Do I need to use primer paint on exterior wood?

Can I use any paint ie a tin of extra gloss I have,(or emulsion) or do I need to use a proper undercoat? Does undercoat have properties that other paint doesntDo I need to use primer paint on exterior wood?
A primer undercoat will protect the wood and it will also keep your paint from peeling/cracking. When painting outdoors, its very important to prepare the surface properly. You will save yourself a lot of money and headaches in the future.Do I need to use primer paint on exterior wood?
If the wood or metal has not been previously painted then you will need a primer to get the undercoat to stick. You need an undercoat to give the cover to allow the gloss to stick. You need the gloss to stand the weather since the other two or emulsion will soon flake off outside. There are some paints which combine the properties of two functions.


If the wood or metal has been previously painted then you should not need primer. Just sand the flaking/damaged paint.
On bare wood you first seal any woodknots with 'knotting'. After this you need a primer, essential. Then one undercoat and one gloss. They all perform different functions.





If the wood has been painted previously and is not being stripped, then you only need to spot prime any bare bits of wood and then apply undercoat and gloss.





Donn't buy cheap paint for exteriors in particular.





Emulsion is not for wood.
Primer is very different than finish paint, and the two are not interchangeable. Primer seals, blocks, and gives a good surface for finish to adhere to. Paint can't do these things, especially the gloss you have. A quality job depends on using the right materials. You don't want to have to do this again next year. Hope this helps.
If you want a rolls royce job use Dulux Weathercoat system. Preservative primer on bare wood, two coats of u/c, one coat gloss. Lasts for 6 years. Other than that, yes you need an undercoat. U/C has obliterating properties and is designed to accept gloss. You can't get away without it unless you want a job you will be ashamed of!
I`ve often used other paints for undercoat instead of proper primer, and I have had no trouble.





But you do need some sort of `undercoat` - with a matt finish before you put the top coat on - gloss is not suitable for undercoat.





Just try a paint first, and see if it seals the wood and doesn`t `sink in`.
you need to use primer paint on all new timer . then one or two coats of undercoat then a gloss finish for exterior wood dont scrimp . looks better with 2 coats of undercoat .
Definately - particularly out doors!!








Been there, done that, done all the sanding down next year when it needed redoing too!