Whether it’s a major project or small touch-up, you want your new paint job to look beautiful in any room of your house.
Painting takes time and patience and knowing when to use paint primer can be the difference between multiple coats or just one. It can also be the difference between a job that looks flawless and lasts for years, and one that flakes up pretty quickly and looks shoddy.
Let’s take a look at when it’s a good time to use primer for your next paint project, and when you can skip it altogether.
Walls with Stains, Marks, or Water Damage
Rooms that are old and dingy, or moist basements, likely have some form of discoloration on them. In cases like this, primer is a necessity.
Look for special primers that have specific terms on them like ‘stain-blocking’ or ‘water-sealing’. These primers will create a protective layer between the wall and your fresh coat of paint.
You can use a stain-blocking primer on walls that have marks like crayon or marker on them.
Water-blocking primers are recommended for basements, and you may want to consider using them in the bathroom too. This is especially important if you plan to paint a lighter color over a darker existing one.
A quality primer designed to block out marks and water will prolong the life of your paint job and keep it looking fresh. These primers also prevent the damage below from bleeding through.
When to Use Paint Primer: Glossy Walls
Perhaps the previous homeowner loved the glossy look, or maybe you painted your walls using a high-gloss paint in the past, but you’re ready for a change. The problem with glossy paint is that due to its slick properties, a new coat of paint will have a difficult time adhering to the surface.
For glossy walls, primer is a must, however before you begin, take some sandpaper and lightly scuff the surface. This will help the new coat of primer apply and stick.
Once your walls are nicely scuffed, apply at least one coat of primer. You might need to apply two in some cases, so try a small test patch with your new paint color to see if it works. After the coat or coats of primer is dry, you can start painting.
Drywall and Primer
Drywall is extremely porous, which means that your paint could simply seep right in and look splotchy or uneven. If you have brand-new drywall, it’s even more porous because of the bare paper and the joint compound used on the seams of the walls.
Some drywall is skim-coated, which means a thin layer of drywall compound was used over the original drywall. In both of these instances, primer is recommended so that your new paint looks even and dries well.
If you have an existing coat of paint already on your drywall, try a small area to see how the new color dries. In most cases, you should be able to add the new paint without primer, unless the previous color was extremely dark, and your new color is much lighter.
Other wall surfaces that need primer include bare wood and masonry such as stone and brick. Both wood and brick are more porous than drywall, so go ahead and have that can of primer ready.
Other Surfaces that Require Primer Before Painting
Wood, glossy surfaces, brick, and drywall aren’t the only things that require a primer. If you’re wondering when to use paint primer on special projects like shutters or furniture, the answer lies in the material.
Anything made of vinyl or plastic should always have a coat or two of primer applied first. Thanks to the smooth, slippery surface, these synthetic materials need a primer to help the paint “hold onto” the surface and dry correctly.
If you’re painting something like shutters, make sure you choose a high-quality, thick primer and paint designed for outdoor use. For furniture or kitchen cabinets, choose paint and primer designated for those particular applications.
These primers are usually called “bonding primers” and work well on material like ceramic tile, vinyl, and anything that has a high-gloss coating or finish to them. With the right primer, you should only need to apply a single coat of paint after the primer dries.
Using All-In-One Products
Many popular paint manufacturers offer products that contain paint and primer in one. These products eliminate the need to apply more than one coat, cutting your project time and effort down by half.
While this type of paint works well for many applications, you should still always apply primer to bare, new drywall. Anything that has a previous coat of paint already there should be able to “take” the new paint and primer product just fine.
To be safe, a good rule of thumb is to always add primer first if you plan to apply a lighter color over a darker one. Otherwise, the dark color will bleed through and you’ll have to apply the primer anyway.
Give Your Paint Project a Prime Look
Now that you know when to use paint primer, you’re ready to take on any task. Primer provides any material with a reliable surface that helps your paint adhere evenly and beautifully.
From a fresh look in the living room to sprucing up a dingy basement, use a primer to give your home a professional look.
When in doubt, or if you would like to let the pros handle the job for you, consult with a professional painting company that can guide you and will offer advice.
For your next professional painting project, contact us today for a free quote and more information.