Knowing How Many Coats of Paint Primer You Need for Your Walls

Primers are designed to get a surface ready for the next stage of decoration. It is important to know how many layers of primer you should apply to a wall before you start painting. Too few layers could result in the wall not being properly prepared, while too many layers is a waste of your time and money. There are several different primers types, which can influence how many layers you need to apply to your walls.

Oil Primer

An oil primer acts as a stain blocker. If there are stubborn stains on the surface of a wall, which you cannot remove, a single layer of latex primer should cover this stain from view. A maximum of one more layer should be used where one layer does not cover a stain. There is also masonry primer, which is latex based. This should only be used on masonry blocks or surfaces and requires a single layer only.

TIP: Doityourself’s painting consultant Edward Kimble, author of Interior House Painting Blog, suggests, “If doing a home where there are smokers and the walls are stained from that type of smoke, latex primer will NOT cover the stain, only an oil base primer/sealer can do that.”

Latex Primer

Latex primer has a similar consistency to oil primer although it will be slightly thinner. Latex primer is ideal for using on walls, which are subjected to dampness. You first have to dry up the dampness on the wall. Fans will work. Oil and water don’t mix, so a damp wall will most likely not receive an oil base primer. Being water based, latex primer will be absorbed by the damp walls. A maximum of two layers only should be used on a damp wall before another paint is applied. A single layer will be enough if the wall is not damaged in any way. A thin single layer should be applied to a wall where a specific decoration or area of paint will go.

Tinted Shellac Primer

Tinted shellac primer has a specific purpose of being able to mask severely damaged walls. These may be walls damaged by dampness or smoke. For smoke damage from a fire or heater blow back, shellac or alcohol primer is the first choice. However, stains from cigarette smoke stains need oil base. A single layer is enough to hide minor problems. However, further layers should be added until smoke or water damage has disappeared. Primer will not affect the color of the finish paint. You can also have the primer tinted to the chosen finish color, and this will generally eliminate one coat of paint. Two layers of application should be enough. Tinted shellac primer is very good at masking smells. Further layers can be added to mask the stale smell of dampness or an area of the wall where a pet may have urinated.

TIP: Edward says, “There is another type of shellac called “orange shellac” which is the only thing that can keep knots in wood from eventually showing through the finish coat.”

Clear Coat Primer

Clear coat primer is perfect for using on virtually brand new walls. This primer is much thinner than other alternatives. The purpose of clear coat primer is to create a surface over a wall which will help paint to stick. If you are planning to paint a brand new wall, a single layer is all that will be needed. If the wall is not brand new but in very good condition and undamaged, apply up to three layers before you start your painting job.

TIP: Edward cautions, “Wear protective gear including a respirator for oil base and shellac base primers, it is very important.” Edward Kimble, professional painter and author of Interior House Painting Blog, contributed to this article.

Edward Kimble, professional painter and author of Interior House Painting Blog, contributed to this article.