How to Select the Right Primer for Painting Applications

The right primer will serve to enhance the performance of your paint.

The quality and durability of any home improvement project is influenced not only by the skill of the worker but also by the choice of the right materials for the job. In both interior and exterior painting applications, the primer selected for the job will have a drastic impact on performance.

Instructions

1. 

   Selecting the right primer depends directly upon the surface to be painted.

   Determine the surface or surfaces to be painted. Each surface could require a different type of primer so be specific. New drywall, previously painted drywall or plaster, bare wood, water-stained ceiling, stained woodwork, smoke-damaged walls and exterior concrete foundation wall are common examples. Make sure to indicate whether the surface is interior or exterior.

2. 

   Water based or latex primer is best used on clean interior and exterior surfaces.

   Use a water-based or latex primer for clean and undamaged areas (other than bare or stained wood) both inside and outside of the house. Select the type of latex primer based on the specific purpose. For new drywall or large areas of patched drywall, use PVA primer. For bare masonry, stucco, brick or stone walls use a masonry and stucco primer. On high-contact surfaces such as previously painted doors and cabinetry, use a high-bonding primer such as Gripper. On all other surfaces in this category use a general purpose latex primer of a quality that suits your budget and has a lifespan to match your needs.

3. 

   Oil-based primer is best used over wood such as cedar or redwood, or stained woods.

   Prime all previously stained woods such as cabinets, doors and trim with an oil-based primer. Oil primer has the ability to soak into the pores of wood and also hide bleeding from rust, tannins and other stains so it can be used on bare redwood and cedar. Latex topcoat paint can be applied on top of an oil primer so it is best to use oil-based primer on all bare wood. Use oil-based primer for bare metal such as outbuildings and steel girders. If the surface is rusty, clean it well with steel wool and apply a rusty-metal oil primer.

4. 

   Shellac primer is best used to cover smoke damage from fires or heavy tobacco residue.

   Apply shellac-based primer to trouble spots such as water and smoke damage and areas with heavy grease stains. Shellac primer is the absolute best solution for fire restoration and areas with heavy tobacco residue as it not only covers the stains but traps the odors as well. Shellac primer can be painted over with a latex topcoat and also covers water-damaged areas on ceilings and walls.

5. Use project-based primers for specific applications. Examples include masonry-bonding primer for garage floor epoxy paint, enamel undercoat primer for painting high-gloss topcoats and magnetic primer for creating magnetic chalkboards. For more specific project-related primers check the packaging of your topcoat paint for suggested primers or the manufacturer's website.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to properly clean your painting surface prior to priming by removing chipped or cracked paint and washing the surface with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate).

• Cleanup for each primer: Latex washes out with water, oil with a solvent such as mineral spirits, and shellac with denatured alcohol.

• Make sure to properly ventilate your area, especially if you are using oil or shellac-based primer. Wear a respirator or mask designed to filter paint fumes, especially if working in an area with poor ventilation.

References

• RustOleum: Surface Preparation Guide

Resources

• Behr Paint