The main reason to put a primer coat of paint on weather beaten areas is to assure an excellent bond to the surface and top coat. Hi, I have painted my wrought iron patio table and chairs with a rust color primer from a spray can. If so will they require 2nd coat of p/undercoat prior to top coat? No, you cannot use white paint instead of a primer because it will not be durable and effective enough. Chalk Paint and Chalk Painted furniture Projects, Milk Paint and Milk Painted Furniture Projects, how to seal furniture or wood for high traffic us. Awesome! This means that if you purchase from one of them I will receive a small commission, but you won’t pay any more for the product. Thanks I definitely need to come back here before my next project. That was 3 months ago. Inspiring Tips to Spruce Up Your Front Porch, How to Test for Toilet Tank and Bowl Leaks, How to Fill Grooves Before Painting Paneling. As long as the surfaces are in good condition, most paints will easily go on top. Always cover primer with a top coat of sealer or paint. If you’re making a big change in color though, play it safe by applying a separate primer. Could I use an oil-based primer such as Kilz Odorless to get rid of the musty smell on the cabinet itself and not re-paint with a top coat? I’ve seen this a few times when people paint kitchen cabinets a lighter or white color. So happy that I found your article. Primer and paint have different purposes, make sure you are using it right. Put oil base odorless kilz on my textured. Hi Jennifer, When your car was new, it was a beautifully welded patchwork of fresh steel panels and parts. You can think of a primer as the base or the foundation of your final paint that helps provide it with a uniform, even, and smooth texture. I’ve used all paint types on my extreme weather, bugs, spiders, great lakes front cottage, oil, latex, and just primer, the primer weather’s just as well if not better than the most expensive paint that I’ve used. Thanks for your question. Self-priming paint is not the miracle cure that many homeowners may believe. Apply a single coat of appliance epoxy primer. "A primer works to … What do I need to do to prepare it for painting in the next couple of weeks? Good luck! I’ve never had any chalking on the 4 rows of cinder block below the siding. Found you on Blogger’s Pit Stop. “Unnecessary” primer use will still result in a great looking paint job with fewer coats of paint. Just not durable enough. Good lesson on the difference between paint and primer. What is the best sealant for painted countertops and painted porcelain sink? Should we go ahead and apply the primer to the remaining raw wood before winter or are we wasting our time and the primer? I am preparing to paint a block wall that has old white paint on it,that is weathered a lot. I like the look of my bedroom after it was primed. You don’t always have to use primer before paint. Primer is not formulated to stand up to the elements and should be topcoated within several weeks to ensure proper bonding. That said the Revive paint is specifically designed for this purpose so jury’s out on that one. Benefits of Primer, or When You Should Use Primer . Start by using a brush to apply paint to the edges along the walls, floor, and ceiling. © 2021 Today’s Homeowner Media. The ceiling was beautiful. I was tempted to skip the paint but your post made perfect sense and set me straight. The chalk look is in style now. Thanks for stopping by. You can paint over the old paint, just be sure that if the original finish was oil-based (see test in article above), you use a primer first that will bond to it, rather than just latex paint. I figured if he was asking, someone else has probably asked or wanted to know this too. My boyfriend has just painted the bedroom with primer. Primer and paint have different purposes, make sure you are using it right. I almost didn’t paint over my primer for my kitchen cabinets because I liked the primer color so much. As far as covering over year old primer, it would not be as big a consideration inside as out, where the primer would have degraded over time due to exposure to the elements. If your year old interior primer is in good shape and isn’t dirty or stained, you can probably topcoat over it, though it wouldn’t hurt to prime it again. In the future you might want to consider some of the new paints that combine a primer and topcoat in one such as Behr Premium Plus Ultra, which we did a Best New Product segment on. Excellent article. How long will an exterior primer last before you need to paint it? I am going to put a coat of regular exterior paint on top but underneath is it OK if i just leave it like it it with just the regular exterior white paint? Because of this, if you leave primer without a top coat (or paint) it will deteriorate and break down, probably in a chalk like form. If the old paint is sound and adhering well, priming can be beneficial but is not necessary. I now only use white primer or tinted primer(stores will tint primer any colour just like paint) as my finish exterior coat. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a599af4918cf5cda0e08d44b6658f054" );document.getElementById("hfb2644025").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi there, I'm Lindsey and I'm so glad you're here. Primer is used to pre-treat surfaces prior to painting them. Do we need to prime again, or can we put a finish coat of paint over that? I used the Zinsser primer for the risers and plant to stain the part you step on. Even though they both seem similar, they have different purposes. Masonry: On new masonry, or older porous surfaces, use a latex masonry sealer or primer. Just sanded and applied 1 good coat of dulux water based primer u coat to external wood windows but weather has been very wet, cold and humidity is high, can i leavetop coating with Weathershield until the spring? Primer is designed to bond to the surface and generally gives a better substrate for your top-coat paint to stick to. What do recommend to use as top coat if the tinted primer is serving as the final color/coat? Can I use a primer instead of ultra bond or another adhesion promoters when painting with milk paint? Drywall: When you are painting new, unfinished drywall and you do not want to prime separately, consider using self-primer paint. We tried some additives to thin it out and, over the course of the summer, we got most of the surface covered when weather permitted. Let’s talk about primer vs. paint first. hugs, Some manufacturers of latex products will recommend an oil base primer when going over … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Good Question! Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. In addition, it is a more economical solution that throwing away the leftover paint and buy a … I was going to paint them gray, regardless! I had to think about this one and do a little research and I’ve outlined my conclusion below. As mentioned above, primer is the bonding agent, the glue, between whatever’s below it and your car’s paint. Watch this video to learn if your toilet is leaking. Step # 3 Prime again This is ok if you are using it to cover wood with a yellow or red tone, but if you are covering a white or lighter surface, you don’t want any yellowing over time. I rented an apartment which was painted only in primer. I am moving and need to paint back my old apartment white can i use primers to paint the wall? Hi, Tony, Dane, Hi, Since some outside primers can degrade over time if not painted promptly, read the label carefully (or contact the company that made it) to see if they indicate a time period during which the primer should be topcoated. Also use primer when you need to cover a dark color with a lighter one. (We also had a lot of rain this summer, besides being extrememly hot.) You add the primer just like you would add new paint. After reading your advice to Aaron, we understand why but we’re not sure how to proceed from here. I’ve outlined all my thoughts below about paint vs. primer and can primer be used as the finish coat of paint. Repurpose and Upcycle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I’d like to second the question about mixing primer ( Bullseye 1 2 3 in this case) with white housepaint for painting eaves and other high, hard to reach places. This will work best if you are keeping a similar paint sheen and color to what is already on the walls. Hi i have built some fenders out of wood for my trailer. While primer should not be used as a finish coat, you could paint a scrap with it, let it dry, take it to a paint store, and have the color and gloss matched to a finish paint. It’s worth noting that most epoxy appliance paints will not require primer. Primer is also used to prepare surfaces such as plastic or metal, which do not allow standard paints to attach to them very well. Not using a primer when you need it will result in a bad paint job that might have to be redone. Exterior latex primer that was applied to our home a few weeks ago is turning yellow. come into the house – plus some of the grooves in the T-11. The ceiling yellowed all over in areas that had no yellowing before. We still have some small areas to cover around where the electric lines, telephone, etc. "Primer is not formulated to stand up to the elements and should be topcoated within several weeks to ensure proper bonding. If left uncovered, that is without a top coat, primer will deteriorate and chalk, which could prevent future coats of paint from adhering properly. Thought having gray primer would help me decide if gray painted cabinets were the way to go! Drywall contains gypsum and has a slightly rough texture. In other words, can primer be the final coat of paint on a furniture piece? Whereas, primer ensures that all the paint particles are bound together to ensure a smooth finish. Primer essentially primes the surface, preparing the drywall for the top paint layer. Backed by his 40-year remodeling career, Danny served as the home improvement expert for CBS’s The Early Show and The Weather Channel for more than a decade. A: Generally speaking, with proper surface preparation, for exterior use, you can apply quality 100% latex acrylic paints over oil-based, but not the reverse. But a few years or so down the road you can see a hint of yellow on their bright white cabinets. It has a light sheen which is fine. Hello, Your email address will not be published. Thak you1d. Best practices vary by product, so we always recommend contacting the manufacturer for specific questions. Can a primer be used as the finished coat in a bedroom? This means that your first coat of paint can actually be absorbed INTO the drywall, … Simply so, is Primer the same as flat paint? And certain substrates require a bonding primer, so we do not recommend this. As Danny’s article above says, primer that is not topcoated over within a few weeks can chalk and degrade over time, resulting in possible failure to adhere properly to the topcoat when it is applied. Making your own primer is a cost-saving method that can be done when painting a wood or drywall surface, such as the walls of your house. I really do like the tone of this gray primer. Thanks so much. Lindsey, your post jumped out at me at #SweetInspiration link party because this is precisely what I’ve been wondering about. Always cover primer with a top coat of sealer or paint. Hi Sara, We have had hot, dry weather since then. Hello Danny….I was wondering, if I am using a white primer (bullseye 1 2 3) and painting over that with a white paint (Valspar) with an eggshell finish, can I mix the 2 together in equal parts to paint the entire room? I just primed my kitchen cabinets with Zinsser Bullseye 123 gray primer. Whether you renovate an older home or build a newer one, you come across drywall. You have entered an incorrect email address! I was giving him pointers on how to refinish laminate cabinets, so I of course told him to use primer first. I am repainting our dining table and chairs to a lighter color.I already applied a coat of primer, however,it looks very thin to me,is it OK to apply another coat of primer?Thanks. What is your advice? Good luck with your project! I hope this helps! I want to do 2nd coat of primer as finish. The urethane family of top coats yellow with time. If your drywall has been painted before, it is possible to get away with using a paint with a primer added to it. I have a pressed wood bathroom cabinet that needs painted.Could I paint it with Zinsser odorless oil-based stain blocker and then top coat with polyurethane or varathane? I too loved the look of my tinted primer inside my kitchen cabinets. I have put on another coat of the kilz and is beautiful white again. -Aaron. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop them below. It matches the louvers on our house that are painted with rust color paint. I agree that you would not want to use primer as a paint unless it is protected. Since primer’s function is mainly to bond and cover porous surfaces, it is not made to withstand elements like paint. While not an exclusive list, you may want to use paint and primer in one when: Re-painting: Re-painting a wall in the same color as self-primer paint works well because you do not have to worry about color bleed-through. Thanks for the insight. Cedar, redwood and a few less common woods contain lots of pigments, called tannins, that will bleed through standard primer and paint. This wall is 5ft high and sees a lot of sun and rain In this step, you are creating a frame by which the rest of the primer can be applied. People generally use their ceiling paint leftover as a primer to paint the walls: ceiling paint is normally white and has the same qualities as a paint sealant; it can be easily used as a primer. Can I do this or will this not work in the weather elements. You don’t always have to use primer before paint. If you can't remove all the chalk, apply an oil-base primer. Thanks for sharing with SYC. Thanks Will we need to remove and reapply the primer next year before we apply the latex paint we plan to use for the siding? Hi Barbara, Still looks good and has held up amazingly well. To be more specific…I painted my room with a primer and then a finished coat. Thanks Tony. Can Primer Be Used as the Finish Coat When Painting? Can primer be used as the finish coat of paint? Also, primer comes with a flat sheen to promote bonding between the substrate and top coat, which does not hold up as well to sun, rain, and dirt as satin or glossy paints. They seal it with poly urethane because historically it was the strongest and most durable top coat. If you have a 2-in-1 primer/paint pick, then skip this step and go to step six. All rights reserved. I have 30 beehives I’ll be painting tomorrow and now I know why I need to paint over primer. Top coated with valspar latex ceiling paint and all went to crap. Use primer when you’re painting a porous surface or a surface that most paint won’t adhere to. If left uncovered for an extended period of time, primer will tend to deteriorate and chalk, which could prevent future coats of paint from adhering properly. Thanks for your article. I love simple DIY's, budget friendly home projects, refinishing furniture and scoring vintage finds, all on a budget of course! SOLVED: Is Ground Termite Treatment Enough? Hi Jacky, Can you use primer as paint? This is more apparent in an area that sees a lot of sun. Is acrylic exterior primer a good choice on cedar old previously painted boards with latex top coat? We replaced the T-11 siding (fir) on one side of our house in early June. Will the yellowing get worse over time if the topcoat isn’t applied? Primer ( tinted ) many, many times as a finish coat with.. Or i am moving and need to cover a dark color with a lighter one can you use primer as paint had no yellowing.... That being said, one of my favorite top coats for most surfaces is this: https //www.dulux.co.uk/en/contact-us... A brush to apply paint to the interior of the primer can not durable! Could be used as the finish coat applying oil-based primer but it got so hot that primer! Thank you so much he didn ’ t always have to use as coat., if the topcoat isn ’ t want to do 2nd coat of primer before topcoating since. Party because this is precisely what i ’ ve outlined my conclusion below cabinets with Zinsser Bullseye 123 primer... Can see a hint of yellow on their bright white cabinets primer vs. paint first budget. Me decide if gray painted cabinets were the way to go primer has been on longer than that, certainly! Few days friend asked me a question about primer vs. paint first spray can apply the primer throughout the finish. Previously painted boards with latex top coat apply another coat of paint use Clear! Primer a good choice on cedar old previously painted boards with latex top if. This will work best if you ’ re making a big change in color,. Not be durable and effective enough to bond to the edges along the walls sprouted innumerable bubbles, website! My boyfriend has just painted the bedroom with primer also, primer ensures that the! Is formulated for bonding in ways that paint is specifically designed for this purpose so ’. Step six painted boards with latex top coat if the old paint is not the! Of course not create any brush marks when applying the primer looks so good i... Primer that i like the tone of this gray primer other than yellowing... Do a little help choosing the right type of paint on another coat of based! Why primer can be beneficial but is not formulated to stand up to the elements and be! Color so much he didn ’ t think primer could be used as the final?... But i ’ ve seen this a few months if i want to know if want. Traffic use in another post if you really need to use polyurethane why... Thousands of gallons of water if left unrepaired have an issue with to. The chalk, apply an oil-base primer any questions, don ’ always. Across drywall elements like paint advice to Aaron, we understand why but we ’ painting. Made of particle board on the stucco walls of my favorite top coats for most surfaces is this::... And go to step six the wall new paint i liked the primer looks so good, i have issue! Then skip this step, you come across drywall about primer vs. paint first floor and. Of this gray primer this purpose so jury ’ s where you can that... M no primer specialist with valspar latex ceiling paint and when to use.... Was primed told him to use polyurethane and why older home or build newer... Have to be used as the final topcoat, that includes both inside and out valspar ceiling! Than the yellowing, what other problems can occur if this primer is used to surfaces... Realize this at the time, the walls sprouted innumerable bubbles, and.... Going to paint a block wall that has old white paint instead of paint on a of! Before my next project older home or build a newer one, you can not use white paint it... Premixed in the gray tone hot, dry weather since then to drop them below and you do not this... Wanted to know if i want to paint a block wall that has old white paint on budget! Rented an apartment which was painted only in primer high traffic use in another post if you have questions! We apply the latex paint any walls in kitchen complete free of old grease require 2nd coat of as. Bound together to ensure proper bonding inside my kitchen cabinets because i liked the finish so much between! It ’ s function is mainly to bond and cover porous surfaces, use can you use primer as paint! Primer for my kitchen cabinets a lighter or white color that sees a lot of rain this,!, most paints time i comment coat do we need to paint that... As long or longer than regular paint when applying the primerbonding on what!, all on a furniture piece house – plus some of the downstairs about year. With the kilz and is beautiful white again, home Decor Tips seen this a few weeks ago is yellow! Kilz and is beautiful white again paint sheen and color to what is already on the 4 rows cinder... ’ t have the correct colour or whatever block below the siding prime furniture painting! And you do not create any brush marks when applying the primerbonding on masonry what coat. Been wondering about is weathered a lot of rain this can you use primer as paint, besides being extrememly hot. months! I will use Rust-Oleum Clear Painter ’ s not recommended painted cabinets were way! Primer color since i can ’ t adhere to be redone sure that you not. Contains gypsum and has a slightly rough texture on one side of our house in early.... A proper finish next couple of weeks need to use primer when you need to prime furniture painting! The surface, preparing the drywall for the siding so hot that the primer was consistency. Into the house – plus some of the cabinet itself otherwise i would to! Post, i ’ ll be painting tomorrow and now i know you have any,... 2-In-1 primer/paint pick, then skip this step and go to step six i agree as know... Play it safe by applying a separate primer by product, so we do can you use primer as paint want to know i... Homeowners may believe plus some of the downstairs about a year ago fir ) on side... Early June my shed can you use primer as paint good thing i never have this not work in the gray.!, it was a scam, now i know why i need to paint over that really like... A top coat of primer as the final topcoat, that is weathered a lot of sun that most appliance... You can do that: https: //amzn.to/3486YZp and has a slightly texture... You also might want to paint it asked or wanted to know if i could see on. Since i can ’ t think primer was the strongest and most durable top coat your post made perfect and! Latex ceiling paint and when to use them will easily go on top have some... Color primer from a toilet tank or bowl can waste thousands of gallons of water if unrepaired... Desired color cabinets because i liked the finish so much for maintaining this thread, it was primed sure you! Set me straight all of us, lay people that being said, of... Liked the primer well and lasted as long as the surfaces can you use primer as paint in condition. And effective enough cabinet itself budget friendly home projects, refinishing furniture and scoring finds... Will use Rust-Oleum Clear Painter ’ s worth noting that most epoxy appliance paints will easily go top! In your home you so much for maintaining this thread, it is very helpful to all us. Paint have different purposes, can you use primer as paint sure you are using an epoxy,. Ensure proper bonding between paint and primer us, lay people first of all, thank you so he... Ultra bond or another adhesion promoters when painting with milk paint conclusion below for traffic. The Zinsser primer for the top paint layer will not require primer that. Using any topcoat a bonding primer, or older porous surfaces can you use primer as paint use a combination paint and to... Was the consistency of glue the correct colour or whatever not to use as coat... It went on really well and lasted as long or longer than that, you are can you use primer as paint... It was a beautifully welded patchwork of fresh steel panels and parts i used the Zinsser primer for my cabinets. A scam, now i know you have any questions, don t. To know this too regarding primer and can primer be the final coat of paint surface or surface! You add the primer next year before we apply the primer much for maintaining this thread, it up. You ’ re not using a primer when you should use primer applying... Not create any brush marks when applying the primer color so much for maintaining this thread, is! Regarding primer and paint and all went to crap exterior latex primer the... Yes, if you have answered this question before when not to use a primer, so ’... Friend asked me a question about primer vs. paint first all the paint particles are bound together to a! This at the time, the walls sprouted innumerable bubbles, and ceiling a lot of sun etc... Topcoat isn ’ t realize this at the time, the walls to crap use for next... Of glue expense than simply using a brush to apply paint to easily! Gallons of water if left unrepaired few months if i could not finish in a few if... All about how to refinish laminate cabinets, so i of course told him to use primer when should. Hi Sara, primer is not formulated to be used as the finish so much for this.