How well does a primer have to hide the color below before I start painting an interior wall?

Question

There was tangerine orange underneath that I am going to cover with a very light peach. I might want to try a faux technique if I have enough time left.

Answer 1

Since you are covering a very dark color with a very light one, you may want to use two coats of primer. You want to cover as much as possible to avoid bleed-through on the new color.

Since you are considering different techniques, if you haven't yet primed the wall, you could consider sponge-painting or rag-rolling right on top of the tangerine with your peach, leaving bits of the tangerine showing. You could then put tangerine and white accents into the room to dress it up, or tangerine/white curtains.

Answer 2

It depends on a couple factors. First, how dark is the old color compared to the new color? The darker the old with the paler the new, the better the primer coverage should be. Also, consider the type of primer. If you use a high quality primer, it should cover in one (maybe 2) coats. Then you're ready for the new color.

Also, in response to the faux technique, depending on which you were interested in will determine how long it will take. For example, I sponged my medium sized kitchen in one color in less than 2 hours, but doing a brush stroke on my dining room or a rag roll in my living room took about 3 times as long - that's still with only one glaze color.

Finally, you can go to your local Sherwin Williams (or other places probably) and try out faux techniques for free. Have fun!

Answer 3

If you need to cover what sounds like a very bright cover then a plain white undercoat may not be sufficient to hide the colour without 3-4 coats, however you can also purchase grey undercoat that will enable you to cover the old colour in one coat. Because you are using a light colour again it may then be necessary to cover the grey with a white undercoat as well.

Answer 4

Just enough to cover the under color so it don't show through usually 2 coats with dark colors and 1 with light.

Answer 5

You'll probably be alright with 1 coat but I would use a second just to be safe. Primer is usually cheaper than paint. Also, if you want to do a faux finish be sure and not use flat or matte paint. You'll need satin or above.

Answer 6

usually one coat of primer[ very good quality works well]

so it should cover to where the wall looks white

Answer 7

we are painting our new house, and my husband says it has to cover just so the other color underneath wont show through.