You have just primed your walls and are now thinking about painting your ceiling. You may wonder if you can use the primer for both surfaces since they are both white.
While primer can technically be used as paint, it is not recommended for ceilings since it will not provide the same finish or coverage as a dedicated ceiling paint. In most cases, it’s best to use a separate primer and paint for your ceiling to get the best results.
Sometimes you will need to use a primer, and sometimes you don’t need to. Read on to find out more.
When should you use primer on the ceiling?
If your ceiling has stains or it’s smoke-damaged, you’ll need to use a stain-blocking primer before painting. This type of primer will prevent the stains from bleeding through the paint.
It needs 2 coats of a stain-blocking primer and you usually need to wait 24 hours before you can prime the second coat for the best effect.
If spots are showing after 2 coats then primer can be applied to cover those but primer is usually not as flat as regular ceiling paint so touch-ups might be visible in certain light.
If your ceiling looks good after 2 coats of primer then you can leave it as is and no ceiling paint is needed.
If your ceiling is new or has never been painted before, you won’t need to use a primer. The new drywall or plaster will provide a good surface for the paint to adhere to. In this case, you can just apply 2 coats of paint directly to the ceiling without using a primer.
What is primer and what does it do?
Most people have probably heard of primer, but maybe don’t know exactly what it is or what it does.
Primer is a type of paint that is applied before the main coat of paint. It helps the paint to adhere, increases its durability and provides an additional level of protection for the material that is being painted.
Primers can be both water-based and oil-based.
While regular primer is used simply for adhesion other primers can have properties that help to block out stains.
What are the benefits of using primer?
There are several benefits of using primer, which include:
- It provides a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to.
- It helps to improve the durability of the paint.
- It can help to block out stains.
- It can increase the lifespan of the paint job.
How to apply primer
Primer is applied in the same way as paint. You can use a brush, roller or sprayer to apply it to the surface.
Primers usually dry faster than paint so you can paint over it within a few hours unless it’s a stain-blocking primer which usually needs 24 hours to dry between coats.
When applying primer, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This will ensure that you get the best results possible.
Is primer more expensive than paint?
Primer is about the same price as regular paint unless it’s it has stain-blocking properties, in which case it can be slightly more expensive.
But it also depends on the brand. Some brands of primer are more expensive than others and the same goes for paint.
Should I sand before applying primer?
In general, it’s not needed to sand before priming.
If you’re painting over a previously painted ceiling with a glossy finish you should sand before applying primer as this will help to rough up the surface and create an ideal surface for the new paint to adhere to.
Do you have to sand after primer?
If it’s smooth to the touch, you don’t need to sand it after the primer has dried.
If there are any rough spots or imperfections, you can sand them down before painting over the ceiling.
Conclusion
Although a primer can be used as paint for your ceiling you should use paint that is designed for ceilings as this will give you the best results.
If your ceiling has stains or it’s smoke-damaged, you’ll need to use a stain-blocking primer before painting.
