I am painting my living room. I am putting dark on dark. Do I need to put primer on first??
Answers:
Yes you should use primer with dark colors. It seals the surface, blocks stains, and provides optimal coverage of the top coat. It's less expensive than paint. It's essential when changing colors and should be tinted for best results with deep paint colors like red, blue and green.
Make sure you use the appropriate type of primer for your project (oil based or latex primer). Primer is most especially needed if you are making a transition from oil based paint to latex. Use careful preparation when doing making the switch to latex.
Other answers:
No, but it would look much better!
No, but it would look much better!
no but you may need 2 coats if you dont primer helps the new paint adhere and can cover some flaws in the old paint
No primer needed unless you're painting latex over oil based, if so, then use primer, oil based primer or latex primer, either will work
depends...dark what to dark what. If you are going to an extreme difference I would say definitely. It does help to get the color you want if you did primer. So yes primer, but I do not suggest KILZ2. I have recently used it and thought that it was worthless, stick to the original KILZ, an oil based. Good Luck
It's probably a safe bet to use primer. But it really depends on the colors you're using and how many layers you plan on putting down. If you plan on going with two layers, then you should be fine. If only one layer then I'd suggest using the primer.
What you could do is a small test site (probably 1' x 1') in a well lit area of the wall, so you'll be able to see exactly how it will look with one layer and then a second test site with 2 layers (use the same sized area closer to the floor that way it won't be as noticeable if you find that only one layer is necessary). It's important to have the light on your test sites, because it will definitely show you whether or not the original color will poke through. This should be able to help you.
Good Luck!
You'll only need primer if the current paint on the wall is oil, and you're switching to latex, because you won't get proper adhesion.(Paint stores sell small paint testers for a buck or two if you're not sure).If it turns out you do need to prime, then ask the paint store for a tintable primer, one they can tint in a shade similar to your paint, even tinted primers won't be as dark as your paint, but at least they're better than bright white .
What I'm saying is it's easier to get coverage (likely you'll require fewer coats) if you already have a dark colour on the wall to begin with.
BE careful of deep reds though, ask your paint supplier if it is a red that requires a tinted primer, as some do . Deep reds for example do not give opaque coverage, sometimes they need 5-6 coats before they achieve the true colour, so always ask if your dark colour has a tinted primer to go along with it.
Good Luck !!
you don't need a primer, it would look better tho. if u have the extra money to get a primer thats great. i would also request them to tint your primer to the colour that your planning on using. if your are painting a bright colour, like red or orange, then you will need a grey basecoat. if you don't use the grey basecoat then the rich look of the colour will not happen, and it will kind of have a sponging look to it.
It depends on what color the existing color is, and what your new color will be as well as manufacturer. Some mfrs paints will do very well with one coat, others may take 2 or even more.
You might try an experiment see how your final paint looks in a large area, say 2 ft by 2ft, but in an area that can be easily blended into the room, say above a door. If you are satisfied, then paint the rest of the room with your final color. Be aware that multiple coats of a paint will tend to make it darker.
Otherwise, buy enough primer to do your room, and have it tinted slightly lighter than your final color. Prime the room, then finish with your final color.
Hi,it is better to use primer,but not really that neccessary.Good Luck
Decide whether to prime or not based on whether you are changing substrate or not. ie if its old paint it may be oil based, so putting an acrylic on top (water based) you will definitely need to go for a universal primer.
Detrmine what type of paint thé existing base is using methylated spirits. Rub meths on lightly with light coloured rag. If it is water based paint, the meths will dissolve some of it and it will be apparent on gthe rag. If that occurs, you can put a water based acrylic paint on top without primer.
If you don't need primer, you are better off using your time to lay down an extra coat of paint instead to ensure the colour looks great.
Having said that, if you are changing from an oil base base to acrylic and need to use primer, some vendors will do a tinted primer for you. That way you may get away with one less coat of paint.