Preparing

By Sherwin Williams
Primer - the first step toward a lasting finish. To get a great-looking finish coat and the beautiful, long-lasting results you expect, be sure to properly apply primer to the surfaces you plan to paint.
Sherwin-Williams primers are formulated to solve typical painting problems while helping to make your finish coat smooth and uniform:
· Covers stains and discoloration
· Anchors the finish coat so it "sticks" better
· Ensures a rich shine for enamels
· Hides surface marks and darker colors
· Fills and levels out uneven surfaces
· Seals porous surfaces
In general, the only time a primer is not needed is if you're re-painting a surface that's in good condition.

Surface Preparation
Preparation. It's the key to good-looking, long-lasting results. A properly prepared surface is clean, solid and dry.
Don't paint immediately after rain (or if rain is predicted), during foggy weather or when the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (unless you're using products specifically designed for these conditions).
Warning! Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment, such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call (in the U.S.) the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD or contact your local health authority.
Testing
Before you paint your entire house, it's a good idea to test the paint you plan to use. Prepare, prime (if necessary) and paint an inconspicuous spot. Wait the appropriate drying time as specified on the label, and then look for any adhesion or compatibility problems before proceeding with a full-scale application.
Remove all surface contamination by washing with ProClean Professional® Prep Wash Concentrated Cleaner or other appropriate cleaner, rinse thoroughly and allow drying. Scrape and sand peeled or checked paint to a sound surface. Sand glossy surfaces dull. Seal stains (such as water, smoke, ink, pencil or grease stains) with PrepRite® ProBlock® Primer Sealer.
Not Previously Painted or Exposed to Original Surface
Surfaces that have not been previously painted or that are exposed down to the original surface should be handled as follows:
Surface Type
Preparation Steps
Wood, Plywood, Composition Board
· Sand any exposed wood to a fresh surface.
· Patch all holes and imperfections with a wood filler or putty and sand smooth.
· All patched areas must be primed.
Masonry, Concrete, Cement, Block
· All new surfaces must be cured according to the supplier's recommendations - usually about 30 days.
· Remove all form release and curing agents.
· Rough surfaces can be filled to provide a smooth surface.
· If painting cannot wait 30 days, allow the surface to cure 7 days and prime the surface with Loxon® Acrylic Primer.
· Cracks, voids, and other holes should be repaired with ConSeal™ Patch or ConSeal™ Sealant.
Aluminum And Galvanized Steel
· Wash with a ProClean Professional® Prep Wash Concentrated Cleaner to remove any oil, grease or other surface contamination.
· All corrosion must be removed with sandpaper, steel wool or other abrading method.
Steel
· Rust and mill scale must be removed using sandpaper, steel wool or other abrading method.
· Bare steel must be primed the same day as cleaned.
Vinyl Siding
· Clean the surface thoroughly by scrubbing with warm, soapy water.
· Rinse thoroughly.
· Do not paint vinyl siding with any color darker than the original color.
· Painting with darker colors may cause the siding to warp.


Choosing a Primer
Sherwin-Williams make it easy to get the right primer for any surface you want to paint.
· For a versatile acrylic latex primer that provides the best coverage on a variety of surfaces, such as wood and plywood, try our A-100® Exterior Latex Wood Primer. It's usable down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
· Both our A-100® Exterior Stain Blocking Oil Primer and our WeatherPerfect® Exterior Stain Blocking Primer are perfect for sealing water, tannin and other stains on exterior wood and hardboard siding.
· For steel, aluminum or galvanized metals, our All Surface Enamel Primers work well for both interior and exterior applications.
· For interior and exterior masonry, our Loxon® Conditioner penetrates, seals and bonds light chalk to the surface.
· Our Loxon® Exterior Acrylic Masonry Primer is engineered for exterior, above-grade masonry surfaces (including concrete, concrete block, brick and stucco) requiring a high performance primer.