What exactly do I use Primer for?

Question

Does it just change the wall to white so my paint will show up better,... or does it also cover minor imperfections in my wall?

Answer 1

Primer in it's most useful intent; is as Eskie states; it allows that paint you've chosen as a finish color; will not be absorbed so; into the Drywall or wood surface; causing one to need multiple coats to cover.

After applying multiple thousands of gallons of paint; I often choose to avoid the step; as useless; though almost every answer I see throughout Q&A will clearly state "prime every time." With respect to anyone; I suspect some of that is learned through the advice of others; ar a clerk at a paint dept.; or habitual practices over time through experience. I'm just one opinion; and I know what works for me. The only call backs I ever get are. "Can you come do another job?"

One of the things I do use it for; every time; is to cover MUD on drywall. I do that just on the mud initially to check for flaws; then prime the entire wall area to seal the raw paper.

One of the reasons I DON'T use it; opposite of what I said initially; is when I'd like the paint to be absorbed by the surface to a degree; as opposed to just laying on a surface.

I don't agree that primer creates a better HOLDING surface for ANY FINISH.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

you use a primer for a seal and to key to your paint it wont cover imperfections that well in regard to knocks and dings but wood grain it will and you use it mainly on bare wood you don't need to use it on interior walls unless your painting over stains or marks you can use an oil based paint for that and spot them in before you paint and get the same results why buy expensive primer if you don't need to, priming a whole wall is a wast of time if its not needed. any interior wall which is already painted requires nothing it can be painted right over but if your changing the colour then you could give it a mist coat first. people who don't know what there talking about will use primer all the time because the bloke in the shop said they do well you don't.

Answer 3

Keep it short for you.

You only need a primer to seal surfaces that regular paint may not want to stick to.
The only other reason is if your painting a "deep base" color you should have the primer tinted then you will only need two top coats.
Box stores will sell it to you for everything
There are many primers or many different projects. Check everytime before you paint. good luck

Answer 4

It makes the paint go on better, for dark colors you need fewer coats when you prime, it does cover minor imperfections and if you use a stain blocking primer that obviously blocks the stain from bleeding through to your finish coats.

Answer 5

Primer does several things.
-It seals the old surface so that old stains don't come through to your new paint job.
-It will hide minor imperfections in your wall.
-It provides a surface that paint will bond properly to so that your paint job lasts longer.
-It blocks darker pigments if you are painting a lighter color over a darker color.
-It allows you to use less paint if you are painting on new drywall or fresh wood because it seals the surface so the paint does not absorb.

Answer 6

It improves adhesion between paint and wall.