Can I put primer on newly hung drywall to see imperfections?

Question

After the primer is on the wall, can I correct the imperfections with joint compound then prime over that area? The reason why I ask is I am horrible at sanding drywall. My logic is if I prime the entire wall I'll avoid oversanding the parts that are fine. This will leave me with a wall with the obvious repairs to fix.

Answer 1

The key to mudding your sheetrock is to put 3 light coats and then lightly sand. Yes you can prime but keep in mind you won't be sanding anymore you'll have to add more mud so if you've got an area with too much mud you'll have a heck of a time sanding it. I think you'll find that if you were to do the 3 light coats you can usually use a damp sponge to do your sanding, just wipe the edges. Remember the more sheen in your finish paint the more the imperfections will show, I suggest you get a "Matt" finish paint which is washable but yet flat where it will hide your imperfections. Good luck Les the painter

Answer 2

You can definitely prime and do further repair. If small enough it won't even require re-priming. However, I do not suggest priming on the UNDERsanded areas. Once the primer is on it will be more difficult to sand those areas further. I would suggest risking the oversanding and patch on top.

I would recommend a drywall preparer over a primer. They sell it at Lowes, Home Depot, whatever, and you will find it by the drywall not the paint. It is much thicker and seals better. Then once primed take a bare bulb lamp around the room and all imperfections will stand out like a sore thumb.

Answer 3

An easy way to check for imperfections.....lumpy joints , screw head dips, etc is to use naked lightbulb or worklight at a low angle to wall.
the imperfections will cast shadows .
Mark the trouble spots w/ chalk or pencil so you can find them again.
Usually good at drywall ,but had to rethink that when I turned on the lamps after I had painted.
Had to repaint an entire wall because the touched up areas .
appear a little smoother than surrounding paint.
Others mentioned using 3 coats of mud w/ polishing in between.
A few dollars for a hawk & wide blade finishing tool are worth it..
A prime coat for spotting would be extra work esp if you're a little shaky on finish work.
Contractors do it esp if wash or bounce lighting is to be used.
Follow the light

Answer 4

Joint compound is suppose to go directly on the drywall. It holds better. To put it ontop of paint.....Give the paint 2 days to dry first before putting on mud, otherwise you will dissolve the primer and it all fallls off. I wouldn't do it.

Pro drywallers do not do it in 1 go. They board, tape and mud corners. Whip on the heat high and come back next day to do the second coat and the next day for the third coat...and they come back later to sand that. If a forth is needed, they do that. The trick is using a large spreader(not a putty knife) and make a big patch.

Then comes the painter who takes advantage of the heat left in the building from the drywallers (as when using oil based paints, not wise to use flame heat). He sweeps down the walls from the dust of the sanders and primes. Day later, sands the walls smooth and does patching of holes, nicks, imperfections and primes on top of that if it is big repair. Otherwise, sanded smooth, and left for first color coat. Next day sands wall smooth and second color coat.(some people want a 3rd coat) and the walls have been continually checked over by the painter - after all, he has to go over all of it with paint so he sees everything.
It will be good. When you see a bad patch job the fact is to fix it...either by letting it dry and sand it out or scrape the soft mud and paint and sand that once it drys.

Answer 5

Absolutely, that is sometimes the easiest way to find imperfections and how many drywall and painting companies rely on finding imperfections. You always want t o prime again other wise when you paint you run a high risk of the paint 'flashing' At some angles you will see what appears to be spots of slightly different color and texture.

Answer 6

Certainly.

After installing thousands of sq. ft. of drywall, and sometimes mudding in a 3 stage process, I often prime the patched spots to check hollows or raised areas, but with practice you'll get better.

The Raw drywall need not be primed under usual coonditions, but the primer is thin enough to allow further sanding and mudding again if need be.

Absolutely OVER sanding will degrade the paper and even paint may not cover that well enough to make that vanish.

To sand the drywall and patch areas use Mesh type pads and the tool/holder for them. It's approximately 4 inches wide and 9 inches long and allows that there won't be variations as when you hold sandpaper, even doubled over, using your fingers as the BLOCK.

Steven Wolf

Answer 7

Yes. In fact, many pros(the good ones) will do a check after the primer coat and fix any imperfections. Sand and prime the patches, and you are ready for paint!

Answer 8

Take your time sanding first and do it right with the right tools.Why do a repair when you can avoid it?
If it is not sanded enough, and you prime it, you will find paint MUCH harder to sand.
If you oversand you can add compound easier, and re-prime that area.

Answer 9

Yes you can. The trick is to put joint compound on in a way that there is little sanding to do it is easier to put more compound on than to sand it off

Answer 10

Yes you can