To Prime or Not to Prime, That Is The Question

And the answer is, you should (probably) prime!.

Here's why:

(1) Priming saves you time and money. Primers are intended to seal the surface being painted and they are specifically formulated to do just that. A sealed surface is less porous, so it absorbs less paint. As a result, the finish it more even. And when the surface is sealed, you use less paint. No more multiple coats of paint to get an even, consistent finish. If you tint a quality primer, one coat of primer and one coat of paint is usually all you need for a great-looking paint job. Since a gallon of primer is less expensive than a gallon of paint, you’ll save money too.

(2) Primers Are Easier to Apply as a First Coat. Paint needs to be durable, moisture-resistant, and have a washable sheen to it, and as a result of that they are thick due to the many solids and components in them to give them their beneficial qualities. Primers though aren't intended to be exposed to the elements. They are a sealer and bond coat beneath that durable top layer. And because of that, they tend to be slightly thinner in viscosity than paints and paints and primers. As a result, they flow more evenly and dry y more smoothly on uneven porous surfaces than paints or paint and primers in 1.

(2) Priming makes paint colors richer. Primers hide previous colors – even the darkest reds and deepest blues – and prevent those previous colors from showing through and changing the color of your paint. Your paint colors will be more beautiful and vibrant if you prime first.

(3) Primers block stains. Most stains – water stains, crayon and marker, lipstick or nicotine – bleed right through paint. This is where primers earn their reputation: they seal in stains and prevent them from ruining your paint job. New advanced technology water-based primers and water-based acrylic-alkyds take the guesswork out of primer selection because they block all stains – even water stains – so you start your paint job with a clean canvas.

(4) You can paint anything if you prime first. If you’ve ever tried to paint a slick surface like vinyl or plastic with paint alone, chances are it just didn’t stick. Primers are formulated for tenacious paint adhesion to all surfaces, so you can paint anything – even ceramic tile and Formica cabinets – when you use a primer as your first coat. Just make sure that the primer your using is intended for the surface you would like to paint since technology in primers has exploded and resulted in an array of specific-purpose primers.

(5) Primers make your paint job last longer. Primers prevent common paint problems like cracking, peeling and blistering and your paint will retain its original color longer, so you’ll have to paint less often.

So unless you have a specific reason to avoid the first coat of primer, for the best overall final appearance and easiest, most cost-efficient application, prime first!

all the best,

--Cliff