Wood is one of the easier surfaces to paint. It accepts paint very well and the paint is durable once applied. Primer is always applied to the surface prior to applying the base color. The primer needs to cover in a consistent manner so it can protect the surface and create a smoother surface that the base color will adhere to quickly too.
One question that is asked frequently is how many coats of primer on wood? The answer depends on several variables.
What Do You Need To Know About Priming Wood?
Priming on New Wood
If the wood that you are about to paint has never been painted before then you are going to have to apply more primer. New wood absorbs the wet primer easily. When the primer dries you will notice light patches or uneven coverage appearance.
Most of the time you apply one or two coats of high-quality primer to the wood before you paint. Primer is thicker than paint and that is why one coat often gives you ample coverage.
If the wood is new and has never been painted, then you may need to apply 3 or more coats of primer before you get a uniform and consistent coverage.
Previously Painted Wood
If you are about to paint a wooden surface that has been painted before you will probably need to apply one to two coats of primer. The amount of primer that you use will be determined by the condition of the surface material, the color of the previous paint, and whether the item is interior or exterior positioned.
Wood Condition
Good condition items do not have peeling paint, rough areas, scratches, or any rotting or deteriorating wood. You should see no mold or mildew, and the surface should feel relatively smooth when you run your hand across it. If your surface is not smooth, or it has problems, then you are going to have to address the condition of the wood, and then apply heavier coats of primer to cover up imperfections and flaws. You may need 3 or more coats of primer to correct problematic surfaces.
Stains are often the biggest reason why people have to apply more primer to a wooden surface. A watermark can bleed through the primer and through the paint. Grease stains and stains from other liquids can also ruin the finish you are trying to achieve. Stained surfaces require greater amounts of preparation and primer to create a flawless area ready for paint.
Dark or Vibrant Paint
If you are repainting an item that was previously painted a deep color like red, emerald green, brown, black, or a bright color like sunshine yellow, harvest orange, or something similar then you may need additional coats of primer.
Dark and vibrant colors bleed through and they are either visible after the paint dries or they show through just enough to alter the color of the paint you have chosen. To eliminate this bleeding problem, you simply coat the item with additional primer.
Apply the primer and let it dry completely. Look at the surface closely and if you can see the dark color beneath, or if the primer appears to be darker in color, then apply another coat of primer and check again. You may need 3 or more coats to cover some colors, especially really dark ones or neon colors.
Same Color or Light Colors
If you are repainting an item with the same color paint or with a light color paint in the same hue then you can probably get away with only one coat of primer. The primer sets the stage and gets things ready for the paint and if you are using the same color there will not be much need for the primer other than to cover imperfections and make adherence better.
If you buy a quality paint that is designed with a primer in it you can skip the separate primer if you are painting the wood the same color or a slightly darker color than what is already present. Doing this may alter the final color of your paint so most professionals recommend a separate primer with all paint.
Womanized or Treated Wood
Womanized and treated wooden surfaces should not have paint, primer, or stain applied to them until they have dried and aged. This type of wood has been chemically treated to prevent rot and deterioration. You have to allow several weeks to months for the wood to dry out before you apply any color or protective coating to it.
Primer Types and Considerations
Primer is made to create an even layer of protection over the wooden surface prior to applying the main color of paint. Primer is cheaper than paint and may cost half the price of the paint. The monetary savings you achieve by using a primer is one of the leading reasons why most people always apply primer first. Many people apply one coat of primer, no matter what the circumstances and this does not leave them with the nicest finishes.
The primer should be purchased according to where it will be, say inside and protected from weather, or outside and exposed to everything. The amount of primer you use is going to depend greatly on the type of primer you buy, and where the wood is going to stay.
Exterior Primer
The beauty of exterior primer is it is designed to protect the wood from high humidity exposure, sunlight damage, moisture from rain, and mold and mildew. Exterior primer creates a surface that is less likely to crack, blister or peel, so it protects the paint from these conditions.
Exterior primer is normally a one-coat product. It is very thick and the manufacturer designs it to be applied on average, in just one application. With this said the manufacturer expects you to apply the primer in the consistency it is already in. Many spray guns and paint sprayers require you to thin the primer down. If you thin the primer you are going to apply several coats to get the same protection you would from the original substance.
Exterior primer may be oil-based or water-based. Pay close attention to this fact because oil-based paints applied over a water-based primer can cause the primer to buckle or crack. The same thing can happen if you apply water-based paints over oil-based primers. Keep your substance bases alike for the best results.
Interior Primer
The interior primer is going to be protective against mold, mildew, and moisture from the high humidity levels seen in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. It is also normally designed to block stain penetration from watermarks and grease stains so the stain cannot bleed through the primer and ruin the final paint finish.
Interior primer is normally designed for wood or drywall surfaces, and in most instances, the manufacturer believes that you can get adequate coverage using only one coating of the primer. This is normally always the case if you apply the primer with a brush and roller. One coat will cover in a uniform fashion and provide protection.
If you use a paint sprayer then one coat of primer will be increased to two or more coats. The paint sprayers normally cannot handle the viscosity of the primer and the substance has to be thinned to allow it to be applied. The paint sprayer uses 40% more substance while painting, and with the primer thinned you are going to have to make more than one coat to get even coverage.
Proper Primer Application
To get the best coverage in the fewest number of coatings you should follow these simple steps and tips.
- Clean the surface area thoroughly before applying the primer. Clean away dust and particulates, and if the wood is really dirty, wash it with soap and water, then let it dry 100% before you apply the primer.
- Use a roller and brush for the best coverage. Dip the roller in the pan, load it up with primer, then roll the roller over the raised portions of the pan to wipe away excess material that could drip or run.
- Apply the primer to the wood and try to get complete coverage. If you see bare spots in the primer then you will have raised or rough spots when you are through.
- Let the primer dry completely before making any determinations of how many coats are needed.
- When dry run your hands over the primer and feel for rough or raised areas. You want to sand the rough areas lightly until they feel smooth. Then remove the dust created by the sanding before you apply the next coat of primer.
- Always sand rough areas between each coat to get a better surface. The condition of your primer is going to decide the condition your paint will be in. If you want smooth and professional-looking paint jobs create smooth and professional quality primer coats.
Your Paint Matters
The paint you are about to use will make a big difference in the number of primer coatings you can make. You know that oil-based paint needs oil-based primer, but the quality and viscosity of the paint are what make the biggest difference.
Lower-quality paints are thinner and they do not create the same coverage as high-quality paints do. The lower-quality paints do not go on as smoothly so the primer you use beneath them must be totally flawless. If you are painting with cheaper paints then you are going to have to use more coats of primer so you can create a specialized base that allows the paint to stick and allows the surface area to look flawless.
Specialty paints like milk paint, chalk paint, and other such specialty substances may require you to apply additional coats of primer before you apply the paint. Think of specialty paints as being fragile and they do not cover up the minor imperfections that a sturdy latex would cover. Apply your primer according to how the paint you are using will dry and appear in the end.
Pro Tips
- Do not be in a hurry when applying primer. Consider this part of the paint job as the most critical. Your primer sets the tone for how everything else will come out.
- Buy the highest quality primer you can afford. Cheaper primers are usually thinner, and they do not cover as completely. If you have to buy cheap primer then plan on applying more than 2 coats for the best results.
- Paint and primer combinations are fabulous, but they do not excuse you from using a primer before you paint. If you apply a primer first and then use the paint and primer combination you can usually use only one coat of the more expensive paint.
Final Thoughts
Priming the wood before you paint is the only way to get flawless coverage and a professional-looking finish. Use a high-quality primer, apply enough to totally cover any imperfections or wood exposure, and allow it to dry completely before you paint. The results will be worth the time investment.
