What type of primer should I use to cover up patched holes before painting the entire wall with regular paint?
Asked by Floyd Mitchell 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 2, 2024
I just finished fixing a bunch of holes in my house with joint compound. Now I need to paint over them, but I know I can’t just use my regular paint because the patches will stand out. What type of primer should I use? Can I just prime over the patches and then paint the entire wall as usual once it’s dry?
Use Kilz 2 as a primer to cover the entire surface to prevent patches from showing. Even a small amount can have an impact.
Had a few small patched holes…maybe around 5 in total on a large wall. Do you really need to prime the entire wall for such small screw hole patches?
Nick, for small screw holes, you don’t need to. I thought you were talking about larger patches. It’s not worth spending money on nail and screw holes.
Oh, I see.
Nick, I suggest prepping and priming the entire wall to get the best results.
It’s definitely excessive to prime the entire wall.
When you use a PVA primer sealer, you’ll be fine as long as there are no stains on the wall. Spot prime first, then finish the wall. For fun, finish over the spots.
Everyone has their own preference for primers. Personally, I like using binding primer. You can spot prime before painting over the entire surface.
I suggest using Zinsser oil-based primer.
For new drywall mud, I recommend using PVA primer. Use Kilz 2 for covering stains. Make sure to spot prime before painting the entire wall.
Hey, , do you have any PVA?
Applied primer to the drywall
Alright, skip the sandpaper. Wet sand with a damp soft cotton cloth in circular motions until smooth. Essentially, clean the patch. Most modern finish paints are self-priming, so just spot prime with the finish paint in a Starburst pattern and let it dry completely. Then apply the final coat as necessary.
You’re welcome ((:
Incorrect, simply having primer in the paint doesn’t eliminate the need for primer on a spackling job or fresh drywall
Perused the container
Hey, , painters who do this for a living will have a different perspective. And it’s actually “you’re welcome,” not “your welcome,” and typically people don’t say that when offering poor advice.
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Hey, , what are you all chatting about?
Oh, , yes, her name is Juliana Barresi. She’s the one who provided me with the antibiotics. She mentioned that she took them from her dad’s medicine cabinet.
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Hey, , that can is definitely not right. It’s just asking for trouble. Maybe it can handle small patches, but anything larger than a dollar bill will easily tear out the compound when you drive over it. It’s always better to seal separately.
When I started union painting 40 years ago, we always used oil primer on patches and new work. Prepping the patch with wet sanding is the ideal method. Nowadays, they say latex paint is an all-in-one product. I’m just the messenger.
Speaking from my own experience, I think the paint & primer in one is a gimmick. It doesn’t seal patches or stick to old paint. I had to pull out many patches before deciding to seal separately and top coat with plain latex paint. No need for oil based primer, it slows down production. Shellac (BIN) dries in about 5 minutes and works great. I also use the wet sponge method, but sometimes prefer sandpaper for fine-tuning. It usually takes multiple layers for me.
Why should I only spot prime the patches with my finish paint? Just wondering what difference it makes, not trying to be rude.
Hey , it looks like your walls already have 2 coats. Just make sure to give your patches 2 coats as well before painting the entire wall. I offer 1 year warranty repairs for new home builders. If you skip the first coat on the patches, the patches will still be visible.
Sand, seal any primer. Then touch up with paint. If needed, you may have to repaint the entire wall for consistent color.
Feel free to check your touch ups after priming and fix any problems. The primer might reveal issues you hadn’t noticed before.
How is the texture looking now? Did you sand down the patch so that the edges are not visible?
That’s exactly what I do. Make sure to blend all the mud smoothly, apply primer to the mud, and then paint the entire wall. I prefer using 3/8″ nap white dove rollers. Primer helps bring some texture back. Whether it’s Kilz2 or Zinsser 123, I achieve the same results. If it’s a household with smokers, I would likely prime the entire wall with Coverstain or BIN.
I haven’t noticed any issues with the wall patch. Just opt for good quality paint. If you’re really worried, consider using paint that already has primer mixed in and cover the entire wall.
If the existing paint is oil-based, scrape off the latex paint as much as you can and apply an oil-based primer.
Opt for a high hide primer and paint combo, especially for surfaces with a high nap.