If you have ever painted your cabinets or the walls of your home, you have probably heard of paint primer. Most people know about primer because it’s “the stuff you put on the wall before you paint.” yes, this is true, but there’s more to primer than that.
Primer is an integral part of any paint job. Some professionals might say that it is the secret sauce behind a beautiful and even paint job. But what is it, and what does it do? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Paint Primer?
The simplest explanation is that paint primer is an undercoat applied to a surface before painting. There is more to it than just being an extra layer of paint-like material to buy before you can start making the cabinets pop with color.
Every surface, especially raw surfaces without paint layers, has imperfections that make it difficult for paint to stick correctly. These imperfections can be an absorbent surface, flakey texture, or rough finish.
Any of these textures can make it difficult for paint to adhere to a surface properly.
Paint primer helps resolve this problem. Primer is applied just like paint is, but the way it looks and its finish set it apart from regular paint.
How Paint Primer Works
Having a finished layer of paint primer works in two ways:
- It gives your paint something to stick to.
Many paints have a weak primer in them that help them adhere easier to a surface. This little bit of primer doesn’t always do the trick when you are painting something raw. Without something to hold to, you risk your paint peeling or flaking.
Your paint job is especially prone if the surface you are painting is close to a high-traffic area. Frequently brushing up against the surface will wear it down faster. Without primer, you may have to repaint sooner than you might think!
Your primer layer gives the paint something to easily grip. So long as the surface you are painting has a layer of primer, your paint should stick to it easily and evenly.
- It Seals the Imperfections on the Surface You Are Painting.
When painting a raw surface, such as sheetrock, wood-stained cabinets, or metal, these surfaces often have minor scratches and pores that make it difficult for paint to stick.
Before you can start painting, you need to brush the surface with something that can fill in the gaps and make a more even surface. Primer does precisely this. The chemicals in primer seep into the porous and grainy surfaces of what you are painting and create an even layer to hold onto.
How Primer Helps Your Paint Job
If you are looking for a shortcut to having a fresh paint job, applying a coat of paint primer is the way to go. Primer enhances the effectiveness of your paint, allowing you to maximize every ounce! Having a layer of primer on the surface before painting gives your paint a better grip to adhere to.
What does this look like?
Decreases the Need for Additional Coats
As a final product, this looks like an even coat of paint. Instead of seeing patches of uneven application, the surface will look smooth and whole.
Without primer, one or two coats of paint might not be enough. When paint doesn’t adhere evenly to the surface, you will feel the need to keep adding additional layers. Each layer of paint increases the costs of your project.
Primer will help your project take on an even and balanced look in fewer layers than working without it. This saves you time and money in the long run.
Strengthening the Bond Between the Paint and the Surface
Some materials are easier to paint than others. A wall, cabinet, or furniture piece that has already been painted is much easier to paint than something that has never been painted before.
For these paintless objects, getting your value without primer will be difficult. Without a good layer to stick to, your paint could start peeling long before you expected it to. How long it takes to peel or flake off the surface you painted depends on how smooth the surface was and how many objects brushed against it.
Motions as simple as pushing a tucking a chair under the bar near some recently painted cabinets can be enough to start taking layers of paint off the surface.
The Secret of Tinted Primer
Many home improvement stores will allow you to mix a tint into your primer to shade it close to the color of your paint. The primer won’t have the same richness of color or finish as your paint will, but it helps you in another way.
Applying a tinted primer to the surface of the project you are working on will help the following layers of paint look more even. The tinted primer is often too light to be a finished product on its own, but it set’s you up for a better-looking finish.
Applying a tinted primer to your project will help make the first one or two coats of paint look even, helping you save more money.
Provides Additional Protection
Whichever surface you are painting, adding a layer of primer can give your object an additional level of protection. Some things, especially metal ones, will significantly benefit from this. An extra layer of primer that completely adheres to the surface will be one more layer of protection against corrosive natural elements.
Primer is better for these objects because it keeps paint from prematurely flaking off, exposing the surface underneath to the harmful natural environment.
Getting the Job Done With Allen Brothers Cabinet Painting
Are you researching ways to upgrade your kitchen? No doubt you’re here because you want to redo your cabinets. You can get a fast and professional job done with Allen Brothers Cabinet Painting.
We specialize in quickly and professionally coating your cabinets with an even layer of paint, helping to transform your kitchen and save on renovation costs!
Contact us today for a quote on ways we can help you revamp your kitchen!
