When starting your next painting project, it is always recommended that you use a coat of primer. Whether that be wood, metal, drywall or previously painted brick, primer is essential. A primer or undercoat is a preparatory coating put on materials before painting. Priming ensures:
- better adhesion of paint to the surface
- increases paint durability
- and provides additional protection for the material being painted.
The Many Advantages of a Primer Coat
The purpose for priming a surface is to seal the original material so paint doesn’t soak into it. There are many different types of primer depending on the sort of project you are working on. In addition, it is very effective in hiding joints and seams in drywall. Furthermore, it is very useful when dealing with bleed-through from knots, coloring and other blemishes in wood. Some primer also has stain blocking applications that will prevent mold or other discolorations. This is important because you’ll take care of future projects that may suffer from those flaws. So, no matter what surface you apply your primer to it is essential for an excellent bond to your chosen surface.
Choosing the Right Primer for a Particular Surface
For surfaces that come into a lot of contact with hands or other greasy things you’ll want to use an oil-based primer. Windows, cabinets, and especially doors will benefit most from a primer that is oil based. Primers that are water-based will be best for the blockage of stains and also surfaces that have been filled with paste. These excel on bare wood and fresh drywall, providing excellent cracking resistance.
If you want to find the highest quality water-based primer look for one that has 100 percent acrylic resins. Lastly if you’re looking to kill 2 birds with one stone than you can try a paint and primer in one. This is a cost-effective method. However, if you’re project requires stain blocking, sealing properties, or a high-performance sealing bond than this method is not recommended.
When Should I Use Primer?
Knowing when primer is necessary to use on your project is important. Here are some things to look out for when deciding to use primer.
- If your surface is especially porous such as new drywall than a primer will most certainly be needed.
- Wood that is bare is also a perfect candidate for the application of primer.
- Also, when dealing with masonry such as bricks or retaining wall blocks, you’ll also want to apply primer beforehand.
These are just many of the reasons why choosing the right primer will make your next project endure for years to come.
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