When preparing to paint, whether inside
or outside, in most cases, you will need to sand and primer surfaces
prior to applying a coat of paint. Why? Have you ever tried to paint
over colored walls with a lighter colored paint, especially with
cheap paint? Then you know that your work is doubled and
so is your painting budget. If you take the time to properly primer
surfaces before painting, not only will the finished product look
better, but you will also ensure that your interior or exterior
paint will affix properly, last longer and extend paint coverage,
saving you both time and money in the long run.
What kinds of surfaces should you
primer? You can primer over new drywall, or sheetrock, wood, bare
as well as pre-painted, and even wallpaper. Applying primer over
new drywall will help hide seams, as well as 'old' walls from new
walls. New, bare wood soaks up a lot of paint, so applying a coat
of primer first will save lots of time and money.
While most people remove wallpaper before painting, if the wallpaper
is in good condition, is flat and adheres well to the wall, you
can primer right over it.
Keep in mind however, that there are
several different kinds of primer, and using the right one for your
project can make all the difference in the world with the final
look and provide optimal results. So, before you grab that gallon
of paint, make sure you take the time to primer and save… you'll
be glad you did. Following are some basic primer types.
Latex (Stain-blocking) Primer: This type of primer is great for
blocking stains, though for tougher stains, like markers,
use an alcohol-based primer. Better yet, if you see trouble spots,
try sanding and then filling with drywall mud or spackling paste
where necessary, then sand again with fine sandpaper.
Oil-based (Stain-blocking) Primer:
This primer will cover and block most 'kid damage' areas, and will
hide crayon and markers. It also helps to block stains and grease
from water damage and spills. While this primer needs to be cleaned
from brushes with paint thinner, it's one of the best for preventing
old stains from bleeding through paint.
PVA Latex Primer: This primer is designed
to use on new drywall and will help to seal drywall so that it won't
absorb all of the moisture from your paint, saving money and time.
Enamel Undercoat: This type of primer
comes in satin, gloss and semi gloss finishes. It's great when used
under flat or enamel paint and can be gently sanded prior
to painting. Cleaning up with soap and water makes this one of the
best, 'user-friendly' primers out there.
All-Purpose Primer: Will cover multiple
surfaces. While a little more difficult to work with than latex
primers, it cleans easily with soap and water.
As you can see, there's more to primer
than just grabbing a can off the shelf.
