How To Prime Dark Colored Walls

Painting a dark colored wall with a light color paint without priming it first necessitates several coats of paint. Even painting one dark color over another one, such as painting deep purple over dark red, can be hard. By using only two coats of primer, though, you can cover a dark color with a light color or even white paint with just a few applications.

Besides lessening the amount of paint you apply, priming dark color walls help you get the precise color shade you want. Without priming, some of the dark color can soak into the new paint, creating a blotchy look or making a different color than you desired. You will find several different types of primer on store shelves. Be sure to buy the one that is recommended to use for a severe color change.

Tips
Pick a primer labeled “high hide.” These products are equipped to conceal very dark colors. Inspect the label for the amount of titanium dioxide. Paint products that have large amounts of this mixture are the top choice for hiding dark paint colors.

Get the surface ready for priming by washing the areas with a mixture of all-purpose cleaner and water.

Take off loose paint with a putty knife. Fill all the imperfections and holes with spackle. When dry, use sandpaper to sand the repaired spots. Wipe off the dust using a damp cloth. Use painter’s tape to shield the edges of the windows, floorboards, ceilings and other trims you want to keep paint off.

Paint a strip of primer next to the painter’s tape and in the corners with a small brush.

Use primer on the central part of the walls with a paint roller. For top results, put on two thin coats of primer instead of one thick coat. Stick to the directions on the primer about the amount of drying time needed between coats. Don’t stress if the dark paint still shows even after a couple of primer coats. Let the primer completely dry before painting.

You can also get a pre-tinted primer or ask a paint contractor to tint the primer, matching the hue of your paint, and do the job.

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