Using a primer just before you paint your surface can be a hard question, because it is not always necessary, despite the paint companies encouraging the use of primer at all times. Typically your response will be less based on the less factual aspects than on personal ones: the mood, price, and tolerance for painting.
After all, using primer can seem like a waste of energy. Primer involves the same work just like applying the finish coat when painting. Each roll of the roller, each stroke of the paintbrush is the same as you would for the actual color coat.
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When Do You Need To Prime
When undertaking painting projects, not all conditions need to be visible for you to choose whether first to prime the surface:
New Drywall or Bare Surface
This situation is the biggest confirmation of them all. Recently installed drywall is incredibly permeable in two different ways: the dried composite covering the joints and the exposed facing paper on the drywall. Uncovered wood is even more absorbent and calls for priming always.
Drywall Surfaces Coated with Skim
A skim coat refers to a thin coat of drywall composite swiped over a bare drywall. Considering a grade 5 finish, the highest level available, it's not something you will come across routinely. Even so, just like drywall paper or bare wood, it is extremely permeable and therefore needs a primer. A wall texture is a compound just the same as drywall skim and would require priming as well.
If the Previous Coat is Glossy
Base coats that are glossy do not hold paint effectively. Having a light sanding followed by two layers of primer will help the color coat to adhere easily. If you don't intend to sand down the surface to remove the glossy sheen, then priming will assist the subsequent coats to stick.
Changing From Previous Dark Colors to Light Ones
To eliminate the misery that comes with applying expensive light paints repeatedly over dark colors, you should really treat it first with two coats of white primer; or three if the existing color is too dark.
On the other hand, if you are switching from light to dark, you should know that most of the paint sellers have the ability to shade your primer. This way, the color of the primer will come closer or even blend with that of your wall finish color, cutting down the number of primer layers you apply.
If You Are Uncertain, then Prime Your Surface
You can certainly never go wrong with priming. If you only have little confidence in your wall's condition before you apply paint on it, the right option is to prime it.
When You Don't Require Priming
While priming is normally the optimal option, you can always proceed without using a primer under any of the following conditions:
The Walls Are Completely Clean
Primer is recognized to stick better on walls that are not in ideal condition. So if your walls are shimmering clean, it aids to abolish the need for priming. One of the methods you can use to clean your walls just before applying paint is by creating a combination of water and TSP and wash down your walls using a soft cloth. If you opt to avoid TSP, attach a stainless brush fastener to the end of a vacuum and get rid of the main debris such as dust and cobwebs.
New Coat Matches To the Existing Coat Color
One of the main functions of the primer is to realign the base color so that your brand new color can show up properly and amazingly. If both prevailing and new colors are very similar, then the need for priming is reduced although not done away with.
Priming Precludes Painting
This aspect is all about your psychology. Are you delaying painting since you do not intend to prime? If priming is your big issue, you really should go ahead and just paint without it. Painted walls are usually better when measured up to raw ones, regarding resilience, appearance, and upkeep as well.
You Are Using a Combination of Primer and Paint
Self-priming paint is often thicker than ordinary paint. Due to its density, the paint builds up rather higher and establishes a thicker layer. Nonetheless, it is more ideal to use separate paint and primer. But if your walls are in a more desirable state, you can employ a mixture of primer and paint. Self-priming paint is not the complete cure which most homeowners might believe. Using a thicker coat only creates a weaker layer that takes much longer to dry.