Houzz TV: How to Prime a Wall Before You Paint
Learn how to apply primer in 4 wall scenarios — covering scribbles, painting a light color over a dark one and more
Brenna Malmberg
March 21, 2017
Primer prepares a surface for fresh paint, providing better adhesion and coverage in fewer coats. In this episode of Houzz TV, watch as decorative artist and paint expert Shauna Gallagher demonstrates how to prime walls in four scenarios: painting a dark color over light paint, covering up scribbles, going from dark to light paint and painting one dark color over another.
Watch: How to Prime a Wall Before You Paint
1. Going From Light to Dark
The goal for the top-left square is to go from white paint to red. Gallagher paints this section with a gray primer (see next photo). This will allow her to get full coverage with the red paint in fewer coats.
1. Going From Light to Dark
The goal for the top-left square is to go from white paint to red. Gallagher paints this section with a gray primer (see next photo). This will allow her to get full coverage with the red paint in fewer coats.
2. Covering Scribbles
In this typical family scene, Gallagher wants to cover marker drawings with a fresh coat of paint. She uses a white stain-blocking primer over this section to prevent the marker from bleeding through into a new layer of paint.
In this typical family scene, Gallagher wants to cover marker drawings with a fresh coat of paint. She uses a white stain-blocking primer over this section to prevent the marker from bleeding through into a new layer of paint.
3. Going From Dark to Light
Gallagher uses a light primer to cover the dark paint. This will block out the dark color when she paints on a new, lighter color.
Gallagher uses a light primer to cover the dark paint. This will block out the dark color when she paints on a new, lighter color.
4. Going From Dark to Dark
To go from one dark color of paint to another, Gallagher says primer isn’t needed. You can simply apply your new dark color over the top.
To go from one dark color of paint to another, Gallagher says primer isn’t needed. You can simply apply your new dark color over the top.
Final Results
After priming, Gallagher applies one coat of paint to each section. “Primer is your buddy,” she says. “We got the coverage we wanted in just one coat.”
Watch: How to Prime a Wall Before You Paint
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After priming, Gallagher applies one coat of paint to each section. “Primer is your buddy,” she says. “We got the coverage we wanted in just one coat.”
Watch: How to Prime a Wall Before You Paint
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How to Paint Perfect Wall Stripes
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If you have typical beige colored walls (generic color used in new construction through out the house) and are going over it with bright bold orange, yellow and lime green (for an energizing workout room) what type/color primer should be used, if any?
I am painting over a rust color wall with dark sand granules that were mixed in the paint. I am painting over with a beige color. Do I need to sand first or just use a primer?
What about primer & paint in one, is it just as good as doing the primer separately?