Is it necessary to apply primer to drywall before painting? And if it’s essential, how do you go about it?
It appears you have an upcoming painting project, and you want it to be a success. Allow me to address your concerns about priming drywall.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Is Primer Necessary for Drywall Before Painting?
Yes, it’s advisable to prime drywall before painting, and here’s why:
Drywall mud and exposed paper on drywall sheets are porous. Without priming, the paint will be absorbed unevenly, resulting in an uneven finish. Priming equalizes these materials, reducing the need for extra paint coats.
Surprisingly, priming drywall can make your project look better and require less effort.
Priming may seem like an additional step, but it ultimately simplifies the process.
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Steps to Prime Drywall for Painting
Assuming you’re convinced of the benefits of priming, let’s discuss the steps to follow:
1. Inspect and Repair the Walls
Check the drywall surface for dings, cracks, and holes. You can quickly fix them with fast-drying joint compound and a drywall knife.
Allow the compound to dry completely before proceeding. If you have only minor damage, fast-drying spackle may suffice.
Remove all furniture and cover windows with poly to control dust. Use drop cloths on the floor.
Ensure all drywall screw heads and nails are covered with joint compound.
2. Sand the Repaired Areas
Once you’ve filled and dried the joint compound, gently sand the surface to achieve a smooth finish. Take your time to avoid imperfections showing through the paint.
After sanding, lightly remove any drywall dust from the walls to prevent it from mixing with the paint.
3. Apply a Coat of Primer
Roll or spray a thin layer of water-based latex primer onto the drywall. A light coat is sufficient.
Ensure the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees, with 50% humidity for optimal drying. The primer should dry within 30 to 60 minutes.
Allow the primer to dry completely before applying the final paint coats.
Choosing the Best Primer for Drywall
Several options are available for priming drywall, depending on your finish paint colors:
1. USG Sheetrock Brand First Coat White Flat Latex Primer
For reduced flashing and joint banding, apply USG Brand First Coat Primer with a brush, sprayer, or roller.
Features of USG First Coat Primer:
- Fast drying in less than 30 minutes.
- Cost-effective solution for a thin primer coat, ensuring uniformity in the final coat.
- Surface should be clean, dry, and free of grease or oil.
- If using a roller, the nap should not exceed 1/2″. Coverage of 180-200 square feet per gallon.
2. Kilz PVA White Interior Drywall Primer
Kilz is designed for new drywall under low sheen and flat paint.
Features of Kilz PVA Primer:
- Coverage of 300-400 sq. feet per gallon.
- Dries in 30 minutes with 50% humidity. Available in 5-gallon buckets or single-gallon cans.
Other recommended drywall sealer and primer brands include Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3, Zinsser GARDZ, Benjamin Moore Super Spec Latex Undercoater Primer Sealer 253, and Benjamin Moore Fresh Start PPG 6-2.
Number of Coats for Drywall Primer
You only need one coat of primer on drywall. After applying a light primer coat, you’ll require two more finish coats of paint for a total of three coats.
Primer not only enhances the final result but also saves money by improving the coverage of your more expensive finish paint.
Understanding Latex Primer
Latex primer is water-based, while alkyd primer is oil-based. Latex primer is ideal for drywall due to its fast drying and low VOC content. It’s also easier to clean up after use.
Tinted Primer for Drywall
Tinting the primer, especially for dark paint colors, is a smart choice:
It enhances coverage in the final two paint coats, potentially saving you money, especially when using premium paint.
For tinted primer, mix up to 2 ounces of tint color per gallon of primer.
While there may not be significant cost savings compared to standard finish paint, using tinted primer can yield substantial savings when using premium paint.
Tinted primer typically costs about $20 per gallon, making it a cost-effective choice for larger projects with premium paint.
Skim Coating Before Priming Drywall
Sometimes, it’s beneficial to skim-coat the entire drywall surface to achieve a level 5 finish before priming:
1. When the surface is extremely rough or has old textures like orange peel, knockdown, or popcorn ceilings.
2. If you want to ensure no tape joints, screw holes, nail pops, or wall flashes are visible through the final coat.
3. In spaces with direct sunlight or when using very dark paint colors, a level 5 finish might be preferable over a level 4 finish.
Alternatively, consider using a premium primer designed for rough surfaces like brick, plaster, stucco, or masonry.
Using a Sprayer for Drywall Primer
While not essential, you can use a sprayer for primer paint, especially for large projects:
For an airless sprayer, use sprayer tips with sizes between .017″ and .021″ and a 60 mesh filter.
Sprayers work well for priming walls and ceilings, and they can be handy for priming trim and doors in addition to walls.
For smaller projects, a 3/4″ nap roller is a suitable choice.
Consider products like Behr Paint and Primer from Home Depot or Graco Sprayers, also available at Home Depot.
tag: # How to Prepare and Prime Drywall for Painting
