DIY Basics

Is Primer Really Necessary?

Last Updated on February 26, 2013 by Kristi Linauer

Let me answer right off the bat here…if you’re painting with latex paint over anything that already has an oil-based finish on it (whether it’s paint or stain or varnish or polyurethane), and you’re not intending to do some sort of dry brushing, let-the-original-finish-show-through type of finish or any other specialty finish, then the answer is absolutely, unequivocally “YES”!!!

But what if you’re painting with an oil-based paint over an existing oil-based finish?  Is primer really necessary then?

I’ve always believed it was…that is until I had a conversation with a professional painter (who’s been doing this for many, many moons) who said it wasn’t really necessary.  He explained to me that oil-based paints contain solvents that cause them to actually bond into the previous finish, rather than just sitting on top like latex paints do.

Hmmmmm…intriguing!  So I decided to put it to the test.

Remember my two dining chairs that I decided to go ahead and use in my breakfast area (after months of searching for chairs on Craigslist with no success)?

dining chairs 1

After I removed the seats from both of them, I spot sanded each of them (they were pretty dinged and scratched), and then I primed ONE of them with oil-based primer…

dining chairs 2

I skipped the priming step on the other chair.  Then on both chairs, I painted two coats of oil-based paint.

So, can you tell a difference?

dining chairs 3

Not at all.  They look identical.

dining chairs 4

But of course the real questions is…are both finishes equally as durable?

dining chairs 5

Well since they were only painted one day ago, and paint takes a few days to really cure, I didn’t want to be too rough with either of them and potentially ruin my work.  But I will say that I used my fingernails and scratched back and forth over the finish with moderate pressure on both chairs, and neither of them chipped or scratched.  The two finishes were equally as durable.

So what does this mean?  Have we all been wasting our time with primer?

I think my answer to that would be “sometimes”.  In some cases, I think primer is still a great first step.

Consider this:  Let’s say that you’re painting your kitchen cabinets in your moderately-sized or large kitchen.  You know that the cabinets will take two coats to cover completely.

You can use your oil-based paint (which costs anywhere from $40 to $50 per gallon) for both coats and take the chance of running out and having to purchase more paint to finish the job, OR you can use primer tinted to match your paint for your first coat (at the cost of about $18 per gallon), and follow up with one coat of your paint and probably have plenty left over to keep on hand for future touch-ups when the need arises.

I’ll also add that there really is something about primer that “seals” the previous finish, so if you’re dealing with something that has stains that may bleed through, knots in the wood, or the previous finish has worn down to bare wood in areas, then I definitely would NOT skip the primer.

But on smaller projects, like chairs, end tables, and similar objects, this is definitely something to keep in mind!


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10 Comments

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  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Michell Kaul
    April 12, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    I'm the laziest primer ever….and I never prime which makes the hubby crazy..but who needs it really….my chair and headboard and recent bookshelf all look FAB!! without prime:-)

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jeannine Bruner
    April 12, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    My basement really needs to get finished so I can begin painting the furniture that I am redoing! (2 armoires- 1 for living room & 1 for the nursery & an end table for the living room) All your posts about furniture painting have me antsy! 🙂 My kitchen walls are getting a new look soon as well- That will probably be done before the basement is done! 🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Torrie
    April 12, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    My question for you is what about the Kilz primer… which is oil only… and you want to put a latex pain over it?

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    arete design
    April 12, 2011 at 9:53 pm

    I used the custom tinted primer and paint in one from Behr and was pretty happy with the outcome- I just did it recently though, we'll have to see how is handles over the long run.

    Cheers,
    arete design
    http://www.aretedesign.blogspot.com

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
    April 12, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    Torrie, the only time I use Kilz is if I want to use a latex primer. (They make two types of latex primer). Kilz oil-based primer is one of the worst products I've ever used. It dries way too fast, causing brush marks, clumps, and makes my brush drag. I'll never use oil-based Kilz again. If I want to use an oil-based primer, I use Zinsser. It's fantastic.

    But regardless of the brand, you CAN put latex paint over oil-based primer.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Ca Powell
    April 13, 2011 at 1:20 am

    Just so you know…..I linked your blog to 'Vintage Revival's Blog Crush' Party! 'Cause you're the blog I'm in love with!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
    April 13, 2011 at 1:21 am

    Oh wow…thank you!! <3

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Anne Sullivan
    April 13, 2011 at 1:50 am

    I learn so much from your blog every day. 😀 Thank you!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kelsey
    April 13, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    I too am the worst primer. So nice to see this post. I have never once used primer and have always wondered if I should. Your blog is so educational 🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Rstolcis
    April 13, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    SO glad I read this before sanding my daughter's armoire and night stand!!! If I can manage those, then the HUGE wall unit in the basement will be next! It is amazing how many wonderful pieces are on Craigslist for a fraction of the cost new if you are willing to do a little work to update them. Thanks for the time saving tip!