The Unsung Hero Of Painting: Why Primers Matter More Than You Think
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya
When homeowners picture a fresh paint job, the conversation usually jumps straight to color. Which shade of white will brighten the kitchen? Which navy or green makes a statement in the dining room? But behind every smooth, lasting finish lies a step that rarely gets the spotlight: primer.
If paint is the star, primer is the stage: quietly setting the conditions for beauty, durability, and consistency. At Stanwich Painting, we often say primer is nearly as important as the paint itself. Skip it, and even the finest Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams colors can disappoint.
Why Primers Are So Important
Primer is not just “extra paint.” It has unique properties designed to solve problems before the topcoat goes on.
Adhesion: Primer gives paint something to grip, especially on slick or previously glossy surfaces.
Sealing: Porous materials like new drywall, plaster, or raw wood absorb paint unevenly. Primer evens out absorption so the finish looks uniform.
Stain Blocking: Smoke, water marks, rust, or wood tannins can bleed through paint. A stain-blocking primer seals them in.
Durability: Paint over primer resists peeling, cracking, and fading. Without primer, your walls might look good for a season—but problems often show up within a year.
Think of primer as the invisible insurance policy that protects your paint investment.
Different Surfaces, Different Needs
Not all walls are alike, which means not all primers are either. The right product depends on the surface beneath:
New Drywall: Drywall is highly porous. A PVA drywall primer seals the paper and joint compound so the topcoat doesn’t soak in unevenly.
Plaster: In many older Fairfield County homes, plaster walls benefit from a bonding primer that fills hairline cracks and creates a smooth base.
Bare Wood: Wood grain and knots bleed tannins. An oil-based or shellac primer prevents discoloration.
Glossy Surfaces: Repainting over glossy finishes without sanding is risky. A bonding primer like Stix ensures adhesion.
Masonry or Brick: Masonry primers are formulated to handle alkaline surfaces and resist efflorescence (the white, powdery film that can form on brick).
Primer selection is not guesswork…it’s professional judgment that comes with experience.
Primer Types Every Homeowner Should Know
There’s no single “best primer” — the right choice depends on the job. Here are some of the most widely used, each with strengths homeowners should understand:
Kilz: A trusted brand for decades. Kilz Original is oil-based, great for blocking stubborn stains and sealing odors, while Kilz 2 is a water-based version that’s lower in odor and easier to clean up. Both are ideal when you’re dealing with water marks, smoke damage, or musty rooms.
Stix: A specialty bonding primer that adheres where others fail. Stix grips to slick surfaces like tile, laminate, PVC, or glass — making it invaluable for high-end Fairfield County remodels where unusual surfaces meet custom finishes.
Zinsser BIN: The go-to for serious stain and odor issues. This shellac-based primer dries fast, blocks wood tannins, and permanently seals smoke or pet odors. While it’s more challenging to work with (and requires denatured alcohol cleanup), its performance is unmatched in certain scenarios.
PVA Drywall Primers: Designed specifically for new drywall, these primers seal the paper and joint compound, preventing uneven sheen. They’re cost-effective and create the perfect base for flat or matte topcoats.
Masonry Primers: Often overlooked, masonry primers are formulated to deal with alkaline surfaces like concrete, brick, or stucco. They prevent efflorescence and help topcoats resist moisture penetration.
Each primer has a purpose, and professional painters know when to reach for which. At Stanwich Painting, this is part of the prep process that ensures every wall, ceiling, and exterior surface gets exactly the foundation it needs.
Interior vs. Exterior Primers
It’s worth noting that interior and exterior primers aren’t interchangeable. Exterior primers are formulated to withstand moisture, UV rays, and temperature swings—critical in Connecticut’s humid summers and icy winters.
Along the coast in towns like Greenwich and Darien, salt air and humidity can wreak havoc on exterior paint. A high-quality exterior primer locks down bare wood and prevents premature peeling, especially on trim, fascia boards, and siding exposed to the elements. Interior primers, meanwhile, are designed for smoothness, stain resistance, and indoor air quality. Using the wrong one can compromise both appearance and longevity.
How Primer Elevates the Paint Itself
Primer doesn’t just help with adhesion—it improves the look and feel of the final finish:
Color Vibrancy: Covering a dark color with a light primer means fewer topcoats. Some primers can even be tinted to better match bold new shades.
Sheen Consistency: Without primer, walls can look patchy—shiny in some spots, dull in others. A primed surface levels everything out.
Longevity: Proper priming helps your paint withstand daily wear and Connecticut’s seasonal extremes, saving money on future repaints.
Common Homeowner Mistakes
Even well-intentioned DIYers stumble when it comes to primers. The biggest pitfalls include:
Skipping spot-priming on patched areas, which then “telegraph” through the final coat.
Using latex primer on wood knots instead of shellac, leading to brownish bleed-through.
Painting over water stains without sealing them first, causing them to reappear.
Not letting primer cure fully before painting, which can cause peeling.
Spot-priming when a full coat is required. While small patches can be sealed individually, larger areas of new drywall or bare wood almost always need a complete primer coat for even results.
These headaches are preventable with the right approach and product knowledge.
Myth Busting: The Self-Priming Paint Trap
Walk down the paint aisle and you’ll find countless cans promising “paint and primer in one.” It’s marketed as an easy win—skip a step, save money, finish faster. But here’s the truth: these products don’t replace a dedicated primer.
They’re not true primers. They’re simply thicker paints with more solids. They work for repainting a sound, previously painted wall, but they don’t seal porous surfaces, block stains, or bond to glossy finishes.
They can cost more in the long run. Instead of one coat of primer plus two coats of paint, you may need three or four coats of the pricier all-in-one product.
They encourage skipping prep. Believing “primer is included” tempts homeowners to bypass sanding, cleaning, or spot-priming. That’s when adhesion problems and peeling begin.
The bottom line: paint-and-primer-in-one is fine for quick refreshes, but it’s not a substitute for proper prep. At Stanwich, we never cut corners on foundation work. That extra step is what makes your finish coat shine.
The Stanwich Difference
Meticulous prep is at the heart of our reputation. For us, priming isn’t just a box to check; it’s the foundation of the entire project. Our team evaluates every surface—drywall, plaster, wood, masonry—and chooses the right primer for the job.
We believe in doing it right the first time, so your home not only looks beautiful when we leave, but continues to look beautiful for years to come. That’s how we help homeowners fall in love with their homes again.Primer may never be glamorous, but it’s the quiet champion behind every lasting paint job. From blocking stains to bonding to tricky surfaces, it’s what ensures your investment looks beautiful long after the brushes are cleaned.
If you’re planning to paint your home in Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, Riverside, or Wilton, start with the right foundation.
Call Stanwich Painting at 475-252-9500 or request a free consultation.
Further Reading From The Stanwich Painting BlogChecklist for Getting Your Home Ready for Interior Paint Season – Preparation is everything. Here’s how to make sure your home is primed—literally and figuratively—for a paint refresh.Fall Exterior Painting: Last Call Before Winter in Fairfield County – Why exterior prep (including primer) is so critical before the cold sets in.The Psychology of Home: Why a Freshly Painted Home Can Improve Your Mood – How paint goes beyond walls to influence well-being.How Light Affects Paint Hues – Once primer does its job, light is the next factor in how your chosen color will read.Sherwin-Williams: Primers and Sealers – Manufacturer guidance on when to use specific primers.Benjamin Moore: Primer Family – A breakdown of interior and exterior primers from one of our preferred brands.