Should I prioritize priming before painting my room for the best results?
Asked by Nishitha Rao 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 12, 2024
I’m getting ready to paint my room. Do you think it’s necessary to use primer before painting?
It’s crucial if you want the precise color you chose.
Do you want the current color to show through or not? Using a coat of primer can be beneficial.
When it comes to color and paint type changes, primer is key.
You can totally paint over fully cured oil-based paint with latex, no problem!
If you’re not sure, I would advise against it. If I were to move into a new house, I wouldn’t do it.
Make sure to prime the Sheetrock with a primer/sealer or a drywall primer such as USG sheetrock primer. It’s best if it absorbs into the board material to even out any visual discrepancies in seam appearance or paint color variations caused by differences in texture and porosity of the board substrate throughout the board surface.
You’re totally correct, ! The ideal time to apply primer is when working on new drywall.
At least seven
It doesn’t really matter. Normally, you need to apply two coats. I recommend using bear paint from Home Depot.
Could this be fresh drywall? Was it painted before? Are we talking about a major color change here?
It’s not just 1 to 10, it’s actually an 11
Not enough information to make a statement!
If the surface has been painted before, primer may not be necessary. I personally like using Behr paint from Home Depot since it already contains primer. I’d suggest giving the wall a quick sanding to smooth out any imperfections and then proceed with painting.
I’d recommend avoiding Behr… opt for Super Paint at Sherwin-Williams, mention it’s for B&E Painting Services to get my discount. Provide your last name as the job name, you’ll be happy with the results.
It all comes down to the color you’re painting over and the amount of patch work needed.
Yeah, I’m aware, I’ve been working as a painter for quite a while.
Do you think this would be suitable for use in Texas? 😄
Definitely, Sherwin Williams is a well-known national brand.
Personally, I lean towards Behr rather than Sherwin Williams, but everyone has their own preference. SW tends to have more imperfections in it.
Behr’s paint and primer in one is really not great, in my opinion. Sherwin-Williams, on the other hand, is top-notch. Not only do they stand by their product, but if you mix it well and strain it properly, it comes out perfectly. Superpaint offers great quality for the price, leaving behr in the dust. Plus, Sherwin-Williams offers more accurate color options.
With behr, you could buy 4 different gallons and each one may have issues, compared to Sherwin-Williams where all 4 would be consistent.
I used to love Killz until behr took over and quality suffered.
My only gripe with Sherwin-Williams is their move away from oil-based products. It’s a shame, in my opinion.
Just do your thing.
I’ll do mine and stick with Behr.
Behr paint is really pricey. I recently chose a color that was said to be exclusive to their top-tier paint, costing over $70 per gallon.
The only painters I know who use Behr and swear by it are usually those who haven’t worked under someone who sees the issues with Behr. I’ve only met people who swear by it when working for themselves, mainly dealing with landlord problems or quick tenant turnover. In terms of quality, I’ve seen professionally, Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore are better options. Benjamin Moore is often considered overrated compared to Sherwin Williams. Maybe Behr has improved their product since then, but I prefer to trust those whose lives revolve around paint, rather than someone who may have been flipping burgers last week and now works at Home Depot on weekends. Just my two cents!
As a painter, if the walls are already painted, you don’t need primer. But if they’re new, then yes, use undercoat or primer
If you have new drywall, it’s a good idea to use primer. If you’re going from a dark color to a light color, using primer may help you avoid applying multiple coats. If the walls are already a lighter color, you can skip the primer
Most modern paints already have primer built in
Even if the paint claims to have primer, it’s important to prime new drywall to prevent having to repaint multiple rooms like I had to due to a contractor’s mistake.
‘t forget to always use primer!
When painting on new drywall or mudding large areas or transitioning from a very dark to light color, it’s best to use primer to avoid having to apply more than 2 coats.
In case the surface has been painted before, it’s best to opt for a paint that includes primer. I personally recommend sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore paint. A matte finish is also a great choice that you won’t regret.
Nowadays, many paints come with built-in primer.
I usually apply primer only after patching up areas, as the paint can be absorbed differently by patching compound resulting in noticeable differences in sheen.
I typically opt for paint that already includes primer.
I usually clean my walls and apply a new coat of paint, unless I’m switching from a dark color to a lighter one.
Even in that case, recommends applying two coats as usual.
It really depends on the surface you are painting. Latex over latex on drywall? You can skip the primer. But when painting cabinets, primer is usually necessary.
Some paints come with primer already mixed in.
It really varies. Was there a dark color previously? Are you working on drywall?
‘t forget to prime it!
Definitely. Opt for a separate primer instead of an all-in-one paint/primer product.
You don’t have to prime unless it’s just bare drywall or wood or metal.
Ty have you seen my 115-year-old plaster walls that went from dingy white to a bold crimson? What about my drywall that changed from white to black? Tinted primer made a huge difference in both situations, and it was recommended by several professional painters.
Haha… do you really think everyone deals with walls that are 115 years old? Anyway, if we’re just talking about regular painted walls, there’s no need to prime unless it’s bare wood, metal, drywall, or affected by smoke damage. Just applying a couple of coats of paint should do the trick. By the way, I’ve been a professional painter for 30 years.
Ty hey, I believe that DIY painters should do everything they can to increase their chances of success. Also, I think making sweeping statements that suggest something is never necessary is careless.
No need for primer on walls that are already painted.. End of story. Feel free to keep sharing your amateur advice though.
Thanks! Maybe try sharing your wisdom with someone else who uses primer here?
Aw you two look so nice, thanks for the advice! 🥰
Hey , why not just acknowledge that you’re not a professional painter? Your advice seems to be misleading and unnecessary. 🤷♂️
Personally, I prefer Netflix over Prime due to their wider range of selections.
Is pretty cool.
I never skip it. I always opt for paint with primer included. It just saves me one extra step.
Start by scuffing, smoothing out bumps, filling imperfections, sanding, priming, and finally applying two coats of paint.
Try dying this red!
Would you prefer a great job or just an okay job?
If the surface is already painted, you can skip the priming step. Just use a pole sander to lightly sand it before painting.
Hey, remember to prime before painting! It can really change the end result.
It’s usually a good idea to wash your walls and fix any cracks or holes. Smooth them out by sanding or wiping the filled area with a damp sponge. After that, lightly sand the surface. If your room currently has dark or bright colored paint, you will definitely require primer. For dark or bright colors, consider using a tinted primer. Skipping the primer may lead to uneven coverage.
This step is crucial
This step is really crucial. If you overlook it, you’ll definitely notice the difference.
Behr Ultra Plus has amazing coverage, serving as both a sealer, primer, and paint
I’ve never used primer on a wall except when it’s bare plaster 🤷🏼♀️
I’ve lived in and painted many houses. I’ve only needed to use primer on wood or over oil-based paint. Otherwise, a paint with built-in primer has been enough.
It really depends on the wall. If you are painting drywall that has flat paint, it’s a good idea to prime so you don’t waste too much of your nice paint. Drywall will absorb it all. Primer is also important if you’re painting over darker colored walls or stains, or if you’re trying to eliminate smoke smell (requires a special type of primer). Also use primer over any spackle and sanded spots that you cover during wall prep, or they will look dull. Otherwise, most of today’s paints are “paint+primer” in one and roll on pretty well with just 2 coats. And make sure to GET HIGH QUALITY PAINT, it’s worth it and will make your work 10x easier
I’ve never done that, lol.
Our painters on site usually start by priming wood and applying knotting solution, then they mist coat fresh plaster. When dealing with old plaster, they use an orbital sander to smooth down multiple layers of paint before filling in any knocks or holes that have appeared over time, sanding again before painting. Primers are a must for walls that will be tiled. Some painters prefer priming over mist coating, but personally, I haven’t noticed much of a difference! In our own home, an old chapel refurbishment done 20 years ago, the painter mist coated the walls without any ghosting. During a recent repainting job, my husband, who is a plasterer, sanded down all the walls as preparation because he didn’t like the build-up of paint layers.
Make sure the walls are clean before you start painting. It’s best to use paint that already has primer in it for better adhesion and coverage.
I wanted to share a helpful tip I picked up – try using a wet sponge on the wall. If the water soaks in, it’s time to prime. If it trickles down, no need to prime. But remember, if you’re changing from glossy to flat or covering a darker color, priming is a good idea. And if you suspect oil-based paint, prime those walls before applying latex. Tinting the primer to the new color is also a great option. Best of luck with your project! (I have years of experience working at a paint store!)
It all depends on the color you’re painting over.
If it’s been a bit since the walls were painted, using primer can help save you from having to apply too many coats.
Priming always results in a better finish and is definitely needed if the walls are bare or new drywall. However, if the walls are already painted, just ensure they are clean by washing and/or lightly sanding.
If the walls are already painted, you don’t need to do anything.
It all comes down to whether there’s a fresh compound – yes if you smoked in the room, but if it’s just a fresh coat of paint, then there’s no need.
Just a little snippet.