Skimcoat, putty, and patching compound—are these all the same? Some may think yes but the correct answer is no, they are not. Though they all are used to fix imperfections on concrete, they do not all pertain to one thing.
Where it can get confusing, and where many Pinoys get mixed up, is what their differences are and when exactly to use one over the other. We’re here to help. This is your crash course to skimcoat, putty, and patching compound.
Skimcoat
Let’s say you have new concrete and you see it has noticeable defects like waviness and plumbness. To correct such imperfections and to give your walls a smooth finish, you can use skimcoat, or palitada in Filipino.
Skimcoat is applied on bare concrete and commonly over a large surface area such as the whole of a wall. It repairs and remedies concrete imperfections that are more noticeable than minor defects like hairline cracks. This means skimcoat will be able to correct honeycombs, waviness, and plumbness. It’s part of proper surface preparation before you begin painting (ie. applying primer, putty, and topcoat).
For concrete imperfections that are 2mm to 3mm in thickness, use Konstrukt Permaplast K-201 High-Performance Acrylic Skimcoat. Then there’s Konstrukt Permaplast K-202 High-Performance Acrylic Render for 3mm to 8mm imperfections.
Putty
When you’re done with skimcoat, you’ll be applying primer next. And, if you still see minor imperfections after the primer, you’ll be needing putty. Putty, or masilya in Filipino, is used to correct minor imperfections such as hairline cracks and slight unevenness on a primed or painted wall. It’s usually applied over just small areas where the defects are.
Boysen has a range of reliable use-as-supplied putties to choose from. For interior concrete surfaces, there’s Boysen Masonry Putty and Boysen Perma-Putty. Masonry Putty is used for imperfections that are less than 1mm in thickness. Perma-Putty, which is considered a high-build putty, can be used for imperfections up to 2mm in thickness.
If you’re using Boysen Acrytex, there’s a putty specifically for it. Boysen Acrytex Cast is an acrylic solvent-based putty for exterior concrete surfaces for when Boysen Acrytex topcoat will be applied after.
Patching Compound
Heard of job-site mixed putty? Seasoned and experienced painters will sometimes mix their own putty on site. They do this by taking construction aggregate materials, like perlite, and mix it with white paint. This produces a thick, almost clay-like, mixture that is then used to fill minor imperfections.
Boysen does not carry perlite. It does, however, have Boysen Patching Compound which is very similar in use and purpose. Boysen Patching Compound is a powder-type material that is combined with latex paint in order to make job site-mixed putty.
Boysen Patching Compound is easier and more convenient than working with aggregates as it already has a set recommended ratio (1-1.5 kg of Patching Compound to latex paint). So, if you wanted to mix your own putty, it takes the guesswork out of the process. Boysen Engineers recommend mixing Boysen Patching Compound with Boysen Permacoat Latex Flat White. Apply your topcoat after.
That’s it. You’ve finished your crash course on the differences between skimcoat, putty, and patching compound. Congratulations! Now, go and spread the word.
If you have any questions or inquiries about Boysen products, our technical team will be happy to assist you. Send an email to ask@myboysen.com or call (02) 8363-9738 local 413 to 418 during office hours for a one-on-one consultation.
