If you choose a water-based primer, lightly sanding the wood after the first coat is dry helps create a smoother surface, but let the primer dry for 24 hours before you do so. A second coat is almost always necessary because wood is highly porous, and few primers contain enough resins to fill the wood’s pores and grain sufficiently with the first coat. When the first coat is dry, apply the second if necessary. For painted wood, use an oil-based primer.Īpply the first coat, then allow 12 to 24 hours of drying time for an oil-based primer or 1 to 2 hours for a water-based primer. Oil-based primers generally perform better on bare wood, but water-based primers can work well on smooth softwood surfaces. Wood – For bare wood that’s never been painted, apply two coats of an oil- or water-based primer. Using two coats of primer solves this problem because the surface will absorb most of the first coat, while the second coat finishes the work by filling in any remaining thin spots. These areas will absorb paint at different rates, leaving you with a blotchy paint job. On a surface that’s never been primed or painted, some areas are more porous than others. Most unpainted surfaces require two coats of primer. Self-priming paint, as the name implies, doesn’t require a primer, but there’s no harm in using one coat. Adding pigment reduces the primer’s ability to do its job of creating a smooth surface for your new paint, though, so primer should never be tinted more than necessary. Factory tinted primer isn’t always easy to find, but most paint stores can tint a primer for you. By neutralizing the underlying color, tinted primer can cut the amount of primer you need from two layers to one. If the old color shows through after this layer is dry, add a second coat of primer. If your old paint color is a medium-light tone, such as sky blue or mint green, and your new color is white or very light, start with a single layer of primer. A painted surface is already prepared to accept another layer of paint, and you won’t have to worry about the light base coat showing through the final coat. When to Use One Coat / globalmomentsĪ single coat of primer is all you need if you’re painting over white or very light paint. Some surfaces, such as masonry and concrete, require a separate sealer to be applied before the primer. If the surface you’re painting is heavily stained or has been stripped of wallpaper, leaving stain-causing glue behind, a stain-killing primer will give you the best results. Get it wrong and you might still see stains, marks or prominent color bleeding or blotchiness in your new paint even after applying the recommended amount of primer.

It’s equally important to choose the right type of primer for the surface you’re painting and the type of paint you’ll be using. You can expect some of the old base color to show through the dry primer, but the primer will prevent this color from bleeding into your new paint. If the primer is dripping off your roller as you apply it, you’re using too much. In the worst case scenario, it can damage drywall by causing it to bubble and peel.Īpplying primer with a standard roller should give you good coverage. It also takes longer to dry, slowing down your redecorating work. Too many layers or an excessively thick layer increases the risk of the primer cracking, crazing, or chipping. Too much primer causes a different set of problems. Skipping the primer or using too little allows the surface to soak up too much paint, leaving you with dull, blotchy results. It also limits the amount of paint a surface absorbs, protecting the surface and reducing the amount of paint you need for an even finish. The resins seal porous surfaces to create a smoother surface that helps your paint cover more evenly, adhere better, and last longer.

Primer is made largely of solvent and resins along with some pigment. Why the Right Amount of Primer Matters / alessandroguerriero Exactly how many coats of primer you need depends on what you’re painting, but most paint jobs call for one or two coats. Using the right type and amount of primer helps ensure a vivid, even color that lasts for years.

Proper surface preparation is essential for a successful paint job, and primer is the key to good surface preparation.

Exterior paint 2 or 3 coats