Have you ever thought of elements that give you a long-lasting paint job in your home?
Primer is one of them, and today’s article will address everything about primer when you use it, what you use it for, and many others.
They are a very important aspect of the painting before the final paint is applied
Let us dive in
What are Primers?
It is a specialized coating that is applied to a surface before the final paint is applied. Primers serve a variety of important functions in the painting process, and their use is essential for achieving a high-quality, long-lasting paint job.
They are however designed to provide a strong, uniform base for the topcoat of paint, and in the long run help the paint adhere properly to the surface, ensuring better coverage and adhesion.
They can also help to seal and block any existing stains, discolorations, or imperfections on the surface.
As regards its composition it is built up using a variety of materials, including resins, solvents, and pigments. However, it can vary depending on the intended use and the surface it’s being applied to.
For example, oil-based primers may contain alkyd resins, while water-based may contain acrylic resins.
What Importance is Primer to Painting?
Many individuals while working on their painting project and repainting their home, often neglect the stage, thinking it may not be important.
However, there are lots of benefits to leave you to consider using primer at part of the stages in your painting project.
Durability and Longevity: This means being strong and able to last for long. Putting the first coat before the final coat will however make your painting project last longer as the wall paint tends to seem strong. allowing it to withstand environmental factors like moisture, temperature changes, and UV exposure.
Problem-solving: Primer as said earlier is a specialized coating before the final paint is added. This stage however solves problems of stains, and color on previous painting walls that you are looking to repaint. Paints like water stains, lipstick, crayons, markers, etc, may prove stubborn to fully clean off, this is where primer comes in. When you get to a primary school with small children, you can check the walls, you may find stains like colors, pencils, markers etc
Professional look and uniform finish: With this initial coat, the finish of the painting project, would tend to be smooth, this is because of the topcoat added.
Adhesion: Have been to a place where you find the walls easily peeling off, this can be a result of not using a primer before the final painting. At this stage, you can hardly find this happening, as the paint adheres well to the wall.
As a professional painter or house owner, you need to make use of this stage before the final paint and coatings.
Types of Primers
You should understand that there are various paint types for different types of walls, interior, exterior, and many others. This is just how it is with Primers there are various types to be used on various types of walls.
- Dry and interior Primers: This type comes in both latex (water-based) and oil-based formulas. Latex are generally easier to clean up and more environmentally friendly, while oil-based can provide a bit more durability and stain-blocking power.
It is usually used specifically for use on indoor walls and surfaces, such as drywall, plaster, and previously painted areas. Dry types can be very porous, meaning they can absorb the paint unevenly. It further helps to seal the surface, creating a smooth and even base for the topcoat of paint.
- Wood Primers: Oil-based wood type are used on bare, unpainted wood surfaces to seal the porous material and prevent tannin bleed. Water-based wood types tend to provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to oil-based primers for interior wood surfaces. Some types of wood, like cedar or redwood, contain natural chemicals called tannins.
These tannins can sometimes “bleed” through the paint, causing discoloration or staining. Wood types help to block these tannins, preventing them from showing through the paint.
- Stain Blocking: Highly effective at blocking and sealing in stains, such as water stains, smoke damage, or grease. They Offer good stain-blocking properties for a variety of surfaces.
Wood is a porous material, which means it can absorb paint unevenly. Wood primers help to seal the surface of the wood, creating a smooth and even base for the topcoat of paint.
- Masonry : They are special types of primers that are designed to be used on bare, unpainted masonry surfaces, such as concrete, stucco, or brick.
Others include Metal and specialty primers.