One, Two, or Three? How Many Primer Coats Should You Use for Your Project?

Is priming necessary every time before painting? If so, how many primer coatings are truly required? Depending on who you ask, these questions can lead to very different answers. This isn’t because no one knows the answer; rather, it’s because each project requires a different quantity of priming layers.

Based on our experience being House painter in Melbourne, the amount of priming coats required will still depend on the type of paint being used. Discover how many coats of primer are required before painting, as well as when to apply it and when not to.

What Is Primer?

Primer is the coat that comes before the final paint. Primer prepares the surface for better adhesion and application of the paint.

Are Primer Really Necessary?

Yes, priming is nearly always necessary before painting. Only when purchasing paints with primers already included is it possible to forego primer. These self-priming paints, however, are really only useful for painting over already painted walls.

Since primer will help with the transition between paint colours, it is useful for covering old paint and preparing it so the new paint adheres more efficiently. Primer is however essential necessary in a variety of other circumstances, such as:

• Painting unfinished wood:

Paint does not adhere to bare wood as well as it adheres to treatments made specifically for wood, such as stains and sealants. Always prime unfinished wood before painting it to help the paint adhere. Find a primer for knotty wood that is designed to seal the knots.

• Applying latex-based paint over oil-based paint:

Most individuals choose to use latex-based paint these days. However, especially in older homes, there’s a considerable probability that your current walls are covered with oil-based paint. You must apply a bonding primer to make the latex paint adhere to the oil paint.

• Painting over plaster and joint compound:

If you don’t prime the wall before painting it, plaster and joint compound repairs or skim coatings will seem quite uneven. Small flaws and pores on these restored surfaces cause them to absorb paint differently than the surrounding surfaces.

• Painting over new drywall:

Prior to painting, new drywall needs to be primed with PVA primer. These unique primers are quite affordable, which is perfect for new drywall because it absorbs a lot of paint.

• Painting over stains or mold:

Water, mould, and other stains can be very difficult to cover and need for several coats of paint. You face the risk of the mould continuing to grow in the mould situation. Before painting over mouldy surfaces, use primers that will kill the mould instead of stain-covering primers.

• Using lower-quality paints:

Not everyone has the money to invest in premium paints with outstanding coverage. By applying a good primer first, you can frequently get away with using lower-quality paints, which can ultimately save you money. Remember that cheap paints could not last as long as costly paints, so it’s not always wise to save a little money up front.

How Many Coats of Primer to Use

We now know that using primer is essential and that you shouldn’t skip it, but how much priming should you use before painting? The quantity depends on your project’s specifics and the kind of paint you’re using.

When to Use One Coat of Primer

When lightly altering paint colours or transitioning from a light paint colour to a dark paint colour, use one coat of primer. Your final paint, which is far more expensive than a primer, will need to be applied with fewer applications because the primer will help cover the old paint.

When to Use Two Coats of Primer

For unpainted wood surfaces, when substantially changing the colour of painted walls, or when transitioning from a dark to a light paint colour, apply two coats of primer. When substantially altering paint colours, it is usually always challenging to conceal the old paint, but it is far more challenging to conceal dark colours behind light colours.

When painting fresh drywall, a minimum of two coats of PVA primer are required to prevent the paint finish from appearing patchy and uneven after drying. Because freshly installed drywall absorbs paint like a sponge, it is preferable to let it soak up less expensive primer.

When to Use Three Coats of Primer

Even though you might never require three coats of primer, there are some circumstances in which it is vital. Before applying your final coat of paint, add a third coat of primer if the first two coats didn’t provide the coverage you were looking for. This is most frequently required when painting over irregular surfaces like stone, plaster, unfinished wood, and drywall joint compound, but it may also be required to conceal significant stains, such water damage on a ceiling.

What Type of Primer to Use

For proper application, refer to the primer’s label. It’s crucial to apply the correct kind of primer because different surfaces require different kinds. When in doubt, read the label but seek advice from the paint department employee of the store.

Pay close attention to the manufacturer’s application instructions when it’s time to apply your primer. These will outline how many coats of primer to apply and any other processes that could be required, such sanding, in between coats.