Using Drywall Primer Correctly

Lesson 7

Using Drywall Primer Correctly

Repairing old plaster walls correctly involves making decision regarding drywall primer.  Common mistake number 6 is neglecting to use drywall primer at all, or using it incorrectly.

So now, I want take up the issue of drywall primer.  I am talking about so-called PVA primer.

This stuff is designed to soak into raw drywall or plaster materials and lock up the pores of these surfaces so the paint coat will look good.

That's the theory.  Do it wrong and your paint coat will NOT look good.

Raw plaster (the real stuff) is highly absorbent.  It will really suck in the PVA primer.  Here, I recommend two coats of primer, so you can be sure that it is doing its job.  On finished drywall or plaster patches using drywall compound, one good coat is usually enough, though two can't hurt.  If you are unsure, go two coats.

(Caution.  Use drywall primer only over raw materials, not over painted surfaces.  If you should have a wall that was stripped of wallpaper, clean off all glue residues.  Only prime areas where the glue is thin but won’t come off with scrubbing . . . .or where the paint has come off.)

The secret for a good primer coat is -- don't skimp.  Put plenty on and roll it out well (no ridges or blobs).  And, NO SKIPS!  (They will really show up after you finish painting.)  I always caution my customers about the importance of drywall primer and how to put it on correctly.  I tell them to roll it out well and don't skimp.  Then after it dries, go over it carefully with a light in hand and then brush in any skipped areas.  (Painters call these "holidays".)

All this is especially true over any smooth finished surface.  These are the hardest to paint well.  So doing a thorough job of priming (and watching out for leaving ridges of primer with the roller edges) is critical for getting a nice looking paint job later.

A splotchy coat of primer will cause the first paint coat to look uneven in terms of its shine.  This is why I stress consistency.

PVA primer does not always adhere well to old paint, so only your plaster patches should be primed (unless you've skimcoated the whole wall or ceiling).  Don't extend the primer out much beyond the edge of your patches.  There are some varieties of drywall primer (non-PVA?) that will stick well to paint, so check with your paint store.  Read what it says on the can regarding adhesion to paint.  But ordinarily, there is no need to put drywall primer over old paint.  It doesn't need primer (if the old paint is stable).

Don't use any oil based primer over your raw patching materials, and don't use primer designed for wood.  Again, read the can.  For simplicity, just stick with PVA.

PVA primer comes in thinner and thicker grades.  I usually choose a medium grade, and it seems to work fine.

Last couple of things.  Don't thin your primer.  If you do that, it won't yield good results.  Secondly, don't expect your prime coat to end up looking like a finished paint coat.  Primer, depending on the grade you buy, often only has enough pigment to make it white enough that you can see where you are going as you roll it out.  Over drywall, for example, you can sometimes still see the joints after you prime. They will show a little whiter than the exposed paper areas.  That's okay.  It doesn't mean you did anything wrong.

Tip:  if you are going to paint with color, have the paint store tint your primer to match.  This makes priming a lot easier for consistency.  But if you are only going to be spot priming patched areas, it may not make sense to change the color of the primer.

Another Thought:  It may be that you could use some home decorating tips after repairing that old plaster, which is after all just step one in your plaster restoration process. Some eyesores are gone, at least those on walls and ceilings.

  But there's a lot more to think about.  Paint colors and effects.  Maybe new window treatments.  New lighting fixtures?  Different pictures on the wall, or a different arrangement.  Wallpaper? Lots of decisions.  Home decorating can be overwhelming.

That's why I'm very excited to introduce a "first of its kind" resource that will not only help you decorate your home according to your personality, lifestyle, and goals...
But it will help you do it easier and faster than ever before!

The resource that I'm referring to is called The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection.   Written by interior decorating experts, these will help you resolve your decorating questions and get the look and feel YOU want.

Check it out at Home Decorating Tips  and see if this can help you move ahead in your decision making process.   http://www.plaster-wall-ceiling-solutions.com/home-decorating-tips.html

Enough for now!
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Next time, we'll get into the subject of texturing over your repaired plaster surfaces. See if I can help you avoid another ommon mistake, which is rushing into the job without taking enough time to practice and experiment.