ichidan verb
coat and harden; apply a thick layer
Used for applying a substance like plaster, grout, or lacquer that hardens and adheres strongly. Emphasizes both the coating action and the resulting solid layer.
壁に漆喰を塗り固める。
I plaster the wall thickly.
職人が型に樹脂を塗り固めて強度
The craftsman applied resin thickly into the mold to increase strength.
ichidan verb
cover up; whitewash; varnish with lies
Figurative use: to conceal the truth or gloss over something with lies, excuses, or flattery. Often implies a thick, obvious cover-up.
不祥事を嘘で塗り固めようとした。
They tried to cover up the scandal with lies.
彼はお世辞で失敗を塗り固めた。
He whitewashed his failure with flattery.