Difference between primer and undercoat?

Question

Have varnished pine wood ceiling which we intend rubbing down with sandpaper to paint a light colour. Sometimes when I read what to do it refers to priming the ceiling and at other times it's says to undercoat the ceiling. Being a mere novice at DIY I am confused if this is the same thing? Does it just mean a coat of flat paint? Also at present unsure if this ceiling is going to be white or going in to creamy/beige what would be the first colour I would put on to the wood? Thanks to everyone who replies.

Answer 1

if you got a pine ceiling and you are wanting to paint over it my advice is th get a product called knot seal .this is like a varnish but it stops the knots in the pine weeping through the paint and also them drying out and falling out .i undercoated and primed my ceiling and this happened to me it was only when i made enquiries in a diy shop they told me what i had done wrong take my word for a easier life get a pine sealer it must be worth it to save the hastle i had . hope this helps good luck

Answer 2

Primer Or Undercoat

Answer 3

There is a bit of difference between a primer & and undercoat.

In most cases it is of small importance, but the end results will be better if you choose the right paint for the best results in the long run.

You want the best possible paint that binds to the surface.
As additional coats are added in the future the bond on the surface weakens and can fail.

It is best to choose the primer that is best for the task at hand.

Check with the paint shop for their best advice.

They have different products that will be better for the different tasks that you have.

As to the color, putting just a fraction of a ounce of colorent per gallon aids in the covering ability of the paint.

I would say that if you add about 1/4 of an ounce to a gallon of the color you are using else where in the room is a nice touch.

Answer 4

Primer/undercoat pretty much the same thing. A primer tends to indicate that the material it is applied to will be sealed and protected and readied for an overcoat.

I would suggest using a water based 'wash' colouring over your chosen undercoat. This gives a subtle matt finish and obviously doesn't 'glare' when the lights are on.

Answer 5

Primer is a type of undercoat,applied prior to a gloss or matt topcoat,and provides a "key" for the topcoat to adhere more readily;the topcoat also "goes on" more easily with a primered surface.It also helps prevent any adverse reaction between the topcoat and any underlying paint which remains on the surface to be covered-although good preparation(the key to a successful job) will hopefully have removed most,if not all,of this.Under coat,which can be applied in conjunction with primer-afterwards- is more of a self-levelling coating,and can be applied over previously painted-but rubbed-down-surfaces.For instance,if you wish to repaint a door,or shelf with tool marks,or planing marks in it,you could use undercoat to hide some of those imperfections.Good luck and have fun DIY-ing!!!!

Answer 6

Primer is used to make the transition between old paint, especially going between oil to latex , or varnish to paint to adhere to the new paint. Primer is also used on bare wood before being painted. it is thicker than regular paint. Most primer is white color.

Undercoat is the term for the old paint or varnish. Most of the time, if you were going to use the same type paint or re-varnish, primer is not needed.

Answer 7

primer allows a paint to stick to it better,
undercoat, is to allow change the color, of something, with out it bleeding Thur,

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

Yes, these are the same thing. Just an under coat of paint that covers the surface before the outside coats are applyed.