Elena Rossi
There are many benefits to priming before painting. Primer preps the painting surface, seals stains, and ensures the paint adheres well, resulting in a smooth and clean finish. While it is not always necessary, priming is important when painting porous surfaces such as drywall, wood, or masonry, as it prevents paint absorption and creates a uniform base. It is also useful when covering stains, preventing colour bleed-through, and promoting adhesion on surfaces with high pH levels. Additionally, priming can save time and money by reducing the number of paint coats required.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to use primer | When painting porous surfaces like drywall, bare wood, masonry, brick, or paper |
| When covering stains or water damage | |
| When painting over a previously painted surface with a different paint base (e.g. latex paint over oil-based paint) | |
| When painting a light colour over a dark colour | |
| When dealing with mould and mildew | |
| When painting vinyl siding, PVC trim, or plastic shutters | |
| When painting a surface for the first time | |
| When to skip primer | When using a primer-paint combo product |
| When the new paint colour is similar to the old one | |
| When the wall is in good shape and you're painting over a light colour |
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What You'll Learn
Priming bare wood
When priming bare wood, it is important to consider the type of wood and the desired finish. For example, if the wood has knots, a specialised knot sealer or shellac should be applied to each knot to prevent bleeding through the paint over time. An oil-based spray primer is recommended for sealing knots, as it offers the benefits of oil-based products without the messy cleanup. Products like KILZ or shellac are suitable for this purpose.
The primer itself can be applied using a brush, roller, or sprayer, ensuring an even application. It is important to allow the primer to dry completely between coats, and a light sanding between coats can help achieve a smoother surface. Bare wood tends to absorb more paint, so it is normal for the first coat or two to look uneven. To achieve the best results, it is recommended to apply multiple thin coats of primer.
When choosing a primer, consider using a tinted primer to reduce the number of topcoats needed. A grey-tinted primer, for instance, can provide better coverage when using dark colours for the topcoat. Additionally, if the wood is pine, it is important to rinse down pitchy areas like knots with acetone or naphtha, especially if the wood is air-dried. Warming the surface with a heat gun can help bring the pitch to the surface, and it is crucial to keep the heat gun away from glue lines.
Overall, priming bare wood is a crucial step in the painting process to ensure a high-quality and long-lasting finish. By following the above steps and allowing adequate drying time, you can achieve a smooth and attractive result.
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Priming porous surfaces
Priming is an essential step when painting porous surfaces, such as brick, concrete, new wood, and drywall. These surfaces tend to absorb a lot of paint, resulting in increased paint consumption and an uneven finish. By applying a primer, you can seal the porous surface, creating a smooth and uniform base for the paint to adhere to properly.
For instance, when painting a brick surface, a primer like KILZ® 1 Standard or KILZ 2® All-Purpose can be used to seal the porous surface, ensuring a professional finish. Similarly, priming new drywall or plaster is necessary to seal the porous surface and create a consistent base coat. This is also true for skim-coated walls, which are often applied to smooth out wall surfaces. By priming these porous surfaces, you can reduce paint absorption and achieve a more even and durable finish.
When dealing with bare wood, priming becomes crucial due to the natural fibres in the wood that absorb a significant amount of paint. Priming unfinished wood helps create a more uniform surface and prevents the paint from being absorbed unevenly, resulting in a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing finish.
In addition to improving paint adhesion and durability, primers are also used to address specific surface issues. For example, if you're painting over water-damaged walls or surfaces with stains, a primer can help prevent those stains from bleeding through the paint. A stain-killing primer can be used to ensure unsightly spots don't ruin your paint job. If you're dealing with mould and mildew, a mildew-resistant primer with antimicrobial properties can inhibit their growth and provide a clean surface for painting.
It's important to select the right primer for your specific surface and project requirements. For instance, if you're working with vinyl siding, PVC trim, or plastic shutters, a "bonding primer" like INSL-X STIX is recommended for maximum adhesion to these challenging substrates. By consulting with paint experts or seeking advice from reputable paint suppliers, you can ensure you choose the most suitable primer for your porous surface.
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Priming before a drastic colour change
When making a drastic colour change, it is recommended to prime before painting. A primer will help you achieve a smooth, long-lasting finish and ensure the paint adheres well to the surface.
Priming is especially important when painting porous surfaces, such as new drywall, wood, or plaster. These surfaces can soak up a lot of paint, resulting in a higher paint consumption and an uneven finish. By priming first, you create a smooth and uniform base coat, reducing the amount of paint required for an even finish.
Additionally, priming is necessary when covering stains or dealing with water damage. A stain-blocking primer will prevent stains from bleeding through your new paint job. If you're dealing with mould and mildew, a mildew-resistant primer is recommended to inhibit recurring growth.
When making a drastic colour change, such as painting a light colour over a dark one, priming can reduce the number of coats required to achieve an even colour. Tinting the primer close to your chosen paint colour can provide extra coverage and colour support for the new shade.
For drastic colour changes, a high-hiding waterborne acrylic latex primer or an oil-based primer is recommended. The oil-based primer is better at blocking colours and is advertised as a "cover-stain" primer. However, it is important to note that oil-based primers require mineral spirits for cleanup and have a stronger odour.
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Priming stained surfaces
Priming is an important step in the painting process, as it preps the surface and ensures the paint adheres well, resulting in a smooth and clean finish. While modern paints and self-priming products might make it seem unnecessary, there are many situations in which priming is crucial.
When dealing with stained surfaces, priming becomes especially important. Stains on interior walls are typically caused by water damage, smoke, mildew, or wood tannin bleeding. To address these issues, you should start by identifying the type of stain—oil-based or water-based. This can be done by sprinkling water on a small area of the surface. If the water beads up, it is likely oil-based; if it soaks into the surface, it is probably water-based.
For water-based stains, you can use a water-based latex primer, followed by two coats of latex paint. Make sure to wait until the primer is completely dry before applying the paint, which is usually overnight. To enhance adhesion and colour support, consider tinting the primer close to the chosen paint colour.
For oil-based stains, additional surface preparation is required. Wear safety goggles and gloves, and ensure proper ventilation in the work area. Dissolve 1/4 cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) in one gallon of warm water, and use a soft sponge to wipe down the surface, removing any dirt and grime. Allow the surface to air-dry before proceeding.
In both cases, it is essential to sand the stained surface to dull the stain and ensure a smooth finish. Use 150-grit or finer sandpaper, moving in the direction of the grain to avoid crosshatching. After sanding, wipe away any dust with a damp rag. You can also use a deglosser, also known as "liquid sandpaper," which contains heavy solvents that strip the finish off faster than manual sanding. However, due to the harmful chemicals in deglossers, always wear a safety mask and gloves and work in a well-ventilated area.
After preparing the surface, you can apply a suitable primer, followed by the paint of your choice. For stained wood, a quick-dry primer is recommended to ensure proper adhesion. Additionally, consider using a stain-blocking primer to prevent the stain from bleeding through the paint.
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Priming before painting brick or masonry
When it comes to painting brick or masonry, priming beforehand is crucial. This is because brick and masonry are highly porous surfaces that absorb a lot of paint. On top of that, masonry surfaces have a high pH level, making it challenging for paint to adhere properly. By applying a primer, you create a smooth and uniform base coat that seals the porous surface, allowing the paint to adhere better and reducing the amount of paint required.
To prime brick or masonry effectively, start by ensuring the surface is clean and free of loose debris, greasy stains, or mildew. For exterior brick, a light power wash will usually suffice, while interiors may require a thorough cleaning with dish soap and water, using a wire brush as needed to smooth rough surfaces or remove stray chunks of mortar. Allow ample drying time—at least one to two full days.
When choosing a primer, opt for primers specifically designed for brick and masonry, such as the Kilz 2 All-Purpose Interior primer. These primers are formulated to penetrate the porous surface of the brick and provide a better grip for the paint. If you're dealing with mildew, a mildew-resistant primer is essential to inhibit recurring growth. Tinting the primer close to your chosen paint color can also be beneficial when making a dramatic color change, as it adds extra coverage and color support.
Use a high-quality, synthetic bristle brush, like a Chinex brush, or a roller with a high nap of at least half an inch to ensure the primer gets into all the crevices. If using a roller, choose one designed for textured surfaces. Always let the primer dry completely between coats and before applying paint. By following these steps, you'll ensure a smooth and durable finish when painting brick or masonry.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, bare wood is among the trickiest materials to paint. The natural fibres in the wood absorb a lot of paint, and variations in the wood grain can create an uneven finish.
Yes, skim coats are porous and soak up a lot of paint. Priming first will reduce the amount of paint required to cover the wall evenly.
Yes, priming will ensure that stains don't bleed through your paint job. You may need to use a stain-killing primer.
Yes, latex paint won't adhere well to a wall that has been painted with oil-based paint unless you prime first.
Yes, drywall is porous and will cause visible differences in the final sheen of your paint. Primer will create a smooth, uniform base coat.
