What is Betonokontakt for: composition, application, properties

Not all finishing processes can be called easy. The development of technologies allows them to be made not so physically difficult, and / or reduce the time, improve the result. But since the materials and technologies are new, there is a lot of speculation, errors in use. Today we will figure out what Betonokontakt is, what it is for, how to use it correctly.

Primer Developers

This composition has about a dozen variants of the name: Betokontakt, Beton-kontakt, Betonokontakt, contact-soil, soil-contact, etc. The inventor of this primer is the German company FEIDAL. In any case, this is exactly what is indicated on their official website, and since no one has yet disputed the information, this fact can be considered true. The original name is Betokontakt, in Russian – Betokontakt. Among the people, “Betonokontakt” has taken root more, since it is most often applied to concrete. So, strictly speaking, the composition of only this company is the original.

However, any company that produces building mixtures has a similar composition with the same or very similar name. Most likely, the name changes are deliberate, so that no charges can be brought. In general, it is not so important for the consumer who came up with this composition. It is important that he performs his functions.

Composition

Each company adds something different to the composition, but Betokontakt in any variation contains the following components:

• Acrylic dispersion (copolymers). The basis of the composition, which is responsible for adhesion. It is she who leaves a sticky layer after drying. The quality of the primer largely depends on the quality of this component.
• natural fillers. Usually quartz sand, but there are options. Creates a rough coating that increases adhesion to the next layer.
• Additives. Give special properties (water resistance, antibacterial, etc.).

Some companies add dye. This is to make it easier to control the application and not leave bald spots. By the way, you can add it yourself to the compositions without dye.

As you can see, Betonokontakt does not contain harmful substances, has a neutral level of acidity, therefore it does not react with alkaline materials, and does not contribute to the oxidation of metals. Thanks to this ability, it can be used under both cement and gypsum plasters / putties.

Purpose and scope

Betonokontakt is a special type of primer for substrates that do not absorb water. If plaster is applied to such bases without prior preparation, it will most likely fall off when it dries, since the surface of these bases is usually smooth and there is simply nothing to catch on to the plaster. So that the plaster does not fall off and use Beto-contact. And it really works, but you just need to know when it is needed.

The composition is not cheap, but it is advised to use it anywhere. In order not to waste money, you should know exactly its properties and scope. In general, there is information on each bank, but sellers (and some builders) advise a different application. But not everyone needs to be trusted.

What surfaces to apply

Betonokontakt forms a sticky rough layer with abrasive inclusions on the surface. Plaster / putty also sticks well to this layer. Abrasive particles – grains of sand or crystals – provide additional support for the finishing layer. In general, the task of Betonokontakt is to increase adhesion to complex substrates. But not to everyone.

What should Betonkontakt be applied to? As already mentioned, it is intended for bases that do not absorb water. There are not many of them:

• Smooth concrete that is almost pore-free. Usually these are concrete panels in panel houses, columns in modern monolithic ones. If the concrete is loose and porous, a different primer is needed.
  

• Ceramic tile. For laying new tiles, the old one does not have to be knocked down. Although, if possible, it is better to shoot down. If for some reason this cannot be done, go over the top of the tile twice with a concrete contact and you can work on.
• Wooden fragments. There is simply no other way to apply plaster to wood. But the wood must be dry.
• Metal. This base is 100% non-absorbent and requires a layer of BK to keep the plaster on it.

That’s what Betonokontakt is for. There are no other recommended surfaces. Tips to apply on plaster under putty, under decorative plasters – this is all superfluous. There is no need for this processing, because only the cost increases, but the result does not affect or only worsens the situation. Putty will fall on fresh plaster with a bang, like other finishing materials.

There is one piece of advice: it is better to take concrete contact with large grains if you apply plaster and with fine grains – under putty.

Moreover, the advice to apply Betokontakt on wooden and metal surfaces is precisely on fragments. For example, beams, protruding parts of structures. This is again the moment where BC is needed. There are other technologies for plastering wooden walls, and if there is only a fragment, it is advisable to use this composition.

Do I need concrete contact over oil paint

Finishers also use Betonkontakt on oil paint. Most of them advise to peel off the paint, because both with concrete contact and without it, the plaster under its mass can separate from the paint. If the composition has eaten in tightly and is not removed by any methods, it is necessary:

• Be sure to thoroughly degrease the surface.
• Remove smoothness by abrasive processing – sandpaper with a large grain, a metal brush. No matter what, as long as it works.
• Make notches with a chisel, an ax.
  

• Dedust. You can wash it, you can vacuum it. The main thing is carefully.
• Apply the first layer of concrete contact.
• Dry.
• Apply a second layer of concrete contact.
• Dry.
• You can putty, plaster, lay tiles.

In this case, it is also clear why Betonokontakt is needed and how it works. But it is quite possible to stop already before the first application of Betonkontakt. If there are notches of sufficient area, both plaster and tile will hold. Use a suitable primer to repair the “chips” in the wall and after drying, apply the next material.

Many people assume that with the sticky surface that Betokontakt leaves, it will stick better. In general, it works, but only if you do everything as written. And yes. Drying is complete and final. The term is indicated on the bank and differs depending on the manufacturer. The shortest drying period is 3-4 hours for Betonkontakt Fedal, the longest is about 24 hours for some cheap one.

Where it is absolutely not necessary to use the composition

It is important to know not only why Betonokontakt is needed, but also where it is not needed and even harmful. For example, you should not listen to advice to impregnate loose or loose bases with the composition. Here you need other primers of deep penetration. And Betonokontakt sticks to a smooth surface, not trying to penetrate it too much. It does not make sense to cover whitewash, ordinary DSP with a loose structure, gas and foam concrete, plaster, etc.

Often Betokontakt is bought for priming a wall or floor before laying tiles. If the surface absorbs water, do not do this. And that’s why. Look at the characteristics of tile adhesive and BC. The adhesive has an adhesion of 0,8-0,9 MPa, for BC – 0,4-0,5 MPa. That is, by adding a layer of concrete contact on a normally absorbent base, you worsen the situation for your own money, and a lot of it. Although some manufacturers write in the instructions that the composition can also be used for laying tiles. But the situation with adhesion turns out to be similar …

If you want the tile to definitely not fall off, take a good glue. Yes, it is more expensive, but a pair of BC + cheap glue costs no less, and the result is unpredictable. When in doubt (not a very solid base), it is best to use a deep penetration primer and/or a better adhesive. It is usually positioned “for complex surfaces” and holds tightly, as it penetrates deep into the base.

The use of Betokontakt will bring rather harm than benefit when applied under self-leveling floors. Cement ones will have worse adhesion than they could be, and gypsum ones will simply have to be “pulled”. On a sticky base, they practically do not spread. The result is cracks, swelling and other very unpleasant moments. These are not the surfaces and cases for which Betonokontakt is needed.

What not to do

If you wish, you can find reviews or videos that say that the plaster / tile has fallen off Betonkontakt. To prevent this from happening, apply primer only to recommended substrates. Also, don’t do the following:

• Dilute the plaster or putty composition with more water than indicated on the package. Yes, it is easier to work, but as a result, the putty may collapse.
• Do not apply the composition on a frozen base.
• Do not apply Betonokontakt on an unprepared surface (removal of all separable parts, degreasing, dust removal).
• Do not apply BC on wet substrate. Only dry.
  

• When working, do not forget to periodically mix the contents, as sand particles (granules from some manufacturers) sink down.
• It is impossible to continue work until the primer layer has completely dried (indicated in the instructions).
• Do not work at temperatures below +5°C. This does not mean that it cannot be used for outdoor work. It is possible, only it is necessary to apply at positive temperatures.
• Do not allow dust to enter. It adheres very well to the adhesive surface, but then falls off along with the plaster. If the surface is dusty, another treatment is necessary.
• Do not use the composition with an expired shelf life, frozen. The exception is frost-resistant compounds (there are some). Before use, they must be thawed, wait until the temperature rises above + 5 ° C, then you can work. By the way, the inscription “frost-resistant” does not mean that it can be applied at sub-zero temperatures. Just can withstand several thaw/freeze cycles before application without loss of properties.
  

• Do not add water, even if the composition seems to be too thick. Unless the manufacturer described such a possibility in the instructions. But so far, none have been seen.

And for Betonokontakt to work, it must be “real”. There are a lot of fakes, so you need to be careful. And to be sure, you can check. Pre-treat the BC with a small piece of the wall according to the instructions. Apply the planned layer of plaster / putty. Wait until dry and try to tear off. If everything is done correctly, nothing will work for you. They say that high-quality Betokontakt allows you to apply plaster even on glass. By the way, you can try.

How to apply

It is necessary not only to know why Betonokontakt is needed, but also how and with what to apply it. It just seems that there is nothing complicated about it, but first try it. The composition is often thick, something like kefir, and sometimes thicker. Moreover, it contains grains of sand, crystals, which it is very desirable to evenly distribute over the entire surface, and not to collect in one place. In general, it is not so simple. There are some tips:

• It is best to work in protective clothing, and it is desirable to cover everything. It is washed off the skin with big problems, it is removed from the hair only together with the hair. To make it easier to wash off from unprotected skin, cover it with a greasy cream or some kind of oil. When processing the ceiling, it is desirable to protect the face, even if the skin is smeared with cream / oil. At the very least, glasses are a must.
  

• When processing a large area, it is easier to apply with a roller. It is more convenient to take it in such a size that it fits into a bucket. It is better to work fleecy – with a pile of 12-18 mm. Yes, a certain amount of the composition is absorbed, but it’s really more convenient to work like that than foam rubber, which very quickly becomes “wooden”. And even in this case, after a while, the pile will clog with sand. In the process, remove sand on the edge of the bucket, you can try with a spatula. Basically, clean up. If it is no longer clean and “does not work”, take a new one.
• For processing not too large surfaces or in corners, it is more convenient to work with a brush. Pile – medium or even short. It’s more convenient for someone here. Only the long one is hard to manage when there is sand in it. In the process of application, the sand must be periodically removed (on the edge of the bucket). The brush is quickly erased, so with large amounts of work you will have to change it several times.

There is another trick – attach a brush or roller to a stick a meter long – and a stepladder is not needed when processing walls, and away from yourself – less drops fly on clothes and in the face.

Manufacturers and possible replacement

As already mentioned, almost any manufacturer of building mixtures has Betonokontakt, Beto-Kontakt, Beton-Kontakt or something similar. If you like other blends from this manufacturer, it makes sense to try this one as well. There are local companies that, with good quality products, are represented only in some regions. So far from everyone was included in the list, but those who have a wider “coverage”. According to reviews, I liked working with Betokontakt of the following companies:

• FEIDAL (Fydal). This is the developer of the composition, so it is not surprising. Moreover, the price is not too sky-high, and the quality is on top.
• Knauf (Knauf). Just keep in mind that the composition is not waterproof. That is, it is very important to properly close the plaster mixture or putty – do not overdo it with water.
• Eskaro (Escaro). Work only in a ventilated area, as it has a strong ammonia smell. But it is convenient to work, the composition lays down well.
  

• Ceresit (Ceresit). Lots of fakes. It has a pink pigment, which makes it easier to control the quality of processing.
• Plitonite. After stirring, the solid particles settle slowly, so a good composition. He also copes with the task by five.
• Pouf. It sticks a little less, but overall it’s good.
• Founding. It’s called Bettocont. Requires constant stirring, and dries for 1-2 hours, the result is normal. Recommended only for gypsum plasters.
• Olympus. Despite the low price gives a good result.
• Prospectors. Composition with a large fraction, drying time – 2-4 hours.
• Bolars. Very thick, hard to apply, dries at least 24 hours.

The list includes companies operating in different price segments. The more expensive ones usually work a little better. Cheaper ones will have to be mixed more often, and they are more difficult to apply. When processing, try not to leave bald spots. If found already in the process of drying, apply a layer and wait for the full drying time. It’s better than having to remake a loose piece later.

People often ask if Betonokontakt can be replaced with something. The only possible option is the primer Ceresit ct-16. It gives a similar effect, but at a cost it will turn out, perhaps, more expensive.

A few words in conclusion

Please read the instructions carefully before purchasing. Some compositions of acrylic primers for smooth, dense bases can be used for both cement and gypsum plaster. Others – only under plaster. Some are suitable only for indoor use, others can be used outside. In the same way, there are compositions, the instructions for which prescribe the use of old paints, others are suitable for tiles … In general, carefully read the recommendations for use.