How important is it to use primer before you paint?

It's very important especially if you are painting a light color over a dark color.How important is it to use primer before you paint?
very important primer hides color imperfections that may not be seen until your chosen color goes on in other words always prime then paint chosen colorHow important is it to use primer before you paint?
If you don't use an OIL BASED primer on bare wood prior to painting, the paint will peel off in a matter of months.
If the wall has no paint on it you would want to prime it


because the first coat of paint will soak right into the


new sheetrock. The walls will show a shadow effect from the sheetrock and the color will be uneven and distorted.


Save paint, use primer.
pretty important especially if your painting over paint that was already there or on a surface that the paint will not adhere to well. it saves you having to spend more money and do several coats of paint.
It's important if you're painting a light color over a darker color, because when the paint dries, the darker color will show through, even if you use more than one coat. Primer is nice, cheap stuff, so you want to use it first, instead of wasting a coat of good paint, which might not entirely cover up the darker color.
It is real important it gives the paint a good surface to stick to and it also seals the surface that you are painting. If you don't prime it it will haunt you sooner or later
It depends on the surface you're painting. It's very important on new sheetrock or wood which was never painted before, painting over a surface darker than the new color and also on most metal surfaces.
Very important depending on what type of paint you are using and what it is for. Primer helps the regualr paint adhere to and stay to the surface without peeling.
If you want your paint to stick to the wall very important !!!!!!
if you are speaking of house paint its not very important unless you are going over a dark color then you get bleed throughs


in automotive it is always important
every one has good answers. How every if you are painting red be sure to tint the primer it will take several coats. You should also add tint if you are going with a darker color. You may only need one coat of primer and one coat of paint.





Good Luck


Moskie257
EXTREMELY IF U WANT UR PAINT TO LOOK RIGHT... 1 PRIMER 2 PAINT 3 CLEARCOAT
Primer provides the base for good adhesion for the paint. Once an object is primed, it takes less paint to cover the surface and you will do a better paint job. I prime everything when I paint. I am into my 5th yr of painting my eaves and the paint still looks good.
IF you are sure that the new paint is the same type as the old paint (in other words, latex over latex, or oil over oil), AND the old paint is in great shape (not chalky, flaking, cracked, or peeling), you can get by without priming.





however, if (a) they aren't the same type (or you aren't sure), or (b) the old paint is not in great shape, or (c) if it is exterior paint that is more than a few months old, it's best to prime.





as for the type of primer - if it is new or bare exterior wood use oil (alkyd) based primer. if it's interior or previously painted exterior wood, and you are going to top with latex paint, use a latex primer - they are more flexible and won't crack or alligator as easily.





metal MUST be primed with a metal primer (and a special metal primer if it's galvanized). other surfaces like concrete must be primed with a primer that seals out moisture.
Primer creates a bond with the surface. Some paints, like latex, can peel if a primer isn't used.
It is critical. Surface preparation before priming is also critical. What are you painting over. A glossy finish MUST be sanded before you paint over it or the paint will not stick. Stains MUST be sealed, before priming.





There are some great combination sealers/primers. Some stick to almost anything, even without sanding first. At least one claims to stick to glass.