When To Use Paint Primer

Feb 23, 2015

Getting ready to paint your home or office? You may have seen TV ads for paint brands claiming that the paint primer is included. Unfortunately, this has led to many misconceptions about primers and their purposes. Primers are used for many different reasons, and various types of primers exist to handle different needs including sealing surfaces, smells and stains.

Special Surfaces Require Primer for Paint Consistency
Some surfaces require specific primers to help with the finish or the overall coverage of certain paint colors. For example, it’s important to prime new drywall, repairs, and stains in order to create the proper surface for painting top coats. Failing to prime may result in inconsistent texture, flashing, or the reappearance of stains.

Save Time by Spot Priming Wall Stains and Repairs
Stains and repairs can be “spot primed,” where the entire wall does not need to be covered with the primer, only the affected area prior to receiving a top coat.

Special Primers Help Paint “Stick”
While nearly all surfaces can be painted, some require an adhesion primer to maximize the performance of the topcoat. Certain surfaces require special primers formulated to bond or “stick.” These surfaces are generally slick or shiny, where paint would be likely to peel or chip easily.

These primers bond to the surface to create a sticky surface for the top coat of paint to adhere. General applications include painting previously stained and clear coated wood work, cabinets, tile, and furniture.

Do You Need Primer When Drastically Changing a Wall Color?
A common painting misconception today is the need for a primer coat when changing color. Luckily, most of today’s paints cover well and generally only require two coats of paint to achieve their full coverage and color.

We recommend primers for coverage when the paint color is extremely bright or dark, and even then, it may not even be necessary. Because most quality paint covers in two coats, applying a primer coat prior only adds to the amount of paint purchased and coats applied, it does not affect the end result.

The bottom line is that a color that does not cover in two coats almost always covers with the third coat, making priming an inefficient method of helping with coverage. So why not save some money by purchasing a quality paint brand and skipping the primer altogether?

Prim Painting serves the Columbus, Ohio, area. If you are looking for painters you can trust, for your home or business, call us today at 614-620-1950.