 Applying a coat of primer before painting can seem like a waste of time to any DIYer in a hurry, especially since many paints come with primer formulated into them. However, in some situations, not taking the time to paint an entire surface with primer before a topcoat is applied can be a job killer. Show
“Think of primer as double-stick tape,” explained Joe Campbell, co-owner of Arizona Painting Company, the state’s largest painting contractor. “It helps the finish coat bond to the substrate you’re painting.” Whether you’ve hired a contractor to do the work or are painting a surface yourself, pay attention to these situations where a separate primer coat is a must. Scenario #1: Unpainted wood and drywall Unpainted wood and drywall can pose huge adherence problems for coatings without primer. With fresh drywall, the substrate actually absorbs a coating really well, like a sponge. However, because it absorbs so well, without a primer coat, you’ll experience uneven coverage, especially along drywall seams. This means you’ll need to apply more paint to finally get an even coat. Even then, you may still find yourself repainting again sooner than later. Unpainted wood is one of the most difficult surfaces to paint without primer. Unlike drywall, it is resistant to a coating. Without primer, applying even the highest quality coatings are an uphill battle that ends with shoddy results. “Fascia boards are a common area where wood is exposed to the elements in Arizona,” Campbell added. “Even if the board needs some sanding and stripping prep to create a better surface for the paint, you still need that primer to get the coating to really stick well.” Scenario #2: Dealing with paint peel When paints fail, they start to flake and peel. The only way to repaint these areas of your home is to clean and sand away the failing paint. But with diligent prep work you’re actually working your way down to the bare surface. So, to repaint, primer is necessary. “One of the most annoying tasks for a painter is to have to fix previously poor prep where someone didn’t remove the flaking and didn’t prime the surface. In time, that area of the job breaks down sooner than other areas that didn’t have flaking and peeling,” Campbell said. Scenario #3: Unpainted stucco and concrete Bare concrete surfaces and stucco (which is made with concrete) require primer before paint. Some concrete surfaces have a higher pH, which can create adhesion problems, Campbell explained. And other concrete surfaces may have efflorescence, a crystalline residue, on them. Both of these situations spell problems for a coating’s ability to adhere to the surface. There are great masonry primers that can overcome these situations, Campbell noted. Scenario #4: Remedying chalky surfaces When an exterior paint, like the ones applied to many of the Valley’s stucco homes, fails, you’ll often see a chalky residue on your hand if you wipe it across the surface. This happens as a result of all the binders and resins in the paint breaking down over time. The most thorough pressure washing job isn’t enough in these situations. A fresh primer coat is needed. “If you clean the surface really well, you’re likely down to the bare substrate again, which will need primer,” Campbell said. “Even worse, if you don’t clean it well enough, the surface may have left over chalky residue and paint won’t adhere to that either.” For these scenarios, Campbell also recommends a sealer for the paint as well. Scenario #5: Painting over stains or glossy surfaces Crayon marks, oil or other hard-to-clean stains need the help of primer to effectively trap and cover them while creating a clean slate that can allow a coating to adhere to the surface well. “Other prep strategies like sanding or cleaning with degreaser will probably be needed, too, but just as is the case with chalky surfaces, cleaning isn’t enough. Primer is that final important prep step that will lead to a great final outcome,” Campbell said. For other painting tips, visit the Arizona Painting Company blog; for a painting estimate, visit the Arizona Painting Company website or call (602) 648-3071 or (520) 284-1792. Do I need primer before painting? Learn when to use primer and how to use primer before beginning your next paint job. Priming walls is an important step in the painting process. To achieve professional results at home, learn how to properly prime your surfaces before painting.Most painting professionals and paint companies will recommend applying a primer before painting. You’ll probably even notice that it is recommended in the instructions on the back of your paint can. But if you’re anything like me, you’re probably trying to find all the ways you can to paint faster, so you’re wondering…”do I need primer before painting?” Can’t I just skip that step? Primer is essentially a kind of sticky, flat paint that creates the perfect “skin” for new paint layers by providing a porous surface for the paint to adhere to and hides surface stains. Table of Contents
This primer guide contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here. If you love DIY videos, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel! Do I need primer before painting?Well, the answer is not super straightforward. Honestly, the answer is…sometimes. So we’re going to walk through all of the different scenarios in the article so you can determine if you need primer before painting or not. While not all painting surfaces require priming, it’s always a good idea to prime. In fact, when in doubt, prime it! Here are some common examples of when a primer is only recommended and when it’s absolutely necessary. Do I need primer before painting interior walls?You always need to prime before painting bare drywall or newly textured walls. Drywall texture is very porous and will soak up all your paint if applied without primer. Use drywall primer to avoid this. To get a professional finish, you should also prime before painting over patched nail holes. Sometimes, the material that covers the nail holes (joint compound, spackle, etc) can show through the paint sheen and create a shiny or dull spot. This is called “flashing”. If you prime over these areas, this will eliminate any potential issues. If you are painting over a darker color or walls with stains, use a stain-blocking primer, like this, to prevent darker spots or color from showing through the new coat. In some cases, changing from a high paint sheen to a low paint sheen can cause some issues, so it’s a good idea to prime before you paint when changing paint sheens. Aside from the examples above, a good paint and primer in one is the recommended option for interior walls, regardless of the condition of the walls. We usually use Behr’s Marquee or Ultra line for our interior painting (check out all of our home’s paint colors here) Do I need primer before painting over old paint?If you are painting a wall the same or similar color, priming isn’t required but will enhance the overall appearance of your walls. If you are using a different type of paint, like applying latex over oil, you will need to use primer before applying the new paint. Do I need primer before painting furniture?While it’s recommended to prime furniture before painting, it’s not absolutely necessary. It truly depends on the type of furniture and the paint and color you are using. A fresh coat of paint is the easiest way to flip a piece of furniture. Before you begin painting, make all the necessary repairs. If you are using stained wood, the stain may bleed through onto the paint. Test a small, inconspicuous area of the furniture first, or simply prime anyway! Even if you’re using chalk or milk paint on your furniture, I’d still recommend using a primer before painting. Otherwise, you could deal with wood tannins bleeding through the paint or the painting chipping easily. Usually, this isn’t noticed until later (like when you go to seal the furniture after painting), so just save yourself the trouble and prime! If you’re painting laminate furniture (rather than real wood furniture), a primer is required to get good adhesion. Check out the boho cabinet we created in a $3 laminate find. Do I need primer before painting wood?If you are painting bare wood, priming is absolutely necessary! The tannins in the wood will bleed through the paint if you skip this step. Some types of wood may bleed through more than others, so just prime. If you are working with sealed wood, make sure you sand it down (or strip it), prime, then paint.
Do I need primer before spray painting?Typically, spray paint goes on in a thick coat that adheres well to most surfaces. Priming isn’t required but is recommended depending on the material you are painting. Using primer before spray painting ensures a nice, even finish. While it is possible to avoid using primer, it may take several coats of paint to achieve the same result as with primer. Normally, you will only need one coat of primer. Some spray paints are paint and primer in one, so you can save yourself a little hassle by using those. How to Use PrimerIn order for a new paint color to grab onto a wall or surface, it must be the right texture. The porosity of the painting surface determines whether or not the surface needs a primer.
Using primer will create the perfect canvas for the paint to go on smoothly. Primer also covers stains, which makes it more economical than applying multiple coats of paint. Understanding when and how to apply primer is key to a long-lasting paint job and saving you time and money. In a nutshell, here’s how to use primer:
Using self-priming paints (or paint and primer in one)You can purchase paint and primer separately or mixed together in one paint bucket. Most professionals will recommend using a separate paint and primer. Sometimes, like in the situations outlined above, it’s necessary to prime and then apply a coat of paint and primer in one. But, if your walls are in good condition, using the all-in-one combination of paint and primer should work just fine. While only purchasing one can for a paint job is convenient and helps cut the cost of painting, you have to remember that paint and primers aren’t miracle workers. Also keep in mind that because a paint and primer in-one is a thicker substance, it takes longer to dry than each one separately. Furthermore, it’s not always a time and money saver as advertised. Oftentimes, the paint and primer combination still requires more than one coat, depending on the color you are using. We usually plan for 1 coat of primer, if needed and 2 coats of the wall color. Even if you’re tempted to skip it, applying primer before painting is an important step for some paint situations. To summarize, you definitely need to prime if:
It’s recommended, but not required, to prime if:
You can skip priming if:
If you decide to skip priming on your walls in good condition, keep in mind that you’ll likely need more coats of paint for adequate coverage and the paint may not last as long as it would with a primer.
What happens if you don't use primer before painting?If you skip priming, you risk peeling paint, especially in humid conditions. Moreover, the lack of adhesion could make cleaning more difficult months after the paint has dried. You may find the paint wearing off as you're trying to wipe off dirt or fingerprints.
Is primer really necessary before painting?Priming is the foundation of a good painting job. Without primers, it is hard to achieve the perfect finishing. The primer provides a strong base so that the topcoat will bond to. The benefits of priming walls are many, including long-lasting, better protection, and stronger adhesion between painted walls.
Can I paint directly without primer?However, because it absorbs so well, without a primer coat, you'll experience uneven coverage, especially along drywall seams. This means you'll need to apply more paint to finally get an even coat. Even then, you may still find yourself repainting again sooner than later.
Do you have to prime before painting over paint?Most projects where you're going over a previously-painted surface do not require the use of a primer. In many cases all you'll need to do is spot-prime any bare areas that need to be addressed before applying your finish.
|
Do i need to put primer before painting
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 en.ketajaman Inc.
