Demystifying Primers: Everything You Need to Know

WHAT IS WALL PRIMER?

Primer or undercoat is a protective layer that is used to cover any surface before it is painted. Primer is put on the surface before applying paint to it so that it ensures the stability of the paint over the surface. Primer is used so that it can ensure adhesiveness as well as smoothness to the object before paint is applied.

HOW WE USE PRIMER:

Primers are used by every professional painter because of the following various reasons:

• It ensures the stability of the paint over the surface.
• Ensures adhesiveness.
• Smoothens the surface.
• Provides protection to the object being painted.

COMPOSITION OF PRIMER:

The composition of Primer is as following.

All primers do not contain polyethene (plastic). Polyethene is used for better stability and durability in some primers.

HOW TO USE PRIMER?

For best results, one must apply primer only after the surface is sanded properly as that will ensure smoothness of the surface. One must make sure that the surface must be wiped off properly and there must be no sand particles over the surface before you start with the priming and painting process. The primer must be applied to clean, dry and grease-free surfaces for best results. One must ensure proper ventilation of the room where priming has to be done. The primer must be left to dry for about 24 hours before the painting process. A person must make sure that he has taken all the precautions like gloves and masks before being in contact with any chemicals and fumes.

TYPES OF PRIMER:

Primers are generally categorised into three main categories:

- OIL PRIMER

- LATEX PRIMER

- PIGMENTED PRIMER (SHELLAC-BASED)

OIL Based PRIMER: Oil primer is a brittle primer. It is slow to dry up. These primers release some organic compounds that need mineral spirits for thinning and cleaning process. Oil primers can prove to be a boon to materials such as unfinished wood, varnished wood, heavily weathered wood and over existing paint that is falling due to chalking and cracking.

LATEX PRIMER: Latex primer is not as brittle as oil or pigmented primer. It is a fast to dry kind of a primer.

It is now available in low or no-VOC formulas. Latex primers can prove to be of great help on unfinished drywall, bare softwoods like pine, bricks or concrete walls and galvanized metal.

PIGMENTED PRIMERS (SHELLAC PRIMER): These Shellac-based primers are fast to dry. These emit a bad odour and hence is quite difficult to use, but they are excellent at blocking stains. Pigmented primers can be used to prime objects with water, smoke or rust, etc., or these can also be used over the metal, wall, plaster or plastic when you need a fast dry primer.

You Can Always Have a look at our Recent Work Where we have used Primer -Our Recent Projects List

#HAPPYPRIMING