What are Primers?
Primers are preparatory coatings applied before paint or another finish to help the new coating bond to the surface and produce a more even finish.
Definition
Purpose
The primer prepares the surface for the finish coat. It can reduce uneven absorption on porous materials and will help the finish coat spread more evenly. Some primers are also designed to deal with stains, difficult surfaces, or corrosion on metal. However, the surface still needs to be properly cleaned and prepared first, as dust, grease, loose material, and old peeling paint can cause issues with the bond between the primer and substrate.
Examples of Use
- Drywall: Primer is commonly applied to new drywall and joint compound to keep the finish paint from soaking in unevenly and leaving noticeable differences in sheen.
- Wood: Wood primer helps prepare bare wood for paint and can limit uneven absorption across the surface.
- Concrete and Masonry: Suitable primers can be used on concrete, plaster, block, and other porous surfaces before applying the specified finish coating.
- Metal Surfaces: Metal primers help paint bond to prepared steel and other metal surfaces, and some products also provide corrosion protection.
- Repainting: Primer can be useful over repaired areas, stains, old coatings, or surfaces where the new finish would otherwise have difficulty adhering.
Notes
- Select primer based on the substrate, existing coating, and finish paint being used.
- Common primer types include water-based, oil-based, shellac-based, and specialty products made for particular surfaces.
- Bare or highly porous surfaces generally need more attention to preparation before the finish coat is applied.
- Surfaces should be clean, dry, and free of dust, grease, loose material, and flaking paint before priming.
- Some primers are formulated for specific jobs, such as stain blocking, corrosion protection, or improving adhesion on difficult surfaces.
- Primer takeoffs may include the surface area, primer quantity, number of coats, and related application materials needed for the estimate.
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