Should I Prime Before I Paint?

Priming isn’t always needed in every paint job. To answer the question should I prime before I paint, you first have to know what types of primers on the market and what they should be used for. The best way to recognize their planned uses is to look at them by their categories.

Priming before painting can be a puzzling question, because it is not always needed even though painting services in Rochester, NY suggest that you always prime. Frequently, your answer will be less based on objective reasons than on subjective ones: cost, attitude, and patience for a painting task.

Primer is an application that you put on the wall before painting. It seals the surface, so the paint sticks to the surface instead of seeping into the wall.

The 411 on Whether to Prime or Not
If you’re painting drywall that hasn’t been painted before, it needs to be primed first. If you have touched up numerous cracks and filled in several nail holes on a wall, you should prime the spots you have covered with putty or the wall before painting it.

If you’re painting a space that hasn’t been painted in a long time, it’s a good idea to prime it before painting. If you want, you could also give it a good washing.

If you’re putting flat paint on a wall that earlier was painted with a semi-gloss or high finish, first apply a layer of primer. You can also give the wall some texture by using sandpaper or give it a good scrubbing with TSP cleaner before putting on some primer. The flat paint won’t stick to the wall if you don’t

If you’re altering the color of your wall from dark to light, priming it first will make it simpler to apply the lighter paint and could stop you from having to use any more coats.

A suggestion from Rochester painters is that you ask for a touch more of umber be added to your primer. It should be a light gray color and helps to see the flaws on your wall. This way, you see what spots needs smoothing before the paint is applied.

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