{"id":3933,"date":"2022-01-11T15:39:18","date_gmt":"2022-01-11T20:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/boston-south-shore\/?post_type=community&p=3933"},"modified":"2023-12-02T07:45:31","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T12:45:31","slug":"priming-before-painting","status":"publish","type":"community","link":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/boston-south-shore\/community\/priming-before-painting\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I have to prime before I paint?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Years ago, many painters recommended primer nearly every time you painted, but now there are so many high-quality paint formulas available, there isn’t always a need to prime.<\/p>\n
Generally, there are two conflicting points of view:<\/p>\n
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If you use a primer in certain interior situations, it might waste time and money.<\/li>\n
Not using a primer can cost you more if you apply multiple coats to achieve the coverage and desired look.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
What is primer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Paint primer is a preparatory undercoating applied to substrates such as wood or walls before painting.<\/p>\n
Primer is applied like paint, but since it has a high concentration of solids plus a glue-like adhesive mixed in, it acts like a glue that seals the surface and provides a clean and flat surface to which paint will adhere.<\/p>\n
Primer is useful when it allows the top coats of paint to be applied smoothly and for the previous paint color to not bleed through the new paint color.<\/p>\n
What is tinted primer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
If you’ll be painting your room a darker color, consider using a tinted primer to ensure the final color looks even better.<\/p>\n
What does “pre-primed” mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Lots of today’s trim, doors, and clapboards can be bought “pre-primed.” \u00a0This means a factory primer has been applied, saving you or your painter the step of priming them yourself.<\/p>\n
Bonus, since factories apply these coating inside, the pre-primed finish tends to be very stable.<\/p>\nYou can prime trim prior to installing it on your exterior or interior. Better yet, buy it “pre-primed.”<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Is primer used on both interiors and exteriors?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Yes, primer is recommended for all interior and exterior situations on the list below:<\/p>\n
Times to use a primer before you paint:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u00a0When you’re painting color from very dark to light (like a dark blue wall being painted white).<\/li>\n
When you’re painting color from very light to dark (like a white wall being painted dark green.<\/li>\n
On walls that have stains such as crayon, grease spots, soot, and nicotine. There are even special primers that will cover up cigarette smoke smells!<\/li>\n
On porous surfaces like wood and new sheetrock.\n
Primer is being applied over this cement wall because it is porous.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n
On glossy or shellacked surfaces (you should also consider lightly sanding these surfaces prior to priming).<\/li>\n
After removing wallpaper.<\/li>\n
If you’re painting over metal or plastic, use a special primer for these surfaces before you paint.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Skip priming before you paint as follows:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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When the walls are in good shape and have been painted before. Essentially your previous paint acts as the primer for the new paint.<\/li>\n
When the color you’re painting is similar to the one you’re painting over (for example, ivory paint over a previously painted white wall)<\/li>\n
If you have spackled the wall in a few places on a wall that is in otherwise good shape, you don’t need a separate primer for the spackled spots. \u00a0Instead, simply paint over the spackle with your paint to “prime” those spots. \u00a0After that, you can paint over the entire wall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Priming](\"https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/sites\/1237\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-15-at-3.26.49-PM.png\")
![\"Primer](\"https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/sites\/1237\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-15-at-3.24.19-PM.png\")
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