While it is an extra step, paint primer is often key to achieving a long-lasting, smooth, vibrant paint job. It's common to be unsure if you need to prime before painting. Some people think it's unnecessary and that skipping it will save time and money, but priming is a cost-effective way to enhance quality, improve the finished look and prolong the time until a repaint is required.
If you've been wondering how important primer paint is, it's helpful to understand how it works. Paint primer creates a smooth, stable layer for the paint to adhere to by creating a shield that stops the paint from absorbing into porous surfaces. This reduces the number of coats required for a consistent and rich appearance.
Using a primer on nonporous glossy surfaces creates a bondable layer, reducing running, streaks and marks. It also helps prevent peaking, flaking and chipping, leaving smooth, long-lasting paint. Primer's durable properties protect the paint from wear and tear and cover imperfections for a flawless finish.
To achieve the best results, you need to prime your surface. The many potential benefits of using primer before painting include the following:
Now that you know you need to prime before painting, choosing the right product for your needs is essential. The ideal primer for your project depends on the surface that needs to be painted and the paint you are using. Here's some information to help you choose the right primer for your materials:
If you want to paint a room or wall a dark color or a shade significantly different from the current color, a tinted primer will improve the new hue's depth. Dark paints often require multiple coats to achieve the desired opacity. A tinted primer offers a more compatible base that will blend better with the top coat color than the original shade. This reduces the number of layers required for a vibrant, even final appearance.
An oil-based primer is ideal for exterior wood because it fills in the pores without raising the grain, creating a smooth, easily bondable surface. Many woods, such as cedar and redwood, contain natural tannins that can bleed through paint, causing stains. Oil-based primers form a barrier to help seal in tannins, cover stains and hide dark colors on exterior and interior wooden surfaces.
If you want a long-lasting, superior finish, you need to prime drywall before painting. Latex and waterborne primers are the best choice for priming unfinished drywall. They provide a smooth texture and sheen between the joint and wallboard, reducing cracking and peeling. These water-based options have a low amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) levels. Some examples of high-quality primers include our fast-drying and zero-VOC primer, which is extremely effective on porous and uneven surfaces, and a professional-grade high-hiding primer with low odor and quick-drying properties.
Aboff's Paints offers a premium-quality acrylic primer, an advanced water-based primer with a formula for low-VOC for various surfaces, and many other primers for all applications.
Explore our collection of primers to find the optimal product for your next project. Some of our top products include:
So, why prime before painting? Priming saves time and money in the long run and improves your paint's appearance, quality and longevity. Aboff's Paints is Long Island's number-one Benjamin Moore retailer and has been a leading paint primer store for over 90 years. Contractors and homeowners trust us because we provide exceptional products and services.
Shop online or visit one of our 32 locations for primers, paints and supplies. Our expert staff will happily recommend the best products for your specific needs.
