An age-old question plaguing those seeking to get their walls a makeover is whether to use a wall primer or not, more so if they are interior walls. Though it is always recommended to use a layer for an optimal finish, we at Indigo Paints are here to explain what exactly an interior wall primer is and its various categories so you can make an informed decision.
What is an Interior Wall Primer?
A wall primer is almost like a hybrid between paint and glue. While in layman’s terms, a wall primer may be best described as paint minus the pigment, it is a lot denser in its solid concentration and contains an adhesive binder. Though both interior and exterior walls require priming, they have different specifications. As a rule of thumb, interior paint primers focus on the durability and appearance of the topcoat.
When do you need an Interior Wall Primer?
Here are the situations when you absolutely should not consider compromising on wall primer:
You are painting a bare wood surface or drywall
You are painting a non-water resistant surface
The wall has a pre-existent coat of glossy paint
You are changing the colour of your walls from drastically dark to light
You want to hide joints or cracks and have a smooth uniform finish
You are apprehensive about smoke stains or grease ruining your paint job
You want your topcoat to last for as long as possible
Types of Interior Wall Primers
There is a range of different interior wall primers to match your preferences and specifications:
Oil-based Primers:
These are the most common category of interior wall primers, owing to their compatibility with both oil and latex paints, and are therefore suitable for a range of interior surfaces. They are excellent at preventing stains from peeking through your beautifully painted walls, and also delay the peeling or cracking of paint.
Latex-based Primers:
As water-based primers, they are perfect as the first coat on drywall or softwood. These are typically fast-drying, easy to clean, and are a healthier variant of primers owing to the low VOC.
Shellac Primer:
They are an ideal interior wall primer if stain-blocking is a priority for you. They can cover up almost any kind of stain- whether it is a smoke stain or rust, or even wood tannins permeating to the topcoat.
That is all you needed to know about interior wall primers to get started on your painting journey. We at Indigo Paints are here to provide you with all the expert support you may need along the way!
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