It's Prime Time

Ok, it's time to get down to the "nitty gritty" about primer. I have made no bones about the fact that I have a love hate relationship with primer, but over the years we have learned to tolerate each other and respect our differences.95 percent of the time I do not use primer in my work due to the fact that it is not needed for the finish I am creating. However, there are times when a primer is absolutely necessary and here is what that looks like.1. Raw unfinished wood. The reason I prime raw wood before painting is because most of the time {but not always} the wood releases tannins that will come through your paint finish....especially when using lighter paint colors. Some wood types do not release as many tannins, so educate yourself on the type of wood you're painting over. Let me reiterate that this is not always the case and sometimes tannins will not happen.....but I have found that tannins usually do rear their ugly heads and so I just nip it from the get go. One of my favorite stain blocking primers is Zinsser Cover Stain Primer Sealer.2. Shiny wood. On occasion a client brings me a mahogany type piece and the existing finish is slicky slick, so I like to give a light sanding and a coat of bonding primer to ensure that the paint finish I put on will stay nice and firm. My favorite bonding primer is Stix  Waterborne Bonding Primer. It is super thin, easy to apply with a brush and or foam roller, and soap and water clean up! I have been able to have this primer tinted to a couple grays, but it is limited in "tintable" colors.This brings me to the very important conversation about another priming must for me. If I am not distressing a piece of furniture that I am priming, I am not picky about what color the primer is tinted. However, if I am distressing a piece that I am priming, the primer must always match the paint color. There is nothing I dislike more, {well that may not be entirely accurate.} than sanding through paint.... only to unleash the wrath of glaring white primer. I personally like to see only the paint color I am using and the wood....that is all. So, either use a paint and primer in one, or tint your primer to match your paint. Not all paint and primer in ones are created equal though and I find that several of them are quite thick when applied. My number one rule when applying paint is thin....thin...thin! Applying three thin coats of paint is way better than one or two thick ones. Don't believe me? Try it...and you'll never go back to thick again. Instead of mentioning the paint and primers in one that I do not like...how bout I just mention the one that I use every single day in the studio.....Benjamin Moore Aura paint. It is always the right color, and always the right consistency.....hands down.3. Dining tables. Dining tables will get so much wear and tear...not to mention temperature inconsistencies due to food dishes and drinks. Always use coasters, trivets, and hot pads to protect your painted dining surfaces. {I know we are not talking about polyurethane in this post but when I seal a dining room table I use Arm-R-Seal oil and urethane top coat by General finishes.} It is the best.There you have it. All of my favorite priming agents....the when, the why, the where. I hope I have answered your questions, but if you have more feel free to ask!{**Disclaimer- I am not being compensated by any of these brands for promoting their product. {although that would be really cool!} I am simply sharing the products I love based on my continuous use of them and their consistent results that I have come to expect and respect.}xo,Barb