2026-11-08T09:20:59

Acian vs Wall Putty vs Skim Coat: When to Use Each and Thickness

Knowing the acian vs wall putty skim coat split stops you from laying the wrong coat, or doubling coats that do no extra work. Acian is the thin layer over plaster that smooths the surface and closes pores; Sika puts its thickness at only about 1–3 mm, well below plaster at about 10–20 mm. On Indonesian shelves, “skim coat” is often the factory name for ready-mix cement acian—not a third, chemically separate stage. Plamir or plamur (wall putty) closes pores and hairline cracks and tidies the surface before paint; acrylic types are typically for interiors, while cement-based instant putty may also be used outdoors. This article separates the three using brand technical sheets, and it does not repeat the sealer–primer–undercoat distinction.

Key Facts

Sika (17 Feb 2026): acian is a thin layer over plaster to smooth the surface and close pores; thickness is usually only about 1–3 mm, while plaster is about 10–20 mm. Wait until the plaster is dry enough, ideally about 14–21 days, before applying acian; if the wall is too dry, dampen it lightly (2026-11-08, source: Sika Indonesia: wall acian — function, difference from plaster, timing (17 Feb 2026)).
Avian Giant Mortar 260 Skim Coat: ready-mix acian based on cement, filler, additives and polymer; application thickness 1.5–3.0 mm; spreading rate about ±10 m² per 20 kg bag at 1.5 mm; interior and exterior; no putty needed, paintable after the acian is 7 days old (2026-11-08, source: Avian Brands: Giant Mortar 260 Skim Coat / grey acian TDS).
Aplus 111 white skim coat: described as white acian for plastered surfaces, interior or exterior, application thickness 1–3 mm, reference standard DIN 18550; spreading rate ±10 m² / 1.5 mm thickness / 20 kg; the wall can be painted after 7 days (2026-11-08, source: Aplus Pacific: Aplus 111 white skim coat).
Avitex wall putty TDS (effective 1 Jan 2020): interior acrylic putty to close pores and hairline cracks and smooth the wall; theoretical spreading rate 3–4 m²/kg depending on absorption and pores; applied with a scraper, no thinning; the product page states 1–2 coats (2026-11-08, source: Avian Brands: Avitex wall putty TDS (effective 1 Jan 2020, TDS/PR/0620)).
Nippon Matex Putty: styrene-acrylic filler for cracks and joints and for building up porous cement walls so they are smooth and sandable; for interior walls and ceilings (asbestos, mortar, concrete); coverage 9–12 m²/L per coat (2026-11-08, source: Nippon Paint Indonesia: Matex Putty product page).

What acian vs wall putty skim coat each mean

Sika defines wall acian as a thin layer over plaster that smooths the surface and closes small pores. Plaster levels and shapes a brick or concrete wall so it is straight and strong, using a cement-and-sand mix about 10–20 mm thick, and the finish is still coarse. Acian uses finer cement or a dedicated instant mortar, is much thinner—typically only about 1–3 mm—and leaves a surface ready for finishing. The work order is masonry, plaster, wait until the plaster is dry enough, then acian, then paint or another coating.

In shops, the words skim coat often sit on bags of ready-mix acian. Avian’s Giant Mortar 260 TDS is titled “GM-260 Skim Coat” and also “acian for plaster and concrete”: an instant cement made from Portland cement, filler, additives and a special polymer, used to level and smooth plaster or concrete indoors and outdoors. Aplus 111 white skim coat is explicitly called “white acian” on plastered fields, 1–3 mm thick, referencing DIN 18550. So skim coat on the Indonesian market is usually the trade name for ready-to-mix acian, not a separate stage between plaster and traditional site-mixed acian.

When plamir or wall putty comes after acian

Plamir (also spelled plamur) has a different job: closing pores and hairline cracks and tidying the surface before paint, not replacing 10–20 mm of plaster. The Avitex wall-putty TDS (effective 1 January 2020) describes a high-grade acrylic putty for interiors on concrete, plaster, fibre or ceilings; theoretical coverage is 3–4 m²/kg depending on absorption and pores; it is applied with a scraper without thinning; touch-dry in about 10 minutes, hard in 30 minutes, and sandable after at least 1 hour at 30°C. The product page adds 1–2 coats and packs of 5 kg and 25 kg.

Nippon Matex Putty is a styrene-acrylic filler for cracks, joints and building up porous cement walls so they become smooth and easy to sand; it is used on interior walls and ceilings of asbestos, mortar, concrete and similar substrates, at 9–12 m²/L per coat. That matches a paint-putty role, not a 1.5–3 mm cement acian. There is also cement-based instant putty: Giant Mortar 220 is described as a ready-to-use putty based on cement, filler, additives and polymer for levelling interior and exterior walls and ceilings; coverage is about ±10 m² per 20 kg on rough surfaces and ±50 m² per 20 kg on smooth surfaces, depending on flatness; drying time 3–7 days; packs of 5 kg and 20 kg.

Typical thickness and layer order on site

From sources checked today, the thicknesses that may be quoted are: plaster about 10–20 mm (Sika); acian about 1–3 mm (Sika), or 1.5–3.0 mm on GM-260 and 1–3 mm on Aplus 111. Avitex putty and Matex Putty do not state a millimetre thickness on the pages read—do not invent one. Ready-mix acian coverage measured at 1.5 mm is about 10 m² per 20 kg bag for both GM-260 and Aplus 111; that figure belongs to that thickness and is not a licence to apply far outside the factory range.

Sika flags a common error: do not apply acian on plaster that is still wet. Ideally wait about 14–21 days so the plaster can shrink first; forcing the work makes acian prone to cracking or peeling. A wall that is too dry sucks water out of the acian too fast, so dampen it lightly. Avoid extreme sun or heavy rain on exterior walls. Both Avian GM-260 and Aplus 111 say the wall can be painted after the acian is 7 days old; GM-260 adds “no putty needed” because the finish is already smooth, and it is not recommended for floors. If the acian maker writes that putty is unnecessary, putty is not mandatory; if pores or hairline cracks remain, acrylic or instant cement putty is still relevant according to its own TDS.

How to choose in the shop without mixing functions

Once the acian or putty surface is ready, the next stage is the primer system that matches the wall (new, alkaline, or a colour change), which is covered separately in the sealer, primer and undercoat article. homeX can help assemble plaster, ready-mix acian and putty for the wall type, without substituting thickness figures that the technical sheet does not state.

acian vs wall putty skim coat: related articles and products

FAQ

How does acian differ from plaster? Sika: plaster levels and shapes the wall with cement and sand, about 10–20 mm thick, still coarse. Acian is the thin layer over plaster that smooths and closes pores, typically only about 1–3 mm.

Is skim coat a third layer or another name for acian? On the products checked, skim coat is the factory name for ready-mix cement acian. GM-260 is titled Skim Coat and acian for plaster and concrete (1.5–3.0 mm). Aplus 111 white skim coat is called white acian, 1–3 mm thick. It is not a separate stage between plaster and traditional acian.

When is putty still needed after acian? If the acian maker writes “no putty” and the finish is already smooth (GM-260, paintable after 7 days), putty is not mandatory. If pores or hairline cracks remain, use putty per its TDS: Avitex 3–4 m²/kg (interior, 1–2 coats) or Matex Putty 9–12 m²/L per coat; GM-220 for interior and exterior.

For building and renovation material needs, reach the homeX team on WhatsApp +62 821 1818 998, by email at homex9998@gmail.com or through our contact page.

Sources: Sika Indonesia: wall acian — function, difference from plaster, timing (17 Feb 2026); Avian Brands: Giant Mortar 260 Skim Coat / grey acian TDS; Aplus Pacific: Aplus 111 white skim coat; Avian Brands: Avitex wall putty TDS (effective 1 Jan 2020, TDS/PR/0620); Avian Brands: Avitex wall putty product page; Nippon Paint Indonesia: Matex Putty product page; Avian Brands: Giant Mortar 220 instant putty product page