Five Painting Tips To Use Primer Like A Pro

When planning a household paint job for your Alexandria, VA home, you want two main things: speed and beauty. You need to get the job done quickly but you want the end result to be stunning and worth the effort. This may lead you to ask a burning, age old painting question about your painting ideas: “Do I need to use primer, or can I skip that step?”

Primer, the boring cousin of paint, causes a lot of confusion for many of us and with the advent of paint + primer products, the confusion has only multiplied.

So, here are 5 things novice painters need to know about the sometimes helpful, always controversial, primer.

1. Primer can be the glue that helps your paint stick- Often the use of primer is less about coverage and more about adhesion. Obviously you want your paint to stick to the wall after application and primer can make that happen for you. If you are working with previously unpainted surfaces like wood furniture or new drywall, or if your painted surfaces are peeling or chipping, primer is a must. When painting a previously painted surface you may not need primer, unless you are trying to cover a very bold color such as navy or red.
2. Primer covers a multitude of sins, stains, and smells- If you are painting a stained wall or trying to cover up smells such as grease or stale cigarette smoke, you will want to use a stain blocking primer regardless of the paint color you are covering. A high quality stain blocking primer will ensure that your freshly painted walls are not only pleasing to the eyes, but the nose as well.
3. Repaired areas- If you are working with an area that you have recently repaired, such as a patch in your drywall or spackle on trim or woodwork, you will want to spot prime that area. This will ensure a seamless look in your final paint color.
4. Consider your paint job- Before you make your final decision on primer, consider the paint project you have in front of you. Is it in a high moisture area? Is it glossy? If so, you need to prime first. Before you grab a can, talk to the professionals behind the desk of your local paint store. There are various types of primer specifically designed for different painting projects and you want to use the correct one.
5. The truth about paint + primer- About a decade ago, paint + primer hit the market, touting a seamless, all-in-one painting process. The early reviews were mixed, but the technology has continued to improve and for some painting projects they save time while ensuring a beautiful, finished product.

These painting tips should go a long way in clearing your cloud of confusion around primer. If you need more advice or would rather hand off the painting of your Washington, DC area home to the professionals, give us a call or check out our extensive portfolio of residential painting work. We would be happy to chat with you to take your painting ideas from a dream to reality.