Spatula for wallpaper, its varieties and application

It's a long time ago when we used rags from retired "t-shirts" and various rags in the process of gluing wallpaper. As practice shows, this method of wallpaper smoothing is completely ineffective, and rather laborious. Progress did not stand still. Place rags firmly occupied the spatula for wallpaper. With this tool it is much more convenient and quicker to smooth the wallpaper, kick out the air from under them and securely fix the material on the wall.

Despite the fact that this device was born much later than wallpaper came into our lives, the spatula gained popularity among professionals and became their irreplaceable companion and assistant in the work. Spatulas are used for various types of repair, construction and finishing works. With their help, they fill up cracks and seams on the walls, apply thick glue mixtures, ground and clean the surface and, of course, quickly and qualitatively glue the wallpaper.

Variety of shapes and sizes

The spatula for wallpaper can be different. There are more than five types of such tools that are used when working with wallpaper. In the shops you can see spatulas of various shapes and configurations made of different materials. In order for the work to be performed more qualitatively and, if possible, quickly, it is necessary to take into account some of the nuances and factors of the choice of the instrument. We will consider them today.

Classic presser spatula

This tool is almost completely like a regular putty tool. The only difference is that such a spatula for wallpaper is not made of metal, but of plastic. It is very convenient in working with large areas and large-scale surfaces. With its help, you can easily drive out excess air that has been locked between the wall and wallpaper or get rid of excess glue. Such a spatula can also be used as a ruler when it is necessary to cut off the wallpaper evenly.

Another type is called a spatula clamping. He presses the wallpaper even in hard-to-reach places. Experts say that with the help of such a tool it is very easy to dock one sheet of wallpaper with another. Used such a spatula for non-woven and paper, vinyl wallpaper. The clamping version can be rectangular or have the shape of a feather.

Experts advise, before you buy a tool for gluing wallpaper, it is very important to evaluate its quality. What should be the trowel? The cost here is not so important, as it seems to many newcomers, trying to choose an option cheaper. In this matter the most important is quality. It is recommended to pay attention to it first.

A good clamping trowel should have a flat surface. The quality of the plastic from which it is made plays an important role. Try to carefully look at the working surface of the instrument before buying. It should not have any roughness and any other manufacturing defects. By purchasing such a poor-quality spatula, you can easily damage expensive finishing materials. The repair process in this case, you will agree, will not bring any pleasure and joy from the result.

Clamping trowel-trapezoid

This kind of tool, unlike the classical one, is used for a small amount of work. With its help, you can smooth and press the wallpaper, both on a flat surface of the wall, and in hard-to-reach corners. We advise you to pay attention to such a spatula. Its price does not "bite" and is very democratic. It has a small size, which does not cause problems with the storage of the instrument.

"Shark fin"

Most often, professionals use a universal spatula, which is called the "shark fin." This spatula for wallpaper perfectly applies glue mass (on the wall or wallpaper), smoothes, presses, processes joints and corners. Professionals say that if you are a beginner, you should definitely buy such a tool.

"A boat"

This tool is also highly appreciated by experts in the repair of premises. He is comfortable in his work, he gets to the most difficult and problematic places and corners. It can be used both as a spatula for smoothing the wallpaper, and as a tool by which the adhesive is applied to walls or material. Thanks to its convenient shape, it is easy to hold in your hand. Despite the fact that he meets much less often than his "fellow", the spatula-"boat" also deserves attention.

Toothed spatula

Most often this tool is used in cases where it is necessary to apply an even layer of adhesive mixture on the walls. The spatula is called serrated because the teeth are located along the perimeter of the blade. They can be of different sizes and lengths, located at different distances from each other. Everything will depend on the kind of work in which this tool takes part. On sale there are models, both with a handle, and without it.

Thanks to its application, you do not have to worry that in some places the adhesive composition was distributed unevenly. Spatula toothed is recommended for use when expensive glutinous compounds of imported production take part in the work and the most economical consumption is required.

Corner spatula

To handle such hard-to-reach places as corners, a special corner spatula is used. Many experts consider irrational the purchase of such a tool. In most cases, the outer corners are covered with plastic pads or skirting boards. And buy a tool only for working with internal corners, some consider costly. Such a spatula can easily be replaced by a classic presser.

Rubber

But without such a thing as a rubber spatula, not one set of professional tools can do. This model is made of soft rubber or elastic silicone and is very convenient to use. Applied for grouting tile joints, in work with sealant, as well as for smoothing wallpaper joints.

Due to the small width of the working surface (from forty to seventy millimeters), the rubber spatula easily lies in the hand, is put in a pocket and stored in a bag with instrumentation. He is pliable and unpretentious in the care. It is worth, of course, a little more expensive than some other options, but also serves an order of magnitude longer.

Tool for working with liquid wallpaper

Recently, the processing of walls with decorative plaster has become increasingly popular. In the people it is also often referred to as liquid wallpaper. What to choose a spatula for liquid wallpaper?

Let's say at once that the tools described above for such work will not work. To work with similar finishing materials there is a special kind. It is called a "falcon". The advantage of this tool is that it has four working surfaces. The length of the spatula is twenty to twenty five centimeters.

Most often it has a rectangular shape, but there are also trapezoidal spatulas for working with liquid wallpaper. The handle on it is located perpendicular to the working surface, which increases the convenience. The tool for liquid wallpaper can work as a clamping, smoothing or as a spatula for rolling the wallpaper. With its help, seams and corners are processed.

A spatula is made, usually from plexiglass or metal. He does not hurt the surface at all. They can work with Venetian plaster and any capricious glossy surfaces.

Which spatula to choose

The type of instrument will depend directly on the work with which it must cope. If large-scale projects are to be undertaken, a wide flat spatula should be purchased with a working cloth width of 20-30 centimeters. Experts say that it will never be superfluous to buy several spatulas of the same kind, but of different sizes. For example, it is convenient to measure small and dose an adhesive mixture. It can also be applied to a large spatula, which, in turn, will distribute it on the working surface of the wall.

When buying a spatula for working with wallpaper, it is very important to take into account the fact of convenience. Try, as the tool lies in the hand, whether the handle is comfortable, whether it slips. It is also very important to pay attention to the mass of the spatula. Too heavy tool will be uncomfortable in work. Do not be shy, "try" to work with a spatula right in the store. Simulate the movements of the instrument. This will make it possible to understand the "weight category", how quickly the hand will get tired when working with it and if the callus does not rub after long use.

Pay attention to such an indicator as softness or, conversely, rigidity of the instrument. Too soft spatula will be completely useless in work, reducing all the work to naught. Do not get too hard option. In the process, it can simply break down in your hands from strong pressure. Try to find on the shelves of building stores a "golden mean".

And the last advice that novices give professionals. Never save on buying a quality tool and try to keep several types of stock in stock. Depending on the type of tool, its size, materials from which it is made, its value will also change. For example, a rubber spatula - the price varies from 16 to 50 rubles; Classic - the price is from 75 to 750 rubles (depending on the manufacturer); Dentate - the price can start from 80 and reach up to 170-250 rubles.

Even the simplest and most modest repairs will require the use of at least three options. And if they are not in stock, then we will have to return to the "sources" - old rags. And why do you need it?