Tips & How-Tos

How to prime the interior surface for painting

This important step seals the surface prior to painting, thereby prolonging the wet edge of finish coats, reducing the incidence of lapmarks, and ensuring uniformity in color and lustre.

A common myth is that walls which have been painted many times do not need priming. On the contrary, many layers of latex paint can actually result in a very absorbent surface that requires priming.

Tip: Tint a primer until it approaches the color of your topcoat, particularly when using a deep color topcoat.

Sash, trim, and doors already coated with an enamel finish do not ordinarily require priming. (Remember, sand glossy areas to a dull finish.) However, if extensive repair work has been performed, a primer should be applied.

Spot prime patched wall surfaces with Regal FirstCoat® primer or Benjamin Moore Fresh Start® primer, both latex formulations. For new drywall, a latex primer is recommended. For previously painted drywall, use Moore's® Alkyd Enamel Underbody® primer, Moore's® Alkyd Primer Sealer® primer, Regal FirstCoat® primer, or Benjamin Moore Fresh Start® primer.

Walls and ceilings coated with a porous flat finish should be primed with Regal First Coat® primeror Benjamin Moore Fresh Start® primer.

Wood surfaces that are unpainted or previously painted and sanded to raw wood should be primed with Moore's® Alkyd Enamel Underbody primer or Benjamin Moore Fresh Start® primer.

Source: Benjamin Moore 2002