We had our last house painted for sale. The painter–who did a good job–used a primer that was tinted just a bit lighter than the paint color.
He said the primer needed to be lighter so that as the paint aged, any chalking or wear would blend into the primer better and be less noticeable.
But that was back in Connecticut, and now we are in a completely different climate (so. California). The house that does not yet need complete painting, although there are sections that could use a touch-up. I’m thinking of doing it myself. Should I follow the painter’s method, i.e., use a primer that is slightly lighter than the paint?
Janet
Replies
I think the main reason for tinting the primer lighter than the top-coat is because if the same formula is used for both, the primer will wind up darker than the top-coat. Over time, a darker primer may affect the top-coat color more than a lighter primer.
At my favorite pain store, they typically tint primers to half of the top-coat. I've had good results with this technique.
-Don
I am no expert and not a professional painter, but I think the main reason they give the primer a half tint is to make it easy to apply the top coat (that is, see what you're doing).
I routinely get the full tint for the primer, and if the top coats do start to wear away, it is hardly noticeable because the primer is the same color.