Are you planning for your next big painting project? If so, this is precisely where you need to be! A crucial step to any successful interior wall painting project is applying primer. In this post, I will explain what paint primer is, why it is important, help you decide which primer to use, and tell you step-by-step how to prime walls.

Before I explain how to prime walls, I want to share with you what paint primer is, tell you why it is essential, and explain the different types of primer so you can decide which one you should use for your painting project.

What is Primer Paint

Paint primer is the initial coat that goes on prior to paint to prepare the walls for paint.

Why Should You Prime Walls?

What does primer paint do? Below I will tell you want it does and why it is important.

Better Paint Adhesion

Primers are chemically formulated to provide a stronger bond with the wall than standard paints, providing better paint adhesion.

Fewer Coats of Paint

As primers can soak into and better penetrate the wall surface, fewer coats of paint are required.   Primer is also typically less expensive than paint, which helps you save a little money!

Smoother Surface

Primers contain more resin than standard paint, which allows them to penetrate porous surfaces and create a smooth surface.

Stain Coverage

The resin-based composition of primer allows it to hide and seal stains, such as water stains or cigarette smoke.

Change of Finish

A primer can be used to go from a glossy surface to one with a lower sheen.

Change in Paint Color

When going from darker to lighter colors, a primer can reduce the number of coats of paint required.

Overall Better Results

I always use a primer, but I find it especially helpful on new drywall. All imperfections are revealed (with the help of shop lights) once the primer is applied to the new drywall. For example, tiny pinholes tend to develop in the joint compound where it has been applied on seams and over screw holes.

Which Type of Primer Should You Use?

There are essentially two different types of primers from which to choose, which include oil-based and water-based primers. You must select the right primer for your project.

An oil-based primer will hide stains better but does not score well in terms of environmental friendliness or cleanup (you must use paint thinner or mineral spirits). Fortunately, most oil-based primers can be covered by latex or oil-based paint; however, if you start with a wall with oil-based paint, you will want to use an oil-based primer.

A water-based or latex primer is a good primer for new drywall or walls that do not have significant stains. A water-based primer is far more environmentally friendly, with options for low-VOC formulas, and can be cleaned up simply with water.

I recommend a tinted primer if you are going for a moody look with a dark color. You can either purchase a gray primer or ask for your primer to be tinted with the paint color you are using.

Multiple coats of primer are not always needed. You will have to judge based on the amount of coverage. Over new drywall for example, if you use a high-quality primer, one coat should be sufficient over new drywall.

For those of you wondering why you can’t just use self-priming paint, you can! Paint tends to be thicker (and more expensive) than primer, so the more coats you have to use, the thicker the paint on the wall. I prefer to use a separate primer, but you do what works best for you!

How to Prime Walls

Tools Required

• Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
• Paint tray
• Plastic tray liners
• Paint pail
• Paint pail liners
• Primer
• Paint roller
• Extension pole
• 3 or 2-inch nylon-polyester paint brush
• Roller cover (I have found these shed the least!)
• Drywall knife
• Sanding sponge
• Joint compound or spackle
• Microfiber cloth
• Microfiber mop

Prep Work

Nothing is worse than tripping over something on the floor while painting the ceiling. Trust me on this one. If you are able to move everything out of the space, I recommend it. Cover the furniture with plastic sheeting or drop cloths if that is not an option. Also, make sure to cover the floor. Rollers splatter paint more than you would think.

Use painter’s tape to tape off any areas you do not plan to prime. For example, if you are painting the walls, you can apply painter’s tape to the edges of the ceiling around the perimeter to prevent paint from getting on the ceiling.

Before starting, remove fixtures such as wall sconces, ceiling fans, etc. Make sure to turn the power off to the fixtures before you remove them! Also, remove outlet covers and switch covers.

I recommend doing a survey of your walls or ceiling before priming. Patch holes or rough spots using your drywall knife and joint compound. If you go this route, you must allow it to dry for about 24 hours before sanding.

Another option is to use the spackle linked in the tools list above. The spackle dries in less than 30 minutes, so the spackle may be the best choice if you are in a rush. I prefer to use the joint compound because it can be sanded more smoothly than the spackle.

When sanding, make sure to use fine-grit sandpaper (or sanding sponge). You don’t want to take too much off and have to start over.

I recommend shining a shop light or two from the side at the wall. It only works if you shine them on the wall from the side and not directly at the wall. You will be amazed at how well you can see the imperfections.

Clean Walls

An essential step in the priming process is cleaning the walls. Dust on the walls causes the paint to roll up, resulting in a rough surface.

If you are working with new drywall, I recommend using a microfiber cloth for the corners and edges and a microfiber mop for the walls. You can also use a shop vac. If you use a shop vac, make sure to use the brush attachment so you don’t cause dents in the joint compound.

If you are painting over already painted walls, you can use a damp cloth to wipe down the walls. Non-shedding microfiber cloths are great for this application.

Paint Corners and Edges

Now that you have dust-free walls, it is time to prime them! Always review the manufacturer’s instructions for the primer you have chosen to ensure there aren’t any specific instructions you need to follow.

I like to use the handy paint pail linked above. It has a great handle and a little magnet inside for your paint brush when you aren’t using it. I think it is worth the money, but it is certainly not necessary.

Start by cutting in the walls. Use your 2 or 3-inch angled paint brush to paint along both sides of the vertical corners (where the walls meet) and all the horizontal edges (where the walls meet the ceiling). You are essentially painting a picture frame around the area you are priming.

As you always want to keep the roller 1-2 inches from the next wall (so you don’t scrape the edge of the roller against the wall), priming them with a brush is the only way they will see the primer.

The goal for your painting along all the edges is smooth and even strokes with good coverage. You don’t want to use too much or too little paint. You want a smooth transition from the brush paint to the roller paint.

Paint Walls with Roller

It is now time to start your first coat (and possibly your only) of primer!   Make sure to mix the primer in a figure-eight motion with your stirring stick. As you prepare your primer for the roller, try only to add as much primer to the tray as you think you will use.

If you don’t use the roller cover I recommend above, roll your roller cover across a piece of painter’s tape a few times to remove any material that would otherwise end up on your wall.

As you roll your roller in the tray, make sure to roll it across the tray’s ridges. This helps ensure total roller coverage and that you do not have too much paint on the roller.

Start at the top when rolling the primer on the walls, and work your way down in a W or V motion. The goal for rolling is good coverage and as few roller marks as possible. I have found that too much paint and pressing too hard on the roller causes the roller streaks.

Reference the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time, as they can vary. Once the primer has dried, you can evaluate whether or not you need to apply a second coat. For new drywall, one coat should be sufficient if you use a high-quality primer. If you feel you need a second coat of primer, you will do this step again.

Touch-Up Walls

This is where I deviate a bit from others. They would tell you it is time to sand and be done. I will tell you to get out your shop lights, shine them at the wall from the side, and do one final round of touch-ups with a drywall knife and joint compound. Again, you can use spackle if you prefer, but the joint compound will give you the best results.

Applying the primer allows you to see all the imperfections and pin holes you likely did not see before. You should be able to do the touch-up quickly, and I promise you will be so glad you did. I use small pieces of painter’s tape to mark the spots I have touched that will require sanding and additional primer.

Once the touch-up areas are dry, lightly sand the touched-up areas and any other rough areas (using your lights again), and touch up the primer. This step aims to ensure a smooth surface for the paint.

Clean Walls

Once your primer has been applied and your walls have been sanded, it is time to do one final dust-off! You want to make sure your walls and/or ceiling are dust-free before you apply any paint to ensure a smooth surface.

Use a damp (not wet) microfiber cloth or dust mop to remove the dust from the walls; you are finished and ready to paint!

Summary

In this post, I share why you should use primer, which type of primer to use, and how to prime walls! It is finally time to bring your vision to life and start painting!