Is it worth the extra step?
span>When it comes to interior painting, or really any home improvement project, the tedious initial steps are no fun compared to those final stages when the magic really happens. Tearing a bathroom apart, for example, is just tiring (and sometimes scary) compared to watching the new vanity and that walk-in shower be installed./span>
span>Painting is the “fun part” of apainting project, not the all theprep workthat goes into a truly successful transformation./span>
span>With that said, let’s skip to a common interior painting question:“Do I need to use primer? If so, when?”/span>
You’ll Need to Use Primer If…
span>The list below isn’t exhaustive, but it will give you some handy direction. And, it really applies toexterior paintingas well./span>
- span>The surface was damaged– If you had to patch or repair a hole, for example, you’ll definitely need a coat of primer to cover your work./span>
- span>You’re covering a stain– There are primers specifically developed for the purpose of locking away the stain. Even with a coat or two of paint, blemishes have an amazing ability to keep poking through./span>
- span>You’re drastically changing colors– This is especially true if you’re hopping from a dark color to a lighter one; you’ll need a product to bridge the gap, making the hop less of a leap. As a bonus tip, ask your supplier to tint the primer with a bit of your topcoat color for an even smoother transition./span>
When Is Primer NOT Necessary?
span>To answer this question, you can essentially turn the points above around. If you’re just performing touch-ups or refreshing an existing color, for example, primer won’t be necessary. And, if you’re working with a clean, neutral wall that you are not drastically changing, primer can be skipped then too./span>
span>With all of that said, primer is an extremely important product, and not one you want to skimp on unless you’re absolutely sure you can. It paves the way for a smooth finish, and provides an essential foundation for your topcoats to adhere to./span>
span>Investing the time in doing a project well always yields a positive return!/span>
