A fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room, and it’s important to approach the job correctly to get lasting results. When many homeowners start a new residential painting project, they make the mistake of skipping the primer. Doing so leads to using more paint than is necessary and putting in extra time that the priming would have eliminated. Before you get started, consider the following reasons why you may need this extra step.

When Do You Need to Prime a Wall?

1. Painting Light Colors Over Dark

If you want to brighten a dark room by repainting it lighter, you’ll need to lay a coat of primer before beginning. Dark colors bleed through lighter ones easily, making them more difficult to cover up—especially when painting a room white. If there are any stains on the walls, it will cover them too, so your new coat of paint goes on smooth and even.

2. Painting Drywall

Fresh drywall is porous and absorbs paint, creating an uneven coat and requiring you to use more. Avoid using multiple layers to compensate for the issue. Instead, apply a primer to streamline the residential painting job and ensure the drywall doesn’t cause unnecessary work.

3. Painting Over Glossy Walls

Glossy walls have a strong seal that keeps new coats of paint from sticking to it. In these instances, priming creates an easier surface to work on. The strategy applies to satin, pearl, and semi- and high-gloss finishes. Once the primer is in place, the paint will be able to settle rather than peel off over time.

Harbour Painting has been helping the residents of New London County, CT, and the surrounding areas with residential painting projects since 1977. They’ll work with you every step of the way to ensure the final product is what you envisioned. Their experienced team provides lasting results and superior craftsmanship using only Benjamin Moore® paints. If you’re ready to start, call (860) 444-0705 today to speak with a contractor. Visit the website to browse their work.