Choose a Primer

Choose a Primer
If you buy an expensive high-quality paint, you expect it to stick around for a while. However, high-quality paint is formulated to work with a primer. Primers allow the paint to grip better and stay around longer. Sure, they may cost a little more up front, but primers will save you money (and time) in the long run. When you purchase primer, make sure you purchase the right kind for the job.




Do I need a primer?Primers seal porous surfaces like bare wallboard and sealing water borne stains and tannin stains. Some primers are specially designed to adhere to glossy surfaces like ceramic tile or high sheen cabinet surfaces, creating a stable bond for the base coat of paint. Primers work to reduce the amount of paint needed on porous surfaces which saves money.
Do I have to clean the walls?The surface must be free from all dirt, grease, chalk, & mildew in order for the paint to bond securely.Can wallpaper be painted over?Wallpaper can be painted. Take the following precautions: apply a coat of a latex stain-killing primer and a coat of paint on a 12" square area making sure to cover a wallpaper seam. Allow to dry over night. If the pattern bleeds through or the wallpaper loosens from the wall, you will need to remove it before painting. If everything looks good, prime the entire area and paint.
I have peeling paint, what do I do before painting?Peeling paint is usually due to moisture. The moisture problem will need to be corrected before removing the loose paint and re-painting. Caulking around edges will keep moisture out of the substrate. Also, make sure your home has ample ventilation because interior moisture can also cause exterior paint to peel.How do I paint paneling?Paneling requires special surface preparation to help the paint adhere. Sand the surface lightly or use a chemical deglosser to dull the sheen of the coating. Use a specially formulated primer for glossy surfaces as a first coat, which enables the base coat paint to adhere. Do I need to degloss before painting?All paints need to be able to adhere to the surface. Therefore, if you degloss or sand a gloss or semi-gloss painted surface, the new coat of paint will be able to stick to it and keep from streaking and possibly peeling.Can I apply oil-based paints over latex paints or latex paints over oil-based paints?The most important thing to know is the condition of the surface itself. Regardless of whether the base coat is oil or latex, you must dull glossy paint by sanding or deglossing with a chemical deglosser. If you don't dull glossy paint, the second coat will streak and not stick to the base coat when drying. What type of brush do I need?A top quality brush will apply more paint in less time, and provide a better looking, more durable finish. Latex paints should be applied with synthetic brushes (nylon/polyester). Oil-based paints can be applied with natural bristle brushes (China Bristle) or most nylon/polyester brushes.What is enamel?Enamel is only a descriptive term. When used in connection with a particular paint, enamel is used to indicate that the paint forms a tough hard finish, which is usually highly stain resistant and washable. An enamel can be manufactured in nearly any sheens and be either a latex or an oil-based paint