, various pigment powders are used. Tinting the solution makes it possible to obtain a finished brick, evenly colored throughout the structure (then operational defects will be less noticeable).

To create an imitation of texture (veins), paints of several shades of color are used. And to increase the protection of the surface of gypsum bricks or stone (after all, gypsum is inherently quite fragile) will help the finishing varnish coating.

Experts advise not to delay the painting of gypsum finishing elements, as the adhesive properties of materials deteriorate over time. If this happened, then it is not superfluous to use a primer, and only then paint. The primer will also increase the strength of the gypsum base and create some protection against moisture penetration.

Building gypsum offers unlimited possibilities for original interior decoration. The ubiquitous availability and ease of use have made the material very popular. And having in the arsenal of paints, miniums, varnishes, potal and other pigment substances, you can achieve real palace luxury.