Photo by Natalie Guertler Interiors
Priming walls prior to painting them is one of those steps a professional painter would never think to skip but homeowners often do. It is extra work, extra mess, and isn’t nearly as exciting as painting on that great new color. Likely you’ve wondered if it is even necessary to prime or if one of those paint and primer in one products would work just as well.
The truth is that there are times when you absolutely should not skip priming your walls and some occasions you can get away with using a product with a built-in primer.
Primer vs. Paint
Primer and paint serve two, different functions and typically work best when kept as separate products. Paint’s job is to add color, sheen, and resistance to scrubbing or external elements. Primer on the other hand is meant to seal, create an even surface, provide adhesion, and block stains. Primer creates the ideal surface for paint to adhere to.
When Do You Need a Separate Primer?
When you’re painting a wall for the very first time the drywall is very porous and will absorb a good bit of paint. Applying paint directly to unprimed drywall will result in an uneven finish and require a lot more coats to achieve adequate coverage. To save yourself time and money you should always apply a separate primer to help seal new drywall prior to painting.
Now, if your drywall has been painted before, it is possible to get away with using a paint with a primer added to it. This will work best if you are keeping a similar paint sheen and color to what is already on the walls. If you’re making a big change in color though, it is safer to use a separate primer to avoid streaks or a darker base from bleeding through. Similarly, making a big change in paint sheen can also lead to application issues as a glossy base will be difficult to get new paint to adhere to.
Anytime you’re trying to seal out stains caused by water, crayons, markers, or smoke you should apply a special stain-blocking primer. Paint on its own or a paint and primer in one can’t guarantee that over time the stains won’t bleed through.
To Prime (Or Not Prime) Your Next Painting Project
Wanting to save time the next time you’re painting the walls inside your home is understandable. Hopefully, you now understand when that is something you can get away with and when the best choice is to apply a separate primer. Looking to save time AND get the job done right? Let the professionals do the work for you! Schedule your estimate today.
