Liquid glass primer: walls and floor for plaster, screed and tiles

Concrete screed and cement walls often "dust", crumble from the surface and greedily absorb moisture from the finishing compositions. Because of this, the plaster peels off, and the tile adhesive dries out ahead of time. Primer with liquid glass solves two problems at once: binds the loose surface layer into a durable mineral crust and partially closes the pores, reducing absorption. We are talking about sodium liquid glass ETHYZ — an aqueous solution of sodium silicate, which is available in cans of 5 liters (7 kg) and 10 liters (14 kg).

What is liquid glass as a primer

Liquid glass is a concentrated solution of sodium silicate obtained from natural raw materials (quartz sand and soda). When applied to porous concrete, the mortar penetrates deep, reacts with cement stone components and leaves a hard silicate layer after drying. As a primer, liquid glass performs several functions at the same time:

Strengthening — binds the dusty and crumbling surface layer of the screed into a monolith.
Dedusting — removes cement dust characteristic of fresh and old concrete floors.
Decreased absorption — fills the capillaries, which is why the base "pulls" less water from the finishing mixtures.
Antiseptic protection — mineral silicate inhibits the development of mold and fungus on the base.

You can choose a suitable packaging and clarify the characteristics in catalogue of liquid glass ETHYZ.

When liquid glass primer is appropriate

Liquid glass gives the best result on mineral porous bases, where strength and resistance to moisture are important. Typical scenarios:

priming and dedusting of concrete floors and screeds before laying a self-leveling floor or industrial paint;
strengthening of the old loose screed in the basement, garage, cellar, technical room;
preparation of walls and floor in wet areas (boiler room, basement, basement), where additional water resistance is needed;
treatment of the base before cement plaster or cement-sand screed of the second layer.

When liquid glass should not BE used

This is an important point: silicate primer is not compatible with all finishes. Frozen liquid glass forms a smooth, dense and alkaline film to which some materials do not adhere well. Consider the limitations:

Not for gypsum mixtures. Gypsum plaster and alkaline silicate chemically conflict — swelling and poor adhesion are possible. For gypsum, choose a profile acrylic primer.
Caution under the paint and wallpaper directly. Smooth silicate film reduces adhesion; such finishes require a compatible intermediate layer.
Not as a single layer on active waterproofing under water pressure. In its pure form, the film is fragile and can crack when moving.
Not for decorative finishes, where you need a "breathable" vapor permeable base — dense silicate partially closes the pores.

Practical rule: liquid glass is an excellent primer for cement systems and as a concrete hardener/deduster, but always check the compatibility according to the material instructions before applying gypsum, polymer or decorative compositions.

Approximate dilution proportions

The exact recipes depend on the task and condition of the base, so the figures below are indicative, check according to the ETIZ instructions and on a specific surface. The concentrate is almost always diluted with pure water.

Purpose	Approximate proportion (LC: water)	Comment
Dedusting/priming of concrete floor	≈ 1 : 2–1 : 3	Apply in 1–2 layers until saturation; check for absorption
Loose screed reinforcement	≈ 1 : 2	More concentrated solution for weak base
Priming of walls for cement plaster	≈ 1 : 3	Thin uniform layer, without puddles and swells
Additive to cement slurry (not soil)	a small fraction of the cement mass	Approximately, take the dosage from the task instructions

The weaker and more porous the base, the more concentrated the first pass is. Everything is indicated tentatively — there are no rigid "iron" recipes for silicate, check the final dosage with the product passport.

Typical Characteristics of Sodium Liquid Glass

Sodium liquid glass is standardized by GOST 13078. The exact values are given in the ETHYZ passport, and typical landmarks for sodium silicate are as follows:

Indicator	Variable range system
7. Silicate module	≈ 2.6-3.4 (the exact value is in the ETHYZ passport)
Density	about 1.4 g/cm³ (specify according to the passport)
Base	aqueous sodium silicate solution
Packaging	cans 5 l (7 kg) and 10 l (14 kg)

How to Apply Liquid Glass to Walls and Floors

The technology is simple, but requires accuracy and speed — the silicate sets quickly.

Prepare the base. Remove dust, dirt, peeling and oil stains. The surface must be dry and durable.
Dilute concentrate water in the approximate proportion for your task and mix thoroughly.
Apply with a roller, brush or sprayer a uniform thin layer, in small areas. Work quickly — the solution sets quickly.
In case of strong absorption, allow the first layer to soak and apply a second one, avoiding glossy puddles and overflows.
Let it dry according to the instructions before further work.

Precautions: alkaline solution, wear gloves and glasses, avoid contact with eyes. Do not leave a thick glossy film — in its pure form it is fragile; for the primer you need a thin absorbed layer, and not a "lacquer" coating.

Overview of main features.

Priming with liquid glass is a working way to harden concrete, remove dust and reduce absorption in front of cement systems. The main thing is to remember the restrictions (not under gypsum and not as the only waterproofing under pressure) and apply thinly and quickly. For construction and waterproofing, choose sodium liquid glass from line of ETHYZ in a convenient canister of 5 or 10 liters.

FAQs

Can walls be primed with liquid glass under plaster?

Under cement and cement-sand plaster — yes: liquid glass strengthens the base and reduces absorption, improving the performance of the mortar. But under gypsum plaster, silicate should not be used — alkaline silicate and gypsum chemically conflict, swelling and weak adhesion are possible. Before gypsum compounds, choose a profile acrylic primer and always refer to the instructions of the finishing material.

In what proportion to dilute the liquid glass for floor priming?

Approximately, the concentrate is diluted with pure water in a ratio of about 1:2–1:3, depending on the porosity and condition of the base. For a weak loose screed, the first layer is made more concentrated, about 1:2. These are indicative values — check the exact dosage for a specific task according to the instructions and the ETIZ passport, there are no rigid uniform recipes for silicate.

Does the liquid glass dedust the concrete floor?

Yes, this is one of the main applications. The sodium silicate solution penetrates the pores, binds the loose dust layer and leaves a strong mineral crust. After treatment, the floor stops dusting, becomes stronger and absorbs less moisture. Apply in one or two layers with a roller or sprayer until the surface is saturated, avoiding glossy puddles that give a fragile film.

Is it possible to paint or glue wallpaper on top of liquid glass?

Directly — not recommended. The solidified silicate forms a smooth dense film to which the paint and wallpaper adhesive do not adhere well. If the task is for painting or wallpaper, it is better to use a compatible acrylic primer or provide an intermediate layer. Liquid glass is optimal as a hardener and soil for cement systems and self-leveling floors, and not for all decorative finishes.

How is liquid sodium glass different from potassium glass?

ETIZ produces sodium liquid glass — a universal product for the construction, waterproofing and strengthening of concrete. Potassium liquid glass is another product that is more often used in paints and flame retardants, and in this line, ETIZ does not position it. Sodium silicate is used for the priming of walls and floors, additives to concrete and membrane waterproofing.