Primer One Coat Coverage Needed.?

Question

We found the house we wanted. Bad thing is I have to use a primer paint. Their colors were Southwestern Rust with a tan ceiling. Blue and yellow, Orange and one pink room. Not even going to guess on how they came up with these colors. I have been to MAB Paints, Sherman Williams, TrueValue, and Wal-Mart. They all seem to tell me the same thing, a primer is a prime no matter which one you choose. Is this true? I need to know if there is a primer for one coat coverage that is better than others. I am going to use this wagner spray painter thing my dad had. No worrys there is no flooring to worry about since it will be just subfloors.

I am painting everything, trim, walls, ceilings. Since they painted them those colors. Not caring about the subfloor. We are going to lay hardwood floors thoughout the house once all painting is done. I am going to cover the windows with newspaper.

Answer 1

Primer is like a sealer. It's purpose is to prepare the walls for paint. All primer is white but it can be tinted which helps with coverage of darker paint but isn't necessary for most colors. Primer doesn't need to coat the same way paint does. When you're done with a primer coat you can sometimes see through it to the previous color but that's okay. After priming you will probably still need 2 coats to cover completely. One coat coverage is a myth. I've painted dozens and dozens of walls at my homes and as a decorator and it just isn't true that one coat will do the trick. With very dark colors like red or purple or deep green it often rakes 3 coats but with a roller or a sprayer it will still be a quick and easy job. Check with Consumer Reports for the best paints and paint values. It changes nearly every year. Sears used to be the best, then Glidden then Benjamin Moore. But it really helps to use the best paint available. They test for coverage, durability, ease of application price and more so it's worth checking. A good paint job will last for years and for me that's to long since I like to change colors more often than most people! LOL

Answer 2

I do not belive you need a primer coat. Primer is mainly used to seal and hide. Most good brands of paint (benjamin moore and pratt and lambert) will cover in two coat, especially the B.M. white (i used this to cover a blood red latex, 2 coats worked great).
Also you may save a couple of dollars by using a primer first, but in the end you will still need to apply 3 coats.
If the surface is semi gloss or shinear, you can apply a primer specifically for that paint, or you can do a little light sanding.
I would never use a sprayer inside unless it was for commercial/industrial work (warehouse, cement walls etc.) The mist will kill (you should use a filter mask for airborne paint particles and one that is desigened for your face -- eg. if you have a beard you may need to shave it off for this) and you will also have to cover the windows, door, and trim. Also if your using it to paint the ceilings okay, cause you will paint all the ceilings at the same time. Once the ceilings are painted you can't spray the walls, the overspray will get on the ceilings (i tried this). See if you can get the roller attachment to the spray gun, I have two of these and they do make the jobs go faster.
1/4" rollers for the semi gloss on the doors
3/8" - 1/2" rollers for the ceilings and walls (flat/eggshell paint)

If I didn't talk you out of using a primer, Kilz is the best on the market (my opinion) and it comes in a latex, oil, and alcohol base (fastest drying time). If you just need a latex primer, BM first coat is great and have them tint it to almost the exact color, don't let them talk you into any of this half way crap. The closer the primer is to your finished color the better the top coat will look.

Answer 3

Hello Misstige...

You do have a project ahead of you. I went thru this with rooms painted red, white and blue with enamel paint and had to sandblast it before re-paint.

If the paint you want to cover is not glossy then I would recommend using Kiltz paint which is a stain killer and is a latex paint. It costs a little more usually, but one coat should do it and you can paint right over it after a few days drying time. Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes all carry Kiltz Stain Killer paint...

As for that Wagner spray painter...use it outside on a panel first to be sure all parts are in proper condition or your efforts will become a nightmare. Practice with it a great deal and read the instruction manual closely. Replacement parts are very expensive also.

The Wagner sprayer has 200 pounds pressure at the nozzle and emulsifies for perfect spray applications. However, your room will fill with a mist of paint and cling to windows and framing as well. Be sure to wear a mask and eye goggles and have plenty of ventilation...open windows and remove screens as well.

Get a lot of practice on a large piece of cardboard or wood panel outside first...