Can I Use Exterior Primer Inside
Last but not least, you should never use an exterior primer for interior wood painting projects. The reason why is that exterior primers and paints often contain higher VOCs than interior products.
Since exterior primers are formulated for outdoor use, they inherently assume more airflow exists during application. As you can imagine, higher VOCs mean more paint fumes, which should be avoided if possible.
Do you own a stucco house? Learn about how to maintain your home properly using Improovys guide to stucco exteriors. Without question, its always best to check with our experts to make a smart and informed decision as a homeowner.
Oil Based Primers and Paints
Now, there are primers made for both interior and exterior use. These are typically solvent or oil-based products that are created to ensure maximum bonding and stain-blocking. Stain-blocking primers emit harmful fumes so its best to wear a mask and properly vent your work area before use.
When To Use Primer Paint
DIY-painters, if youre feeling tempted to skip the primer, here are some scenarios where priming is more of a must:
When youre dealing with porous walls and ceilings. The more porous a surface is, the more likely it is to draw paint into its pores. This leads to an uneven finish exactly what we dont want. Dont skip the primer on surfaces such as bare wood and newly installed drywall, which are known highly porous.
Primer paint can also beneficial if youre working with a glossy surface. These tend to be more difficult for paint to lock onto, but a light sandpapering and a coat of primer paint should do the trick to help the paint stick.
Painting a radiator? Primer paint is crucial to ensuring that any rusty radiator parts are well-protected. It also offers a solid base for the rest of the paint to stick onto. Read our top tips on how to paint a radiator.
Painting from dark to light? Treat the dark surface with two coats of white primer paint to tone it down.
Dealing with surface stains? Primer paint can cover these right up, making it easier for your beautiful paint job to shine through. You still need to clean your walls before painting though .
Uses Of A Primer For Painting
All incomplete surfaces are required to be primed prior to painting, including dry walls, concrete, wood, and metal. Application of paint to unprimed surfaces may cause additional peeling and development of cracks, compared to when the paint is applied to suitably
primed surfaces. Therefore, though this process of priming may cause additional expenditures, preferably it must not be omitted.
Surfaces that have been previously painted may not need priming, unless the oil based paints are being changed to latex paint, or the paint already applied has deteriorated. The surfaces that have deteriorated should be cleaned suitably before the application of primer.
Proper preparation of the surfaces will ensure better adhesion of the primer. Surfaces that have oil-based paint should not be painted with a latex paint, otherwise the adhesion will not be durable. Primers can be chosen to correspond with the color of the paint.
Don’t Miss: Mother’s Day Paint And Sip
When Should You Use Self
While not an exclusive list, you may want to use paint and primer in one when:
- Re-painting: Re-painting a wall in the same color as self-primer paint works well because you do not have to worry about color bleed-through.
- Drywall: When you are painting new, unfinished drywall and you do not want to prime separately, consider using self-primer paint. New drywall always has to be primed in some form.
- Interiors: Interior surfaces work best with paint and primer in one since interiors do not experience the stresses of exteriorsUV rays, rain, and snow.
If your house has any paint problemspeeling, flaking, bubblingconsider using a conventional primer instead.
Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Concrete
Yes, you can use acrylic paint on concrete steps, floors and walls, patios, basements, and foundations, as well as statues and concrete crafts. To ensure that your acrylic paint sticks well on concrete, the sealer is required, and you need to prepare the surface properly.
It can be used both indoors and outdoors and it is easy to apply. The paint sticks well, making it a good choice for certain projects
For outdoor concrete, it offers excellent water resistance because they contain plasticizers that act as water-resistant agents. This means that waterproofing creates a barrier, and your acrylic paint will remain intact instead of getting ruined by water damage! making it ideal for outdoor use.
For Indoor concrete, Acrylic and latex paints tend to be non-toxic, which makes it a great choice for rooms or other areas where you might want to avoid long dry times.
Read Also: How To Paint Popcorn Ceiling
Tips For Finishing A Paint Job Without Priming
The paint and its substrate are both factors. Primers of a sort are typically included in modern metal paints, which prepare the surface for painting. The primers and paints sold separately are less expensive in the long run, but Primed Paints mean you may only need one coat of paint.
Applying two coats of Primer Paint to a metal surface is still recommended for the best coverage and uniformity. The adherence may be satisfactory even if you neglected to use a priming coat, provided the surface was clean and the paint was of sufficient quality.
There Are A Couple Of Exceptions To These Categories:
- Multi-Purpose Primers have become very popular because of their universal application for a wide-variety of uses. A word of caution some manufacturers have a tendency to oversell these products for situations that they are not necessarily a good fit for. Before you grab a multi-purpose primer off of the shelf make sure that it specifically states on the label that it can be used for your intended purpose. When buying a multi-purpose primer go with a proven name brand such asZinsser, Sherwin-Williams, PPG, or Glidden products.
- Paint & Primer In One products are one of the newest and most-popular trends in the industry. What a great idea! Who wouldnt want to make their painting project easier by using a product that primes while it paints?While this concept is wonderful in theory, it has limited applications when it comes to actually holding up well to the test of time. Again, a good rule of thumb is to stick to the highest-quality manufacturers if you decide to use one of these products, and make sure you check the label to ensure it can be used for your intended application.
For exterior new wood applications, one of our favorites is Duration® by Sherwin-Williams.
Most projects where youre going over a previously-painted surface do not require the use of a primer. In many cases all youll need to do is spot-prime any bare areas that need to be addressed before applying your finish.
You May Like: Paint Ideas For Bedroom With Accent Wall
How Long Does Primer Need To Dry
Most primers will require a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour to dry before another coat can be applied on top. However, you should not begin painting until the primer has completely dried which can take up to 3 hours. So, if you are looking for professional results, it is best to wait for the primer to dry thoroughly.
Therefore, it is ideal to properly prepare the project before you get started as you may end up wasting time and worse, taking longer than needed. This is one of the advantages of hiring a professional painter.
Primer Before Paint: When You Need To Prime Your Interior Walls Before Painting
High quality paints and primers continue to get better and better as the years go by. Not only are the formulas better and provide better coverage and more saturated colors, many high-quality paints are now no- or low-VOC, meaning theyre healthier for you, your home and your homes air quality.
One question we still get from homeowners, however, is if you need to prime your interior walls before painting. Years ago, many painting professionals recommended primer nearly every time you painted. But today, with these high-quality and effective paints on the market, many homeowners may never need to crack open a can of primer.
Recommended Reading: Things To Paint With Watercolor
Will Paint And Primer In One Save Money
Self-priming paint is restricted to the more expensive premium paint lines. This is important to note because this immediately drives up costs. You cannot go cheap with self-priming paint, even on a per-gallon basis.
Consider these thumbnail estimates:
- Two Coats of Self-Primer: Apply a coat of self-priming paint at $25 per gallon. Let it dry. Apply the second coat of self-priming paint: $25 per gallon again. For an exterior requiring 10 gallons of paint and primer per coat, your tab is $500.
- Primer and Paint: Apply a coat of primer at $12 per gallon. Let it dry. Apply a coat of exterior acrylic latex paint, non-self-priming, at $17 per gallon. When splitting primer and paint quantities down the middle , the grand total is $290. Even if the job requires a second coat of $17-per-gallon paint, the total cost will be $460, which still saves money over the self-priming option.
In the first scenario, you are using expensive, tinted self-priming paint as your primer vs. less expensive real primer. After all, the tint is another factor that drives up paint costs.
Problem : Drastic Paint Color Change
When you change from a light color to dark or vice versa, it can take many coats of paint to hide the existing paint color.
- Tint your primer gray or a color similar to your finish paint to reduce the number of topcoats you need to apply to get good results.
- Pro tip: Not all primers can be tinted darker colors, so make sure to choose one that can.
- Note: Even without a drastic color change, tinting your primer gray will help enhance the color of most dark-colored interior paints and improve a primer’s hide .
Don’t Miss: Can You Spray Paint Glass
Youre Painting Over Metal Or Plastic
You can actually find primer that is specifically made for metal. It will help protect from rust and serves as a strong foundation for any future coats of paint.
You definitely need a primer specifically designed for plastic as well. Apply the primer in even amounts to the completely sanded, clean, and dry plastic area.
What Is Paint Primer Used For Importance Of Applying It
Maintaining ones house properly increases its lifespan and makes it look cozy and comfortable even after many years. The paint on the walls is important for making the house look good. When painting the walls, many face the dilemma of whether or not to paint primer on the houses walls. To know if primer plays a vital role in holding the paint, go on and know what does paint primer do and when to apply it for best results.
Read Also: Best Light Grey Paint Colors
The Paint Youve Picked Already Has Primer
The new generation of self-priming paints are a thicker paint with primer added. Most of these paints do a great job and provide excellent
coverage. However, these paint primers cant tackle every job, as we talked about earlier. If you are in doubt before starting a project, youre far better off taking the time to prime the surface correctly. Your beautiful and satisfying end result will make you glad you did.
Learn About The Different Types Of Primers And Sealers Available And How To Choose The Best One For Paint Projects Don’t Pick Up A Paintbrush Without Reading This First
Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. With a knack for writing and editing, she covers decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more for BHG.com. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. Jessica received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. She also completed a secondary major in French language studies. Prior to graduation, she was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of journalism. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design.
Read Also: How To Paint With Oil Paints
When To Use Paint Primer
While our paint is self-priming, we always recommend using primer before your two coats of paint for a pro-quality finish. Priming first also allows for the richest, truest color to shine through. We call it the perfect base for brilliant color. In most cases, one coat of primer should do the trick, but youll definitely want to use two coats of primer in these circumstances:
- When switching from a higher sheen to a lower sheen finish, like from semi-gloss to eggshell.
- Switching from a dark color to a lighter one.
- If your walls have been repaired or patched.
- If you’re painting a humid area like a bathroom, which is more susceptible to mildew and leaching.
- If your wall has stains that you want to block .
- When painting unfinished wood trim or other very porous surfaces.
What Are The Paint
Its not the same mixing paint and primer as using paint-and-primer-in-one formulations. These formulations are the best for the following cases:
- Painted surfaces that arent shiny.
- Fragmented areas covered in spackling products.
- Transitioning between different colors.
- Repainting interior surfaces that are in perfect condition.
- Repainting windows, cabinets, trim, and doors.
- Repainting uncoated drywall.
Don’t Miss: Can You Paint Metal Roof
How To Fix Paint Metal Without Primer
Without primers, rust, oil, and water traces can cause bubbles and peel in painted metal. Occasionally, paint damage can be fixed by lightly sanding the dry area, then touching it with fresh paint.
It would be wasteful to sand down the entire surface of the damaged paint and only covers a small portion of it. Its preferable to start over if the paint is flaking and bubbling everywhere.
Painting Over A Dark Colour
This can cause a headache for both walls and woodwork. If the previous colour was dark, this has can grin through the new pale finish, meaning you may need an extra coat or two. This can be avoided by obliterating the dark shade using an undercoat on woodwork and a coat of a pale Matt wall paint on the walls. Of course, this also works if you are painting over a pale shard with a dark one, you just use a dark undercoat/matt instead.
If the problem is a dark stain which could bleed into the finish, we would recommend our Polycell Trade Stain Block Primer or Zinsser B-I-N for most interior walls.
Don’t Miss: Remove Paint From Vinyl Siding
How Do You Seal Acrylic Paint On Concrete
Use a transparent water-based binding sealer if you wish to seal acrylic paint on concrete, I recommend following below simple steps.
Do I Need To Prime Walls Before I Paint Them
Posted on:
One question many homeowners ask is do I need to prime walls before I paint them? Years ago, many painting professionals would have recommended primer nearly every time you painted. But today, there are many more high-quality and effective paints on the market so there isnt always the need to prime.
The answer can be a bit complicated. If you use a primer in certain interior situations, it might be a waste of money and be unnecessary. On the other hand, not using a primer can sometimes cost you more in the long run because you may need to apply multiple coats to achieve the coverage and desired look you were envisioning.
Recommended Reading: Exterior Paint Colors For Brick Homes
Why Is Primer Needed For Metal
In comparison to specialty paints that dont require a primer, metal primer is more cost-effective. A number of materials, including wood, plaster, or metal, require the use of primers prior to receiving a coat of paint. The more primer you use, the less expensive the paint will be.
Applying a metal primer before painting will prevent rust from forming as a result of the paints reaction to the metal. Using a primer prior to painting will strengthen the paints connection to the metal and protect it from scratches and chips.
How To Use A Paint Primer
Priming walls is an important step of painting that can promote paint adhesion, improve sheen and help cover stains. Learning how to properly prime your surfaces will allow the true colour of your topcoat to shine through. To achieve professional results at home follow this simple guide on how to paint primer on walls and other surfaces.
Shop everything you need to produce a uniform finish at The Paint Shed today. With trade paint and primers from Johnstones Trade, Zinsser, Crown Trade and more available, you will find everything you need to get started.
You May Like: Most Popular Paint Colors 2021