When tackling a DIY paint project, priming may feel like a time-consuming extra step, but trust us, it’s so important for achieving a professional, long-lasting finish. We wrote an entire blog post about why priming is important and how to choose the best primer for the job. But how many coats of primer do you need? This differs depending on the surface condition, the paint type being used, and the color transition. In this blog post, we’ll break down when to use one or two coats of primer for the best results and help you choose a high-quality primer for your next project.
In This Post
What Does Primer Do?
A primer is a base coat that is applied to the surface before painting. It preps the surface for the new paint by sealing porous materials, covering stains or imperfections, and creating a smooth, even surface for paint to go on. This improves the paint adhesion and ensures you get great coverage with your new paint coating. There are different types of primer out there depending on the project and surface, so whether you’re painting furniture, walls, or cabinets, you can find the right primer and application techniques to get the best results.
How Many Coats of Primer Do You Need?
When to Use One Coat of Primer
For most paint projects that we complete, we use one coat of primer. If the surface is in good condition and you’re not making a drastic color change, one primer coat will ensure the topcoat adheres well and has even coverage.
We recommend using one coat of primer for these projects:
- Painting over a similar or lighter paint color.
- Painting the wall a darker color.
- Spot priming repair work.
- Spot priming a water stain from a leak.
- Priming cabinets before painting.
For most exteriors, we recommend sanding and scraping any peeling paint before priming the exposed wood. If there are new construction materials from repairs, prime them as well. If the rest of the previously painted house is in good condition, you can then apply 1-2 coats of paint.
For the majority of interior paint jobs, a good rule of thumb is to spot prime stains from water, food, grease, markers, etc, as well as repairs and new drywall. For the rest of the previously painted home, you can go in with 1-2 coats of paint if it’s in good condition.
When to Use Two Coats of Primer
There are definitely situations where applying two coats of primer is necessary to achieve the best results with your new paint finish. If the surface is highly porous, stained, or drastically different in color, a second coat can help ensure you get an even, long-lasting paint job.
We recommend using two coats of primer for these projects:
- Surfaces with a lot of imperfections and repairs (to help smooth out the surface).
- Painting over dark colors with a much lighter color.
- Painting a surface with a lot of stains or watermarks (which helps block out moisture so the stain doesn’t bleed through).
- On rough surfaces where you are using masonry primer or block filler to fill in pores and create a smooth surface. (This goes for priming before limewashing on porous surfaces).
- Deep grain oak cabinets that need to be primed, filled with bondo, sanded, and re-primed.
- Painting unfinished wood surfaces to seal the grain.
- Preparing to paint over wallpaper or a heavily textured surface
How to Choose the Best Primer
Not all primers are created equal, and selecting the right one depends on your specific project. Most modern, higher-end paints cover very well when applied with the correct roller cover. However, they are often marketed as a “Paint and Primer in One,” which is really just a marketing gimmick. When you dig in and read the data sheets (like we do!), they say “Self Priming Over Previously Painted Surfaces.” Then, they list out the different situations and surfaces that you do need to first prime using the correct primer before applying the paint. So be sure to read the labels and fine print!
Always ask your paint store professional to help you find a high-quality primer that will work well for your surface type, specific project, and the new paint you choose.
Can You Use Primer as Paint?
Primers are designed to prepare the surface for paint. They’re not meant to be a final coat. They lack the durability and finish quality of actual paint. While they provide adhesion and stain-blocking benefits, they won’t withstand wear and tear like a proper topcoat will. After priming, always follow up with at least one or two coats of high-quality paint for the best results and look.
Priming should never be a step you skip. Paint will always adhere better if it goes on a smooth, even surface, which is what priming creates. It also protects the new coat of paint, giving it a more long-lasting, beautiful finish. Whether you need one or two coats of primer depends on the condition and type of surface you’re working with, as well as the new paint color. Investing in a high-quality primer and taking the extra time to prepare your surface with primer before paint will give you the best results every time.
If you’re looking for a team of professionals to help you with your next paint job, we’ll handle everything from surface prep and priming to the final paint finish.
