Do You Need to Prime Your Walls Before Painting

Do You Need to Prime Your Walls Before Painting

Priming is often a consideration of homeowners who are taking on an interior project. Clients often ask us whether or not primer is necessary to achieve optimal results.

In the past, professional painters would have suggested using a primer for all interior painting projects. However, with the increasing quality of paint products, that is no longer the case. While primer will be necessary for some Vancouver homeowners, there are certainly cases where it can be omitted altogether.

What is a primer?

Primer is an undercoat that is put on the walls before the final coloured topcoat is applied. It has extra adhesive to help the paint stick to the wall. It can also help to provide a more uniform finish for interior painting projects and helps to fill cracks and gaps in the surface.

Primers come in a few different colours, so when choosing a primer it is important to consider what colour you are putting over the top of it. In some cases, it is best to use a gray-tinted primer or a primer that is tinted with the colour of the topcoat. However, in most cases, the primer will be white. Your local paint or hardware store can help you determine which primer will work best for your interior painting project.

When should primer be used?

There are a few circumstances in which primer should always be used before painting. In these scenarios, skipping primer could result in uneven finishes, unsightly results, and the need for costly repairs. The professional painters at Even Better Painting recommend using a primer if:

  1. The surface you are painting is porous. Porous surfaces will absorb moisture at a much higher rate than non-porous surfaces. New drywall and untreated wood are considered to be some of the most porous surfaces you can paint. These materials will quickly absorb the paint if a primer is not applied first, resulting in an uneven finish.
  2. The walls have stains that need to be covered. If the interior wall you are painting has stains of any kind that cannot be removed by cleaning them with soap and water, you should prime them before painting. These stains will likely show through the new paint. This is especially true of stains caused by cigarette smoke and grease.
  3. You are painting over a glossy interior wall. Glossy paint is great at repelling moisture and is easily cleanable. While this is great for general maintenance, glossy walls must be primed before they can be repainted. This is because the new paint will not adhere to the glossy walls without the help of the primer.
  4. You are making big changes to the colour of the wall. Perhaps one of the most common reasons to prime a wall before painting is making dramatic changes to the colour of the wall. Save yourself countless topcoats and the risk of uneven finishes and prime the walls if you intend to go from a dark colour to a light colour or vice versa. Bright colours like red can also be incredibly difficult to cover without the help of a primer.

Do two in one paint and primers work?

Two in one paint and primers have become increasingly popular as paint technology continues to improve. These are also referred to as “self-priming paint.”

These products can work in some situations, such as when you are repainting a wall in the same colour. However, in most scenarios, it is best to use paint and primer when the situation requires it.

If you aren’t sure whether your interior painting project requires a primer, give the professional painters at Even Better Painting a call! Hiring a professional painter ensures that the best products are used for your specific painting project. We can help you achieve long-lasting and beautiful results!

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