
ApplicAtion tips
USG SHEETROCK® BRAND
Tuff-Hide™
Pri mer-Surfacer
EQUIPMENT
SURFACE PREPAR ATION
MIXING
Use professional spray equipment that meets or exceeds the following rating when spraying
through 50 ft. of 1/4" i.d. high-pressure hose: output at least 1 gallon per minute; pump pressure
rated at 2700-3000 psi; and accommodates a 0.031" spray tip at 2000 psi. Graco Mark V, GMax
5900 HD, Ultra Max 1095 and 1595 models are examples of approved airless pumping equipment.
Use a 30-mesh filter located in the high-pressure manifold. Use a spray tip orifice between 0.023"
to 0.031". It is recommended to use a Graco heavy-duty texture spray gun or equivalent that
accommodates a Graco Reverse-A-Clean (RAC) type tip. Make sure that airless sprayer, hoses, gun
and other related equipment are clean and in good working condition prior to application.
Note: USG She etrock® Brand Tu-H ide™ Prim er-Surfacer is a high-solids co ating. For best res ults, use new hoses to avoid
cloggi ng at the spr ay tip. Clogging comm only occurs with any high-solids coatin g when old and/or poorly cleane d hoses are used.
Substrate must be sound, dry, clean and free of oil, grease, mildew and dust. Product, air and
surface temperatures must be maintained at a minimum of 55 °F (13 °C) throughout the finishing
process. Refer to USG Technical Literature J2010 for finishing and decorating best practices.
For new drywall: Treat all joints, fasteners and accessories with a recommended USG Sheetrock®
Brand Joint Treatment System. Fill all nicks, voids and gouges with joint compound. A minimum
Level 4 wallboard finish is recommended. Refer to Gypsum Association publication GA-214,
Recommended Levels of Gypsum Board Finish or ASTM C840 equivalent for a detailed description.
For concrete and plaster surfaces: Plaster surfaces should be thoroughly dry before painting.
Concrete surfaces should age at least 60 days before finishing. Remove all form oils and
eorescence and grind down form lines. Fill cracks and holes, and level concrete surfaces with
USG Sheetrock® Brand Setting-Type Joint Compound (Durabond® or Easy Sand™) or Cover Coat®
Compound and let dry.
Stir gently. Do not thin. Thinning will reduce performance. May be tinted with up to 2 oz. per gallon
of universal colorants.
APPLICATION
Apply using airless spray only. When used in lieu of a skim coat of joint compound and paint primer
coat in a Level 5 gypsum board finish, apply to a minimum Wet Film Thickness (WFT) of 15 mils.
In all applications a WFT in excess of 20 mils is not recommended. Use a wet film thickness
gauge to ensure proper application thickness and maximum performance. Maintain 55 °F (13 °C)
minimum product, air and surface temperatures during application and until surface is dry.
Test the spray pattern prior to application. Control the rate of coverage with the spray-tip size
(first-time users should try a 0.027" tip). If the fan pattern is the same, a large-tip orifice applies
more paint than a small orifice. Do not try to increase coverage by increasing fluid pressure.
Use the lowest pressure necessary (high-pressure increases wear on pump.)
Hold the gun perpendicular to the surface approximately 24 inches away. Move the gun parallel to
the surface at a steady rate. Start the stroke o the “target” surface and pull the trigger, as the
gun is moving. While the gun is still moving, release the trigger as you approach the other edge
of the target surface. This method avoids excess paint buildup at the end of each stroke. Moving
the gun at the correct speed will deposit a full, wet coating without runs or sags. Lap each stroke
approximately 50% over the previous stroke for uniform paint thickness. Spray from left to right
to scratch in the initial coat and then crosshatch spray up and down as the doubleup coat to
provide a uniform appearance. Check wet film application thickness using a wet film thickness
gauge. When painting corners, aim the gun toward the center of the corner to ensure both sides
are sprayed evenly.
Note: May be roll er applied for use as a high-so lids, primer paint coat. Use a high-quality roller, with 1/4"- 3/8" fine nap roller
cover on smooth surf aces. Apply to a wet film thickness (WFT) of 5-10 mi ls.

DRYING TIME
Dries to touch in approximately 60-90 minutes when applied at 15-20 mils WFT (9-12 mils DFT)
under normal drying conditions (77 °F/50% RH). Let dry before recoating. High humidity and/or
cold temperature will slow drying. May be painted after overnight drying.
COVERAGE
TOUCH-UP
PRODUCT INFORMATION
See usg .com for the m ost up-to -date prod uct infor mation.
WARNINg
Mist, va pors and/or dus t may cause ir ritation to eyes, s kin,
nose, th roat and upper re spirator y tract. Avoid irritation
by reduci ng exposur e to mist, vap ors and/or dust . Use in a
well-ven tilated are a or provide su cient local ve ntilation .
If mist y/high vapo r levels/dusty, wear a NIOS H/MSHAapprove d mist, vap or or dust re spirator. Long-term
breathi ng of respirable c rystalline silica dust can cause
permanent lung damage and/or cancer. Prolonged and
repeate d breathing of res pirable mica dust may c ause lung
diseas e (pneumoconiosis). Wear eye prot ection. If eye
contac t occurs, flush thoroughl y with water for 15 minutes . If
irritat ion persi sts, ca ll physicia n. Wash with so ap and water
after use. Do not ingest. If ingested , call physi cian. Do no t
use if mate rial has spoile d, i.e., th ere is a moldy app earance
or an unpleasant o dor. Close con tainer an d discard prope rly.
Produc t safety inform ation: 80 0 507-8899 o r usg.com.
KEEP O UT OF REACH OF C HILDREN .
TRADeMARks
The trad emarks USG, COVER COAT, DURABOND,
EASY S AND, SHEETROCK , TUFF-HIDE , IT’S YOUR WORL D.
BUIL D IT., the USG lo go, and related marks a re trademarks
of USG Cor poration o r its aliates.
NOTe
Produc ts describe d here may not b e available i n all
geogr aphic mar kets. Con sult your US G sales o ce or
representative for information.
NOTICe
We shall not b e liable for incid ental and conse quential
damages, direc tly or indirect ly sustained, nor fo r any loss
cause d by applica tion of thes e goods not i n accordan ce with
curren t printed in structi ons or for oth er than the intend ed
use. Ou r liabilit y is expressly lim ited to repla cement of
defec tive goods . Any claim shall be d eemed wai ved unles s
made in wr iting to us within thi rty (30) days from date it
was or rea sonably s hould have been discove red.
sAFeT y FIRsT!
Follow go od safety/i ndustri al hygiene p ractice s during
installation. Wear appropriate personal protective
equipment. Rea d MSDS and li terature b efore spec ification
and installation.
Coverage is approximately 100-125 sq. ft. per gallon when applied at 15-20 mils WFT (9 -12 mils DFT).
Actual coverage can vary depending on factors such as substrate surface condition, spray
techniques, procedures, coating uniformity and thickness.
Wipe up drips and spills immediately with damp cloth. Clean tools and equipment with warm
soapy water. Clean and store airless spray per the spray manufacturer recommendations. Close
container after each use.
For surfaces damaged prior to the application of finish paint, an additional application of USG
Sheetrock® Tu-Hide Primer-Surfacer can be used to treat properly repaired areas. For example, fill
and level all nicks, voids, protrusions, paper tears, etc. with joint compound and sand smooth. For
areas with minor damage, spray USG Sheetrock® Tu-Hide Primer-Surfacer over repaired area and
blend into surrounding coated surface using a feathering technique. For larger repaired areas, it
may be necessary to respray the entire wall or ceiling surface.
For areas damaged after the application of finish paint, or previously painted surfaces, make sure
surface is sound and free of dirt, oil, stains or other contaminants. In some cases stained surfaces
should be treated with a stain blocking sealer to obtain uniform color. Lightly sand painted surface
to dull any sheen and develop “tooth” for good bond prior to the application of USG Sheetrock®
Tu-Hide Primer-Surfacer to the entire wall or ceiling surface. For painted surfaces with minor
damage, USG Sheetrock® Brand First Coat flat latex paint can be used over repaired areas using a
feathering technique.
For more information, please consult The Gypsum Construction Handbook.
usg.com/content/usgcom/en/resource-center/gypsum-construction-handbook.html
800 USG.4YOU
800 (874-4968)
usg.com
Manufactured by
United States Gypsum Company
550 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60661
J1810/rev. 7-14
© 2014 USG Corporation and/or
its aliates. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.