I’ve shared all about how to seal furniture or wood for high traffic use in another post if you’re interested. This is more apparent in an area that sees a lot of sun. But a few years or so down the road you can see a hint of yellow on their bright white cabinets. They seal it with poly urethane because historically it was the strongest and most durable top coat. I’ve seen this a few times when people paint kitchen cabinets a lighter or white color. This is ok if you are using it to cover wood with a yellow or red tone, but if you are covering a white or lighter surface, you don’t want any yellowing over time. The urethane family of top coats yellow with time. This disclosure statement refers to the rest of the Amazon links in this post. See more on my disclosure page.Ī quick tip since most primers are white or gray, I would suggest using a poly acrylic top coat and NOT a poly urethane top coat. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t mean you have to apply paint over it, but you do need to seal it in some form or fashion.ĭisclosure this post contains affiliate links. Can primer be used as the finish coat of paint? Yes, if the surface is smooth (non porous) and will allow the paint to adhere easily.
Indeed, behind just about every quality paint job is a quality coat of primer. Just because you don’t see primer doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable player. Ultimately, when in doubt, break the primer out. With a flat finish over a glossier finish (so the shine doesn’t poke through)Īdditionally, there are other instances when priming is a good idea.Over a different color (especially a darker color).Otherwise, though, priming is an important measure for achieving the best results.Īs a rule of thumb, you should always prime before painting:
For instance, if you’re touching up a previously painted surface that’s in good shape, you or your local interior painters should be fine simply cleaning and painting over it. Some occasions don’t necessarily call for this step. In short, no, priming isn’t always a must. So, the benefits of primer are threefold: it protects the underlying surface, helps the paint stick, and increases the paint’s durability.Įxterior and interior painting contractors may also use different types of primer on different types of surfaces for maximum protection and paint adhesion.
This can damage the surface and reduce the quality and appearance of the paint job. Without this initial undercoat, some of the paint itself would get absorbed into the surface. By soaking into the surface, the primer creates a barrier that makes it easier for the ensuing paint to stick. Of course, the information above might already give you an idea.Īs mentioned earlier, primer acts as a bonding and sealing agent. But we still haven’t explained why commercial and residential interior painting companies deem it so important. So, we’ve now briefly discussed what primer is and how it’s different from paint. The pigments in paint do not share this quality, but instead provide color and add durability. Resins actually penetrate a surface, filling its pores. In layman’s terms, paints are pigment-based while primers are resin-based. But while paint and primer are similar in many ways, they’re distinguished by chemical composition. After all, both products come in the same-shaped cans and are designed to coat a given surface.
The main source of confusion surrounding primer is in how it differs from paint. Generally speaking, primer is white, though some products are tinted. Primers are generally composed of three parts: synthetic resin (about ⅓), solvent (usually ⅔), and an additive agent (only about 2-5% of the mixture). This material “primes” the surface to be painted, providing a buffer between the bare surface and the paint. Simply put, primer is an initial coating that’s applied to a surface prior to painting. But what is primer, exactly? Why is it important? And do you have to prime every time? Let’s break it down.
If you’ve read enough painting blogs or talked to any professional local painters about their craft, the word “primer” has probably come up at least once.