When You Need Primer (and When You Don't)

Primer prepares a surface so paint sticks better, covers evenly, and lasts longer. But you don't always need it.

You need primer when painting over

• New drywall or patches. They soak up paint unevenly and can look blotchy.
• Stains. Water, smoke, or marker stains bleed through regular paint. Use a stain-blocking primer.
• Bare wood. Wood absorbs paint and can let knots bleed through.
• Glossy surfaces. Primer helps new paint grip.
• Big color changes. Going from dark red to light gray? A tinted primer saves extra coats.
• Oil-based paint when switching to latex. Use a bonding primer.

You can usually skip it when

• Walls are clean and in good condition
• You're using a similar color
• The old paint is the same type as the new paint

What about "paint and primer in one"? It works well over clean, sound walls in similar colors. It doesn't replace a real primer on stains, bare surfaces, or patches.

Our pick: Behr makes primers for these jobs, including stain-blocking primers.

Bottom line: Primer isn't always required, but when the surface is new, stained, shiny, or changing color a lot, it's worth it.

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