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» » Hard primer, the complete guide!


Hard floor Blanchon

Hard primer: The Complete Guide!

 

The Hard primer, a staple in the world of parquet, plays a crucial role in preparing wood before finishing. This often-overlooked yet essential underlayer product enhances fiber resistance and optimizes the adhesion of varnishes or protective oils. In this article, we’ll demystify this product by exploring its definition, technical characteristics, and multiple applications to achieve a flawless and durable parquet. Whether you're a seasoned craftsman or a woodworking enthusiast, let’s discover together why the Hard primer is a vital ally in perfecting your wooden floors.

So, what is it?

The Hard primer is a preparatory product, similar to a primer in painting. Unlike varnish, it is transparent and penetrates deeply into the wood, enhancing its hardness and stability. Its role is to optimize the adhesion of finishes while protecting the wood from external damage. Specifically designed for indoor wood, the Hard primer is essential for effectively preparing the surface before applying finishing products like varnish, ensuring a more resilient and long-lasting result.

Blanchon: The essential choice

At Repex, a manufacturer of professional sanders for parquet layers, we’ve chosen to collaborate with Blanchon, a French leader in wood treatment products, to offer you comprehensive solutions. The Hard primer SO, a traditional single-component primer, should be applied before any varnishing or waxing. Designed to revive the natural color of wood, it combines ease of application, low odor, and ultra-fast drying in just 45 minutes. Ideal for fixing Wood Stain or Aging products from the range, it ensures excellent adhesion even on exotic woods. Ready to use and versatile, it integrates perfectly into your finishing projects.

For those aiming to adopt a more environmentally friendly and less chemical approach, Blanchon has created the Prim’Sealer in a water-based formula. Designed to be applied before varnishes, this odorless product is perfect for preserving the original hue of light woods. Compatible with all European wood species, it stands out for its easy application and rapid drying in 1.5 hours. Prim’Sealer is ideal for projects requiring discreet intervention and no olfactory nuisance.

 

Why apply a Hard primer?

Why apply a Hard primer before varnishing? Simply because it ideally prepares your parquet to receive the varnish. As the first layer, this primer penetrates the wood pores and fills them, improving the adhesion of subsequent layers. With the Hard primer, varnishing becomes not only more uniform but also more durable. Applied with a brush evenly, it ensures optimal preparation for a flawless and well-protected parquet in the long term.

Preliminary Steps

To prepare wood before varnishing, here are the essential steps to ensure a successful varnishing process:

1. Clean the parquet: The first step is to remove all dirt and residue that could hinder the adhesion of the Hard primer. Wax the surface before application, carefully removing old protective layers (wax, varnish) so that the Hard primer adheres perfectly. A well-cleaned parquet ensures a uniform underlayer and better cohesion of the varnishing system.

2. Degrease the wood: Next, eliminate any traces of wax, grease, or oil with an appropriate degreasing product. The goal is to make the wood perfectly clean and free of contaminants, opening the wood pores to facilitate Hard primer application.

3. Sand the parquet: Thorough sanding removes roughness and results in a smooth surface. Sand first with medium grit, then with finer grit. If the floor has remnants of old carpet glue, coarse grit is necessary. Proper sanding guarantees a beautiful finish and better adhesion for the varnish.

4. Mix the product: Stir the Hard primer well to achieve a homogeneous density before application.

Once these steps are completed, the wood is ready to receive the Hard primer and finishing layers for a flawless result.

Is the Hard primer Mandatory?

The Hard primer is not a mandatory step in the varnishing process, but it offers several benefits that make it a valuable asset for parquet professionals. Without a Hard primer, varnishing can be done in three coats of varnish. However, by using a Hard primer, you save time on the job site due to its faster drying, allowing for more efficient finishing steps. It also prepares the wood surface by optimizing the adhesion of subsequent layers, ensuring a more durable and higher-quality result.

On What Types of Wood?

The Hard primer is suitable for a wide range of wood types, especially when a finish such as varnishing, staining, or painting is planned. Here are the main types of wood where you can apply a Hard primer:

 

- Softwoods: Such as pine, fir, and poplar, which often have larger pores and more porous surfaces.

- Hardwoods: Although these woods, like oak, beech, cherry, and walnut, are naturally denser with smaller pores, the Hard primer can also be applied to them.

- Exotic woods: These woods have unique grain characteristics and variable pores, and benefit from Hard primer application.

- Stained woods: For uniform staining, the Hard primer prevents uneven color absorption, ensuring a consistent result.

- High-traffic areas: Wooden floors subjected to heavy traffic benefit from increased protection due to the Hard primer.

By using a Hard primer, you effectively prepare your wood for a durable and aesthetically pleasing finish.

 

hard primer Repex Floor

 

On What Types of Parquet?

The Hard primer is particularly recommended for solid wood and plywood parquet, which have a layer of real wood on the surface. Here’s how it performs based on parquet type:

- Solid wood parquet: The Hard primer is ideal for solid wood parquet. It prepares the surface for finishing, improves the adhesion of the finish, and seals the wood pores, enhancing durability and ensuring a uniform and aesthetic finish.

- Laminate parquet: Conversely, the Hard primer is not suitable for laminate parquet. These parquets are made of composite layers with a very thin layer of wood on top and a protective finish, without actual wood on the surface. Applying a Hard primer is neither necessary nor appropriate for this type of parquet.

 

How to Apply It?

To correctly apply a Hard primer, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Wax the surface: Before application, carefully remove old protective layers (wax, varnish) so that the Hard primer adheres perfectly. If you’re in a hurry, sanding with an abrasive suited to the type of wood and parquet is also an option.

2. Sand the wood: Use a monobross with fine abrasive to slightly smooth the surface and open the wood pores, which will facilitate product absorption.

 

3. Prepare the wood: Ensure the surface is clean, dry, and dust-free for optimal application.

4. Proper dilution: According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, practice dilution if necessary. Not required with the Blanchon range sold by Repex.

5. Application: Apply the Hard primer evenly and uniformly with a brush or roller, preparing the surface perfectly for finishing.

 

Does the Hard primer Darken the Wood?

Generally, the Hard primer is colorless and does not darken the wood. Its role is to preserve the natural hue while preparing the surface to receive finishes like varnish. Unlike pore fillers, which fill the wood pores and smooth it, the Hard primer penetrates deeper and improves the adhesion of finishing products. It ensures better adhesion and increased durability of the applied layers without altering the visual appearance of the wood.

 

Drying Time

The drying time between the Hard primer and varnishing varies depending on the type of Hard primer used and environmental conditions. Generally, water-based Hard primers require about 4 to 6 hours to dry, while solvent-based ones can take 8 to 12 hours. For quick-drying Hard primers, varnishing can be done in 2 to 4 hours. Keep in mind that ambient temperature and humidity can influence these times. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure the Hard primer is completely dry before proceeding with varnishing, by performing a touch or pressure test. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for precise instructions.

 

How to Remove Hard primer?

If the application of a Hard primer was poorly done, it can be corrected simply and effectively. The most recommended solution is to perform light sanding with a very fine abrasive. This delicate sanding will remove irregularities without damaging the wood, while preparing the surface again for a correct product application. This method ensures a clean and uniform result, essential for the wood to receive the finishing layers under the best conditions.

 

What to Remember

Using a Hard primer before varnishing is an essential practice for parquet professionals. This adhesion primer strengthens the wood’s resistance while preparing the surface for varnish or wax. Thanks to its penetration and hardening properties, the Hard primer not only improves the adhesion of finishing layers but also saves valuable time on the job site with its quick drying. For these reasons, professionals apply it systematically, ensuring a flawless and durable finish for wooden floors.

 

hard primer Blanchon

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