What should primer look like on my walls

A: Although paint might initially stick to an unprimed wall, you risk blotchy, cracking, peeling results if you pass on primer.

Comprised of more resins and less pigment than paint, plus solvent and other additives, primer is applied to surfaces as a preparatory coat to improve the adherence of paint. Keep reading for the magic number of primer coats for all types of interior painting projects. Primer imbued with the shade of your new paint is helpful when making dramatic changes, such as dark to light or vice versa, as it brings the wall color closer to that of the new hue.

Drywall or plaster walls that were never primed or painted will have areas that are more porous than others. These areas will absorb paint at different rates, resulting in blotches. Two primer coats are recommended in this scenario because much of the first primer coat will be soaked up by the wall; the second coat will replenish any primer absorbed by the surface and hide any flaws in the wall.

If your plaster walls are unfinished, prime them with two coats of an oil-based stain-blocking primer such as Zinsser Cover Stain to prevent the lime stains that affect plaster walls from bleeding into the paint.

Wood that was never primed or painted is even more porous than unfinished drywall. Two coats of an oil-based primer are recommended on unfinished wood: The higher solid content in primer can fill the pores, level the surface for painting, and mask any knots in the wood. When going from a light color to a dark color, note that most paint retailers have the ability to tint your primer.

This brings the color of the primer closer to that of the wall finish color, reducing the number of primer coats and color coats you lay down. Spotted or stained surfaces benefit from a coat or two of priming before painting. Consider using thicker primers such as Kilz 2 or Kilz Max for these conditions. This helpful calculator acts as a guide for how much primer to buy in advance of starting your project. While priming is usually the best bet, you can often get by without priming under any of the following conditions.

If your walls are perfectly clean and in good condition, you might be able to eliminate the need for primer. One way to clean walls before painting is to create a thin mixture of tri-sodium phosphate TSP and water and wipe down the walls with a soft cloth. If you choose not to use TSP, attach a clean brush attachment to the end of a shop vacuum and clean off major debris like cobwebs and dust.

One need for primer is to readjust the base color for your new color to brilliantly and accurately show up. If previous and new colors are the same, or even if they are similar, the need for primer is reduced though not entirely eliminated. Self-priming paint is essentially a paint that is thicker than regular paint. Because it is thicker, it builds up higher and forms a thicker coat. It is preferable to use a separate primer and paint. But if the walls are basically in good condition, you can use a combination paint and primer.

Self-priming paint is not the miracle cure that many homeowners believe it is. Laying down a thicker paint build makes for a weaker coat that takes longer to dry. Additionally, the higher per-unit cost, and the possible need for more than the advertised single coat, means that it may not end up being a money or time saver. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Some types of primers are also designed to apply to horizontal surfaces like furniture, windowsills, floors and countertops. It depends on the type of primer and where it is designed to be used for — always read the label and follow label instructions.

It is always important to properly prepare the surface before applying primer. At the very least, the surface has to be clean and free of dust, dirt and debris. Failing to clean the surface prior to applying primer may compromise the adhesion of the primer to the surface — which could lead to peeling and blistering. Depending on how strong or bold the previous color is, it may be necessary to apply more than one coat of primer. However, it is not necessary to over apply the primer with so many coats.

As long as the primer applies uniformly over the previous color, then one or two coats should be sufficient. Again, it is not necessary to apply several coats of primer to try to get a perfect white finish.