What are Primers and How to Use them? | Decorating Centre Online

Decorating Centre Online- Rosemore Hampton Damask Wallpaper Duck Egg and Silver

Which Primers should I use?

When you’re painting a whole variety of different surfaces, primers can- and often should- be used in order to create a surface in which you can paint directly onto, without it chipping or even scraping off later.

They are wonderful additions to the painting process in which you can make your painted walls- or any other surface really- last much longer than without a primer. It can also help to smooth off your walls too, which makes for a nicer final finish!

Decorating Centre Online- Rosemore Milton Delicate Leaves Wallpaper Blush Pink

So, why should I use a primer-sealer?

There are so many reasons why you will need to use a primer-sealer at some point during your decorating journey. Whether you need to paint over a glossy surface, over metal or wood, or simply need your new colour to last on your walls, primer-sealers are a wonderful way of ensuring a long-lasting and durable finish to a whole range of different paints.

Below is a list of only 5 of the many reasons why you should use a primer-sealer:

1.       Sealing porous surfaces

Perhaps you are having to paint over concrete or masonry, raw wood or weathered aluminium, the correct primer can fill up those pesky porous gaps for you and create a uniform colour and sheen with just one topcoat of your chosen paint.

2.       Permanently blocking stains

If your home has had a water leak, or other form of staining on your walls, a primer can prevent this stain from leaking through your chosen topcoat.

It can prevent water leaks, knots and sap leaks, tannin bleeding, nicotine, mildew stains, food/drink stains, pet stains, graffiti, inks and even crayon stains too! This means that it is perfect for use in high-traffic areas!

Decorating Centre Online- Apex Geo Bolds Wallpaper Blue & Orange

3.       Hiding dark colours and surfaces

Maybe the previous colour paints was a darker shade than he one that you wish to change it to- there is a possibility that the colour underneath could bleed through and change the colour of your walls slightly- or even change the colour completely!  

A primer can prevent all of this from occurring with decorative colours, faux finishes, panelling, wallcoverings, borders and stained cabinets too.

4.       Adhering to glossy surfaces without sanding

Using a primer as abase to paint on is a wonderful way of ensuring that your topcoat sticks perfectly to the walls. Without having to sand your walls down in order to create a surface in which you can paint over, primers do this step for you. They can allow your topcoat to adhere to a wide variety of surfaces that it previously wouldn’t have adhered to such as finished woodwork, old glossy paints, glass, ceramic tile, PVC piping, GRP/ shutters, Formica, finished metals and even decorative tile too.

5.       Extend longevity, washability and durability

We all want our walls to be durable and last a long time, don’t we? With a primer, this can be extended quite significantly. Primers often improve the flexibility as well as the adhesion of the top coat, while preventing cracking, peeling, chalking, blistering and even bleed through too.

Decorating Centre Online- Luxury Palm green Watercolour Wallpaper

Which type of primer should I use?

Water-based primer

This type of primer is perfect for both interior and exterior surfaces. It has a unique acrylic, latex formula which blocks stains from bleeding through your paint.

It can be used on a wide variety of different surfaces, including exterior wood, GRP/ shutters, Bare drywall, chalky aluminium siding, ceramic tiles and even panelling.

For more uses for this primer, check out the table below!

Decorating Centre Online- Artisan Wood Brick Wallpaper Grey

Shellac-based primer

This type of primer can block the even the worst of stains from penetrating through your colour paint. It can also block odours from penetrating, as well as sealing in new wood too.

This is a wonderful general primer and even as a spot primer as well.

It can be used to prevent water stains, graffiti, fire damage, musty mould and mildew, filler repairs, wood knots, kitchen cabinets, and even trim and doors.

This means that this primer is perfect for a wide variety of very commonly-occurring issues throughout your home!

For more uses for this primer, check out the table below!

Decorating Centre Online- Artisan Cracked Pavement Sheen Wallpaper Charcoal and Taupe

Oil-based primer

These primers are perfect as a stain-barrier, much like the primer above, however they are most effective when necessary for an oil-based performance.

This primer is wonderful to use on cedar/redwood, exterior graffiti, wood sliding, wood trim, Formica, metal cabinets, Artex ceilings and even textured walls too.

It can be used to cover nicotine/tobacco stains, water stains, minor smoke or fire damage, crayon/ink/pencil marks, panelling, unfinished furniture, filled areas, finished metals, glossy finishes and shelving/bookcases.

For more uses for this primer, check out the table below!

Decorating Centre Online- Rosemore Flower Bird Wallpaper Grey

INTERIOR SURFACES	Bulls eye 1-2-3	B-I-N	Cover Stain
Drywall	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Plaster	Excellent	Good	Good
Limewash/Lime Plaster	Excellent	No	No
New Wood Trim/ Doors	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Plywood	Good	Good	Excellent
Brick	Excellent	No	No
Concrete	Excellent	Good	Good
Galvanised New/Old	Excellent	No	No
Aluminium/ Stainless steel	Excellent	Good	Good
Plasticol	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Fibreglass/ GRP	Excellent	No	No
Glossy Paints/Glass	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Varnish/Wood stain	No	Excellent	No
Clear Finishes	Good	Excellent	Good
Wood Panelling/ laminates	Good	Excellent	Good
Ceramic Tiles	Excellent	Good	Good
Formica	Good	Excellent	Good
Wallcovering (non-porous)	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Powder Coatings	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Acoustic Tiles	Excellent	No	Excellent

For more information, as well as Tips & Tricks, check out our other BLOG POSTS!

SHOP WITH US:

• Rosemore Hampton Damask Wallpaper Duck Egg and Silver
• Rosemore Milton Delicate Leaves Wallpaper Blush Pink
• Apex Geo Bolds Wallpaper Blue & Orange
• Luxury Palm green Watercolour Wallpaper
• Artisan Wood Brick Wallpaper Grey
• Artisan Cracked Pavement Sheen Wallpaper Charcoal and Taupe
• Rosemore Flower Bird Wallpaper Grey