When to use Primer Paint before Painting?

Even if you only have limited knowledge of painting or experience in it, you might be aware of the fact that priming before painting is a crucial step for quality paint job that is long-lasting and looks amazing. Primer is a base coat that can be used to treat the surface of the wall before applying a topcoat. Thus, primer is created to ensure great adhesion. 

Better the adhesion, the longer your paint job will last. Primer also acts as a great sealant for porous surfaces that tend to absorb the first few layers of the paint if a primer is not used.  However, there are times when priming can be avoided and other times when using primer paint is a must. The following are some instances when using a primer is a necessity: 

1.     Stained Interior Walls 

If interior walls are stained or require extensive patching or are damaged they need to be spot-primed. An interior wall primer can be used to complete this job. Usually, stains on such walls are caused by water damage, mildew, wood tannin bleeding, and smoke. Oil-based stain block primer can be used to neutralize the stains on interior walls. However, stain blocks can only be used in rooms that have smoke stains or on drywalls that may have water damage. In case you need to seal in heavily stained walls, you can use a solvent-based primer as well as a sealer. 

2.     Color Changes 

If you plan on painting your walls from a darker color to a lighter color then you should consider priming your walls. High-build primers consisting of acrylic latex are also more helpful in hiding vivid wall colors like yellow or red. Usually, such colors can be quite tough to cover and hence, you should plan to apply at least 2 to 3 coats of primer. 

3.     Mold or Mildew on the Walls ‘

If mildew is present on the wall, you first need to wash it with a mixture of water and bleach. Once the wall has been scrubbed, you need to remove the mold spores and then gently rinse the wall with water. Lastly, you need to wait for the water to dry up. Once that’s done, you can sand the wall and then apply a mold neutralizing exterior primer that is oil-based. This will help in treating the wall and avoiding the growth of mold in the future. 

4.     Drywall Priming 

If you are dealing with new drywall or walls that have recently been skim-coated, then you need to apply a full coat of primer. For this, you will need to use specialized drywall primer which is latex-based, so that the porous surface can be sealed in. Although most drywall primers these days are water-based they are usually low-VOC. Low-VOC primers are great as they generate fewer paint fumes and are better for the environment. 

5.     Oil-based paints on walls 

In case the walls are coated with oil-based paint, then you will have to lightly sand them and prime the walls. You will need to use a high-quality bonding primer so that the paint adheres to the surface. However, oil-based paints are rarely used now, and hence, you can use latex paint and skip primer if you want. 

Also ReadEverything You Need to Know about Emulsion Paint

Conclusion 

These are some instances where you must consider using a primer, or it might end up creating difficulties in the long run. After all, there is no use in getting a paint job done that only looks aesthetically pleasing but will not last long enough. Make sure to use the primer paint as and when necessary. 

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