Yesterday, I found myself covered in primer. From head…
Yep, that’s primer on my eye.
…to toe.
Yep, that’s primer on my pedicure.
I have taken on the big task this week of transforming Zack’s room. He’s on what he calls a “Lake ‘Cation” (aka visiting his grandparents at their lake house), so I am taking this opportunity to work on a little surprise for him.
I have never painted a room by myself before. Usually, my husband does the hard parts – like the ceilings, the trim, the cutting in, anything on a ladder and the touch ups. I usually roll the roller a few times on the walls and drink a Diet Coke. It pays to have a handy husband.
This project, however, I am doing alone. After spending three hours removing everything from Zack’s room and taping off all of the trim, priming seemed like a daunting task. But, I put on my big girl panties and just dealt with it.
As I was painting, I was thinking of you guys and wondering how many primer virgins we have here. I’d guess quite a few, but I really don’t know. Just in case, I thought I’d give you a little primer on primer:
1. Primer is a type of paint that you apply under your color coat of paint. It is a thinner product than regular latex paint, and is made from different properties than regular paint so that it will stick to the item you are priming very well. Most primer comes in white, but you can buy brown, black, red and gray primer if what you are painting is closer to those colors (it will be easier to cover). You can also have primer tinted close to the color of you paint, but that’s not really necessary with all of the different colored primers available today.
2. When painting your walls, primer is a MUST. Not only does it help cover a previous wall color, but it helps your paint color stick better. It’s possible that you will only need one coat of your paint color if you use primer. I also always use primer when I paint furniture. Don’t skip the primer or you’ll wind up spending more money on paint and doing more coats than you should have to.
3. Before you begin priming, make sure you tape off the parts of the room (doors, windows, trim work, etc) that you are not painting. I like to use the blue 3M painters tape.
I did buy some of the expensive green Frog Tape that’s supposed to be “the best” to use on one part of the room. I wasn’t impressed, so save yourself the expense and just get the blue tape. If you get some primer on the trim, just wipe it off immediately with a dry paper towel. It’s so thin that it will come right off.
4. Your coat of primer will not look good. This bears repeating, so I’ll say it again: YOUR COAT OF PRIMER WILL NOT LOOK GOOD. Because primer is so thin, it will not look like a coat of white paint on your walls.
Do not get discouraged. I always look at it and think, “Oh no! What have I done? This looks awful!,” and then I remember that yes, it does look awful. That’s just the way it goes.
6. I know that you can now purchase paint that already has a primer mixed in. I’ll admit that I have not tried it. I will say, however, that I generally do not like products that do a double duty. For instance, when the embroidery part of my sewing/embroidery machine malfunctions, it means I can’t use the sewing part either (and led to me buying a new stand alone sewing machine). I’d like to hear your thoughts on the new paint with primer that’s available out there. Maybe I should just try it one time and see how it works.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to show you photos of the great transformation early next week. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get it finished and surprise Zack when he comes home!
How about you? Any good primer stories or lessons out there? Any newbie painters out there who have never primed? Any old pros who never prime?Let us know!
P.S. I can’t believe I’m posting a picture of my crazy-haired, crows feet laden, make-up free face for all of the Internet to see. The paint fumes must be getting to me. I need more Diet Coke.
Anonymous says
Aura by Ben Moore is an awesome product (primer and paint in one). I was highly skeptical too, but watched in amazement as my sister used it to paint a bright red room a new shade of light green. 2 coats, minimal smell, excellent coverage. I now will only use it for all my painting jobs, whether I would have had to prime or not…love the low VOC's too!!
Allison
FOR THE SAKE OF TIME says
Lindsay – If I looked like that without make-up you bet I would post my face! How cute! I totally agree with the primer idea. I am looking at a coat of it on my bath right now. Not pretty but necessary.
Thanks for the smile this morning.
Charla
Anonymous says
Never used primer before… thanks for the info- i thought it was just white paint! Now i know for when i paint that ugly laminate cupboard!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Cute picture. Yes, I have done the primer thing but I really do think I will try the new primer and paint all in one. Primer really is necessary and you've given great tips. Can't wait to see the finished room. Hugs, Marty
Living With Lindsay says
Thanks for the info, Allison! I'm still scared of it, but I will definitely have to try it. If you sister could go from red to light green in two coats, I say that's a sign that it really does work! I wonder if the cheaper Behr stuff works just as well. Anyone know?
The brand of paint I'm using (Sherwin Williams) doesn't have a paint/primer combo (that I'm aware of), but I am using the low VOC for the first time. It really *does* make a difference!
Emily@remodelingthislife says
you look beautiful, even covered in primer. i posted my frizzy haired, makeup less self today. maybe that will make you feel better.
Tina says
Lindsay, you're adorable! =)
My father-in-law owns a hardware & paint store. And knows a lot about paint… cuz he kinda has to. 😉 Paint + Primer is a waste of money.
The concept is BRILLIANT if you think of it… not because it works, because it doesn't. It's genius because they're able to charge you way more for what is essentially a regular can of paint. The people that this product is geared toward are people who were likely NOT going to use primer in the first place… i.e. inexperienced painters. Since they weren't going to make the primer sale on these folks anyhow, they get them in the end with this more expensive can of paint. =)
Brilliant. But sneaky. Not that the paint isn't lovely. I'm sure it is. But I'm also willing to bet that it would have looked better with regular primer and regular paint. Just sayin'. 😉
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Good tips, esp. about the primer not looking good. I think you could be creating a new beauty look: primer pedicures. 😉
Lindsay Phenes says
I'd never used primer before (I'd only ever helped my sister and mom paint their house). But since DH and I bought our house last year, I decided it was time to do our own painting. I started off with painting over our wood paneling. It never would have worked without primer. I just bought 2 cheap $11 cans of primer and went to town. It turned our great, IMO. I'm fairly certain I'll continue my 'good habit' and use primer when I do the rest of the rooms I plan to paint. If nothing else, just because I'm supposed to haha!
Here's the address to my blog showing my family room 🙂 I'm quite proud 🙂 http://lindsayphenes.blogspot.com/2009/08/our-new-family-room.html
Angry Julie Monday says
We go through a lot of primer in our house. I love the pictures with Ms. Lindsay and paint all over. We are going to re-do Caden's room soon. I need to send you my ideas for a consult. I need some color ideas for the paint, etc.
Erin says
Bravo! My husband and I have similar painting roles. Actually, the only difference is I drink regular Coke.
Also, I just used primer for the first time in our DIY bathroom reno (I had to use the color-killing kind). Honestly, although it certainly worked to cancel out the old, bright color (we painted white over green), I don't have any experience priming a neutral-toned wall before painting with color.
MelanyTN says
Lindsay – The fact that you said Diet Coke twice in your post made me love your blog even more.
Thanks for the primer encouragement. 😉
Susan says
go glad to have found your blog! 🙂
Susan @ http://www.peanutpetunia.blogspot.ocm
Michelle says
Thanks for the great tips…appreciate them!
Happy Painting!
Infarrantly Creative says
Hey Linds…I am not a huge primer fan. I mean I do use it on occasion. However, I have found that if you give a good sanding and you are going with a darker color you don't need it. In fact, my whole kitchen was painted black with no primer and it has been almost 5 months with no chips. But I am a sanding perfectionist. However if it has an uneven topcoat I always primer or if it is not real wood or if I am going to a lighter color. Just my two cents… not that I am all that seasoned but I do like me some-a-paintin'
Jen says
We just finished our basement and used the primer/paint all in one stuff. Don't know that I'd spend the money again. We were painting right on the drywall, just an eggshell color, and it STILL needed two coats and the ceiling could probably stand another but it's gonna have to do. (The kids won't care while they're down there destroying it with flying Wii remotes, cheese puffs, and boxed drinks!) Just my opinion but I didn't notice a huge difference for the money!
Good luck with Zach's room!
Marie says
Oh Lindsay, you make me giggle. Your primered head to toe-ness honesty is so much appreciated! I wondered if anyone else looks as messy as I do when engulfed in a painting project. What a sweet thing to do for your son – I'm sure he will be very pleasantly surprised! And thank you for the background on primer.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
Susie Q says
Someone else who paints barefooted too! I just use a flat white paint for my primer. It's worked on two rooms so far…I think I also did it on Sunshine's room, but I can't remember. I get all my paint at the landfill for free, then mix it to the color I want so I'm a sort of 'winging it' gal. So far so good. I will admit that I plan to buy the paint for our bedroom so I can get the exact shade we like.
And for the paint fumes, no matter how great or small…a bowl of white vinegar. I have NO earthly idea why it works but it does. For a full sized room (like our den), I poured a 1/2 quart into a bowl and left it overnight and the next morning, then poured it down the sink. The sink WILL smell like the paint fumes, but the room doesnt!
Centsational Girl says
Hi Linds, you're so cute in your primer speckled photos!
Great tips on using primer! I use primer on raw wood, unless I'm using an oil based spray paint. If I were using a brush on latex, then like you, I would always use a primer underneath.
There are different schools of thought on durability when it comes to oil vs. water based primer. I use oil, but my painter friends also use water and say there is no difference. Oil based is more of a hassle to clean up, but I'm used to that.
Can't wait to see the room reveal !
Kate
Its So Very Cheri says
You look beautiful–really.
Sorry-I've been out of commission — terribly sick for over a week– but do you want to know how I cut my grocery bill in half? go to Cut your grocery bills now plus I have a give a way and a new Mr Linky party starting tomorrow but Mr Linky will be up by 8 p.m. tonight
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri
Kimm at Reinvented says
Thanks for the info, girlfriend! I'm in the planning stages for a powder room redo, and the room is currently painted "Cherry Cobbler." Yeah. gonna need primer. lots of it.
Cute pictures, we must have similiar painting "styles!"
jill says
i think you look beautiful, simply because you're having fun doing something you love! can't wait to see the end result!
Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful says
Ugh…not what i wanted to hear! i was hoping to get away with using the paint/primer all in one stuff. My living room is a deep shade of chocolate brown and it's bringing me down. Loved it for the last 2 years, but I need to lighten things up a bit!
Primer here I come…
~Amanda
Anonymous says
I hope I could read this before I started my project witch is few days ago. I bought 2 in 1 paint that you doesn't recommend. Yes! You are right! The product doesn't work as you paint primer and paint separately. I wasted my money and ruined my project…
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale says
Too cute!
I have ALWAYS used primer in the past for everything.
After speaking with Paint experts at THREE home stores, two paint stores and scouring the internet.. painting 7 rooms, two hallways, two bathrooms, two exterior doors and 6 shutters.. the paint/primer plus from Behr is the greatest thing EVER.
PLUS mega time saver 😉
LOVE that you kept mentioning Diet coke 😉 You may be too cute for words 😉
Gotta love stumbling across old posts 😉
Jessica says
Hi all,
I’ve used the Behr primer paint combo right on greenboard in a bathroom remodel and it worked great. I did two coats, which I do with any paint. It’s held up more than a year later.
People at paint stores say you don’t need primer over other paint unless the color change is drastic or the 1st coat is high gloss. I’m deciding what to do on the primer vs. combo deal because we are moving into a new house that needs paint all over and I hope to make it simple!
-Jessica @ Decor Adventures
Shelby says
You are so right about the paint and primer! Don’t trust double duty. Even on the back of the paint cans, it says that it acts as a primer only if you put two coats on…which is basically admitting its a more expensive primer. Although its rare to find paint without that on their labels.
PS I love your blog (: Thanks for the tips.