Do I have to prime over dark brown paint if I am using a sage green over it? It is on the outside of my house.

Question

I am thinking of painting the trim on my house. It is currently dark brown, and I want it to be a sage green. The brown is in good shape yet so can I just paint over that with the green or do I have to prime it?

Answer 1

Since you're not painting bare wood or metal, the primer would actually be wasted. Save it for actual priming. Get a "blockout" paint, such as Kilz, or simply good quality white or even yellow. This will lighten the surface so the darker brown doesn't bleed through, and chances are you'll only need one coat of the green. Were you using something dark like a hunter green, then I'd say go ahead and paint it right over the brown. But sage green? Nope. The brown beneath would darken it.

Answer 2

if you want the paint job to last, which some painters do not, prime the house first. primer helps the new paint bond to the old, and seals the old job, so it won't bleed or show through. if you've ever seen a house that's all flaky and peeling, that's what can happen without primer first. skipping the primer can lead to allagatoring, and feathering, where the new paint pulls the old coats apart, or the new paint peels off. latex paint is more flexible than oil and old dried out latex, so priming will help prevent these problems. i know, because i see it all the time, and my father in law did it to my current home, that we bought from him. i do siding and roofing for a living, and cover up these problems.

Answer 3

Since the brown is a darker color you would definitely want to use an exterior latex water based primer. If not you may have to go over the brown with several green coats to cover properly. Primer is generally used so the paint adheres well to the surface, but I always prime out the area if I am going from a darker color to a lighter one.

Answer 4

The experienced painters say no, if the old paint is good and not chalking.
Personally, I would have the primer tinted to the same color as the new paint. Prime and paint, just to be on the safe side. But that's just me.

Answer 5

Paint over the brown. It may take 2 coats but it will be faster than priming first.Priming is used when there is bare wood or high gloss on the present finish,or the finish is (chalking) rub your hand against the finish if your hand turns the color of the finish then wash and prime. I have 34 years in exterior and interior painting.

Answer 6

YES for your sake please do. anytime you go light over dark save yourself from having to paint... say oops... prime and paint again. just prime it.