POP or Putty: Which to Choose Before Painting Your Home Walls?

Introduction

Let’s dive into each step involved in wall preparation before painting. This guide will help you decide which method—POP or Putty—is best for your walls, depending on whether it’s a new home or a renovation project.

Step-by-Step Guide to Wall Preparation

0:00:29 – Location and Basics

Here we are on-site at Sector 56 in Gurgaon, where we’ll explain the process in detail. When building a home, the walls are usually constructed with bricks, then plastered. After plastering, there are two options for wall finishing—Putty or POP.

What is Putty?
Putty is cement-based and is ideal for both indoor and outdoor surfaces.

What is POP?
POP is gypsum-based and primarily recommended for indoor use only. Unlike Putty, POP provides a super-smooth surface and fills in all tiny dents and holes with ease, giving your walls a polished look.

Key Differences Between POP and Putty

1:00:00 – Application

POP spreads easily on the wall, creating a smooth surface and filling in any minor dents. When you shine light on a POP-finished wall, there’s no visible unevenness, unlike Putty, which may show rough patches under direct light.

Pros and Cons:

• POP provides a “baby-soft” finish similar to a mobile screen but is less weather-resistant.
• Putty is versatile for indoor and outdoor areas but doesn’t achieve the same ultra-smooth surface as POP.
• POP is ideal for creating a perfectly smooth interior but may not withstand moisture as well as Putty.

Steps for New Homes

If your home is newly constructed, follow these steps:

1. POP Application – After plastering, apply POP on the walls. You’ll have two options: level the surface to “plumb level” or just smooth it out.
2. Coat with Chalk Powder – Once POP is done, apply a coat of chalk powder, then sand with 220-grade sandpaper.
3. Install Lighting for Final Checks – To reveal any remaining imperfections, install lighting and check for dents.
4. Dent Filling – Fill in any remaining dents with a chalk powder and enamel mix to create a flawless surface.

Steps for Repainting Old Homes

If you’re repainting an older home:

1. Surface Preparation – Since the existing paint may be loose, first scrape the walls or do a light chipping (known as “tukai”) to ensure POP sticks well.
2. Bond Application – Apply a bonding agent to create a secure adhesive base for the POP. This prevents the POP from peeling off with any loose paint underneath.
3. POP Finishing – After bonding, proceed with POP application, followed by chalk powder coats and sanding for smoothness.

Important Tips for a Long-Lasting Finish

To avoid issues like seepage and extend the lifespan of your paint, consider applying a moisture-blocking product like Asian Paints HydroLock. Apply two coats around 1 foot from the floor to trap any moisture and prevent it from seeping out.

Conclusion

So, which one will you choose—POP for an ultra-smooth, flawless finish, or Putty for durability? Each has its place depending on your needs and budget.