Many property owners wonder if they need to worry about priming wood for painting. Taking the time to prime often makes a painting job look better and last longer. However, you don’t need it for all paint jobs.
Find out more about when to prime wood with excellent painting contractors in Woodstock, GA. Contact A&P Contractors at 470-397-4944 to learn more.
How Primer Works
Primer, also called undercoat, serves as a preparatory coating that:
- Increases the durability of the paint
- Provides extra protection to painted surfaces
- Ensures better paint adhesion
Painters apply primer after they sand the surface they plan to paint. Primer fills small gaps in the surface to smooth it out. It also seals the surface somewhat, preventing paint from sinking into porous surfaces over time.
When to Prime Wood Before Painting
Wood is a very porous material, meaning it absorbs liquids, including paint. Therefore, the experts recommend using a primer before interior or exterior painting jobs involving wood.
In some cases, the experts apply a second coat of primer to bare wood before they begin adding paint. Generally, painters focus on the wood’s porosity when deciding how much primer to use or if it requires primer at all.
Additionally, using a primer helps if a paint job involves a dramatic color change. For example, you should use a primer if you plan to repaint a dark blue porch with yellow paint. Without primer, the darker paint color is more likely to show through.
Situations That Do Not Require Primer
Not every home improvement or painting job requires the use of a primer, even when painting wooden surfaces. You can skip primer if the job requires you to paint an older surface. Older wood, especially if it is not fresh, does not absorb paint as readily.
In this situation, you can fill cracks or blemishes with wood filler instead of using primer. Once you fill the gaps, you can use sandpaper to smooth the surface and then move on to painting.
Benefits of Using Primer for Wood Painting
Paint and primer work very well together to provide a new look for properties throughout Woodstock. Using primer helps give the finished project:
- A smoother surface
- Fewer flaws in the finish
- Fewer blemishes
Additionally, primer helps cover up stains in the wood and the wood’s grain, giving the product a more professional look.
Discuss Priming With the Experts
Priming wood for painting often results in a better-finished product. Do you want to know more about commercial painting by talking to residential painting contractors who have the experience and training to handle any job? Call A&P Contractors at (470) 300-9060 to schedule painting in Woodstock, GA.