2006-09-20 15:35:48 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Sorry, I suppose that was pretty vague. I am planning to paint our interior walls, all of which are painted, with either satin or eggshell paint. A dark burghundy color is to be painted over a very light green color on one wall. Since it is a darker color than the existing paint, I'm wondering if primer is necessary.
Also, if you happen to know which brands/kinds of primer are best, that info would be much appreciated as well.
Thanks!
2006-09-20 15:47:29 · update #1
PS - To clarify my clarification, both the paint on the existing walls and the paint we will be using is either satin or eggshell...
2006-09-20 15:53:08 · update #2
i always use primer but you might can get away with not using it the surface has a coat of paint already on it.... paint is designed to stick to primer.... paint companies do this so they can sell 1 gallon of primer plus 1 gallon of paint
2006-09-20 15:39:39 · answer #1 · answered by gnet_162000 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pick the color you want to paint and then buy a "high hide" primer and have the paint store tint it the color you want. Then paint with the tinted primer first. The final coat will look different as the primer will be a different base and color won't match exactly, but that if fine. It is only primer.
Make sure you sand smooth out bumps and spackle to fill in holes first then wash the wall with a sponge or paper towels to clean off dirt and dust from sanding.
2006-09-27 19:49:56 · answer #2 · answered by maria t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good primer will help the paint cover better. A primer is stickier than a top coat. This allows it to cling to dirty or glossy surfaces and gives the new top coat a root system, something to hold it in place. Do not tint primer, that dilutes it and makes it less sticky. The best primers and paints are by a company called Pratt & Lambert. Check your local yellow pages for a local paint store that sells it. Most people don't know Pratt & Lambert, because it is expensive. It is used in commercial and government work, as well as high-end residential. I use it on my house, because I hate to paint and want anything I do to last as long as it can.
2006-09-24 09:28:23 · answer #3 · answered by Leo L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Primer is always necessary. It just depends on how many coats of paint will be needed. Painting a dark color over a light color brings out the truer color that you picked, but you still get streaks. With light on dark, the streaks aren't as bad, but the color isn't as good. Usually painting interior walls require at least 2 coats. With light paint on dark: 2 coats primer, 1 finish. Dark on light: 2 primer, 1 finish. It also depends on what kind of paint was on the walls before and what you are putting on now. Putting semi-gloss on flat is different than flat on semi-gloss. It has to do with the way the paint spreads. You'll figure it out. Have fun and good luck.
2006-09-21 01:54:43 · answer #4 · answered by jadenn 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As per your original clarification, primer is meant to provide a better surface for the new paint. I would apply at least one coat of primer with a color like the one you are covering up (probably 2.) If there isn't any mold, mildew, or water damage problem, any high quality primer will work fine. If there is another problem, I would use a water based primer that is also meant to kill mold/mildew (Kilz is one brand.) Allow to dry between coats and finish with a high quality latex enamel.
2006-09-28 15:34:20 · answer #5 · answered by Scott K 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truthfully, you can consider your existing coat of paint as a primer. Primer essentially means the thing you put on a wall to get it to accept a coat of paint. I just pained my eggshell walls cordovan/maroon, I used no primer, and it was great after the second coat and some touch ups.
2006-09-26 21:51:09 · answer #6 · answered by Mark L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don;t want to be painting 20 layers of paint it is always best to use primer on dark walls before painting lighter color.
Kilz is a very good primer, it will also cover stains.
They say that one coat of primer and one coat of paint looks better than 2 coats of paint nomatter what you are painting.
2006-09-22 08:24:04 · answer #7 · answered by Joy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The proper way is to always use primer. There are several reasons for this and the most important one in your case is that you are placing a lighter color on to a dark color. It will also cover any inconsistancies on the exsisting walls. I always have my primer tinted to the color of paint I am using which also cuts down on the number of coats I need to paint. I recommend Behr paint from home depot or Pratt & Lambert. Good luck to you.
2006-09-21 08:32:46 · answer #8 · answered by georgetjb 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your question is not entirely clear.. I use primer on most everything. BUT... If you do have a wall that is painted and you want to paint it another color(for example), you should use a primer FIRST before applying the new paint IF.. IF the existing paint is OTHER than flat paint.. If it is semi-gloss, satin, etc, then it should be primed first
2006-09-20 22:41:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Primer is used as a base and is used mostly where there was no paint before or where the object being painted is absorbing to much and by using primer it will lower the cost of that job.
2006-09-24 20:59:16 · answer #10 · answered by Ray L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you do not need to apply a coat of primer to an already painted surface. The name 'primer' is what it says,"The first coat of paint".
You could match an undercoat to a shade or two lighter than the final coat, just to make it easier to see where you have to apply the finish coat.
2006-09-28 22:24:20 · answer #11 · answered by Chippie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋