Painting things

[davey]

When you paint something big, like a car or a house, sometimes you start off with a primer layer. That means that you have to paint the whole house with paint that you’ll never see, then do it all over again with a whole other color.

Is the primer layer worth the money and the effort when it is just going to be painted over anyhow?

[fearlessfreap]

The primer makes the paint stick better and go on more smoothly. You can skip the primer layer, but you’ll likely make up for it with another coat of regular paint for a smooth uniform finish.

[davey]

Why not just do the outer coat. Since that’s the coat that matters? You don’t go out in the cold with two coats, do you? Painters like making the money of selling you extra coats, but I don’t think they really know what they are doing.

[Half Machine Lipschitz]

If you're painting over fresh drywall that's been mudded and sanded, then you want to use primer to ensure an even finish, but if you're painting over an already existing coat of paint then primer isn't necessary.

[~ / % ? *]

Are you painting metal or wood? Interior/exterior? Primer for exterior house or automotive can have weatherproofing properties, at the very least properly applied it prevents moisture between paint and surface. Interior house wise, it may be needed to cover another color so multiple coats need not be applied. If it fresh dry wall it cures the surface prevents it from drinking multiple coats for proper even finish. If there are stains on walls you will need it as the stains will come through multiple layers. If the house painter is using a sprayer he is not doing two coats: he is spraying then rolling the spray, hence two coats.

Automotive painting is a whole science in how the primer, the paint coats, and the protective glaze are all layered, wet sanded, etc., There really isn't a lot of messing around as it works/bonds systematically, cheating out in one area negates the value/effect of the steps before and steps after.  Back in the day I did have a friend who insisted in painting his various cars with house paints, and it did look as one would fear, but was effective in preventing rust.

[rayge]

FF and CO have said what I was going to say.
If you're talking about gloss painting on bare wood, you must have a primer or undercoat, and even then a couple of top coats. I'm looking at having to do a third on my inside front door.

[oh oooh]

for fuck's sake, honestly

[~ / % ? *]

Says the man under super serious AirBnB housekeeping investigation

[davey]

But why not just do the outer coat? Nobody even sees the others? If they weren’t there, how would they know?

[Sneelock]

my deeper meaning detector is beeping.
anybody else?

[~ / % ? *]

Aug 15, 2022 16:03:58 GMT davey said:

But why not just do the outer coat? Nobody even sees the others? If they weren’t there, how would they know?

Because less prep layers, less wear and tear, outer coat is usually just for show, not endurance.

If you are selling it and don't care, we'll know, and think of you differently. But if it is something you care about and you want it to last...don't be a JCoan, the Germans don't trust him.  If it is your house, you can do the prep yourself. 


Hey, if it is a matter of cost just do what you need to do. I would take more allowances with house painting knowing that I can do things myself than I would with automotive painting where I have much less leverage.

[Half Machine Lipschitz]

Aug 15, 2022 16:03:58 GMT davey said:

But why not just do the outer coat? Nobody even sees the others? If they weren’t there, how would they know?

Is this some roundabout way of telling us you've stopped wearing underwear?

[davey]

I was hoping someone would ask…