The question many new homeowners or DIYers ask themselves is, do I need to use primer? The answer is yes, you need to apply primer before starting a new paint project. But don’t just take it from us, in fact, nearly all of paint manufacturers suggest to roll or spray on at least one to two coats of primer before adding on paint. Why? Because paint primer is made to provide the incoming paint with a canvas that is clean, stable and ready to absorb new paint.
Paint primer is especially necessary when it comes to painting your home exterior. Not only does it help create a smooth and even surface for your paint to stick to, but it also provides a layer of protection for your home against weather elements, such as moisture and hot, summer rays. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of using paint primer, the different types available, and the average costs associated with the project.
Benefits of Using Paint Primer:
- Helps Create a Smooth and Even Surface: The purpose of a paint primer is to provide a base layer that helps fill in any small imperfections on the surface. This means that when you apply your paint, you’ll get a more even finish, without any lumps or bumps. An example of this is when the wall or exterior wall is glossy and paint becomes difficult to dry and lock onto the wall completely. By using paint primer, the surface texture becomes more porous and allows the paint to dry in place.
- Improves Adhesion: Primers are designed to create a strong bond between the paint and the surface. This helps ensure that your paint won’t peel or flake off, even in harsh weather conditions. For example, the designated surface you are working on can be porous and therefore, require multiple coats. Not so when using a primer, so this in turn uses less paint coats.
- Provides Protection: In addition to creating a smooth surface for your paint, a primer also provides an additional layer of protection against moisture and UV rays. This is particularly important for homes in the Midwest, where weather conditions can be extreme.
- Stain Covering: We mentioned this above, but it repeats saying. Primer is a great tool to use to cover up stains and is less expensive than using multiple coats of paint.
- When In Doubt, Prime It Out: If you are DIY’ing your home paint project, we recommend to use primer first. Especially if you are not sure what the full condition of your wall is.
Types of Paint Primer:
- Oil-Based Primer: This type of primer is made with an oil-based formula and is designed to work well on wood and metal surfaces. Oil-based primers tend to dry slowly, but they offer excellent adhesion and protection.
- Latex-Based Primer: Latex-based primers are water-based and dry quickly. They are easy to clean up with soap and water and are a good choice for surfaces such as drywall, plaster, and concrete.
- Shellac-Based Primer: Shellac-based primers are made from natural shellac and alcohol. They are known for their excellent adhesion and ability to block stains, making them a good choice for surfaces with water or smoke damage.
Times You Might Not Need To Use Paint Primer
While we have gone on and on above how important it is to use primer first, there are times when you can skip this step.
Using Similar Paint Colors
Let’s say you are re-touching or using a new but similar paint color, then you can reduce the amount of primer being used. These types of touch ups are relatively simple but still require small amounts of primer.
Clean Walls
Newer or clean walls that have been kept in good condition might not need to be primed first. Additionally, using a good cleaning solutions on walls that are in good shape is another alternative to primer. Use a mixture of TSP or sodium phosphate and water, a cloth and wipe down in small, circular motions where there are stains.
Average Costs:
The cost of a paint primer will depend on the type of primer you choose and the size of your project. On average, a gallon of primer can cost anywhere from $15 to $40. For a typical exterior home painting project, you can expect to use around one gallon of primer for every 400 square feet of surface area.
Additional Benefits
While the cost of a paint primer may seem like an added expense, it’s important to consider the long-term benefits. Using a primer can help extend the life of your paint job and protect your home against weather damage. In fact, experts estimate that using a primer can increase the lifespan of your paint job by up to 50%.
In summary, using a paint primer on your home exterior is a crucial step that should not be overlooked. It helps create a smooth and even surface for your paint to adhere to, improves adhesion, and provides an additional layer of protection against weather elements. There are different types of primer available, including oil-based, latex-based, and shellac-based, each with their own unique benefits. While the cost of a primer may seem like an added expense, it’s important to consider the long-term benefits and the potential cost savings of extending the life of your paint job.
For homeowners in the Midwest, using a primer can be especially beneficial in protecting their homes against harsh weather conditions.
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