Priming before painting?

Question

I have had 3 people come out to give me a quote. All 3 have stated I do not need primer (the walls are the icky eggshell/ivory/off-white builders love).One said b/c there were some grease stains and crayon marks from the previous owner, only those areas need to have Kilz on it. They all will do any wall repair needed. 1st quote is $1000 on about 1300sq ft w/ a 2 story foyer... the others I'm waiting on their proposals...

I thought you had to prime?

Answer 1

Priming can be used to seal a wall, like from grease or something, or to cover up a dark color. If you choose a dark color for paint, you should use a tinted primer so you don't have to use as many coats.

Answer 2

You've received some great answers. I've been a do-it-yourselfer for many years. I don't prime unless I have to. If you're painting over recently painted walls that are clean then you don't need primer. Older paint, a very dark color, or paint you're not sure if it's oil or latex-based, then a good primer would be recommended.

I use Magic Eraser, great product. Also goo-gone is wonderful. Clean after using these products before painting to remove any residue.

And do try it yourself. Cover up the floors, tape off any woodwork, move furniture out of the way. Wear grungy clothes you dont' care about, and have fun! I love to paint, it's a great catharsis. Oh, and for your two-story foyer, a paint stick and a painting pad to do edges are great. The paint pad/edger has these little wheels on it that allows you to get very close to molding/ceilings without getting paint on the molding as long as you watch and make sure no paint in on the wheels. (This is why I don't usually tape anything off, but for a newbie, tape is recommended)

Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 3

Priming is not necessary when painting over existing paint unless there are grease spots as you pointed out or unless the color on the wall is dark and you are wanting to go lighter - which is not the case in your situation. However, I always prime when painting a bathroom area because of the moisture. The primer makes the paint adhere better. Another instance where primer can actually save you money is if you are painting new drywall or if the paint on the wall already is a cheap flat paint. The primer can make you have to use less of the more expensive custom color you are putting on the wall. If you really want to save money - I would consider doing it yourself. Painting is not difficult and it can be really rewarding in the end. My husband and I recently helped my daughter paint the entire inside of her newly constructed home and she saved over $8000! It only took us a little more than two weekends to do it.

Answer 4

You usually only need to prime if you are painting new drywall or plaster. Most grease and crayon stains can be removed or lightened with Mr. Clean magic eraser, so further coverage may not be necessary. You can continue to use magic eraser to keep your walls clean. I use mine constantly in the high traffic areas, and it works really well.

Answer 5

It sounds like an inside job to me.

Give the walls a good cleaning with sugar soap. With the cleaning products at the supermarket.

The price sounds reasonable to me, if it includes the paint, scaffolding, drop cloths masking etc.

If they are professionals they will stand by their work.

Watch out for "cowboys" or "fly by night amateurs.

Some words of advice.

Would you ask the baker about banking ?
Would you ask the banker about baking ?

Think about that.

Answer 6

you have had 3 professional painters come over and tell you , that it is not necissary to prime , however you are going to listen to yahoo users instead? trying to see the logic in that. aside from that they are correct you do not need to prime, only over the marks, i would clean off the grease and then prime lightly sand it, if at all, then paint the wall

Answer 7

u should prime it helps alot
i paint my own house and always prime my frfiend once didnt and it lookedl ike crapt